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Its a mansion. He reached out and turned on the nearest lamp. Strange how it had
become night without her being aware of it. In the west part of the county outside the
city limits. Its part of an estate, and as far as the tax assessors office knows, it belongs to
a corporation. The women are there full-time, but The Takers come only when their
agendas allow, or when they want to get their kicks.
What about when the women are alone?
Hewwasnt too sure because, as he said, he hasnt been invited to join the parties.
But fromwhat hes seen of the basement
Basement? Like the one I was in.
Yeah.
She nodded. Awareness of her nudity was returning, but if she asked for clothing,
shed only have further to go when it came to placing herself in the role of sex slave.
You are thorough, arent you. Doing your best to recreate the experience.
He didnt so much as blink. Damn but he was hard to figure out. Most of the time
she could all but touch the wall hed erected around himself; only occasionally did he
reveal another side to himselfthe side which drewhimto her
Is the basement there the same as here?
No. There are the small, high windows, but the room is divided into cages. Cells.
And she might be placed in one of them. Howhow big are they?
Large enough for a bed and toilet. The walls consist of bars so the women can see
each other. There are iron rings set into the cement floor and chains, also rings on the
bed frame.
Thenthen the women are chained in addition to being caged?
Sometimes. It depends on if theyve displeased the men they call their Masters.
She could never, ever say the word! But maybe shed have to. The men dont do
their thing to the women in those cages, do they? Not all the time. I She swallowed. I
cant see millionaires humping in a cell.
Hall shook his head and watched her in that intense way of his. The mansion has a
number of bedrooms, he said. Each is appointed differently.
She wasnt ready to know what he meant by appointed. How do the women eat
when theyre there alone?
Its Hews understanding food and water are left in the cells, but if a girl has been
chained
Woman! Dont call themgirls.
Women then. Sometimes there arent any men there for several days.
And nights. Thats when the women talk, isnt it? she said. When theyre most
likely to share what they know aboutabout their masters.
Its what we hope.
She didnt knowhowshed survive nights in a small, dark cell, but she had to try for
the sake of women whod already been there too long.
All right. A deep breath helped a little. What about when the men are there.
What happens then?
Hewwasnt much help on that score. Hes taken a new slave into the basement and,
like you sawin the video, hes shown the men what the slave can do.
Slave. Because shed become one tomorrow, she had to wrap her mind around the
word.
Things take place in what Hew calls a den, Hall continued. The men all sit in a
circle around Hewand the slave, at least theyre sitting at the beginning.
Isis she tortured then?
No. Until hes been paid in full, whish is done in installments, the women belong to
Hew. He doesnt want the merchandise damaged.
She was going to kill Hew! Somehow.
Howmuch?
Twenty grand for the last one.
Twenty thousand dollars in exchange for a human life. Is that the going rate? she asked
sarcastically.
According to him, he cut his usual rate because shed had an abdominal surgery
scar he didnt know about fromhis surveillance. The Takers want their women perfect.
Shed never thought of herself as perfect but then her physical looks didnt matter
much; what she prided was her brain. Shed use it in order to survive the challenge shed
taken up. All right. She blew out her breath. Howhow long do you think Ill have
to stay there before I learn anything?
In the subtle lamplight, she noted hed increased his grip on the chair arm. Its one
of the unknowns. Imsorryfor so much.
She couldnt remember hearing an apology from him before. With night all around
and the lighting in here so dim, hed nearly turned back into the masked man whod
drugged and captured her. Against all reason, she found it erotic. If the need to educate
herself wasnt so strong, shed probably let him know that, once again, hed turned her
on.
He. Would The Takers be capable of doing that to her or did only Hall hold the key to her base
sexuality?
The problem is, he continued, his tone strangely remote, Hew is our only key to
what goes on in the mansion, and I dont have to tell you hes unreliable. What he did
sayand I think this is the truth because he had no reason to make something upis
they pride themselves in on breaking in a new slave slow.
Inin what way?
He says theres a lot of taunting, telling a woman theyve just bought about
everything theyre going to do to her, but they let her think about it for awhile. At least
Hewdidnt see anything except brainwashing while he was there. In his words, they get
off on watching her reaction to their threats. Then they take her off to the basement. My
guess He stopped and studied her, undoubtedly looking for her reaction. She
struggled to maintain a neutral expression. My guess is shes thoroughly terrified by
the time they put her in a cage. Shes bound to ask questions of the other women down
there with her.
With an effort, Shanel returned his stare. Which makes it a perfect time for me to
learn something.
Yes.
What amI going to do with the knowledge, assuming I get any? she demanded.
Weve worked on that detail, he said. By we, she guessed he was referring to other
members of SHIT. Im going to come back in a day or two and insist on seeing my
merchandise
A day or two sounded like a lifetime. D-do you think theyll buy that?
Its the way Hew worked. Im going to hint Im working on getting someone
special, a world-class athlete, maybe a female politician, a woman with a reputation as a
real ball-buster for themto play with. But before I go to the effort, I need proof they won
t turn around and ruin the merchandise in a few days.
This is sick.
Theyre sick men, Shanel.
She took a moment to digest what he told her. No more than two days. You
promise.
One if I get a sense youre going to be in danger.
She didnt dare think about that. All right. The pressures on me, isnt it? I wont
have much time to learn everything I can. Howare you going to get me out of there?
I will. You have to trust me.
What did he think she was, an idiot? Furious beyond all reason, she stalked over to him.
It mattered not at all that she was buck naked. Dont give me shit! she insisted. As a
cop, Id never go into a potentially explosive situation without being sure of my backup.
You want me to risk my life, you tell me howImgoing to get out alive.
He looked up, his eyes dark again, whatever he was thinking, shut off from her.
You dont have to do this.
And spend the rest of my life haunted by images of women in cages and chains,
dead? Maybe you can turn your back on their situation, but I cant. You heard me. What
s your plan to keep me alive?
Instead of supplying what she desperately needed, he closed his hands over her
hips. He pulled her close so her thighs touched his knees. His hands slid around to her
backside and cupped her buttocks. All too familiar sexual heat flooded her. They were
so close, cock and cunt only inches apart. If he pulled down his jeans
No! Damn it, no! He wasnt going to play her that way!
Stop it! she insisted and jerked free. She couldnt hide the reality of her erect
nipples or heated cunt juice. You heard me, Hall. How am I going to get out of this
alive?
He stood and cocked his head as if listening for something. If you let me know you
ve learned enough to bring down The Takers, Ill give the signal for a raid.
The cavalry would come. God, wouldnt she love to see that! And if I dont?
You have to, he said. Your life depends on it.
Before she could formthe words to ask if this was more than a threat, he turned and
headed toward a door she hadnt paid attention to. After opening it, he stepped through
and closed it behind him. She hurried after him and turned the knob, but it was locked.
Disconcerted, she took in her surroundings. In addition to the door Hall had
disappeared through, there was the large, ornate front door which she already knew was
locked and an entry leading to the hall and beyond it to the bath and bedroom. She
couldnt remember whether the kitchen led to any other room.
Alone. She was alone.
A short perusal reinforced what shed already suspected. There were no phones in
here, no way of calling for help. Shed have to wait for Hall to return. Shed started to
turn on another light when she heard a key in the front door. Alarmed, she backed away
fromit. The door opened and in walked two men, their features obscured by masks.
Chapter Twelve
Her brain was still trying to process the impossible when she wheeled and sprinted
for the kitchen. A knife! She had to
Something large and heavy struck her from behind and sent her sprawling to the
carpet. The air was knocked out of her; struggling for breath brought tears to her eyes.
She managed to suck in a little air, but then someone straddled her waist and pinned her
down. She tried to turn and look up at whoever was doing this to her, but before she
could, her arms were yanked behind her and cold steel closed around her wrists.
She sobbed; someone yanked back on her hair, lifting her face off the carpet. A gag
was shoved into her mouth. Beyond terror, she tried whipping her head from side to
side, but the hold on her hair increased. There seemed to be hands everywhere. The
familiar snap left no doubt this was the same kind, if not the very gag Hall had used. She
felt sick to her stomach and on the verge of losing bowel control. When her attackers
placed a blindfold over her eyes, she stopped struggling.
Instead of adding the ankle restraints she expected, the men left her legs free, and
when they hauled her to her feet, she stood. There was one man on either side of her.
Gripping her elbows, they steered her where they wanted her to gowhich was across
the room and down the stairs to the basement.
Hall! Hall! Dont let themplease dont be part of this!
Even with the blindfold in place, she could tell the lights in the basement were on.
