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I quickly rinse the cloth and try to wipe some of the blood dribbling from the corner of her mouth.

Her head falls to the side and I can see a sliver of green peeking from her swollen eye.

“I’m here, Momma.” My voice is thick with tears. I gently pat her hair, the same way she always pats mine when I’ve hurt myself. I wish I could hug her, but I’m scared I’ll hurt her.

“Promise … me, Jack,” she whispers.

“Anything, Momma,” I say quickly. I’ll do anything to see her smile. My momma has the prettiest smile. It always makes me feel safe.

“Promise … you’ll … look after … David.” Her breaths wheeze in and out, making whistling sounds.

“I promise, Momma.” Her mouth twitches as if she’s trying to smile so I quickly add, “I’ll look after David.”

The words work and a smile pulls at her bloody mouth.

She keeps smiling for a long time, while I sit by her wiping the blood from her face and arms. As long as Momma smiles, everything will be okay.

I must have fallen asleep next to Momma because as the door slams open, I’m woken with a fright. I quickly turn around and see him walk toward us. He always looks angry. He stops next to me where I’m kneeling on the floor and he looks at Momma. He leans over her and takes hold of her jaw, making her smile disappear. He turns her face the other way, his grip hard.

He lets her go with a shove and then shouts out, “Sven!”

I watch as Sven comes in. Sven and Eduardo are always with my father. I’m scared of them. They look scary and mean.

“Yes, Sir?” Sven asks as he stands by the door, his hands clasped in front of him.

“Go burn the body,” my father says with a dark voice.

I blink a few times as Sven comes toward us and then he picks up Momma and tosses her over his shoulder. My eyes widen and a scream is torn from my throat. “Leave her alone!” I run after Sven and slam my tiny fists into his back. I have to make him stop. “Put Momma back on the bed! She’s sleeping!”

A hand clasps hard around the back of my neck and I’m yanked backwards. “It’s time for you to become a man,” my father growls. He then shoves me forward and I have to jog to keep up with his big steps. We walk out the back door and past the pretty flowers Momma loves so much. She always stops to smell them. We keep walking, further than I’ve ever walked with Momma when we come outside for walks. I see a building, the brown one I’ve never been too.

Sven opens the door and goes inside. As my father shoves me inside, I see Sven throw Momma on the floor. She falls with a loud thud but doesn’t move. My eyes are huge and burning. I have to bite back the tears.

I watch as Sven opens a heavy steel door and then he picks Momma up and puts her in the tiny space. It looks like a huge oven.

I can’t see what Sven does because his big body blocks my view. Suddenly flames jump out of nowhere, all around Momma. I yank away from my father with a loud scream. “Nooo!!” I grab hold of Momma’s foot and start to pull. I have to save Momma!

The flames lick at my hand and it hurts so much, but I don’t let go. A hand grabs hold of my neck and I’m flung backwards, slamming into a hard wall.

My father is huge and scary as he towers over me. He looks at Sven when he says, “It’s time for the boy to start earning his keep. Put him with the other slaves.”

I don’t understand what that means. My eyes fall on Momma and the flames eating at her. I can’t tear my eyes away from her. My eyes burn from the fire. My hand burns from the fire. My heart burns because I know that I won’t see Momma’s smile again.

Everything burns.

~*~

Chapter One

Jack~

(Twenty-seven years old…)

I wipe the corner of my mouth and throw the napkin on the plate before I go back to staring out the window. Winter is almost over and then the roses will bloom again. I need to go trim the bushes and trees.

It’s one of the few pleasures I’m allowed.

If I cooperate then I’m allowed outside so I can tend to the gardens and my greenhouse.

If I cooperate then David is safe and taken care of.

If I cooperate then I’m allowed to move freely around the estate.

But if I don’t cooperate then those three privileges are taken away and I’m beaten. If I don’t cooperate then they threaten to sell David into a life of slavery.

So I cooperate. I promised to look after my baby brother and as long as it’s in my power to keep that promise, I will.

