Savage Chains: Scarred (#2) Page 5

  I think that’s exactly right.

  But as Reyes led her up the walk to the house another chill traveled down his back.

  What is it? Angelica asked. Because I’m getting this strange vibe from you.

  Reyes felt confused. I honestly don’t know, but I keep getting this feeling that I’ve been here before. Yet, I know I haven’t.

  Do you think someone has messed with your memories? I mean, is that even possible in your world?

  Possible, yes. His thoughts went immediately to Sweet Dove. The woman was an Ancestral, part of the reason she’d been able to gain such complete control over him, to hold him all those years. Some of his chains had been preternaturally enhanced with her power, a kind of binding that took decades to sever despite how physically strong he’d grown over the years.

  But the question was, would Sweet Dove have taken his memories of being in this house before? If so, why?

  I find it awkward speaking to you but not looking at you, Angelica sent.

  I know what you mean.

  And I feel dizzy suddenly.

  He glanced at her. Though there were hardly any people near the house, he still held her tight, but he could feel her trembling. What’s wrong?

  I don’t know. I don’t like this, Reyes. Something isn’t right.

  I’m getting that feeling as well.

  What do we do? She looked worried, a tight frown between her brows.

  We go forward. I want to know what’s happening here as well, but I’ll have to release you. It won’t look right to be supporting you this way.

  I know. She removed her hand and he slid his arm from around her waist. Holding the leash, he gathered up the slack a little more.

  When he crossed the threshold Angelica gasped, as she should have. Even he was stunned by the sight of split curved staircases that met at an upper landing. A massive crystal chandelier hung from a forty-foot-high ceiling.

  Dozens of guests milled throughout the foyer and off to both sides. Elegant food stations ranged throughout, but he didn’t see an open bar. Reyes thought he understood, that Engles might enjoy a good party, but the drunken revels could take place dockside rather than in his dwelling.

  Engles liked control on every level.

  Reyes accepted more congratulations on his winning bid, just as Angelica received the once-over again and again. He didn’t like it and bristled more than once at a suggestive comment.

  Ignore them, she sent.

  Reyes shook his head. Is it that obvious?

  The chains speak your irritation every single time.

  He glanced around. Are you hungry?

  A little.

  I’ll have you pile up a plate and hopefully find someplace private. Unfortunately, for show I’ll have to control what and how much you eat.

  Don’t worry about that. Let’s do whatever we need to do.

  He passed by a seafood buffet and wended his way to a less populated room that opened on to a side garden. Another buffet sat in the middle with a spicy aroma.

  Italian. How does that sound?

  Perfect.

  He ordered her to load a plate, then directed her into the garden. He wanted to have her stretch out on the chaise longue and kick off her shoes, but there were security cameras everywhere. He chose instead a chair and ottoman, so that she could take the subservient position in front of him.

  I’m pretty sure we’ll be on video again, so follow my lead.

  She lowered her head, nodding, holding the plate with both hands.

  You’re doing great. Just try to keep the fire from your eyes.

  Her lips threatened to curve. The fire?

  Yes, you have fire in your eyes, one of the things I value about you.

  So, you value me.

  You know I do. He wanted to tell her more, but several people had entered the garden and he risked his cover by appearing to hesitate. We should get this show started.

  Ready when you are.

  He gestured to the ottoman. “Sit down, slave.”

  When she’d taken her seat he continued, “You’re to feed me.” Can you make your hands tremble?

  Sure.

  She did an excellent job, preparing bites of food for him, her fingers shaking, her head down. He ate two forkfuls before he said, “You may have a bite, a small one.”

  She obeyed him.

  By now they had an audience, one that continued to grow. In Starlin terms, they were both famous. He sat back watching her, forcing a hard expression to his features, just short of a glare. To her mind he sent, You’re doing great.

  This whole thing is freaking me out, Reyes. Why have at least twenty people come to watch this?

  They’re hoping it will devolve into either violence or sex.