They started her walking again. Soon her legs came in contact with the bed. Handling
her as if she was little more than a side of beef, the men lifted her onto the bed. At least
theyd put her on her belly so she didnt have to rest her weight on her bound hands.
Her small sense of comfort died when one of them unhooked the cuffs but continued to
hold her wrists while the other man turned her over.
Before she could guess what they intended to do, her captors drew her arms over
her head, forced them apart, and handcuffed her again. Beyond helpless, she lay on her
back, her arms spread but not painfully so.
When one of themplaced his hand on her ankle, she tried to kick him. The next time
he touched her, she drew up her leg and aimed as best she could. To her delight, her
heel connected with soft flesh. Aman grunted.
Then someone threw himself over her thighs and pinned her to the bed while
disembodied hands fastened cuffs around her ankles. The manipulation was followed
by the horrible sound of a chain being rattled and the soft click she knew all too well.
The man lifted himself off her. Her ankles had been chained to the foot of the bed;
her legs were spread as far apart as her arms, her pussy exposed.
Captured. Again.
Hall! Hallplease.
You thought your training was over, an deep male voice said. But it isnt.
No, no, no.
Everything hangs on The Takers believing youre a slave, he continued, his tone
almost conversational. That cant be faked. It has to be the real thing.
The real thing.
Although her mind and body felt close to shattering, she willed herself not to panic.
These men were associated with Hall; she had no doubt of it. Hed told her he wouldnt
hurt her, and hed kept his promise. Please, please let themhave the same code.
Ill do whatever you tell me to, she wanted to tell thembut of course she couldnt speak.
Imcommitted to getting those women out of the hell theyre in; dont you understand? You dont
have to force me.
They didnt care. Hell, they couldnt even hear her.
She felt rough hands between her legs. With no warning, whichever man this was
grabbed hold of her pussy lips and pinched them together. Her response had nothing
with any kind of arousal shed ever experienced. Just the same, there was no denying the
softening in her cunt.
He released one lip but kept his hold on the other. Waiting for him, afraid and yet
unable to stop him, she concentrated on the nuances of what he was doing.
Unlike Hall, this mans hands touched nothing except her sexual triggers. Oh yes,
she was getting turned on all right. At the same time, her mind felt as if it was standing
off to the side dispassionately watching the proceedings, but maybe it wasnt her mind;
maybe her heart was what was unaffected.
The question distracted her. By the time shed brought herself back to reality, it was
too late; a clip of some kind had been placed on her outer fold. She tried to shake it off,
but of course that was impossible. The man took hold of her other lip and fastened
another clip on it. The sensation wasnt what shed call painful, more like disconcerting.
Awomans pussy is an amazing thing. The speaker wasnt the same one as before;
he had a calm, almost disinterested tone. Doesnt matter what the rest of her wants, how
intelligent she is, the cunt is a primal organ. Its not into anything except pleasure. He
could be talking about tuning up a car for all the emotion hed put in his voice.
She felt a hand on her breast. Ill give you an example, Shanel. Im sure youre
interested in what Imtalking about.
The clips were being jiggled; what was being done to them? The too familiar sense
of vulnerability took over, and she dug her ass into the bed in a futile effort to escape.
She was still stupidly telling herself she could evade them this way when she sensed a
faint humming coming from the clips. The intensity picked up a little, and her cunt felt
as if it was being warmed.
Mechanical turn-on, wouldnt you agree, Shanel? Not much you can do about it, is
there?
No matter howhard she tried to keep her mind off what she was feeling down there,
it didnt work. The clips were humming, vibrating at such a rapid pace she couldnt
begin to keep on top of it. The sensation spread through her nether lips, oozed into her
rapidly flooding passage, settled over and took command of her clit. In some ways the
feeling mirrored a finely tuned dildo; the biggest difference was there was nothing in
her pussy. Instead, it felt empty, hungry, lonely.
Fill me, fill me. Let me swallowsomething.
Her cunt grew even warmer. She could no longer comprehend where her body let
off and the mechanically controlled clips began. It felt as if she was being sucked out of
herself. She was a prisoner of the devices hold on her and hated and loved it at the same
time. Her breathing grew ragged and now, damn it, she was trying to lift her ass off the
bed in order to get closer to this wonderful punishment.
Hall? Hall. Do you know what theyre doing to me? Are you there, watching?
It went on and on. She swore she was being stung by countless tiny insects, and yet
it wasnt painful, not really. Given how drenched her pussy had become, it was
remarkable the clips hadnt slid off. Maybemaybe she could drown the damn things in
her own juices.
Did she want to? Or was she willing to die fromwhat was being done to her?
A climax. A climax would put and end to this. Or would it, she asked in alarm. It
nowfelt as if her whole body had become part and parcel of her clit. Everything she was
and had ever been was centered in that one place between the legs she couldnt spread
far enough. She might fall over the edge, leap and scream and come, but if the vibrating
didnt stophowmany climaxes could she endure without going insane?
Sick at the thought, she thrashed her head from side to side. She pressed her heels
into the bed and struggled to scoot somewhere, anywhere. Her thighs burned from the
tension shed put themunder.
Come! Just come. Pass out. Then it wont matter.
Enough.
Enough. Oh God, yes.
Slowly, too slow, she came back to earth. Her cunt throbbed and her clit felt as if it
might explode. In a dim way she knew she hadnt achieved a climaxor had one forced
on her if truth be known. Her pussy seemed to be weeping. It was exhausted, a failure.
How does it feel, Shanel? Do you understand the meaning of control?
What was her tormentor talking about? What response was he trying to wrestle fromher?
She sobbed behind the gag when the clips were removed, but when the man slid his
fingers inside her passage, she barely responded. Its not your pussy any more, is it
Shanel? It belongs to me. I can do whatever I want to itto you.
Hall, help me, please.
Were going to let you rest for a little while, the other man said. When we return,
therell be another lesson. Then
* * * * *
Shed been surrounded by a blissful silence and existed in a place without substance
or form. When she heard the returning footsteps, Shanel tried to climb back into the
nothing where shed found refuge.
The steps became more distinct, and like the self-reserving animal shed become,
she mentally tried to face what would come next. Her cunt still felt somewhat bruised,
and if the right person touched her there, shed probably go off like a rocket.
But although she prayed Hall was here with his compassion, his caring, his
mind-blowing touches, it wasnt his voice she heard.
Its time for the next lesson, Shanel. Because of our time constraints, were having to
crameverything into a single night. I know its not what you want, but its the only way
its going to work.
Dont worry about me. I understand, perfectly. My contract stipulates I agree to all reasonable
and formally presented changes in the schedule and agree to do whatever is legally required in order
to accommodate the schedule.
Shut up! Just shut up. Maybe if I die theyll go away.
The first lesson was all about stimulation, not that I need to tell you, one of them
said. Unfortunately, as youve seen, The Takers can be sadistic. Were aware of their
favorite modes of entertaining themselves and have availed ourselves of one of them. I
cant promise that whats coming is what youll encounter once youre with them, but it
ll help you prepare. Much as Id like to put a limit on your experience, its not going to
help you get through it.
Did he have to talk like that, scare her?
All right. Shall we begin?
Just do it, the other man grumbled. This isnt a fucking golf lesson.
You want to start? the first retorted. There was no answer.
Aware of every inch of her flesh, Shanel relied on the only sense theyd left her with,
her hearing. She heard something that might have been a small hinged box opening
followed by a faint tinkling soundlike metal or steel.
No! Please, no!
Because her skin was so sensitive, she sensed the hand near her breast before he
touched her. In an attempt to keep on top of what he had in mind, she clenched her teeth
around panic and willed herself to pay attention, to anticipate.
The faint sound was repeated. Then she felt something metallic close around her
nipple. The nub instantly hardened. Whatever had been put on her settled more firmly
around her nipple, not pinching but not something she would have chosen on her own.
The man pushed up on her breast, probably in an attempt to bring more of her boob in
contact with the foreign object.
Its a nipple clamp, he explained. The designs really quite innovative. What you
feel He did something to increase the pressure so her nub was now firmly
imprisoned. are the two clamps, one on either side of your nipple. The clampsthey
re straight and longish and fairly slender, made of polished steel with a thin bead of
rubber on the inside for gripping.
Shed once arrested a woman who proudly wore nipple rings and had done her own
piercing. Obviously, an effective alternative for piercing had been designed.
At the end of the clamps is a hex nut which can be turned to tighten or loosen the
clamps.
The clamp jiggled, reminding her of the sensation just before her pussy lips started
vibrating. God, how was she going to handle As the grip tightened, she lost her thought
and simply felt, anticipated.
Theres more to it, he said and released her breast. The steel continued to grip. A
bead chain loops fromone nipple clamp to the other.
