27. Raven

27

RAVEN

I was filthy. I had no idea how long I had been down here, but the stench of piss and shit was overwhelming. I had already vomited twice, which only increased the terrible stench. Sweat coated the back of my neck. While it was warm down here, the humidity was nearly unbearable.

I wiped the back of my neck again, resting my head against the wall in my small corner. The other women whimpered from time to time, but I quickly came to realize they were moaning in need. Benjamin's mind games had made it so they were desperate for his return. They needed him like they needed oxygen. It was sick and twisted, and I greatly feared that if I wasn't able to find a way to win Benjamin over, I would one day turn out just like them.

The door at the top of the stairs opened and hope bloomed inside me. I wasn't sure I was ready to be subservient to Benjamin, but I would do my best if it meant getting out of this cell.

This time, Benjamin approached my cell, staring right at me. I stayed in my corner, figuring it would be best if I looked defeated.

"I take it you like your accommodations."

"Not particularly."

"Not a fan of the smell of shit?" he chuckled.

"No, not really."

"I would say that you could join me upstairs, but I'm not sure you're ready for that."

"And what would I have to do to prove that I'm ready?"

His eyes lit with interest as he moved closer to the cell. "You would have to keep me happy."

Great. He wanted me to fuck him. Not that I couldn't do that. I'd slept with my fair share of men before. Yes, his touch would be disgusting, but if I approached this like a job, I could do anything.

"And what would that require?"

"I want you to submit to me."

Yeah, this was going to be harder than I thought. I was no use to myself locked in this cage, but could I really pretend to do anything this man wanted? The thought made me want to puke.

"I can try."

"I'm not sure trying it enough."

He turned away from me and I raced to the bars, gripping them tight. "I can do it!" I wasn't sure I could, but I was desperate to get out of here. If only so I didn't have to hear any more moaning from these women who would do anything to have Benjamin near them.

He slowly turned, a smirk filling his face as he approached. "You'll do anything I ask."

I nodded. It was part of the plan.

"If you don't, you'll end up back here."

"I understand."

It took a moment for him to finally decide to let me out. When he unlocked the cage, excitement filled me at the prospect of escape. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I had him where I wanted him. He had to believe I could be broken. Only then would he allow me small freedoms.

"I'll take you to your room," he said, his voice filled with pride.

As he guided me to the stairs, I looked back at the other women again, a smile curving my lips. I was going to win.

The room was simple, but much better than the cage I was just in. And there was a bathroom, which was really all I needed. I could sleep on a floor, but a toilet was essential.

"Get cleaned up. I'll expect you to be ready for dinner in one hour."

I nodded, relieved when he walked out and closed the door behind him. I was pretty sure he had locked the door, but I went over to check just to be sure. As I suspected, it was locked, but I grabbed two hairpins from the bathroom and got to work. When I was done, I tucked them into my hair and carefully opened the door. I peered into the hallway but saw no one. Slipping out, I hugged the wall as I crept quickly over the plush carpet. I passed picture after picture, all of them worth millions.

My fingers itched to take them, but how would I get them to a fence? I stopped at one in particular and cocked my head as I stared at the lines of the gold frame. With a simple adjustment, it was straight once again.

I continued down the hall until I reached another door. It was locked also, which probably meant it was an office. I pulled the pin from my hair and quickly got to work. "Come on," I muttered as I finally felt everything click into place.

I grinned as I slowly opened the door, but what I found was shocking. "Rafe?"

He turned and glared at me, his eyes roaming over my body. "What are you doing here?"

I quickly shut the door and hurried over to him. His bare chest was bandaged in several spots, but he looked healthy overall. "I was kidnapped and taken here. What are you doing here?"

He stiffened before answering. "Finishing up a job."

"Why do I not believe that?"

"Who brought you here?"

"Some rich prick billionaire. His name is Benjamin. He had me in a fucking cage, but I convinced him I was ready to play along," I said, using air quotes.

Rafe's lips twitched in amusement. He didn't know me well, but playing along wasn't exactly a phrase anyone who'd met me once would use. "And what's your plan?"

