Page 23 of Sold Blood
I reach for him and he flinches, scooting closer to the edge of the bed. He rubs his eyes and his gaze travels around the room before landing back on me. "Carlos?"
I nod. "Yes. I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe."
He swallows hard with the tension not loosening in his expression. "For now," he whispers. His words chill me to my core. The feeling intensifies when someone pounds against the door.
His eyes are frantic. "I don't think I'm ready to go back, I'm not sure I can," he says with his words nearly muffled when he pulls the covers over his face.
I reach for him again. He doesn't shift away this time and I squeeze his knee between my fingers. "It will only be for a little while. If I could take you away right now safely, I would, but you know if I try, we will both be shot dead. Then your friends would die too."
He nods, lowering the covers and stares at the door when the knock comes again. "You should probably answer that."
I toss the covers off my body, grunting in annoyance. "I guess they don't believe in letting their high valued customers sleep in," I mutter under my breath.
"Maybe they want to make sure you're happy with your purchase."
Let's hope that's all it is. The last thing I need is for them to figure out who I am so early on. That’s another reason this rescue mission is time sensitive. I'm just hoping the amount of money I throw at them will be enough of a distraction. As long as they are getting their pockets lined, they have no reason to get suspicious or to breach the privacy of their customers.
I pull open the door to a different man from last night. This one has a red bandana tied around his head with his hair pulled back into a small ponytail. His dark brown eyes narrow in on me before glancing behind me. "I take it you enjoyed yourselflast night. This one hasn't given you any trouble, has he?" He gestures toward Joey who hasn't moved from the bed.
I shake my head, stepping between the space and the door. "No. Not any that wasn't welcomed. He was the perfect distraction and worth every penny. I always did like the ones with a bit of an edge."
The man smiles in satisfaction. "Good. We have breakfast delivered to all VIP guests around this time. Will you be checking out today, or joining us for another night?"
I glance back at Joey before meeting the other man's gaze again with a smile on my face. "I think I'll definitely be staying another night. I have more time to kill and I think I want at least one more taste of this one before I go on my way and maybe see what else you have to offer."
He nods with an evil grin. "Anything you're looking for in particular?"
I resist the urge to grit my teeth at the next words that escape my lips. "Something younger perhaps. Much younger." I bite my tongue, swallowing back the foul taste in my mouth from my stomach recoiling in disgust. Many men make this same request daily and not for the same reason I am. If I could get away with purchasing some of Joey's friends, then maybe I won't have to make such a huge mess. "I'm also interested in the next auction being held. I'm thinking about returning home with a few souvenirs."
The man smiles wider, licking his lips and I want nothing more than to cut that disgusting tongue from his mouth.Soon. "We can definitely fill your request for the night and also maybe help you find the perfect forever plaything. The next auction is being held tomorrow evening in the basement level of one of our boss’s nearby hotels. We will make sure we get a spot secured for you."
"Good. I was hoping for more than one. They never last long. I have yet to find the perfect one who didn't break too easily."
He gestures behind me. "The older and broken in ones are usually perfect for that. You're more than welcome to make an offer and I can run it by my boss. I doubt anyone would miss the little brat. Although my boss may have special plans for this one later."
I tilt my head to the side and my lips form into a thin line, not wanting to seem too eager by taking his bait so soon. "As much as I've enjoyed our time together, I'd like to keep my options open. I may want another night with him though. He can take a good beating better than most."
The man nods. "Sounds good to me. Well I'll send someone to collect him shortly."
"What if I pay for a few more hours with him this morning?"
"Sorry, normally it wouldn't be a problem. We do encourage you to pay as far in advance as you can. He was more popular last night than we thought he'd be, and he caught the eye of many men. In fact, two of them requested some time with him this afternoon, an hour each. If you want him for the night, I recommend you make that reservation soon."
I swallow hard, pressing my feet into the floor. Why didn't I pay for more time? If I could keep Joey from being touched by these vile men then I wanted to jump at every opportunity offered. I just knew paying him so much attention early on may cause curiosity in some of these men. I also had some more touring to do around the mansion. I need to make sure I know my way around it—every exit, every secret entryway, and every blind spot.
I need to know the number of guards that stand in each room and need to find the main man who runs this place. I need to know who I'm dealing with in case my plans go south and if there are any chances of getting in the man's good graces, it works in my favor to know what they are. "I'll grab my wallet. I would like him for the night and for all of tomorrow. I want him secured inmy room when I leave for the Auction and waiting for me when I get back."
"We can have that arranged. Do know you are welcome here for as long as you'd like. This place always makes the best home away from home."
The invitation isn't as friendly as it sounds. Translation: you can stay as long as you keep giving us money in exchange for the company of many young men who are here against their will. I’d killed many men like this one before. I've taken down men who'd kidnapped children, women, and family members. Men who'd done heinous things and even people who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I am not proud of the things I had to do all those years ago when my brothers and I were barely getting by with little food in our stomachs and hardly any clothing on our backs. There were many jobs I'd completed in the past that haunt me to this very day. I'll enjoy the moment I get to take down this sick fuck standing in front of me though. If anything, it may even help me sleep better at night.
I close the door the moment the man turns around to head back toward the elevators. Joey immediately climbs off the bed in nothing more than the thin sheer white nighty and a pair of white lace panties. It made perfect sense why he’d turned so many heads last night. I didn't want to think about him wearing anything special for other men. I didn't want to think of other men touching him at all. Only Isaiah should be allowed to touch him...and me. Wait...what…no. Not me. I'm here for one reason only and it has nothing to do with me or what I want.
"What about the days after tonight and tomorrow?" Joey asks with his bottom lip trembling.
"I don't plan on being here that long. I need to know everything you know. Names, locations, and dates."