I have a need to be close to Momma. Not a day has gone by that I don’t miss her. Years later and I still have nightmares of that horrible day. I can still smell her burning flesh.

I leave my room in a hurry to get outside. I go straight to my greenhouse. It was given to me when Cameron realized he could make a lot of money with me. He won’t admit it to me but I’ve heard him brag that I’m his greatest asset.

I start to water the plants, it always calms me. Here and there I remove a dead leaf. I love being surrounded by nature. It reminds me that somewhere there is life, even though I’m dead inside. I get to live through nature, draw off its energy and vibrant colors. For a moment I get to forget where I am and what my life entails. Yeah, I’d rather be a flower that only blossoms once before it dies, and then nourishes the ground with its remains - than this empty soul that’s stuck in a dead shell.

There was a time I thought Cameron was my father but after Momma died he told me that I’m not his son. Only David is. He said Momma had me before she married him. I don’t know who my real father is and I don’t care. All I care about is David and keeping my promise to Momma.

When I’m done watering all the plants and my small collection of bonsai trees, I decide to go work in the rose garden. Because of all the gardening I do, I’m built well, and because of that I’m in demand with Cameron’s clients, men and women alike.

Mistress Claire especially likes me. She always asks for private visits with me. I don’t mind her so much. She may be much older than me but at least she’s gentle.

Master and Mistress Westbrook are the ones that make my skin crawl. I’m normally good at switching off, but with them it’s hard.

A few months ago I stopped getting hard and none of the clients could get me to climax. That certainly wasn’t good for Cameron’s business, so now I have to take medication. Before parties I have to take two pills. It gets my cock hard, but no one has been able to make me come. It feels as if I’ve regained some power over my body. They can fuck me all they want, but I get the satisfaction of not coming- not giving in.

I get lost in tending to the rose garden and work until sweat is dripping into my eyes. I stand up and take off my shirt, wiping my face and neck. I should most probably go get ready for tonight’s party.

I hear voices and turn to see Cameron heading in my direction. As always, Sven, Eduardo and Luca are flanking him. Luca joined his team of bodyguards four years back. Sven and Eduardo aren’t that young anymore so Cameron is bringing in fresh blood. I’m surprised that he has kept Sven and Eduardo for so long. Nothing lasts around here.

Today there’s a woman with him. A man is hovering to her left. He must be her husband or perhaps her bodyguard. The man looks like a guard, he gives off that vibe. I’ve learned that the worst of the worst have guards to protect them, because they have so many enemies.

“This is the slave I was telling you about,” Cameron says as he stops a few feet from me. He never comes too close. He has Sven, Eduardo and Luca to do his dirty work.

I drop to one knee and look down. “Master,” is all I say. This is the way they want it. The more submissive you are the better things will be for you.

“As you can see he is in excellent condition.” You can hear the arrogant tone in Cameron’s voice, as if I’m a possession. I guess I am.

I hear the woman clearing her throat and then she asks, “Do you have many male slaves?”

Cameron chuckles darkly. “No, he is my only male slave. The males can be quite troublesome, and to break them takes much more work than with the females. Most of the men die, but if you get it right to train one … it’s a beautiful thing.” Cameron sighs and then continues, “This one has been with me since before he could walk, so it was easy to train him.”

“Stand, Slave!” Cameron barks and I swiftly rise to my full length. Cameron is much shorter than me and built scrawny. One day I will get my revenge. One day when David is safely away from this place. But for now I’ll listen and do as I’m told. I keep telling myself over and over that David’s safety is all that matters.

Cameron waves a hand over the length of me. “He is trained well as you’ll see tonight at the party.”

“What time does the party start again?” The woman asks and for the first time I look at her. I’m surprised when she makes eye contact with me. You’re not allowed to make eye contact with a Master or Mistress unless they give you permission, but she has eyes that look like melted chocolate. Her brown hair falls in soft waves to her shoulders. She’s prettier and younger than all the other Mistresses. I’ve never seen one so young. It’s normally the older women who love to come here because they won’t get fucked by a younger man elsewhere.