  Is that what we need to do? He could feel her mounting tension through the vibration of the chains.

  Doesn’t matter. Not gonna happen.

  “You may prepare another small bite for yourself.”

  Using the side of her fork, she sliced a piece of corkscrew pasta in half, speared a pea-sized worth of prosciutto, and slipped it between her teeth.

  You’re beautiful. Have I told you that, Angelica? And now you’re blushing. Aloud, he said, “I’ll have a bite of the bread.”

  “Yes, master.” She lifted the toasted sourdough.

  Look at me, Angelica. She lifted her gaze to his, and the moment she did he opened his mouth and she slid the piece inside.

  Reyes. She whispered his name through his mind and suddenly all he could think about was having her under him. He’d wanted her from the beginning, but in this situation, with her feeding him bits of pasta and bread and looking voluptuous in her black-and-turquoise leopard bustier, he was aroused all over again. In an effort to calm down he shifted his gaze to the row of nearby large planters that held thirty-foot cypresses.

  You okay? Her voice and her concern did little to help his problem.

  Not exactly, but I think it’s time you stopped feeding me.

  She settled the plate on her lap and folded her hands. I don’t suppose you could find us a dark corner somewhere?

  What are you proposing?

  Her gaze flicked suddenly to his, then fell obsequiously to her lap. You know what I’d like? I mean, really like?

  He could hardly breathe and he didn’t dare try to stand up. What’s that?

  Reyes, I know this is going to sound strange, but I’d love a first kiss. We haven’t had that, you know. We’ve had other things, but I’d like a real first kiss.

  Are you forgetting that you kissed me at the Ocean Club?

  Her chest rose and fell in a deep breath. That’s not the kind of kiss I’m talking about. That was just me showing you how much I wanted you.

  Reyes loved the idea of giving Angelica a first kiss. I can find us someplace private. He rose to his feet, took the plate, and set it on a nearby table. Gathering up her leash once more and without saying either a word to her or to the now-disappointed crowd, he led her back into the house.

  ###

  Angelica felt Reyes’s determination vibrate through her chain. He didn’t dawdle, either, but moved as swiftly as her stupid shoes would let them. He even levitated her up to the second, then the third floor of the sprawling mansion.

  A lot of the bedrooms were in use, but he didn’t bother finding an empty one. They would all have cameras; that much Angelica understood extremely well about this perverse culture.

  At last, he drew her out onto one of the balconies that proved empty of guests but had a lush garden. Guiding her away from the French doors, he pulled her off to the side so they couldn’t be seen.

  “Get rid of your shoes.” He kept his voice low.

  “Oh, can I really?”

  “Hell, even I’m in pain watching you walk in them.”

  “I’ve been siphoning your power,” she said, also whispering, “but it still isn’t enough.”

  He supported her while she stepped out of the monstrosities. She flexed
her feet and moaned. “Thank you for that. Although I’d be hurting worse if I hadn’t been using your power to heal my feet along the way.”

  “I don’t know how you women bear them.”

  “Not easily, but they’re pretty.”

  “And these are unusually absurd.”

  He drew her into the shadows off to the side. “So you wanted a first kiss.”

  “Does that seem silly to you?”

  “No, actually, it doesn’t. This has all been ass-backwards and I’d apologize again, but it doesn’t change what’s happened.”

  He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her against him, which sent a spattering of goose bumps traveling down her back. She settled her hands on his arms, aware yet again that he was heavily muscled and more man than she’d ever kissed before.

  The lighting in the patio was very soft, but she siphoned a little more of his power and warmed up her vision so that she saw him perfectly. “Reyes,” she murmured.

  He tilted his head slightly and moved in. He met her parted lips with a soft pressure of his own that went straight to her knees.

  She slid her arm around his neck, and when he deepened the kiss she moaned all over again. His tongue dove within, causing her body to strain against him, needing more.

  Angelica. His voice in her head felt like the softest vibration.