Shed known he was going to fasten the God-awful invention to her other breast but
knowing and enduring were two entirely different things. No matter how she tried to
ready herself for another layer of imprisonment, she failed. She sobbed into her gag as
steel and rubber gripped and the hex nut was turned, securing it in place.
Now for the bead chain. Its lightweight and quite decorative. You might even get
used to it; some peopleabet those into bondagelove wearing them.
She felt him take hold of first one clamp and then the other accompanied by some
minor manipulations. When he once again released her, the bead chain lay between her
breasts. Before she could become accustomed to the sensation, heor maybe it was the
other man, not that it matteredtook hold of the chain and lifted it off her. He continued
to pull until her clamped nipples were stretched, taking her breasts up with them. Her
nipples burned and yet there wasnt the pain shed feared. Despite everything, the
sensation was erotic. These faceless, nameless men were teaching her new things about
her own body.
Control, Shanel, control. Dont ever forget; dont let yourself go. When a woman is
held that way, shes not going to fight, is she?
He waited a moment, but when she didnt acknowledge her question, he tugged.
Slivers of feeling like light electrical charges ran up her breasts. You wouldnt struggle
as long as someone has you like this, would you? Wherever youre led, youll go, wont
you?
Determined to prevent a repeat performance, she shook her head. To her great relief,
he let up on the pressure although he continued to hold the chain.
Remember, he said in his calm tone. Stay on top of the experience. Lock your
mind around it and accept it for what it is.
Why was he saying that? She couldnt think or feel or experience beyond the here
and now. Even her mental pleas to Hall seemed disconnected to this moment.
Her captor still had control of her breasts and could do anything he wanted to them;
she didnt dare forget. When his grip on the chain shifted, she stayed with the sensation
and made it her everything. He was applying yet another device judging by the ripple
of movement she felt from nipple all the way to her ribcage. Now her breasts felt heavy
and weighed down. She imagined theyd flattened against her body, or they would if
they werent still being held away fromher by the chain.
Feeling came at her from all directions. She understood the liquid heat in her
passage. Oh yes, she couldnt begin to deny that! But it was an instinctual sexual
response. What was less easy to explain was how mind-blowing it felt to have her
breasts both lifted and weighted at the same time.
The sensation hadnt approached pain, but it hovered just beyond where she was
and licked at her senses. The burning in her nipples kicked up a notch and ran like lava
over her breasts to her belly, her groin. Although she felt it coming, she had no defenses
against the heat lapping at her clit. She clenched her teeth to keep from tossing her head
from side to side. Then the lava flow became a near flood; she tried to clamp her legs
together.
Getting close, are you Shanel? It doesnt take much to turn you on.
No!
The word evaporated, replaced by a grinding sensation in her belly. One of the men
had placed his fist over her navel and was pushing down and grinding none too gently.
If he kept it up, hed reach her pussy fromthe outside, fuck her with his fist.
What did she care! She needed to come! Needed release.
Shit, one of the men hissed. Just fucking look at her.
Look at what? But of course she was sliding her ass around on the bed, straining
against the bonds which prevented her from closing her legs, lifting her upper body as
much as possible so she could get closer to the clamps and maybe bring more of her
breasts under their control. Shed flung her head back as if trying to see behind her.
The first wave of a climax rushed over her, and her arms and legs started to spasm.
She sucked greedily at it, then feltwhat?
Her world resembled the scattered pieces of a puzzle. She needed to turn them over
and sort out the edge pieces, find the box it had come in so shed know what she was
trying to produce.
Only, there wasnt a puzzle. Instead, shed been scattered into countless fragments,
none of them touching, all without form. Wondering if shed been killed only no one
had told her, she fastened what she had of a brain on what she knew about her body.
The fastenings around her wrists and ankles were loose enough so they didnt cut into
her flesh, but her limbs ached from the unnatural position. Behind the gag her mouth
was dry, and her eyes felt as if they were being pressed into her sockets. She could, if
she put her mind to it, dismiss those things. What demanded attention was her weeping
pussy and on-fire breasts.
Shed tasted a climax, but it had been taken away before she could swallow more
than a single bite. If the man had continued to press on her belly and her breasts were
still being manipulated, she could have reached her goal, damn it!
Instead she was alone; at least no one was touching her. The weights on her nipples
continued to flatten her breasts against her body, dragging and drawing.
She cocked her head to one side and then the other as she strained to hear, but if the
men were nearby, she couldnt sense them. The thick fluid coating her labia had started
to cool, and she felt as if she was looking down at herself. Torn between equal parts
shame and resignation, she waited. The men werent done with her; she was certain.
Chapter Thirteen
Shanels first indication of what the men had in mind next came when she felt a
warm, damp washcloth being placed over her pubic area. It struck her that they must
want to clean her up before touching her, but maybe, maybe Hall had returned.
Hed know what she needed. No matter what he subjected her to, his humanity
would be there; it would make anything bearable.
No, not Hall, she acknowledged when a man coughed. There was enough water in
the washcloth so after a moment, the overflow began trickling down her slit. She
wondered if it might stain the coverlet, not that her own body cream hadnt already.
Someone repositioned the washcloth so it covered all of her muff. Then she heard a
whooshing sound she recognized as an aerosol container being activated. She smelled
shaving cream.
They were going to shave her muff!
Unable to do anything to stop them, she concentrated on remaining still so she
wouldnt get cut. The washcloth was removed, and cold cream was spread over her. A
large hand pulled the flesh over her mons to one aside, and then a razor began scraping
at her sensitive skin. She followed the razors path in her mind, anticipating every move,
praying whoever was handling the task knew what the hell he was doing. What scared
her the most was when he pushed up on her pussy so he could get to the area closest to
her lips. She shivered with every touch.
Although she shaved her bikini line for swimsuit season, the idea of having a nude
pussy had always struck her as bizarre. None of the men shed dated had brought it up
so it hadnt been an issueuntil now.
The shaving seem to take an awfully long time, but maybe thats because she was
hung up on anticipating what would come next. Finally he must be done because she
tingled everywhere. He rinsed off the shaving cream with a blissfully warm washcloth,
and then dried her with a fluffy towel. His last act was to rub lotion over his handiwork.
Good, she thought sarcastically. At least I wont have razor burn.
To her relief, her wrists were released. Although her arms were free only long
enough for the men to refasten them, at least now they were in a more normal position
by her sides. One of the men briefly rubbed her shoulders, reminding her of when Hall
had done the same thing.
Then what had to be a wide strap of leather was placed around her waist and
cinched to the bed. As if it wasnt enough, more leather was placed around each of her
thighs. Dreading what they planned to do now she couldnt so much as twitch from the
waist down, she could only wait.
A muted rumbling sound, almost like an electric razor started, but there was
nothing left to shave.
With the electric needles first touch, she knew she was being tattooedbeginning
over the right side of her pelvic bone and angling down nearly to her pussy itself. What
she felt was something between thousands of insects crawling over the area and a mild
tickling. Occasionally the needle pricked and pinched, reminding her of the wisdom of
not moving.
She hated this, hated it with a ferocity bordering on rage. Everything else that had
happened to her since this nightmare began had been temporary. It might take endless
showers and years with a shrink, but eventually shed feel whole again. But a tattoo!
Whatever was being put into her flesh would last the rest of her life.
Would always remind her of Hall.
How can you let them do this to me! I thoughtI believed I could trust you.
Fool!
By the time the needle was shut off, shed gone beyond fury to hoping to hell shed
never have to look at Hall again, never feel his hands on her. She cared only marginally
that the two men hadnt spoken a word since returning.
The tattooed area throbbed and burned; there was nothing approaching sensual
about the sensation. She felt degraded and violated. It helped a little when the leather
straps were removed, not that it increased her mobility enough to count.
What time was it? How long had the men beenbeen working on her? Was it the
middle of the night? If so, shed be exhausted by tomorrowtomorrow when shed do
whatever she had to in order to get those women out of hell.
It was so hard to think about them now because minute awareness of her own body
had been forced on her for so long everything else seemed to be painted in pale shades
of gray. She wondered if thats how the sex slaves feltnot caring about anything
beyond themselves and getting through one more day, one more night.
She had to try to free them. Otherwise, her own life wouldnt mean shit.
One of the men unfastened her legs, distracting her from her mental ramblings.
Next, finally, the clamps were taken off her nipples. Blood rushed back into them,
making her gasp. She was still dealing with the sharp ache when her captors freed her
hands and sat her up, one on each side and holding her arms. They led her into the
bathroom, and she dutifully sat on the toilet. They let her wipe herself and wash her
hands, but momentary freedom meant nothing. She couldnt bring herself to touch
where shed been tattooed.