“Eyes!” Cameron snaps and instantly Sven takes a step in my direction.

“It’s okay,” the woman says and then she steps forward until she’s right in front of me. “I gave him permission,” she murmurs. She looks up at me and I quickly let my eyes dart over her head, focusing on the apple trees in the distance.

I hear her giggle and I have to stop myself from frowning. She didn’t look like the type that giggled. “This one is simply divine. I have to have him.”

“How much for a night with this slave?” the man asks.

“Mr. Ryland,” Cameron says and I can hear the pleasure in his voice. He’s about to make a lot of money and that’s the only thing he loves. “As I’ve told you this slave is one of my greatest assets. A night with this one is quite costly but well worth it.”

“We’ve paid to attend your party,” the woman snaps, “we can afford any price you ask for him!” She sounds pissed and taken aback that Cameron would think they can’t afford me.

Cameron laughs and I feel him step closer to us. “Mrs. Ryland, I’m sure you can afford him, but let’s talk business inside. The slave needs to go prepare for the party.”

“You may leave, Slave,” he snaps at me.

I leave quickly, not clearing the bags I’ve filled with dead twigs and leaves.

~*~

I shower, brush my teeth and shave. I apply one of the many aftershaves I have.

Cameron makes sure I have everything. I live in the mansion and should I need something it’s given to me. I can have everything but my freedom. But even if Cameron offered me my freedom I wouldn’t leave without David and Cameron knows that.

Cameron gives David everything he needs. David can come and go as he pleases and I’ve been told that he’s currently studying. Sven updates me on what’s happening in David’s life. I get photos to show that everything is going great with him, but I’m not allowed contact with him. As long as David is safe and cared for, I’m happy.

I take a pair of jeans from the closet and pull them on. That’s all I get to wear at parties, a pair of worn jeans.

I walk over to the table where my medication has been left for me. I pick up the glass of icy water and take a sip to wet my throat before I swallow the pills.

I place the glass back on the tray and then I stare out the window until my sight blurs. I don’t see anything as my mind begins the process of shutting down. 

There’s a knock at the door and then Sophia comes in. She’s been here as long as I can remember. Sophia’s momma was also a slave and she got pregnant with one of the Masters. Her momma died not long after mine so we got trained together. She’s one of Cameron’s favorites. She’s in charge of the female slaves.

She smiles brightly at me. “You ready, Jack?” I nod and grab the leather bands from the dresser. Sophia comes and helps me put them on my wrists. She has the same leather collar around her neck. It’s black and soft.

The other slaves have metal collars that chafe at their skin. Sophia and I are very lucky, and we know this. Things can always be worse.

We leave my room and walk together to the grand room where the parties are held. The other slaves are already there seeing to the desires of the guests.

Four guards stand outside the huge wooden doors and one goes to open the door for us. There are guards everywhere, Cameron’s guards and those of the guests.

As soon as we step into the room we look down. Sophia goes to her podium on the left side of the room and I go to my podium on the right side.

Where Sophia kneels with her face down and her ass in the air, I kneel on my left knee, and looking down I place my right hand flat on the podium.

I hear murmurs drifting closer to me.

“Have you placed our stake?” I hear Mistress Westbrook ask. I close my eyes as a sliver of despair tightens my chest. This woman is a demon. She doesn’t buy me for the fuck, but to see how much she can torture me before I’ll break.

“I have, Sweetness,” I hear Master Westbrook say. They are filthy rich and always win the auction to have me.

The night continues, dragging by slowly.

I hear Cameron’s dry laughter and then he says, “Bring the slave to Mrs. Westbrook.” He laughs again. “My dear, seeing as you got so close to winning the slave for the night, I’ll allow you thirty minutes with him for half of what you staked.”

“You’re so generous,” Mistress Westbrook says.

It happens a lot where Cameron will offer me for thirty minutes to the person who came second. He makes almost double the money then.

“Get up, Slave!” Sven barks and I quickly stretch to my full length. I follow Sven over to Master and Mistress Westbrook’s table.