  He gripped her waist tighter, then slowly ground his hips into her. She could feel the hard length of him and gasped as his tongue began to plunge in and out.

  For a first kiss this one rocked. She couldn’t get enough of the warm feel of his lips, his tongue searching the recesses of her mouth, then driving once more, of his arms flexing and releasing.

  She let her thoughts flow. I wanted to take you home that night at the Ocean Club.

  When he drew back he leaned his forehead against hers. “If things had been different, I would have gone with you, maybe even stayed all night.” He caressed her arms. “I’ve wanted you badly, but this situation …”

  “I know. So, how about we pay our respects to our elegant host, then get the hell out of here, if it’s okay to skip those other parties.”

  He smiled. “We’ve made our appearance, so we’ll be fine. You can leave the shoes, though. I’ll carry you if have to.”

  “Can’t you just fly me out of here?”

  He shook his head. “There’s a basic rule when there’s this much drinking. Everyone walks.”

  “You mean you broke the rules flying me up the stairs?”

  “I took a chance.”

  Angelica glanced behind her and saw that the room beyond was empty; “Let’s go then, because if I see one more naked woman on her knees in front of another self-satisfied slaver I may go ballistic.”

  He smiled. “Then we’d better get you home.”

  He led her on her leash into the hall, then down the stairs. More than one partygoer glanced at Angelica’s bare feet and seemed to approve. She hadn’t realized that her barefootedness might be received as a way to control her. How ironic that instead Reyes had saved her some pain. His fellow Starlin members would be extremely disappointed if they knew the truth, bastards that they were.

  He’d just reached the open front doors when Engles’s voice reached across at least forty feet of foyer. “Reyes, where have you been keeping your prize? Ah, you’ve stripped her of her shoes. I approve. Now if only she lost the costume.”

  She felt Reyes bristle as he turned in Engles’s direction.

  Engles, with a drink in one hand, caught Reyes’s arm with the other, lifting it high. “Our highest bidder for one of our finest trophies in a long time.” A burst of applause followed.

  Angelica felt sick.

  “I believe I now regret not exceeding your bid.”

  “You’ll have a chance at her six-month mark.”

  “Ah, yes.” He smiled, then glanced around at his guests. “You’ll notice how well-preserved our beauty is despite that she was in the hands of a man like Reyes all last night. But he’s assured me that he has plans to recoup his investment at her six-month transition. I suggest you all start saving your money for the chance to bid on her once she completes the process.” He then turned to Angelica and took her chin in his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. “For I have no doubt that you’ll survive and when you do you’ll become the perfect slave-companion. Again, I envy Reyes.”

  Angelica knew that those slaves who survived the six-month mark underwent a terrible sexual transition that caused them to fully embrace the slaver lifestyle.

  As she stared into Engles’s evil dark eyes her spirit rose up within her, demanding that she speak. Though he still had hold of her chin, she squared her shoulders. “But if all the rumors about you are true, I wouldn’t have lived to see my six-month transition had I been in your hands.”

  Reyes’s voice was suddenly in her mind. Angelica, back down, now.

  Engles’s nostrils flared and his dark eyes flashed. “You dare to speak to me in that manner, slave?” He released her chin but lifted his hand high, his lips pulled back, fangs showing.

  She cringed, turning away from him, knowing she’d get hit.

  When nothing happened she righted herself, appalled to find that Reyes held Engles’s arm trapped in his powerful grip.

  The two men glared at each other.

  Angelica, Reyes called to her sharply, mind-to-mind. Drop to the ground and prostrate yourself at my feet. Hold on to my ankles and put on the best begging-for-mercy show you can think of.

  She fell down instantly and began sobbing. “I’m so sorry, master. I forgot myself. Please forgive me. Forgive me.”

  “Silence, slave,” Reyes bit out.

  Angelica didn’t dare look.

  “You must discipline her!” Engles shouted. “Here and now.”

  “She will be disciplined. Beyond that, you have no rights other than my apology for my slave’s thoughtless behavior.”

