Chapter Twenty-Two

Shelby

River and Rain did indeed show up with everything I might need and then some. I spent a few days being pampered by them when they weren’t off working and avoided Blake the rest of the time. He’d left me with fucking over-the-counter medication for pain reliever. My first period in who-knew-how-long, along with my aching ribs, and he left me with some generic shit that barely helped and supplements that made my stomach hurt. So I left the room when he showed up and ignored him when he knocked on my door if I wasn’t in the boys’ room. Gavin was too tied up with whatever Gavin did to pester me.

The only good thing that came out of having my period was Sherry wouldn’t be lying on whatever report she had to make. The fact that she had to make one at all still left me irate, but I didn’t have any control over that. Annoyed as I was, I’d started my plotting to leave again. Not even the little area outside could cheer me up.

“Fenced me in like a damn dog,” I muttered over my dinner plate.

“Who’s a dog?” a woman’s voice asked from behind my chair.

I turned to look over my shoulder to find a woman I’d seen around but hadn’t met. Having chosen to face away from the dining room, you’d think people would leave you alone, but no, apparently not. I debated not answering, except that would be rude. Like her.

Gesturing with my fork, I made a show of swallowing before I answered her. “Men,” I said with only a hint of snideness.

She nodded along and smiled, then came around and took the seat across from me like I’d invited her. I scowled at her, but she must have been oblivious, or maybe she thought it was directed at a man.

“They can be that,” she offered. “You’re Shelby, right? I’ve seen you here and there, but never alone.”

Her wording raised my hackles, but since she hadn’t done anything, I shrugged and nodded. “Yep.” Hoping one-word answers and stuffing my face would deter her, I took another bite.

“Well, I just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Bethany, by the way. If you need anything, I’m usually around here earlier in the day. I’m about to head out for work now, but feel free to find me if you get bored.”

I took her in then, noticing the make-up and sleekly curled hair, slightly at odds with her more casual jeans and tank top. I hadn’t paid much attention to her before and had to wonder if she was a hooker, not that I was about to ask.

I wasn't judging, but after everything I'd gone through with those vile women, I was less than inclined to trust an escort around me at all. They had also worked for Gavin, after all, and so did she.

“Nice to meet you,” I managed as she stood. I could be polite, especially if she was leaving. I had a meeting with a heating pad in about twenty minutes that I didn’t plan to be late for.

I reached for my can of cola as she passed, but she stumbled and bumped my arm. I yelped as it rolled across the table, pouring its contents out as it went. I only managed to right it before it fell off the edge and hit the floor.

“Oh, shoot!” she exclaimed. “I’m so sorry. Let me help.” Bethany grabbed some paper towels from the buffett and was right back to mop up the mess. “I’ll grab you another.”

I wanted to tell her not to bother and snap at her for bumping into me, but she’d been flustered and almost panicked. Gavin’s warning to everyone was likely the cause, and I didn’t want to get her into trouble. Besides, straining my voice to try to yell was more work than it was worth, so I sighed and took the wet pile of paper towels to the trash can.

“Can’t a girl just eat her dinner?” I asked my now cold food as I settled back into my seat.

It was only a minute later, just long enough to swallow a bite and have my mouth full again, when she returned with a new can.

“Here, let me open it for you.” She popped the top before I could shake my head, but at that point I just wanted her to go away.

“Thanks,” I said around a bite with a brittle smile. Hers faltered then brightened as she waved and backed away.

“Gotta go! Nice meeting you, Shelby.” She turned and stopped by a different table with another woman and a couple men. I didn’t linger on her as my ribs were hurting, what with keeping them twisted to watch, and frankly I didn’t care as long as she wasn’t coming back to bug me.

I grumbled about her putting her hands on my can and wiped it with my napkin like it would help get her germs off before I took a long drink. At least wiping it made me feel better. That was until Blake came in. I shifted so my hair would fall in a curtain between us, hoping he got the message. Without peeking, I couldn’t be sure he’d left, but he didn’t come over.

Finishing off my plate, I decided to sit out at my table for a bit to enjoy the warm night air, my cramps having subsided while I ate. If it was also to keep from running into Blake, who I couldn’t find in the dining room, well, that was okay too.

I dumped my dishes off in the kitchen and took the rest of my soda with me. With the change from cool air conditioning to the warm night air, a wave of chills ran across my unusually sensitive skin. I tipped my head back, rolling it on my shoulders in a stretch, but that just pulled at my shirt and bra where they pressed against my chest.

“What the heck?” I whispered, glancing down at breasts that felt too big and tender for my bra. It had been a while since I’d had a period, but the sudden heavy, swollen sensation was a little much.