After they removed her gag, a bottle of water was placed in her hand, and she
sucked it down. As soon as she was done, the gag was put back in place. Because it
wouldnt do any good to try to resist, she let them steer her back to the bed and waited
for them to either lift or throw her onto it. Instead, they placed the leather belt back
around her waist and cuffed her wrists to it in front. She could move her hands maybe
six inches in all directions which was just enough to keep her arms from growing numb.
When they added what she was positive was the dildo girdle, she twisted in their grip.
At least the dildo wasnt being shoved into heryet.
She was thrown none too gently face down onto the bed she wished she could light
a match to. If only she could sit up! But because she couldnt use her hands for leverage,
it was impossible. After hooking the collar loosely to the bed, they grabbed her ankles
and forced her up on her knees with her ass high, her face smashed against the bed. She
couldnt begin to resist as they pulled her legs apart.
In it went! Quick, efficient, all the way. It took only a moment to reposition the
girdle so a strap ran between her legs and held the dildo in place. When they pulled her
legs down again and fastened a chain around one ankle, she simply let it happen. What,
after all, would fighting accomplish?
After a fewmoments of battling the weight of helplessness, it dawned on her that the
dildo was simply inside her, lifeless. By moving her chained leg, she discovered theyd
given her enough play so she could get off her belly and onto her back. True, it didnt
accomplish much but at least she didnt feel quite so vulnerable with her ass out of easy
reach. She could touch the part of the girdle hugging her pelvic bone, but unfortunately,
there wasnt a fastening there, just smooth leather. The dildo felt huge inside her.
Someone lifted her head almost gently. She felt fingers at the back of her head and
then suddenly, gratefully, she could both see and speak.
Only, there was nothing to look at except two retreating male backs. The last to
leave the room switched off the light. Tired beyond comprehension, she rolled onto her
side and tucked up her legs as best she could.
She was nearly asleep when the dildo buzzed to life.
Remote control!
* * * * *
Hall slumped in the recliner and stared at the couch where Brad and Clifford
Theilson sat. All three SHIT members were listening to the bug hed planted under
Shanels bed. He was into his third stiff drink of the evening, and if it hadnt been for
what lay ahead tomorrow, hed drink himself stupid.
No one spoke. They didnt look at each other. Brad held a device that looked like a
TV remote and occasionally pushed a button.
The bug didnt pick up much in the way of sound, but then a finely tuned dildo was
pretty quiet unless the operator chose to change it. Hall didnt need to watch what Brad
was doing to knowwhat was happening inside Shanels pussy. The trick to effective use
of the high tech device, as hed already demonstrated, was to continually change its
frequency and tempo. There was danger in giving a subject too much of one thing
sensual overload so to speak. At the same time, keeping the subject off balance,
constantly guessing and anticipating kept her from ever feeling as if she was on top of
things.
On top?
From Shanels grunts and occasional sobs, he knew she felt as if she was about to
shatter.
Well be leaving in a fewminutes, Brad said. Then itll be up to you.
I know.
I cant tell you what to do; Imnot in charge of this op.
You sure as hell arent. There were a few pieces of ice left in his glass. He put the
glass to his mouth and ice slipped in. He spoke around it. I was listening the whole
time you were with her.
I figured you were. We didnt hurt her.
If I thought you were, I would have come down.
I figured that too. Brad glanced at Clifford. Shes become more than a subject,
hasnt she?
He wasnt about to explain what Brad had already figured out. The ice tasted of
whiskey.
Shes highly sexed, Clifford said. We chose well.
Yeah, Hall said sarcastically. We did.
The unknown is whether shell perform once shes in there and hell becomes
reality, Clifford went on. You tell us. He stared at Hall. She understands whats at
stake, why The Takers have to be exposed?
She does, but it doesnt matter to her.
Clifford looked alarmed. Why not?
Shanel started moaning, not sobs really but tired sounds that tore at his heart. He
longed to turn off the damned listening device to say nothing of smashing the remote.
Oh, she cares, he made himself say. Shes a cop. She hates seeing crooks getting away
with shit. But thats not what
The bed squeaked. He guess she was changing position in a futile attempt to escape
the unrelenting sensual assault.
Its the women, he said through clenched teeth Shes vowed to do whatever it
takes to get themout of there.
Brad and Clifford exchanged another look, and both men shook their heads. I didn
t think of it, Brad said.
Neither did I, Hall admitted. He needed to say more, not to his fellow operatives
but to himself about what he was learning both about himself and Shanel.
Brad went back to studying the remote. He touched a button. Thisll let her relax a
fewminutes, pull her back fromthe edge. Has she climaxed?
Yes.
Clifford frowned. The idea was to get her so hot and bothered and pliable so The
Takers would have no doubt shes the real thing. We dont want themsuspecting
I knowwhat Imdoing! he snapped when it was a Goddamn lie. Nowget the hell
out of here. Youve done your job.
The men left soon after but not until Brad had handed the remote to Hall and given
hima meaningful look. After walking the men to the door, Hall returned to his chair. He
stared longingly at his empty glass, then shook his head. In his minds eye, he saw
Shanel curled up on her side dozing. Her hair would have tumbled across her face; she
d looked relaxed and at peace, a well-satisfied woman dreaming of a morning encounter
with her loverwith him.
Unwanted anger flashed inside him. Hell no! He wasnt Shanels lover! Yes, hed
given her the climax she needed so badly and had taken as much as hed given, but hed
only known her a few days. He hadnt loved her, married her. And he sure as hell hadnt
held Shanels bleeding and broken body while his sobs tore into him.
The woman in the basement was a tool! The means to getting a job done.
Not allowing his thoughts to go beyond, he depressed the resume button. A moment
later Shanel gasped. He increased the vibration, and she moaned.
To the edge but not over. Again and again.
Chapter Fourteen
When she heard footsteps, Shanel fought her way out of the fog. A small part of her
brain alerted her to the possibility of danger, but as she became aware of her body, she
admitted she felt as if shed just run a marathon. She ached from the waist down. The
footsteps faded; whoever was coming had reached the bottom of the stairs and was
walking on carpet.
She opened her eyes, but the room was too dark for her to see anything except a
masculine shadow. She surmised shed finally fallen asleepbeen allowed to sleepno
more than two or three hours ago. As for what had happened before then
Its time to get started, Hall said.
A wave of gratitude flowed through her, but it was quickly replaced by white-hot
fury. Despite the effort of having to do so without the use of her hands, she half sat up.
The dildo rammed up her cunt had been in a semi-deflated state when it finally turned
off; she supposed she should be grateful.
You bastard, she hissed. You let those men
Weve got a lot to do before we face The Takers.
The Takers. How could she have forgotten about them? How could she have not?
When the shadow that was Hall released her ankle, she sat straighter. Then he
reached for her hands, and she dutifully extended themas far as she could. Remove the
harness, he ordered once hed freed her wrists.
She gladly did so. Unfortunately, her fingers were numb and it took several tries
before she figured out the fastenings keeping the dildo in place. When she finally pulled
it out of her and placed it on the bed, she realized her pussy was still wet. It felt empty,
bruised, and hungry.
Where are they? Her throat felt scratchy; no wonder considering how many times
a sigh, moan, even a plea had been wrenched from her during the night. Are they
coming back?
No.
Then its just you and me.
Yes.
Just her and Hall and the unwanted energy she could actually taste. Although he
was still little more than a shadow, his presence felt like feathery kisses; knowing how
vulnerable she was, she embraced anger. Did you watch? she demanded. Were you
in the room, getting off on what they were doing to me?
No. Get up.
Not yet. Not until shed wrestled some of the truth from him. You must have listened.
She tried to slide off the bed to better confront him, but the neck chain stopped her.
I had to.
She didnt think he was looking her in the eye. Maybe he was staring at her
sensitive, hungry pussy. Did you approve that fucking training? Was it your idea?
Remembering the tattoo, she waved her hand over it. Was it your fucking design?
Instead of answering, he produced a key and unlocked the chain fromher collar. She
d started to stretch when her full bladder demanded attention. Ignoring Hall, she
walked into the bathroom. She tried to slam the door behind her, but he caught it and
turned on the light.
He looked like hell. His hair was uncombed, his stubble even more pronounced.
She couldnt be positive, but she thought he had on the same jeansno shirt. How she
longed to run her fingers over his chest! And fromthe way he was looking at herwas it
possible he was fighting the same need?
Could there be something good between us, Hall? Kindness and caring, honesty whispered in
the night, falling asleep in each others arms, waking up in the same bed, reaching
He continued to study her, and for the first time she saw specks of blue in his eyes.