"To find a way to escape. There's no fucking way I'm sticking around here."

"Good luck with that. I've been studying this island for years. There's no coming or going unless Zavala wants you to."

"I sort of figured that, but I don't give up easily."

I hadn't known Rafe for long, but I could see the calculation in his eyes. "If I could get you off the island, would you help me?"

"Do you really need to ask?"

He fully turned to me, his gaze full of intent. "There's a woman here—Zavala's wife. We need to get her off the island."

"If she's his wife, she might not want to go."

"She will…in time."

"But why?"

"Don't ask questions?—"

I held up my hand, stopping him right there. "If you think for one minute I'm going to help you without asking questions, you've got some serious issues. Remember the last time I helped you without asking questions? Where did I end up?" I pretended to think. "That's right. I ended up here."

"You don't need to know."

"Of course I do. If you want me to risk my neck to get her off the island, I need details."

I reached forward and pulled at the bandage on his chest, adjusting it so it was perfectly squared off. He batted my hand away, but not before I was able to fix it.

I could see the conflict growing on Rafe's face. For whatever reason, he really didn't want me to know, but this was one thing I wasn't giving up on. I needed answers before I delved any further.

"She's my sister," he gritted out.

My jaw nearly hit the floor at that revelation. "Zavala's wife is your sister?"

He gave a curt nod. "Zavala doesn't know that, so I would appreciate it if you kept that under your hat."

"If I was wearing one, it would be tucked up inside. Holy shit," I said incredulously. "It's just…how long?"

"Thirteen years. I didn't know about her for a long time. My father had an affair with her mother. It's a long story, but she was taken and Zavala forced her to marry him. When I found out, I did everything I could to get her. But this place is a fortress. There's no good way on or off the island."

"Then why did you come here?"

"Because time was running out. The Syndicate is falling, and if it goes down before I can get her out?—"

"She could end up dead," I surmised.

"Precisely. This was my last chance to get to her."

I wanted to laugh at his situation. "So…you got yourself kidnapped to come here, but you have no way off the island?"

"It's not a great plan."

"It doesn't sound like a plan at all."

"Look, she's innocent. I can't stand the thought of her being here for one more fucking minute. But she's…I think he's fucking brainwashed her."

I nodded in understanding. "She knows what to expect."

He sighed. "If you could find some way to convince her?—"

"Me? How the hell would I convince her?"

"You're a woman."

"Great observation," I deadpanned.

"Look, she doesn't trust me, but I need to convince her this is the right thing to do."

I saw the clock on the wall and realized I had already been gone for way too long. If I was going to be ready for dinner, I had to get moving. "I'll do what I can. I have to go before I get caught. Then I'll just end up back in the cages."

I turned, but Rafe grabbed my arm, pulling me back to him. "Raven…whatever happens…she gets off this island."

I shook my head in confusion. "What?—"

"I knew this might be a one-way trip for me. You're the only other person who can help me. Swear to me, if there's a way, you will get her out of here and back to Cash. He'll know what to do."

"Rafe, we'll all get out of here."

But I could tell by the look in his eyes that he didn't think that was going to happen. "Just swear to me."

"I swear," I said, because when a man asked you to save his sister, you fucking did it. The man was giving up everything for her. The least I could do was honor his final request.

"Thank you."

I didn't picture Rafe as the type of man to thank anyone or ask for permission, so hearing it from his lips sent chills down my spine. I wanted to give him some sort of reassurance, but I wasn't even sure how I would get out of here.

I headed for the door and peeked into the hallway. It was clear and I quickly slipped back to my room, shutting the door behind me. Leaning against it, I took a deep breath. I only had a half hour to get ready and then Benjamin would be back for me. I would have to greatly adjust my plans to ensure I could get Rafe's sister out of here. I would play along in any way I had to.

This wasn't just about me anymore. I made a promise to Rafe, and I would fulfill it.