The beams from the flood lights pointed outward, so the yard was mostly in shadows except for the lights over the doors of the sheds. My little area was just out of reach of any direct light. Thirsty, I took another drink while trying to sort out if the heat I’d thought felt good was somehow triggering a reaction. As I sat in the glider, the seam of my leggings shifted, drawing my attention to the ache in my abdomen. But it wasn’t from cramps. No, it was something else entirely. I let the chair glide back and forth as I rocked with my thighs clamped together, barely muffling the moan that built in my throat.

I need to get inside and find someone. I tried, but my vision wasn’t right either. The lights streaked as I squinted in an attempt to focus.

“Dammit!” I swore when my feet were unsteady under my weight. I couldn’t stay outside. Who knew how long it would take for River or Rain to get back, and Blake was unlikely to approach since I’d repeatedly given him the slip or brushed him off. I was on my own. “You can do it, Shelby Ann. You know where the door is.” My pep talk might have had more of an impact had my body not been on fire with a ridiculous level of arousal. “Oh, fuck no. That bitch is dead.” I knew what was happening; I’d felt it often enough.

Don’t panic. Don’t spiral. You have to get inside.

I whimpered in fear. Flashes of Sasha and Marigold laughing as I writhed on the sheets after Dirk shoved bits of pills in my ass. Milo making me scream as he hit the end of me over and over until I came despite the pain.

“Hey there, you alright?” The voice wasn’t familiar, but a person was a person at that point.

“No, I’m not feeling so well. Could you get one of the guys, please?” I didn’t want to alert a stranger that I was in serious trouble. I couldn't even see straight to recognize or remember if I'd seen them before. It took all I had not to act like a bitch in heat.

“Which ‘guys’ would those be?” a second male voice asked. I peered through the shadows, forcing myself to get it together enough to focus.

“Did I see you?” I rasped. “At the table earlier.” I thought maybe I'd passed both him and his friend as I went outside. “Call Gavin or Blake, the cousins, whichever of them answer.”

The first one stepped closer, and I jerked back in response. I’d have lost my balance if he hadn’t reached out to grip my wrist. “We’ll help you out. Beth said you were down to party. That you were pre-gaming at dinner a little too hard and spilled your drink.”

“Wait, that’s not what happened,” I tried to argue, but the second man came up on my other side and wrapped his arm around my waist.

I couldn’t help the moan that slipped out at the contact.

One of them laughed. “Beth was right. She’s gonna be a good ride.” It was too hard to keep track of who was who. I needed the guys, and I needed water. My mouth was so dry. “Where is she, anyway? I thought she wanted to get in on this.”

I lost track of what they were saying. All I could sense was the vague impression that we were moving, then the creak of a door. A blessed coolness took over, relieving my skin the tiniest bit. I was able to make out crates and pallets as we passed by until we got to another room. The dark blobs of furniture were revealed as a desk and an older leather couch once the light was turned on.

“You,” I whispered when I spotted the woman from dinner sitting in the desk chair.

“Hey there, rich girl. I told you we could hang out, didn’t think it would be so soon.” Bethany laughed, but the men weren’t too happy.

“I thought you said she was into it, Beth. I’m not giving Gavin a fucking blow-job if you fucked up!”

He released my arm, and I stumbled. The couch broke my fall, and I missed some of what was said as I righted myself and drew my knees up to make myself small. My body hurt, and only my fear was keeping the worst of the need to touch myself at bay.

“I told you guys not to worry. She’s fucking all four of them. She’s down.” I heard the click of heels on the floor then rapid slaps hit my cheek. “Wake up, Shelby. You’re here to party, not sleep. Not sure how you could anyhow if you finished the whole can.” Joke's on her, this isn't my first go round.

“Beth, Jesus fuck, did you drug her?” The men were further away, and suddenly I very much didn’t want them to leave me alone with her. I needed my mouth to work, but it was gummy and hard to open.

She huffed and flopped down next to me. I moaned as her arm snaked between my legs to rub against my pussy. “See? Wet through her pants. She’s begging for it. Amy and Tess said she loved to take it up the ass from her husband and whoever else he brought in to fuck her. That they broke her in only for her to try to take their place, drove him crazy until—”

“Shut up, Beth. We’re not doing this. Drew, call Gavin before we’re fucked.” He moved toward me, maybe to get Beth away from me, but he stopped as the door was forced open.

“Too late, you’re already fucked. All of you.” Gavin’s voice was low and deadly. I whimpered and reached for him, unable to do much else. “River, Rain, get Shelby and take her to Blake. He’s prepping his room in case it’s needed.” Suddenly, Beth was gone with a screech and I was in the familiar grip of River’s arms.