His mouth seemed to have softened; he looked vulnerable.
What-what are you thinking? she whispered.
Of you. Regrettinggo to the bathroom.
When she was done urinating, she spread her legs and stared at her shorn mons
because anything was easier than asking Hall to explain himself. Even though she was
looking at it upside down, she could tell the tattoo was of a dragon, its small, fierce
outline done in red.
Cute, she muttered although that wasnt what she thought at all. At least The
Takers cant say its a fake.
She wiped herself and washed her hands. Then she cupped her hands under the
running water and drank. When shed had enough, she dampened a washcloth with cold
water and pressed it over the tattoo. No matter that she didnt want the damn thing and
hated the unwanted assault, there was no denying the miniature dragons tongue aimed
at her pussy was sexy.
Does it hurt? he asked softly.
Caught off guard by his concern, she fought the burn of tears. What do you care?
Tell me. Is this your design? She removed the washcloth and positioned herself so he
had a clear view. What the hell is the point of this?
My mark.
Your-your mark?
Hew put one on all of his women. Dont you remember from the video? Among
slavers theyre seen as proof of original ownership.
With his final word, what little strength she had seeped out of her. Dizzy, she rested
her ass against the counter and pressed a hand over her eyes. Ownership, she
whispered. Why didnt you tell me?
She hadnt really expected him to answer and wasnt surprised when he remained
silent. She struggled to regain control of her emotions, no easy task given the sexual
assault shed endured last night. Much as she hated admitting it, she now understood
what it felt like to be a slave, to have her body belong to someoneor something else.
I want to hate you, she managed. But I dont dare.
Because you need me to get you out of this alive.
How could the word alive be a turn-on? No matter, the hours of unrelieved sensual
tension returned full force. It was Halls fault, damn him! Here he wasstaring at her
new pussy tattooresponsible for it.
I need a shower, she announced, humiliated by the note of desperation in her
voice. And sleep. You were responsible for what the dildo did all night, werent you?
Not those other men. Their job was over.
Halls only reaction was to turn on the water in the oversized tub. She stared at the
rapidly-filling enclosure, the bubbles being created by the powerful jets. Glancing down
at herself, she noted her nipples were reddish and slightly swollen. Memories of the
clips caused her to weaken all over again.
She cupped her breasts and lifted themso there was no way Hall could ignore them.
Too bad you didnt see, she ground out. Or what they did to my labia. If youd been
watching, jacking off should have been easy.
Get in the tub.
Had she scored a hit? There was no way of telling from his impassive features.
Turning her back on him, she stepped into the tub and sank into the water. Small waves
caressed her pussy. God, it felt wonderful! After leaning back and getting her hair wet,
she opened her legs. The bubbles became a gentle, constant massage. The longer she lay
there with several jets aimed at her hot and just-shorn pussy, the more her attention
locked on that part of her anatomy.
The flesh under what had been her muff was ridiculously sensitive. The skin under
the tattoo tingled. Every muscle in her complained fromthe lack of sleep, and her empty
belly felt as if it was rubbing against her backbone, but she could ignore those things.
Given what her pussy had been subjected to, it deserved a treatmore than a treat,
satisfaction.
Not giving a damn about anything else, she slid both hands between her legs and
fingered her lips apart. Still holding them, she changed position until one jet was aimed
at the entrance to her core. Strange, the pussy clamps hadnt left any residual effects. If
she ever met the designer of the device she hadnt seen but could easily imagine, shed
compliment the workmanship. True, theyd inflicted flickering discomfort, but theyd
taught her the line between pleasure and pain could be a thin and eerie one.
Howlong had she been a closet masochist?
Intrigued by the question, she slid a forefinger inside her. No doubt about it, she
was sore in a way that had everything to do with having been fucked hard. The only
thing missingand it was a huge thinghad been a climax.
With her attention fully on what she was doing, she brought her middle finger into
play next to the one already in her. Increased sensitivity warned her not to put her
passage under any more pressure. At the same time, her poor beleaguered core
demanded release.
She could do this for herself!
Practiced in the way of her body, she had no trouble giving her clit the treatment it
needed. Like a gentle mistress, she feathered a fingertip over the firm flesh dampened
both by her own juices and water. The moment she did, a spasm ran the length and
breadth of her pussy. When the spasm decreased, she sucked in a lungful of moist air
and took her clit between thumb and forefinger. At the same time, she wiggled the
fingers inside her. The top of her head felt about to explode; a fire burned between her
legs. Feeling the roller-coaster rumble beneath her, she tentatively increased the
pressure on her pussy. The roller-coaster picked up speed.
No.
Fingers clamped around her wrists and pulled her off herself. She struggled to
shake himoff but only managed in slipping beneath the water. Her hair floated over her
submerged face; her ass lost contact with the tub bottom; jetted bubbles continued to
beat at her pussy. She didnt stop fighting until the air in her lungs turned stale and she
was forced to lift her head above water.
Hall was so close she couldnt see him clearly. He still held her wrists. No, he
repeated. Imsorry. I cant let you.
Then you do it! Youre torturing me!
I know. I wishits exactly what The Takers want.
She tried to yank free, but her strength would never equal his. Besides, what would
fighting himaccomplish? It wouldnt get those women out of hell.
The exhaustion shed been trying to ignore took hold, and if Hall hadnt been there,
she would have slipped under the water again. His grip on her became her lifeline, and
although she still hated himat least she thought she didshe returned his stare.
Are you all right? he asked.
She started to nod but wound up shaking her head. He had her so off-balance; his
question had been so gentle. Im tired, she managed. Then because she needed to
protect herself fromwhat she felt for him, she buried herself in anger. I spent the night
with a electric cattle prod stuck up my pussy. Imso hungry Imdizzy. You wont let me
come. Otherwise, I feel great. Imalso scared of things I cant put a name to, but Im not going
to tell you.
Its what The Takers expect, he said.
Which is why youre putting me through hell.
Apparently he didnt see a need to add anything because he only continued to study
her. Then he released her and told her to finish bathing herself. She obediently
shampooed her hair and soaped herself thoroughly, standing to complete the job. He
turned on the overhead spray, and she bent her head under it to rinse off. She didnt
dare touch herself between her legs for fear shed shoot off like a rocket. If only she knew
howto control the damnable sex toy! Given the way she felt, shed ramit so far up inside
herself she might never get it out. Of course if he was willing to provide his cock
When she was done, Hall handed her a towel. It wasnt until she was drying her
breastsunder his scrutiny of courseit dawned on her that although she still wore the
collar, there was no chain hanging between her breasts. She touched the collar and gave
hima quizzical look.
Therell be some changes, he said.
What? She had to work at keeping her voice steady. My traveling bonds?
Something like that.
Something like that. Fear of what was in store for her took her through towel-drying
her hair and applying cream everywhere. She dutifully turned around so he could put
lotion on her back and ass, an act which took longer than it needed to and stole some of
her anger and apprehension. She even complied when he directed her to brush her hair
so it trailed over her shoulders and put on a minimum of makeup. Then he handed her
black undergarments. The bikini had no crotch. The so-called bra left her nipples
exposed. She felt like a whore.
I have to do this?
Yes. Imsorry.
Her hands shook so she couldnt fasten the bra, and he did it for her. Maybe she
should be proud of being able to step into the panties without losing her balance, but
her naked pussy was being pinched by the surrounding fabric. The dragon was half
exposed. The sensation cranked up her sexual awareness.
Is this all? she asked. I wont be wearing anything else?
Its what they stipulated. Apparently they draw straws. The winner sends over his
selection.
That so disgusted her she couldnt bring herself to speak. During the night when the
dildo was silent and shed been able to think, shed asked herself what her relationship
with Hall was. No matter how many times she tried to bolster her confidence by telling
herself he cared, she didnt knowwhat hed do if she tried to escape.
First well eat, he said. Then well finish getting ready.
* * * * *
If someone put a gun to her head, Shanel couldnt have remembered what shed had
for breakfast. How could she concentrate when she couldnt think beyond what Hall
meant by getting ready? One thing stood out about the time theyd spent in the
kitchenthe way hed continued to look at her, just look.
Now they were in the living room, and he was opening a small box. He reached in
and then looked over at her. I didnt want to tell you about this ahead of time. Your
reaction needs to be real. He held up a well-worn dog collar, holding it as if it repulsed
him.
She shuddered and took a backward step. As soon as she did, he crouched slightly.
Her heart pounded. Her nipples puckered; there was no way he wouldnt notice. Fear
settled in her pussy and turned it both hot and wet.
Another of the short-strawmans stipulations? she asked when she could speak.
I dont know which ones responsible for this, Shanel. If I couldHew didnt say
much about the individual Taker members.
