15. Fifteen

Joey

My conversation with Isaiah doesn"t last as long as I"d like it to. I"ve heard his voice many times over the course of days, but this time it isn"t only in my head. This time it is real, and every last sweet word spoken between us is what I"ll keep replaying in my head on a continuum. It's true that it was Isaiah and our memories together that had got me through the roughest days of my life, but that was before Carlos had found me. I know it"s more than that now.

I stare up at Carlos and he smiles, taking the phone from me to hide it back in a secret place in the closet. He makes sure to turn it off first, because he doesn"t want the wrong person to hear it and give them an excuse to enter his room to investigate. He has his laptop on strict lock down and left all his most important possessions that he didn"t want others getting locked in a safe that only he has a code to.

"We should get downstairs and you should look the part." He points to the black duffel bag and I rush toward it to pull out a white silk negligee and a pair of white lace panties that are hidden underneath the soft gown when I pull it down. Carlos is turned the other way the whole time, pretending to look out the window. I'm not sure why his actions keep surprising me.

There's a reason Isaiah always considered him to be such a good friend. On the outside he appears like everyone else here. He is a large man full of piercings and tattoos, ones I got to have a sneak peek of the other night when he slept in nothing but a pair of sweatpants.

A few colored flowers peek from underneath his collar and part of the vines of the tattoos on his arms are visible above the cuffs of his coat. He doesn"t smile much and mostly wears a hard, serious expression and his hair is long enough to be pulled back into a small ponytail. His dark facial hair highlights his sharp jawline and if his button up shirt were any tighter, he'd probably pop a few buttons with his muscular chest. But these are all only outer appearances and they sometimes make him appear terrifying and threatening. It's the side he shows everyone outside this room and it's who the men downstairs would see. Not me, not anymore.

"I'm ready," I say, tugging on the hem of my gown. "Did you pick this out yourself?"

"I sent someone to a nearby lingerie shop and asked him to pick me up a few things. It suits you, though."

"It's not see through like the last one. At least I won't be on full display tonight, not that it matters at this point. I'd walk there in my birthday suit if it meant we got out of here sooner."

He huffs a laugh. "I have something else that I think will really complete the outfit. I think it will help us play the part without having to take any of our clothes off." He wraps a thick pink collar around my neck, slipping in a finger to make sure it's not too tight. "There." He swallows so hard his Adam"s apple bobs in his throat. "It's perfect." His fingers tug on the collar a little and his mouth is so close to mine, the warmth of his breath heats my lips. He clears his throat, allowing my eyes to break from his. "Let's go put on a show."

"Are you still sure we can do this alone?"

"No, I'm not. We may not have to though. Like Miguel Jeventino, I have friends everywhere. I'm sure there are a few men here in Florida who owe me a favor or two."

"You don't seem like the type of man who asks for favors often."

"I'm not and that's why I have so many to cash in. It's about time I finally start collecting. We should get there a few minutes early. It'll give me time to get a better look at the other floor."

"Okay. I'm ready when you are. Let"s get this over with."

Carlos places soft leather cuffs around my wrists when I place my arms behind my back. I let out a gasp when he hooks a leash to my collar. "That way you know which way to go when I lead you down the hallway."

"What do you mean? Couldn't I just follow the way…" The rest of my words get caught in my throat when he pulls out a blind fold from his pocket. The soft pink silk wraps around my eyes as he ties the back ends together. My breathing increases when he tugs the leash.

"Come on. I lead and you follow." I bump into him a few times, not able to use my arms to help feel around me. He finally grabs my arms and pulls me into the elevator. "It's okay, Little one, I got you. I know you don't trust me, but maybe for a little while you can pretend to."

The gentle touch of his fingers on my arm has my breathing evening out and my shoulders dropping. The thing is, while in this elevator alone with him and his strong scent mixed with Isaiah"s filling the room, I don't need to pretend.

The elevator dings and the doors open. Carlos tugs me with him down the long hallway until we reach the back double doors to the pool outside. I don"t hear any other footsteps besides our own. Everyone must all be inside. Carlos pushes the button on the wall. The buzzing sounds have loud footsteps approaching the entrance. The doors make a harsh shaking noise when they pull open.

"Well, what do we have here? I have to say I'm a fan of the new accessories," someone says, tugging on the end of the leash that"s connected to the collar. "Please come in and sit wherever you would like. A waiter will be your way soon to ask you your drink of choice. Will you be getting into the pool tonight?"

"I don't think we will. We won't be staying very long. I have made plans for me and my pet later."

"I understand completely. I'm glad you were able to join us even if it's just for a little while."

I follow behind Carlos, trying my best to walk in what my body thinks is a straight line as he pulls on the leash behind him. I nearly trip over a chair and someone grabs my arm, helping me to regain my balance. "Careful now. Don't want to ruin that pretty face of yours, especially if I decide to make an offer on you tonight."

My eyes grow wide at the man's raspy voice that isn't as deep as the one that had recently surrounded me in the elevator or hotel room. That's because it's someone else. His strong liquored breath mixed with the smell of cigars brings back memories of the vile man I had the displeasure of playing slave to earlier—Mr. Williams. A large body stands between us, making it easier for me to breathe when the foul smell of Mr. Williams"s breath is no longer close enough to make my stomach turn.

"You will not touch him while he is mine. Do it again, and I will break your fingers."

"I'm not sure you're allowed to talk to other special guests that way," Mr. Williams replies.

"I"d like to watch someone stop me," I grit out.

"Is there a problem here, gentlemen?" a voice I don't recognize asks.

"No, not at all. I was just saying hello to a new friend," Mr. Williams says with his words straining. "Isn't that right, Mr. Masters?"

"Sure, we will be taking our seats now, if neither of you gentlemen mind."

"Of course," Mr. Williams says with a malicious tone in his voice. "I hope you get your money's worth, because after tomorrow night, it will be me telling you not to touch what's mine."

Carlos releases a growl, pulling me too quickly in the opposite direction almost making me fall again. No one reaches for my arm this time. Tonight and tomorrow have to go well. There is no way I am going anywhere with that vile man.

Carlos pulls me to the ground. "Sit, pet." The chair next to me scrapes against the floor when his body falls back in it. He pets the top of my head roughly. "Such a good boy. How about you keep sitting there, continuing to look pretty until I"m ready to use you."

Based on Carlos"s last words, I know we are no longer alone or in the safe zone. We now have a live audience and there can be no more mishaps. From here on out, I am nothing more than a pet and Carlos is my Master.