Owned by the Dom: Part Two (The Owners) (8 page)

The other woman pulled her hand away, covering the wounds with the long white dress she wore.

“They’re nothing. I’ve been told to do your nails.”

Prue glanced down at her fingers. Her nails were longer than she usually had them with dirt underneath.

“They’re not sending in a man to watch?” Prue asked.

“I’ve been told to shout if you make it difficult.” C
indy aligned all of the nail equipment. Prue had never been one to get her nails done. She liked decorating her hair but nothing else. Staring at the other woman, Prue realised she could get quite a bit of information out of her.

“Your name is C
indy?” she asked.

“That’s what I’m called.”

“Then what is your real name?” Prue felt her pause as Cindy took her name.

She didn’t think the other woman was going to answer. “
Melanie.” The other woman whispered the name quietly. “That’s what I used to be called. I’m not allowed to speak my name though. I’m not even supposed to remember it because that life is gone, and I’m happy for the life I have now.”

Tears sprang to Prue’s eyes at the
hopeless sound of the other woman’s words.

“How old are you?” Prue asked.

“I’m twenty-one. I was taken at eighteen and trained by Henry to serve him. He likes having a selection of his own girls for his pleasure.”

Prue couldn’t stop the shuddering at the thought of that bastard touching anyone.

“Don’t be scared for me. I’d rather be Henry’s property than the women he gives to anyone.” Cindy paused as she started cleaning under Prue’s nails.

“What’s the matter?” Prue asked.

“Nothing.”

“Do you like it here?”

Cindy kept working silently.

“You don’t want to say.” Prue nodded. “I imagine if you had a choice you’d prefer to go back to your real life?”

The other woman stared at her. “What are you trying to do?” Cindy asked.

“I’m trying to understand. I was taken against my will
, and now I’m here, and I’m frightened. The only person who comes and sees me is that asshole, and I—”

“Is this some kind of trick?” C
indy looked around her. “Is Henry upset with me and wants me to prove my loyalty?”

Prue frowned. She saw the panic on C
indy’s face. “No, do you seriously think I’d agree to something like that? Stop making this all about you,” Prue said. Her words were cruel, but she needed the other woman to stop talking.

C
indy stared at her for several moments before taking a seat. “You’re not here as a test?”

“No. Look at me.” Prue pointed at her face. “I’ve never been hit by a man, ever!”

“You still have your attitude, and it won’t be long until that is taken from you.”

Her hand was grabbed again. She sat and watched as C
indy continued to clean her hands. “Do you really want to stay here?” Prue asked.

“No, I don’t.” The words came out quietly.

“Do you know what’s going to happen to me?”

This woman could be her friend. C
indy was the only one who’d been inside her room beside Henry and Daren. Prue saw the fire behind her eyes and the determination as well. No matter what Cindy or Henry said, this woman before her still craved her freedom.

“I’ve heard them talking about an auction.”

Prue grasped the other woman’s hands. “Please, there is a man looking for me. A powerful, rich man, and he’ll protect us both. I need you to see if you can find out what is going on outside. I’ve not got the means or ways of seeing it done,” she said.

The hands she held tugged
, and Prue let her go.

“I’ll see what I can do. Please, stop angering him.” C
indy went back to cleaning her hands.

Prue
didn’t know how much time passed as Cindy sorted her nails. No more conversation took place. Cindy didn’t even look at her. When her bedroom door opened, Prue looked in the direction to find Henry stood staring at them.

Her heart hammered inside her chest. Fear gripped her at his presence. The door closed
, and he stood behind Cindy as she worked. His hands settled on the other woman’s shoulders. She didn’t know how Cindy didn’t react to his touch. The sight of his hands on another woman made Prue shiver with disgust. She really despised the man before her. When he leaned down to kiss Cindy’s temple Prue thought she’d thrown up in her mouth.

Prue wasn’t a stupid woman
, and she saw through Henry’s act. He was giving the woman a loving gesture so that when he hurt her, Cindy would think it was something she’d done rather than Henry was just an abusive bastard. Prue had taken psychology in college. Admittedly she’d not aced the subject, but she knew enough to pass. When Cindy finished, Henry ordered her to fetch some food. The door closed, and Henry took the seat that Cindy had occupied.

Blowing on her nails Prue waited for what he had to say. His visits were always unpleasant
, and her body tensed remembering the blows he liked to deliver when she least expected it.

“How are you enjoying your stay?” Henry asked. He leaned back watching her.

She wanted to poke his beady eyes out. Instead, she blew on her nails while thinking of a quick retort.

“I think your accommodations and activities need a lot of work.” As if she’d chose
n this guy’s home to take her holiday. The thought alone made her feel sick.

Everything about this bastard
makes you feel sick.

Come on
, James, where the fuck are you?

Henry chuckled.

Folding her arms over her chest, she glared at him. His gaze moved down to her breasts. He’d been trying to make her uncomfortable with his lingering gaze and presence. If he wanted her then there was nothing she’d be able to do to stop him. Prue didn’t know how much longer she’d have before he’d take what he wanted.

You don’t even know if he wants you.

“I’ve got some interesting news,” he said.

“Really?”

His glare came back with full force.

Stop riling the bad man, Prue. He could kill you without blinking. Shit, he could get Cindy to do it, and James would be pissed.

Keeping herself hopeful was getting harder.

You’ve got to be strong. You’re stronger than they are.