All right. All right. Who was Hall, committed SHIT operative or a man who didnt
want to be doing this any more than she did? She couldnt get a handle on him. It
occurred to her that maybe he didnt knoweither. Beforebefore we leave here, theres
something I have to know.
HowImgoing to get you out of there?
She nodded.
He placed the dog collar on the table and sat on the couch. Not wanting to get too
close to him, she chose the recliner. She kept her legs together but couldnt do anything
about her exposed and hard nipples.
Its the most important part, he told her. Ive spent more time working on that
than anything else.
IImglad.
He nodded. As you know, The Takers are prominent members of the community.
They have businesses, careers. This is Sunday, which is why theyll all be there when we
show up.
She shuddered.
Tomorrow is a bank holiday, and I suspect our banker will remain at the mansion.
With you there, he might take advantage of the day off.
Whois he? What do you know about him?
Its better if you go into this with no preconceived notions. That way your reactions
will be genuine.
She couldnt argue with his explanation. And the others?
We expect those four to be at work tomorrow.
Expect? What if
Weve had surveillance on all five of them for months, Shanel. We know their
routines.
Knowing more people than Hall were in on this made her slightly more confident,
as did the way he said her name. So therell probably only be the one man at the
mansion on Monday?
I hope.
She started to demand further explanation, but he held up his hand, stopping her
either that or her slave training had been efficient.
Ive already let themknowtheyre on probation as much as I am, he continued. I
m coming across as a complete SOB, a man who doesnt trust his new clients with the
merchandise and fully intends to return to check up on her condition.
When?
As soon as I can. And as I said, if you let me know youve gotten the information
we need, Ill get you out of there right away.
How?
Trust me. I wont fail.
Lordy, howshe wanted to believe him! And why shouldnt she? After all, hed been
successful so far. Knowing shed see himbefore long helped. At the same time it put her
under pressure to get the women to confide in her.
You can do this, he said as if reading her mind. We wouldnt have chosen you if
we werent certain of this.
Would you like to look at it from my position? Try putting a collar around your neck and see
what that does to your self-esteem. You might be confident of me, but I need something to
allow me to feel the same way about you.
He stood and walked over to her. When he placed his hand under her chin. His
touch was gentle, caring, and the blue flecks were back in his eyes. Kiss me, please! Make
me feel like a woman, important, loved. Instead, he clenched his teeth. Then he unfastened the
exquisitely-made collar shed become accustomed to and dropped it to the floor.
Picking up the dog collar, he placed it around her neck.
I hate this, she muttered.
I know you do. Turn around.
What for? she demanded.
We have tofinish.
Finish what? Hall, Imafraid.
Groaning, he spun her away fromhim. He slid his hands down her arms and pulled
her wrists together behind her. She felt the bite of metal as he manacled her hands before
she could begin to resist.
No! Please!
He clamped his armaround her throat and pulled her head back. Then with a move
she swore was practiced, he forced her mouth open and shoved in something round and
hard. He deftly fastened some straps around her head which held the contraption in
place. Shed seen bondage gear that included ball gags and had no doubt hed done that
to her.
Liar! Hed lied to her! Planned to sell her down the river!
The rest of her costume, for lack of a better word, consisted of a nylon lead fastened
to the dog collar and a long cape which he draped around her shoulders. While he was
doing those things, he positioned himself so she couldnt look into his eyes; his
breathing was hard, harsh. He left her standing in the middle of the room for a few
minutes, and when he returned, hed shaved and put on a snug pullover which
emphasized his solid chest.
Imsorry, he muttered. More than you will ever know.
Dont do this to me! Dont let me care.
Before she could anticipate what he had in mind, he slid his hands between her legs.
She gasped and tried to back away but ran into the chair behind her. He slipped a thumb
between her pussy lips and with a little maneuvering, buried his finger inside her.
Despite her surprise and outrage, heat flooded her. Her pussy clamped down around
him.
Stay inside me. Let it be just the two of us, learninglearning about each other.
They were right, he muttered as he worked her. Youre ripe. On the edge.
Suddenly she hated him, hated herself! Felt beyond helpless.
He pushed up and back, forcing her off balance until she tumbled onto the chair. She
started to slide off, but he pinned her to it with his cunt-sheltered finger. Her weight
rested on her bound hands; she stared at the ceiling.
He continued his assaultthats what it was, wasnt it?on her core until she thought
shed lose her mind. There was nothing gentle about his manipulation now; it was as if
he was watching a ticking clock and trying to get as much as possible out of her in a few
seconds.
Somewhere in the middle of his attack, he must have spread her knees; but maybe
shed done so herself, not that it mattered because bottom line was, she was splayed and
totally accessible. And with crotch-less panties on, there wasnt so much as a layer of
nylon between her flesh and his.
With his finger still where hed planted it, he blew on her cunt, his warm breath
reached everything. Ignited everything. She bit down on the ball and struggled to lift her
hips off the chair.
He was probing deeper, touching her pussy walls with a soft-strong mix of flesh and
bone, bending his finger and scooping up some of her free-flowing sex fluid, now
drawing both it and his finger out of her. She tried to suck him back inside her, but it
was too late. He was gone, standing over her.
Its time to go, he said and took hold of the lead.
Chapter Fifteen
Hall placed her in the back of the vehicle hed used to get her here. Maybe she
should have been grateful because hed left her legs free so she could repeatedly
squeeze her thighs together until her clit no longer screamed in frustration, but it was
small comfort.
As they traveled along a smooth, two-lane road that skirted whatever city they were
in, it occurred to her he was letting her see where they were going. The terrain was what
she expected of the Northwesttall, close-growing trees fairly dripping from the region
s frequent storms. Knowing they werent going into a city didnt add to her
apprehension until he turned onto another two-lane road which began climbing into the
mountains. Hadnt she already had enough isolation to last a lifetime?
The mansion is on private woodland originally belonging to one of The Takers
parents, Hall said. He sounded like a tour guide. When the parents died, their only
child got it all. Unfortunately, his funds were tied up in other ventures. Hes logged
some of the acreage, but the Feds put limits how much of that he can do. His solution
was to make other Taker members co-owners. Only a handful of people know the place
is up here which makes it perfect for their use.
She tried to speak around the ball.
One more thing, and then Im going to stop talking. Dont forget, The Takers are
into intimidation.
* * * * *
Shanel was still trying to deal with the information when Hall stopped in front of a
closed metal gate. He rolled down the window and spoke into what functioned as
communication with the massive house shed barely glimpsed through the trees.
Mr. Jones with a delivery for Carl and company, he said.
There was a mumbled reply, then the gate swung open, and Hall drove through.
The gate closed behind them. She felt both hot and cold and wasnt sure her legs would
hold her. Hall had been right about one thing; she wouldnt have to fake her fear.
He pulled into a small parking area to the right of the two-story building. There
were five expensive vehicles in the lot which undermined her confidence even more. As
if that wasnt enough, once her fear reached her cunt, the emotion turned into sexual
excitement. She could smell herself and feel her hard, hot clit.
Great. Just what those assholes want.
Hall, please, lets forget the whole thing! We can run away together, somewhere, anywhere.
Hall turned off the engine, got out, and walked around to the back. When he opened
the rear door, for a moment she couldnt bring herself to meet his eyes. Then because her
life was in his hands, she did. His gaze was intense but unreadable; at least he looked
her in the eye instead of taking in the hooker costume. He was carrying a manila folder.
If she could, she would have fallen into his arms and given him everythingmaybe
even her heart. Feeling strong and brave and determined again, she scooted toward him,
and he helped her to her feet. He straightened the cape around her.
It wont stay on long, he said.
Although she was rendered mute, she spun toward him, but he didnt explain
further.
Concern for the helpless women in the imposing building kept her legs from
collapsing. He took her elbow and began propelling her toward it. They might be
watching, he whispered. Play this like youre scaredand, despite yourself, turned
on.
No problem. She could do that all right, Academy Award performance.
Walking up to the mansion seemed to take forever; because the opening in the
panties was ringed with elastic, her pussy was being compressed, and every step added
to the friction, teasing what was already on fire. The front door looked like something
out of a set for a medieval castle. Hall rang the doorbell.
Whoever opened the door stood in shadow, making it impossible for her to
determine much beyond his average height and generous belly.
Youre on time, the man said to Hall. We expect it.
The men didnt shake hands, and as far as she could tell, the newcomer wasnt
particularly interested in her. Her knees were all but knocking, and she was grateful for
Halls hand on her arm. She had to struggle to swallow; even without the ball gag, it
wouldnt have been easy. When the newcomer, started down a dimly lit entry hall with a
high ceiling, she and Hall followed. The tile floor felt cool under her bare feet.
