Page 94 of A Heart So Savage

“We’re waiting for one more person to get here so we can start the party. We’ve only got so much time before Winter shows up to collect you for your new owner,” Drake said, rubbing his hand down her back until he cupped the curve of her ass. “Gotta have our fun while we can.”

Ava jerked against her restraints. A low moan of despair vibrated inside her chest, robbing her of breath.

No. No. No. It can’t be true. Kingston would not be so cruel. He wouldn’t betray me like that. Or go to such lengths to break me. He wouldn’t sell me… not after everything we shared. Not after his promise to protect me.

A sob of utter welled up from the depths of Ava’s soul. She was being broken in two by Kingston Winter, and he wasn’t even here in person to witness the death of her love.

“Oh my God,” Carson hissed in cruel amusement. “Are you really that fucking stupid, sis? Drake is talking about Oliver. He’s found a buyer for you. One who will make sure you eventually disappear from everyone’s memory.”

“Carson’s getting a sweet incentive out of it,” Judd piped in. “Three years from now when you are declared dead, he’ll get the bonus of your inheritance payout. And we’ll each get a cut from that as well.”

“You and I both know there won’t be any money left,” Ava said in a wobbly voice. Kingston wasn’t the one sending her to her death. She was almost glad for the ropes around her wrists because they kept her from collapsing with relief. “You’ll have to face Oliver at that point, and I promise you, you won’t be alive for long if you don’t have his money. He’s just as ruthless as Kingston.”

“I’ll deal with that problem when it gets here,” Carson snarled, rising from the couch but slumping back when his knees gave out. “Goddamn it, Judd. Get on with it so I can listen to this bitch’s screams instead of just her mouth running.”

“Thought we were waiting for Aaron, but I’m good with getting things started,” Drake murmured, squeezing her rear end even harder than before. “This little cock tease strung me along for months, always making me think I was gonna get in her pants. But then she ran off to Savannah and was stupid enough to get herself abducted. Kingston Winter sure enjoyed fucking you, Ava. Based on what I saw that day you called me, I’d say you enjoyed it, too. I’m gonna love pounding this pussy just like he did. Maybe I’ll even return the favor and let him watch me do it. Rub it in his face like he did mine.”

Ava vaguely remembered making that phone call to Drake. It was the day Kingston took her virginity before bending her over the bathroom vanity counter. The two men had spoken, she knew that much. But had there been more to their conversation? More she didn’t know about while she floated in a pleasure-induced haze?

“Had I known he was going to Facetime it, I would have recorded our conversation,” Drake said, slapping her ass so hard she twirled away from him, spinning on the end of the rope like a ballerina set free on stage. She screamed as the movement wrenched her arms until it felt they were coming out of their sockets. Her ribs expanded and contracted with a pain so intense the agony degenerated into a bubbling cry.

Judd caught Ava by the wrists, stopping her spiral. Grabbing her face with his free hand, he squeezed her cheeks until her lips smooshed together in an exaggerated pout. “Let’s get you out of these clothes, okay?” The distance sound of a car door slamming had him tilting his head. “Aaron’s finally here. Time to line everyone up for a turn at sweet little cunt.”

Ava closed her eyes, trying so hard to contain her sobs. She wouldn’t let these monsters watch as she fell apart with terror. Had Kingston learned of her escape by now? Would he even care? She wondered if he would bother looking for her. Because by the time he learned of her escape, if he wanted to save her, it would be too late.

She wished she’d obeyed Kingston and stayed in his penthouse. Waited for his return. She should have given herself to him completely so he could decide her fate. It might have been far more merciful than what these men had planned for her.

“Careful now, little slut. Wouldn’t want to cut you too badly.” Judd pulled a huge switchblade from his back pocket. He began slicing off her clothes as Drake held her immobile.

“You can cut her if you want,” Carson remarked sullenly from the couch. “See how she likes it.”

Detective Aaron Redding stepped into the den, removing his suit coat as he approached. His mouth curved into an ugly smile. “Thought my guys were nuts when they said Ava Blue was here at the house. Said she waltzed up to the front door like she owned the place.” Removing his badge and the holster containing the department-issued gun, he set them on the bar. “Has anyone had her yet?”

Ava whimpered, terrified by the unspoken threat. The knife had already cut through her shirt, ripping it into ribbons that cascaded to the floor like confetti streamers. They intended on raping her. One after another while she spun in helpless circles.

Her mind threatened to shut down with the horror of it. If she could just close her eyes and drift away… drift away and never come back.

Judd slapped her across the face, splitting her bottom lip open.

“Uh-uh, Ava. Stay with us now. The fun is just beginning, and we want you awake for this party. You see, we’ve been waiting a long time for this. Some of us longer than others.” Brushing his lips over hers, he whispered conspiratorially, “I get the feeling that even your brother, for all that he hates you, will want a piece of you.” His fingers cruelly twisted the nipple of one breast, grinning when she cried out in pain. “Here are those pretty tits I’ve been dreaming about.”

“Get the rest of her damn clothes off her. I’m going first,” Drake demanded like a petulant child while undoing the button of his pants and ripping the zipper down.

“No fucking way. I’m first, you fucking prick,” Judd growled, slicing through her bra until her breasts fell free from the material. “You’ll get your turn after me. Then Aaron. And Carson at the end if he wants. Hey, Carson. You wanna fuck your sister when we’re done with her? Bet you won’t be able to resist when you see how she screams for it. She’ll be moaning like the whore she is by the end of this first round.”

Ava’s pants were stripped from her body, her underwear sliced at with short, jerking motions of the knife until she was completely naked.

“Fuck me,” Aaron breathed, pulling his clothes off. His erection jutted out from between his legs like an ugly tool. “She’s perfect.”

“And you’re pathetic. All of you,” Ava sneered. “Is this the only way you can get a woman? By raping her?”

“Carson, turn on some lights so we can see every gorgeous inch of our little hellcat here.” Judd trailed the knife down her throat, through the valley between her breasts, and on down until the blade’s sharp point rested above her mound. “Would you look at this, guys? Our little whore went and got her pussy waxed. It’s so shiny and smooth. So fucking pretty. Did you do that just for us, slut?” Cupping her sex, Judd shoved two fingers inside her as he brushed his mouth over hers. “I told you I’d get my chance with you, Ava. Do you remember?”

Ava didn’t think. She reacted. Biting Judd’s lip, she hung on like a bulldog until Drake punched her in the ribs on the side that was uninjured. She wailed in pain, but watched with satisfaction as Judd cursed and swiped at the blood on his torn flesh.

“Not very smart, Ava,” Drake muttered, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Not very smart at all.” Running his hand over her ass, he struck it over and over until she cried out for him to stop.

Judd spat out a wad of blood and saliva, tossing the knife aside as he jerked his chin at Aaron. “Lower her down a little,” he ordered. “Fuck this going one at time bullshit. We’ll all get a piece of her right now. I want this to be so painful, shebegsus to take turns. I’ll take her pussy. Drake, you get her ass. Aaron, you fuck her throat. Carson? I don’t give a shit what the fuck you do. Maybe jerk off for now.”

---