I slipped into my heels just as Benjamin strolled through the door. If I didn't know what a sleazebag he was, I might have been tempted to sleep with him at another time. He looked like a slimmer version of James Bond, without all the muscles and lethal stares.

I stood, wearing a green dress with a plunging neckline and a slit up the side of my leg. The only time I would be caught dead in something like this was if I needed it for a job. I hated heels like this, much preferring my black leather boots to fancy, uncomfortable stilettos.

"I see you put in some effort." Benjamin smiled, walking forward as he took in my appearance. There wasn't much I could do with my hair on such short notice, so I let it hang in damp waves down my back with a few pins strategically placed to hold up the front of it. Mostly, I just liked to keep pins nearby in case I came across a lock that needed to be picked.

"I told you I could be compliant."

"We'll see about that," he huffed. "Let's go."

I took his proffered arm and walked with him to a large den. Zavala was already in there with his wife on his arm. Looking at her again, I could see the resemblance to Rafe, even if it was slight. He led me over to the bar where a man stood behind the counter, dutifully waiting on anyone who entered the room. Tonight, it was only Zavala and his wife, and Benjamin and me. The excess of wealth was ridiculous. But I suppose if I had enough money to buy an island, I might have someone there to mix drinks for me and my few friends as well.

"Scotch on the rocks and white wine," Benjamin said, ordering for me.

I hated white wine, but I was trying to be compliant. I smiled as he handed me the glass, then allowed him to lead me across the room to Zavala and his wife. When she turned, she kept her eyes down, only raising them for a split second.

"You remember Ebarardo," Benjamin grinned.

"How could I forget," I said, my smile strained. "He's the one who led me to you."

Benjamin caught the bite in my tone and narrowed his eyes at me. "Yes, and how lucky you are to be out of your cage."

"Isabelle, you remember Raven," Zavala said, tucking an arm around her waist.

"Your dress is beautiful," I remarked, only to feel a pinch in my side.

"You will not speak until you are spoken to," Benjamin hissed.

I snapped my mouth shut, staring at Isabelle. How did she live like this? I couldn't imagine being here with Zavala for thirteen years. Like those women in the basement, Isabelle must have been brainwashed or have Stockholm Syndrome. I could see now why Rafe needed my help getting her out of here.

"I hope your room is adequate," Zavala said, staring at me. "Better than the cage."

"Yes," I smiled. "The stench down there is overwhelming."

"Then I'm sure you'll be extra grateful to Benjamin for allowing you to come up for air." He turned to Benjamin. "Speaking of stenches, I have a guest coming tonight."

"Really? Anyone I know?"

"You haven't met him yet, but our dear Raven knows him quite well."

All eyes turned to me. "Really? Who's that?"

"Rafe."

My eyes widened as I pretended to be shocked to learn he was here. I wasn't entirely sure how to respond to this information. I didn't know yet if Rafe was on Zavala's good side or not. "Really?"

"Would you like to tell Benjamin how you happen to know him?"

"Through work. As you know, I'm a thief."

"A beautiful thief," Benjamin grinned. "I can't for the life of me figure out why you would choose that as your profession when you could be hanging off any man's arm."

I briefly thought of Noah, but shoved him from my mind. Thank God he wasn't wrapped up in all this. Zavala would have chewed him up and spit him out.

"Well, not everyone can aspire to be arm candy," I jested. "There aren't enough men in the world."

They got a good chuckle out of that, but I was pretty sure they were laughing at me more than anything. Not that I cared. I sipped my wine and kept my mouth shut, studying Isabelle as discreetly as possible. She was beautiful, but I could tell the years being here had been stressful. Rafe said it had been thirteen years. Based on her looks, I would say she was taken maybe when she was twenty, but I couldn't be sure.

"Should we go into the dining room?" Zavala asked.

I pulled my gaze from Isabelle and stepped aside. As the men led us into the dining room, I caught Isabelle staring at me suspiciously. I needed to pass her a message, but I wasn't sure how to do that when these guys were watching us like hawks. Maybe Rafe would have a solution at dinner.