They were led into a surprisingly well-lit room where four men sat in a semi-circle.
Because it was easier to concentrate on the setting than the men, she took note of the
large picture window responsible for the light. It looked out at forestland so rich and
thick it appeared impenetrable. As soon as the sun began to sink, the night would take
over. She felt the chill in her heart.
Were ready, a man who was smoking a vile-smelling cigar said. He was relaxing
in a dark brown leather chair, and although his attire was casual, the fabric looked rich.
What do you have for us?
You wont be disappointed, Hall said. He guided her to the middle of the room
where the men all had a clear view of her.
Well be the judges, the cigar smoker said. Dont forget, if Hew hadnt gotten
himself in trouble, you wouldnt be here.
Imaware. Halls tone was a mix of arrogance and humility. But Im supplying a
better product than Hewever did.
Cigarman chuckled. Perhaps. Before we get onto the main event, you need to know
weve had you checked out.
Shanel felt the blood drain from her face, but Hall merely shrugged. Id be
disappointed if you hadnt. Its the only way to conduct the kind of business transaction
were involved in. And I wouldnt be here if you believed I was anything but
professional.
You get around, Cigarman said. Florida, California, Texas.
What can I say? I like ocean fishing and warmclimates.
Then what brought you to the Northwest?
Business opportunities.
Business opportunities, my ass!
The outburst came froma man who looked to be the oldest of the five, long and lean
and wearing expensive loafers. He looked vaguely familiar. The heat got too much in
those other places. You were forced out of the smuggling business.
Hall chuckled. Smuggling? I prefer to think of myself as an entrepreneur who
functions much like a middle man, only more efficiently.
Tell it to the gem dealer in Texas who put a price on your head.
A disgruntled former employer. Whats the bounty up to now anyway? Im out of
the loop.
Fifty grand.
Not bad. Maybe I should turn myself in for the reward. He laughed. Thats the
fascinating thing about the gem business. Because a hunk of rock is rare or hard to come
by, it has an inflated value. But a man cant curl up with a diamond which is why Ive
changed careers. Fleshlets just say flesh will never go out of fashion.
As if making his point, Hall slipped a hand under the cape covering her from neck
to ankle and cupped her breast.
Ive done some sampling of the merchandise, he said. Necessary evil you
understand. And youre not going to find fault with my preparation techniques. As my
rancher uncle would say, this is a prime piece of horseflesh.
In heat? Cigarman asked.
Guaranteed. My techniqueslets just say, mine make Hews look primitive.
Beaten?
Im offended you asked. Hall took his hand off her breast and made a show of
smoothing the cape back in place. I dont need to resort to those techniques. What you
do with her once the warranty period is over is your business, but I promised prime. I
ve delivered.
That remains to be seen, the door opener said and stood up. He positioned
himself in front of her. He was only a fewinches taller than her, but gluttony had packed
extra flesh on his shoulders and chest in addition to his belly, making him look
imposing. He fingered the leash hanging fromthe dog collar. Did she fight having them
put on?
Maybe it was only her heightened imagination, but it seemed to her Hall was
watching Bellymans every move. No, he said. Its not the first collar shes worn; shes
getting used to them.
The hell I am.
Bellyman grunted and increased his grip on the leash, forcing her to lean toward
him. We want a fighter. Hews broads were scared out of their minds.
Youll get that. I had to strap her down for my tattoo.
Tallman snorted. I hope to hell yours is better than the piece of crap Hew put on
his broads. Looked like a damn hood ornament.
Youll see it soon enough. Hall closed his hand over the leash. Let up on the
merchandise, he warned. Its still mine.
Bellymans neck flushed; he glared at Hall. Dont order me! I claimed her, sent you
her clothes, chose this. He jabbed a fleshy finger at the ball gag.
Until the warranty period is up, the transaction isnt completed. I have other
buyers.
Youll get your turn, Buddy, Cigarman said. Dont be an ass.
To her surprise, Bellyman released the leash and walked in a slow circle around her.
The exchange between the two Takers had told her a lot about who was on top of the
pecking order; it obviously wasnt Bellyman, or Buddy, if that was his name.
Who is she? the oldest man asked. Hewnever took broads fromaround here.
Neither do I, Hall assured him. He held up the manila folder but kept an eye on
Bellyman. Everything you need to know is in here.
Showit to us, Cigarman ordered.
Hall walked over to the coffee table and spread out the folders contents. Despite her
nervousness, Shanel noticed it consisted of several newspaper clippings. Bellyman
punched her ass, then joined Hall at the table. The others remained seated, and she
gathered the courage to study each of them. The oldest one who looked familiar was the
golf course developer Loring Garpwell. Bellyman picked up one of the clippings and
skimmed it.
Is this true? he asked. She isnt listed as missing?
The question shocked her; despite herself, she tried to read. Bellyman glanced at her
and held up another article. Police reportthere was no sign of a struggle at the house
where Ms. Fox supposedly went, he read. Her fingerprints werent found on the site,
and the owner insisted he hadnt decided whether to sell and certainly hadnt contacted
Ms. Fox. Her vehicle is missing. No one has been at her apartment, and her checking
account has been drained.
Shanel glared at Hall, but he ignored her.
Speculationshe left of her own accord grows, Bellyman continued. When
interviewed, her former fianc stated shed been critical of the states financial situation
and had talked of moving, perhaps to California.
Bellyman read to himself for a moment, then roared with laughter. I dont believe
this! Rich! Rich! He stalked over and planted his face only inches from hers. Shes a
cop. Former cop.
Feeling sick and vulnerable, Shanel struggled not to acknowledge Hall.
Bellyman waved the article at her. Poor bitch lost her job because of budget
cutbacks. Her former sergeant said she was a damn fine cop, and he hated having to lay
her off, but she didnt have enough seniority. So thats what you did, did you?
Bellyman took hold of her in chin. Couldnt take peddling houses for a living and split?
The bastard who kidnapped you. You dont have to explain. We know.
Of course they did. After a short silence, the two women began talking. They kept their
voices low, but she had no trouble hearing them. One woman who called herself Dena
said she was a waitress; at least she had been before a man had broken into her
apartment and drugged her. She didnt know how long shed been here because she
couldnt keep the days and nights separate. She cried a little when she said that.
The other woman, who said her name was Georgia, a legal secretary, warned Dena
not to think about passing time. In contrast to Denas barely controlled despair, Georgia
seemed to be holding herself together with an iron grip. She told Shanel that with her
there were now a total of five women in the dungeon, but the other cages were far
enough away those women would have to speak in normal tones, and the dungeon was
bugged.
There used to be another woman in Shanels cage, a screamer who couldnt be quiet
even when she was ordered to. Thered been other women in the pasta past that went
back no more than approximately four months which was how long Georgia believed
shed been here.
No two women came fromthe same state, but they all had certain things in common.
None had children, a husband, or close family ties. We think its because the police are
less likely to look for women like us, Georgia said. We fall into the cracks. Are you a
crack girl?
II guess I am. Whatwhat do they want with us?
Dont make me spell it out, Georgia warned. She was quiet for a moment, then
said each member of The Takers was different. Buddy who insisted on being called
Master Bud became violent when he drank. Master Ralphthey didnt think that was
his real namewas in charge. When he gave an order, the other Masters complied, even
Master Garpwell who talked a lot about how rich he was. Ralph always had a cigar in
his mouth and sometimes burned a girl with it.
I know, Shanel admitted.
He burned you?
No. But he used it to, you know.
Which is why you had to masturbate, you poor thing. They love to get us hot and
bothered.
Not always, Dena whispered. Sometimes by the time theyre done with me,
especially Master Cy, Imnumb.
Its because hes hung like a horse, Georgia said. Dont fight them. That makes it
worse.
But Master Bud wants me to fight. Denas voice shook. Hehe knows how to
make me.
Locked in the black room, Shanel struggled to keep frombeing swamped by despair
as the women described the various mens sexual preferences. Although it meant theyd
get hungry and thirsty, the women preferred it when the men were gone. Sometimes
theyd be left alone so long they became scared The Takers would never return and they
d die in their cages.
Not every encounter was rape, Georgia explained. Sometimes, depending on the
mood a master was in, theyd be treated like valuable members of a harem, given long
bubble baths, fresh fruit and vegetables, beautiful clothes, a walkunder close
supervision of course. Being able to walk or even fucked in the sunlight was wonderful.
It almost made up for everything else.
Shanel was trying to find a way to work the conversation around to the mens
business dealings when suddenly the dungeon was bathed in light. She shut her eyes
and hugged her knees to her chest. Once shed adjusted to the light, she looked around.
