Page 45 of Unhinged

As the cell door closes behind them, I turn to Alice, Luna, Blake, and Kali. Their once vibrant eyes now hold a glimmer of desolation, a stark contrast to the fiery spirits they once possessed.

“Get some rest,” I bark, clipping my tone because Thiago and Matias will hear me. However, I keep my gaze steady on Alice, trying to communicate through my eyes how sorry I am that it came to this.

She holds her chin high and gives me a slight nod. “Yes, sir,” she breathes.

The three other girls look completely broken as they sit huddled on the hay bales, but not my Alice. My little bird is a fighter. And she’ll need to be strong to survive this game we’re playing.

17

TAREN

That evening after we violated the girls, Ileana asks me to dinner.

We rarely eat together, but she said we’re expecting a guest. It can’t be Damien Vasquez, as he clarified that he wouldn’t be attending any meeting Ileana proposes. I don’t blame him. She’s a fucking psychopath.

I glance at my reflection and adjust my tie, ensuring it’s perfect before stepping out. I know damn well appearances matter in this godforsaken business. And if Ileana has guests, I must look my best. Even if I’m wearing a pair of emerald suit pants and a grey jacket, which will piss her off.

I walk downstairs and toward the dining room, where soft voices echo. Whoever this ‘guest’ is, they’re already here, and by the tone of the voice, the guest is male. When I get to the doorway, I freeze in my tracks. Gaston Marques. Why the fuck is that sick bastard here?

He’s not here for the world-class steak tartare or the aged scotch. No, he can only be here for one thing. For the girls. My gut clenches, Alice. I swear if he so much as thinks about her, I’ll bathe in his blood. I don’t care how rich he is. Ileana knows they aren’t ready.

But I’ve got to be smart about this. I can’t let my temper get the best of me, not when there’s so much at stake. I put on a plastic smile, the one I’ve perfected over the years, and stride into the room. “Gaston, what a surprise,” I say.

Ileana flashes me a warning glance as I take my seat, but I ignore it. “I told you we were having a guest,” she says.

I glare at her. “You didn’t say who, though, did you?” I tilt my head. “You realize they’ve hardly started their training.”

Gaston claps his hands. “Perfect. You know I prefer a hands-on approach with my girls.”

I can’t stop the shudder that runs down my spine at those words. The fucking pervert. But I have to be careful. He’s a customer and a high-paying one at that. I grit my teeth and force a nod. “Of course, Gaston. Whatever you say.”

I glance at Ileana, who looks satisfied. That woman is a snake.

“Are we eating first, or do you wish to see the girls?” I ask, keeping my voice steady.

Gaston smirks. “I’d love to see the girls first.”

I nod and lead him out of the room and down the hallway toward the door to the basement, ignoring the sick feeling in my gut. If he even thinks about selecting Alice... I don’t know what I’ll do. Carnage will ensue, and it’ll be terribly bloody.

When we reach the cell, I clear my throat.

“On your feet, girls. You’ve got a visitor.”

The four girls stand to their feet as instructed, with their arms behind their backs and eyes on the floor.

“Not completely untrained, are they, Taren?”

I don’t look at him. “They’ve been training for a few days.”

I unlock the cell door and walk inside, trying not to focus too much on Alice. It’s hard. She consumes me. Anytime I’m near her, I crave her.

Gaston begins to inspect the four girls, circling them. Each time he nears Alice, I feel my muscles tense, ready to spring into action. It’s like a vile game of Russian roulette, and I’m forced to watch with her fate out of my hands.

“Why don’t you tell me about this one?” Gaston points at Alice.

I feel a surging tide of rage threatening to burst forth. The beast speaks of my Alice like she’s an object on a shelf. Not like the queen she is.

“That’s Alice,” I say. I can barely look at her, fearing what my face might betray. “She’s spirited.” My attempts to sound detached are failing miserably. I can hear the trembling undertone in my voice, the barely restrained fury. All it would take is one wrong move, one indication that he intends to choose Alice, and I would snap. The consequences be damned.

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