“You should learn to hold your tongue. Didn’t James teach you that lesson?” Henry asked, leaning forward on the chair.

She glared at him. “James is a
proper
man. He doesn’t need to silence a woman to feel better about himself.” Gritting her teeth didn’t help stem her anger.

“Well, you might want to forget about James coming to save you.”

That one hurt. Prue refused to bite. Begging him for more information would give him what he wanted.

“
I’ve been told he’s walked away from it all. He’s not interested in getting you back. I believe he’s found something else to entertain himself. What do you think to that?” he asked.

If he’d not added in the last bit, Prue would have believed him.

She smiled. “Is that all you’ve got? Do you want me to simper and cower like every other woman you’ve got?”

Prue felt strong inside. Henry was doing everything in his power to break her down. She didn’t know why he wasn’t using brute force at the moment
, but that would come. She could guarantee it.

“James wouldn’t let me go. He wants me too damn much to let me go.”

“You’re so sure of yourself,” Henry said.

“What’s the matter? You’ve never known a real woman who knows her worth?”

He started laughing. Henry clapped his hands in delight. “I thought I’d give it a try.” He moved faster than Prue anticipated. Grabbing her around the neck he pulled her onto the table. He opened her thighs and stepped between them.

Real fear unlike anything she’d ever experienced gripped her. Tears leaked from her eyes as she stared at him.

She didn’t know how long she’d hold onto her sanity if he used her against her will. Thinking about that four letter word scared her. Rape. It was brutal, nasty, and the thought of having it linked to her name terrified her.

“See what I can do to you,” Henry said. He pressed against her
, and she sobbed in pain. “No one can come for you. No one can save you, but I think I’d like to have you out of my sight. You’re far too much trouble.” With his hand around her throat, Henry threw her to the floor. He landed three kicks to her abdomen, which winded her. She curled up in a ball wanting the pain to go away.

Henry caught a fistful of her hair and pulled her close. “I think it’s time you listen, bitch. When James comes for you
, and he will, you won’t be anywhere to be seen. It’s Wednesday night, and you’re going up for sale on Friday. Look at the night and start your countdown, bitch, because this is the last time you’ll see me.”

He spat in her face then walked away. When the door slammed close
d Prue let loose the pain and agony of what had just happened. She wiped her face with her dress hating everything that had happened.

She wanted James more than ever. He’d protect her and keep her safe.

What was going to happen?

Stop giving in. This is not over until it’s over.

Be strong, Prudence.

Rolling over onto her stomach, she went to her knees then stood up. Slowly, she moved toward the bathroom. Staring into the mirror at her reflection, she wiped the tears from her eyes.

Opening her mouth, she closed it again. More tears spilled down her cheeks
, and she fought the never ending battle inside herself. Shaking her head, she stared at her reflection and started her fight.

“My name is Prudence Star. I’m the
younger sister of Veronica Star. I used to work for Cadeon Ashwood but got fired, and now I work for James Castleden. I’m in love with James.” She stopped as a sob caught in her throat.

What if he doesn’t come for me?

Why would he come for me?

Staring at her face, she saw the fear of her words grip her.

“He will come for me. James will come for me, and then everything will be fine.”

She spoke the words
, but unlike when she’d said them a few days ago, the conviction of her words could no longer be heard in her voice. Slowly, Prue was giving up.

“Where could he have gone?” Josiah asked.

“I don’t fucking know,” Dane said for the hundredth time. They were looking for Lucas and for James. No one had seen or heard from them in the past twenty-four hours. Dane hoped that Lucas was working with James. With both men working together they had a better chance of finding Prudence.

He’d fucked up a lot in his life
, but letting Prudence be sold was not going to be added to the list. Being able to stay to shadows without people seeing him had its benefits. He’d been in the shadows lurking about when he’d heard the two agents talking about Prudence. They were prepared to let her go in order to get Henry and Daren. He knew it was a good move but one he couldn’t allow. Too many women and men had been lost because of Henry and himself. Daren was a worker like him, but many people had been killed by his hand.

Prudence was a sweet woman
, and as she was twenty-five, they’d tear her apart.

Dane didn’t regret giving the information to James. In fact, he thought it was the best thing he’d done in a good long while.
He’d not counted on Lucas helping.

“James could fuck over our entire case
. If that file is taken then we’ve got nothing. That file has details of the private investigator we’ve got in protective custody. Those men find out about any of the information in that file and they’re dead,” Hubert said.

“We’re close.. We’ve got enough. I think it’s time we ordered the strike against Henry and bring him in. I’ll book the tickets, Hubert. This case has run its course.”

The two agents walked out of the room leaving him alone.

Isabella came out of the bathroom where she’d run to when the two agents descended on him.

His throat hurt from James cutting off his air supply. The bastard had a bloody good grip.

“Do you know where my brother is?” Isabella asked.

He stared at the beauty before him. Since she’d come out of the hospital, she’d started to flourish. He imagined with all the bad shit out of her life she’d soon start to have laughter in her eyes.

This woman
, along with Rebecca and Mary, gave him hope for a better world. When he’d first seen them, they’d awoken a part of him he’d thought long dead. Dominic, Henry, and a few others had turned him into a monster, but the monster wasn’t part of him. It was just a small smidgen of the man he could be.

“I don’t know where your brother is
, but I can take a few good guesses.” He rubbed his throat, trying to ease the soreness.