  “She shows no respect. You have not brought her into proper submission, which means that your current method doesn’t seem to be working. All slaves are worthless and need to be taught well from the second you take possession. It’s clear to me, you still have a lot to learn.”

  ###

  Reyes stared into Engles’s hard, dark eyes. He held the man’s arm high overhead, his fingers gripping Engles’s wrist. But Reyes felt no give whatsoever.

  “Relent,” Reyes said quietly. “I will discipline my slave, and she clearly realizes now that she erred. Remember how much fight this one has. And again, I’m taking my time to season the meat. That is my way. And so far, she’s proved savory. I’ll have her in my game room next, for a few hours, teaching the lesson, as you suggest, that she so badly needs.”

  Finally, Engles started to relax, pulling his arm away. “And we do have our rules.” He tugged on the cuffs of his silk shirt. “And I have no rights over your slave. But I would like to own her one day. I’d like her to learn a new set of lessons at my hands. In fact, I look forward to it.”

  Reyes dropped his arm to his sides and felt a little flattery might help. “I looked at several organizations before setting my sights on Starlin. What I always valued, that isn’t true across the board, is that the owner has all the rights and members of the organization are not allowed to infringe on an owner’s property, not where his slave is concerned, at least not without permission.”

  “You know our laws well.”

  “I do.”

  Engles once more glanced down at Angelica. His tongue made an appearance between newly emerged fangs. The bastard lusted after her, which sent off a warning bell in Reyes’s head. Engles would do what he could to gain control of Angelica. More than at any other moment, Reyes understood Engles’s mind and his purpose. The man was biding his time.

  Engles gestured with an elegantly swept arm, encompassing the audience of at least a hundred of his guests. “We have resolved our differences. Please, enjoy the party.”

  Like magic, the crowd turned back to its
various conversations.

  Reyes glanced down and spoke to Angelica in a forced voice of command. “You may stand now, slave, well behind me.”

  She rose to her feet, her head bowed heavily. Her arms crossed over her stomach. He felt her remorse. More than anything, he needed to get her out of Engles’s home.

  He was about to thank Engles for his party when he said, “A word, Reyes, if you will, for I want you to know that despite your slave’s unfortunate conduct, I have some good news for you. If you’ll come with me.”

  Reyes wanted to protest, but Engles had already turned and now headed down the central hall that took him beneath the split staircase.

  Angelica’s voice broke into Reyes’s thoughts. Do we have to go with him? I despise the man.

  We don’t have a choice. He’s the gateway to what I need for Starlin’s destruction.

  Angelica sighed. I know. My question was more rhetorical.

  Believe me, if there was any other way …

  Engles led them deep into what appeared to be the private part of his home, unavailable to his guests except by invitation. The hallway was part of a much older section bored out of solid rock. Again that odd shiver chased down Reyes’s back. Why did Engles’s home seem so damn familiar?

  Reyes, you’re feeling it again, aren’t you? That you’ve been here before?

  The chains didn’t lie. Yes.

  Are you sure you haven’t? She sounded worried.

  I don’t think so.

  Engles led them to an alcove and through a doorway into a smaller room full of books and two maroon leather chairs. “Please sit down.”

  With leash in hand Reyes took a seat, gesturing for Angelica to stand behind his chair.

  Engles poured out a drink. “I hear you like a good Bowmore.”

  Apparently, Engles had done his homework as well.

  “I do.”

  Engles poured from a crystal carafe, then handed Reyes a heavy cut-glass tumbler. He held the scotch beneath his nose but never took his eyes off Engles as he sipped. “Excellent, but I must say I’m honored that you actually have the brand I prefer.”

  Engles planted his hand on his chest. “You do not have me to thank but rather Scorpion. He had you vetted and learned your proclivities and your background. I understand that you were a slave yourself once, but that you managed to elude your captor. I was stunned but, more than that, could not imagine how you escaped. So how did you?”