Page 13 of Taken By the Dark Billionaires

Chapter Six

Sutton couldn’t deny it or pretend it didn’t happen. In spite of the disarray and tumult playing around in her mind, forged from the utterly bizarre situation she had walked in on, they had taken her virginity and made her come. So many times, she had lost count.

Her thoughts dipped out. Her subconscious was faintly cognizant of the contraption on which she had been restrained being lifted back up to the level above her. But instead of the rows of robed and hooded men, it was their female counterparts who waited for her now.

She was untied, the gag removed, and then physically shrugged into a robe like the ones they wore. Water was brought to her lips, and she was steered back to the other part of the dungeon, to the part she had been in before, on limbs that persisted to tremble.

She forced herself to remain compliant, saving the little energy she had left for her inevitable escape, which was the only thing that she had to concentrate on now.

She was handed back to Briella, and the sight of her friendly face in an atmosphere of doom and darkness gave her some hope.

“She did well. She pleased the Masters exceedingly well. Bathe her and prepare her for the supper. Make sure to anoint the branding.”

Briella nodded, then bowed. While she led Sutton to the part of the dungeon where she had been bathed before, Sutton kept her gaze alert.

A dress was laid out for her on a wooden chair. Simple in its design, even she couldn’t deny that it looked as if it had cost a fortune. Velvet jewelry boxes were opened and laid next to the gown. The glitter of diamonds and emeralds sparked under the flames of the torches. But the necklace was more of a choker; the thickish band of gold was the body of the basilisk, while one end was a lily that would clasp into the other end, which was a three-headed dragon.

There was even a set of underwear and high-heeled shoes. But there was no mask to conceal her features. More importantly, she spotted her own dress, shoes, and purse on a shelf next to the chair.

She pulled together her thoughts. With the opaque veil covering her face, giving her only thin slits to be able to see,theyweren’t able to see who she really was. If they could, they might have stopped whatever that was at once.

She had to get out of there.

The information she had pocketed when her gaze skittered around the dungeon came to light. From a stone door in the stone wall, a flood of natural light entered when the door was pushed open by one of the other younger ladies. When she got to the dungeon the first time, it was where the burly man had stood, emphasizing that was her means of escape. Thankfully, the man was also nowhere in sight.

“I’m sorry,” Briella whispered. “I had no idea about the branding. Not until the high priestess gave me this vial. I can’t imagine how it must have hurt. But the high priestess said this salve, an ancient remedy, would have you completely healed in a day. The combinations of herbs our ancient priestesses used are more powerful than any modern medicine. You’ll be healed in no time. But first, a nice warm bath.”

“I’m still not the person who was supposed to be here, Briella.”

“But you must be. The Masters have taken you and branded you. That makes it final. It’s such a privilege that any girl would kill to be in your position. I would, but my blood is all wrong. You are The Perfect One; it’s conclusive now.”

Sutton pursed her lips. She wasn’t going to get through to Briella, not now. She had to find another way.

They had reached the pool, where fresh water had already been filled and scented with petals. The cave offered them complete privacy from everyone else.

“Briella, can I be left alone, please? To bathe?”

Taken aback, Briella opened her mouth to say something, gave Sutton a deep look, nodded, then turned and left.

Sutton wasted no time. She removed the robe, slipped into her dress, and then pulled the robe back on again. It would serve as her disguise. She stuffed her ballet flats into the pockets of her dress. Then she grabbed her purse.

Her glance fell onto the vial Briella had left on a table. Without thinking, she popped it into her purse and then hid it under the voluminous robe. Reaching behind her, she flipped the hood over her head, making sure none of her hair showed. Or her face.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she walked into the main area, where nearly twelve or maybe fifteen other robed women were busy scurrying around. They were preparing a table for four. Decorating it with flowers and candles, bringing in food and drink. No one noticed her.

Except Briella.

Maybe it was something in Sutton’s expression, one of utter panic and fervent imploration, that swayed Briella. Without saying a word, she turned around, ignoring Sutton.

Trying not to bring any attention to herself, Sutton cried of relief on the inside when the stone door parted again, and two women carried in a basket of fresh fruit. Sutton slipped out and then pulled the door closed.

She squinted against the late-setting sun in the brightness of the early evening. She had no idea where she was, but on seeing a flight of stairs, she immediately embarked on them, adrenaline pumping through her like crazy. She came out onto the back garden that opened onto the road. And then she started to run.

Her heart pounding with fear in her chest, she risked twisting to look behind her. Relief that no one was chasing after her gave her the extra impetus to run harder in case her luck ran out.

She didn’t stop running, even when she was out on the road. Every part of her was drenched in fear. She quivered so much that after a while, it hampered her movements so severely she had to stop, take a breath, and then another. She ran up to the end of the street, where the grounds on which their house stood were so vast that they didn’t have any neighbors.

Tears flooded her face as she saw her car. She fumbled with her purse to get to her keys. Taking off the robe, she shoved it under her seat, climbed into her car, and then drove away.

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