Page 55 of Sinning for Santa

Did he kidnap them all like he did me and their admiration is some sort of stockholm thing? Did he groom them into loving him? Did he bring them blinding pleasure too? Is that how he weaves his web?

Am I trapped here forever?

The thought has myheart sinking and my mood souring. I want to ask him, but his reactions are so unpredictable. I’m not sure if he’ll pull out a gun and shoot me in the head, or demand I strip where I stand so he can use my body in front of everyone.

Will they stop him?

No. Mabel already proved that to me.

They are loyal to him and it's either because they respect him or are scared of him. I just need to figure out which one rules their behaviour.

“Who got my clothes and things and brought them here?” I ask as we stroll the streets, momentarily stopping in the shade of a tree.

“I had Finn and Miles collect it.” He admits easily, and for some reason I didn’t think he’d actually answer.

“Why couldn’t you have taken me home to pack for myself?”

He shoots me a‘really’look, but I just stare at him, waiting for a proper response.

He sighs. “What would have happened if I took you back to your apartment? Would you have willingly packed a bag? Would you have screamed? Would you have tried to alert a neighbour?”

I gulp. I would have absolutely screamed and hoped Mr Hickock, my elderly neighbour would have heard.

Seeing the truth on my face, Devon nods and steps closer. “The moment you involve a neighbour or a bystander, you give them a death sentence, Jaxcen. I’d have to cover our tracks, and the only way to do that is by killing them.”

Tears prick at my eyes from the severity in his tone, reminding me once again, that I’m with the devil. Not a nice man.

“Why am I here? You don’t need me. I swear I won’t tell anyone. Please let me go home.”

His shoulders drop, almost as if my words disappoint him.

“You’re here because that’s what I want, and if you want your time here to be easy, little mouse, I’d suggest that you don’t fucking ask to leave again.”

Spinning on his heel, Devon storms off towards the town centre, not the least bit concerned with leaving me alone here.

I take a moment to let my scared tears fall, waiting for the loneliness to creep in. But it doesn’t.

I don’t really miss the hustle of the city. The loud car horns and busy streets. I don’t miss my apartment other than the few creature comforts I allowed myself. And I definitely don’t miss Eddie.

Watching a bee buzz at my side, I smile remembering the hives my grandad had on his farm when I was little, which makes me think of my parents.

I don’t really miss my dad, and my mum and I have a strained relationship.

I wonder what my parents would say if they knew what I’ve been up to lately. What would they say about me attending a sex club? What would they think about Devon Marx?

I think my mum would probably faint.

The thought brings a smile to my face, and my eyes drop back to my surroundings of this weird but cute little town that sits on the ridge overlooking Timber Valley.

Slowly, I meander back towards the heart of the town, which all seems to centre around the Palace. Devon’s castle.

Running off Main Street is a big clearing, its grass so green it looks like it must be watered two times a day. There’s a children’s playground off to one side, and a plaque off to the other, but beyond it, the grass runs right up to the cliff’s edge where eight or so park benches face the stunning view over the valley.

I head towards the cliff’s edge, taking in the beauty of the townships below.

Fox Pines and Redfield are closest with Redfield Lake off in the distance.

There’s another lake close by. I saw a sign for it on our way up the mountain. It’s Lake Woodall. And down below are the small dots of people, picnicking by the lake while others swim.

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