Page 13 of Brutal Savior

“All Brothers are lead scientists in their field. Here, we work without having to worry about the constraints of money or government control. We’re free to pursue our own interests.”

I blink. This just took a left turn down a very weird highway. Everything about this man screams soldier, mob boss, or gang enforcer. Not a geeky scientist. A smarter woman would have kept her mouth shut, but my brain clearly wants me dead. “You’re a scientist? Really?”

Another crinkle of his eyes. “It doesn’t suit me?’

“No, I mean…”Shut up.“I was thinking drug cartel lord. That sort of thing.”

Nice save, asshole.

If he’s offended, he doesn’t show it. “You’re not the first person to say that. But back to the point.”

His hand squeezes mine, drawing my attention back to it. Why the hell hasn’t he let my hand go? But there’s something comforting about the pressure of it. Especially given that this man, who is clearly trained and used to delivering bad news, still takes a moment to brace himself before speaking.

“Our society has an ancient tradition. We take women as Wards. Each Brother must take one woman for their own and keep them. It’s not consensual, and the outside world has no idea it happens. Suzy was supposed to be my Ward, but Brackis took you instead. It was an accident, but because you’ve seen the Compound, we can’t let you leave.”

There it is. I’d braced for the gut punch, but it still knocks all the wind out of me, a sharp pain driving into my heart. They steal women. They can’t let me leave. It’s a cult, and though it’s science rather than some religion, the result is the same.

“You keep women as what? Sex slaves?”

My voice is rising, and I try to pull my hand away from Jacob but it’s like yanking against solid stone. No hope.

“There’s more to it but yes, essentially.”

His eyes never leave mine, and even as my brain reels to catch up with his words, I’m struck by how calmly he’s delivering this. It’s having an odd effect on me, muting my emotions to match his. My panic bubbles away, but the strangeness of this conversation suppresses it.

He talks about sex slavery like it’s no big deal. What’s wrong with him? What’s wrong with all of them? I have so many questions they stick in my throat, and I just gape.

He takes my silence as license to continue. “Now, to your future. You have a decision to make, Quinn.”

He pauses before saying my name, as if it’s a strange, exotic word he’s unsure how to pronounce. Do they have Quinns in England? What a stupid thing to wonder about.

“Kendrick—that’s the big boss, the guy in the fancy suit—wants to hand you over to another Brother whose Ward passed away a few years ago.”

I flinch, and he holds up his free hand. “He didn’t kill her; we don’t do that. She got sick. The Compound has the best medical care in the world, but we’re not miracle workers.”

The best medical care in the world?

What would they make of my Brugada syndrome? Maybe these insane scientists grow new hearts in labs or have robot hearts or something. Not that they’d waste one on a sex slave, I’m sure. Plenty more women to kidnap.

“He’s called Edward and, in my opinion, is a dick. Likes to throw his weight around and bully anyone less important than him. Always an arsehole to the staff. I wouldn’t count on an easy ride with him, even though he’s getting on a bit. Pushing sixty.”

My lips are still frozen. How can I speak when my head is filled with a vision of life with this faceless man. An asshole and a bully. Handed over to him like a sack of potatoes. Not that I’ll stay put for long, because however secure this Compound is, there has to be a way out somehow. I’d rather get shot trying to escape than serve some pathetic guy forever.

“The other option, Quinn, is me. You definitely won’t have an easy ride with me, but I’m not cruel for its own sake. Just very strict. I’ll punish you, but not more than you can handle. But make no mistake, you’ll be my slave in every sense of the word. I’ll own your body and use it however I want. You’ll belong to me.”

Chapter Six

Jacob

Only my years oftraining let me stay calm as I rip Quinn’s life to shreds, then give her a choice with no good answer. Gabriel told me delivering the news to Eve was the most difficult thing he’s ever done, and I can believe it. I don’t even know this girl, but it tugs at me to see the way her eyes flicker over the room, me, and the point where our hands meet.

She’s looking for an escape, but she won’t find one.

Honesty is the most important thing in the world to me. I’d rather give Quinn the brutal, bare version of the facts and then soften the sting a little afterward.

“Life as a Ward isn’t all servitude, though. You can pursue your own interests. Eve belongs to Gabriel but works in my lab because she’s a biochemist. She loves her work. We could find something similar for you.”

For some reason, out of everything I've said, that triggers the explosion. “I make fucking sandwiches for a living. What am Isupposed to do here, work in the canteen? I’m not going to be anyone’s slave. And let go of my hand!”

---