Georgia was tall and thin and naked with large breasts that looked out of proportion to
the rest of her. Her hair hung in tangles around her face.
Dena, whose cage was behind Shanels, was small and slight looking, her dark hair
short cropped. In contrast to Georgias nudity, Dena had on a filmy white nightgown.
She also had a gold collar and chain which secured her to one of the bars.
The other two women were maybe ten feet away, one naked, the other in simple
pastel panties and bra. One looked asleep while the other sat on the end of her bed
staring at the floor.
Thats Jaz, Georgia said of the one who was sitting up. She goes into a trance
every time the light turns on.
Why? Shanels throat was dry.
Because she knows theyre coming.
* * * * *
Maybe five minutes passed between the time the light was turned on and two
members of The Takers walked into the dungeon. They carried lengths of rope and
leather and were laughing about something. When they stopped in front of her cage,
Shanel felt her heart slam against her chest. At least it wasnt Buddy.
Your turn will come, slave, Garpwell told her. Be patient. Itll be worth the wait.
Patient, nothing, the other taunted. Spend your time thinking about whats going
to happen. Chew on that. By the time were done with you, youre going to forget you
ever were a copor anything except what we want you to be.
Apparently they hadnt decided ahead of time which of the women they wanted
because they stood in front of each cage in turn. The woman whod looked as if shed
been sleeping was still lying down, but shed lifted herself up on one elbow and was
watching their every move. Only Jaz seemed oblivious to their presence.
Shanel had thought shed be prepared for this. No matter what happened, shed
keep her wits about her, but tension felt heavy in the air. As if that wasnt bad enough,
she couldnt stop thinking about the mans warning.
They chose Jaz and Dena, who both went willingly. Shanel waited to be plunged
back into darkness, but the light remained on after the door at the top of the stairs had
slammed shut. The woman whod been lying down, lowered herself back on her
mattress.
When will they be back? Shanel asked Georgia.
If theyre lucky, not long, but I dont think its going to be like that today.
Why not?
Georgias laugh was without warmth. She also stopped whispering. The Takers
have a new toy, you. Just thinking about how theyre going to play with you has them
horny. As long as theyre like that, they wont bother listening to us; we can talk. Damn,
damn. Jaz cant take much more.
Fear for Jaz increased Shanels tension. What happens then?
Georgia took in her depressing surroundings. They get rid of her. Like they have
others. She paced fromone end of her small cage to the other. I try not to thinkabout
anything. Jaz says she becomes someone else in her mind; its the only way she can
survive. But her defenses are cracking. Maybe
Maybe what?
Sometimes I wish I was dead.
Shanel ached to tell her the end to the nightmare was coming, but she didnt dare
risk being overheard. Besides, she didnt trust anyone fully, not even her fellow
prisoners. If Georgia was right about their being able to talk freely, she had to take
advantage of that.
Who are they? she asked. You called themTakers, didnt you?
And other things Imnot going to let themhear. You dont knowwhats going on?
Because shed decided pretending ignorance was the best way to get information,
she told Georgia shed been kept in darkness since she was snatched. She didnt know
where this place was and had no idea who the men were.
My friends are looking for me, she wound up. I knowthey are. Theyll find
Dont, Georgia warned. Dont waste your sanity thinking about that. Rescues not
going to happen.
Georgia, whod impressed her as a strong and vital woman, now sounded defeated.
Howcan you be sure? Shanel asked. You dont know whats going on in the outside
world.
No, I dont. But this hellhole has existed for several years. No woman has escaped
or been rescuedbecause The Takers are too powerful.
Much as she wanted to comfort Georgia, she decided to jump on the chance to learn
more about The Takers. I sawthe cars when I was brought here, she said. Theyre all
expensive. The Takers are rich?
Rich and powerful.
There was that unsettling word again. Because she couldnt make it go away, she
guided Georgia into telling her howshed come to the conclusion. Georgias knowledge
consisted of bits and pieces of what the men had talked about when she was in their
presence. Their confidence and arrogance was almost a living force, as if they saw
themselves as dictators. Georgia wasnt sure what their business titles were, not that it
mattered. Their careers were varied, but all of them were in positions of power and
responsible for the financial dealings in their companies.
But careers were only part of what the men talked about. Mostly they boasted and
laughed about what they called their extracurricular investment program.
Theyre using other peoples money, Georgia said. One night, when Master Cy
was drunk, he told me he and the other Takers made more off suckers than they did
legitimately.
How? Shanel could barely contain her excitement.
Georgias explanation was somewhat disjointed. Sometimes she stopped and
strained, and Shanel knew her mind was on what was happening to Jaz and Dena. Hall
had told her more about the people The Takers were defrauding than Georgia knew.
According to Georgia, The Takers took great care to keep a low profile by never
flaunting their wealth; at the same time they gave off an aura of success and confidence
that convinced investors to hand money over to The Takers.
If I was one of those so-called investors, Id really be concerned about not being
able to get my hands on my money, Shanel said. Although she kept her tone casual, her
heart rate kicked up a notch. I cant imagine letting anyone take my money out of the
country.
Youd think so, but according to Master Cy, once people hear about how much
they can make and not have to pay taxes on, they can hardly wait to jump onboard. By
the time they realize theyve been had, its too late. What are they going to do, go to the
cops? If they did, theyd have to admit they were trying to defraud the government and
stealing fromtheir corporations.
Does anyone try to take them on? Id think theyd do whatever it takes to get their
money back.
How? The moneys in Mexico.
Shanel gave her what she hoped was a casual glance. How does it get there?
What do you care?
Although she was afraid shed aroused Georgias suspicion, Shanel had come too
close to back down. IImtrying to understand howmany people are involved.
Involved? Thats not how Master Cy puts it. He laughed when he said this. There
are a couple of women who travel to Mexico on business all the time. Theyre the
carriers.
Two women? Shanel didnt try to keep shock out of her voice.
Yeah. Considering whats happened to us, its hard to accept, isnt it?
Who are they? Howcome no one has ever suspected them?
Georgia came as close as she could and motioned for Shanel to do the same. They
re lawyers. They do business with American corporations which have dealings in
Mexico.
Shanel gasped. What? Howcan
One of them used to handle some legal matters for Master Garpwell. The other is
her lesbian lover. Master Cy says neither woman is going to cross The Takers; their
reputations depend on their private lives not coming out.
Hall, where are you? I have to tell you this!
And you have to get me out of here!
Chapter Eighteen
Shanel was so concerned with what Georgia had told her that she was barely aware
of the passing time. Because there were no windows, she couldnt tell whether it was
still daylight, but she was getting both hungry and thirsty. Georgia hadnt said much
else, making Shanel wonder if she regretted revealing what she had.
While she was with Hall, hed made sure she got exercise, and hed seldom left her
alone. True, much of the time hed been readying her for the role hed forced her into,
but at least shed felt connected to the worldto him. In contrast, she now felt as if she
existed in a vacuum. There was nothing to read, nothing to hear except the beating of her
heart, nothing to think about except the too-small cage and wondering whether shed get
out alive.
No wonder the women were losing their will. Howlong could she keep her own?
And that wasnt the worst of it. Looming over everything else was the control The
Takers had over her body, her everything.
Feeling too big for her skin, she paced back and forth, turning and turning and
turning because there was nowhere to go. Georgia watched her but didnt say anything.
The other woman hadnt moved.
More time passed. She was beginning to obsess about a glass of water, even a
teaspoonful. Should she take off the idiotic bra and panties and give the men the
message she wasnt some mannequin they could dress? But if she did, shed be naked,
and they might like that even more.
Where was Hall? If he was still here, was he participating in whatever was being
done to Jaz and Dena? Was it expected of him, some kind of test?
Damn, damn, damn, if only shed never met him.
It must be too much time alone with her rambling thoughtsnothing except that
but remembering Halls masterful handling of her body increased her restlessness.
Masturbating should have put an end to her God-awful sexual tension, but obviously
shed done an imperfect jobeither that or Hall had implanted her pussy with a
memory chip.
Memory chip. Thats a good one.
She was deep in an argument with herself about how to get rid of the implant or at
least turn it off when she heard male voices. Georgia crouched on her bed as far from the
stairs as she could get. The other woman sat up and did the same. Taking her cue from
them, Shanel climbed onto her mattress and hugged her legs.
Someone had put a hood over Jazs head. There was a cutout for her nose and mouth
but not her eyes. Her wrists and ankles were cuffed and a heavy metal chain stretched
between the cuffs, making it difficult for her to walk. Her breasts had been clipped, and
a thin, decorative chain hung between the clips.
Like Jaz, Dena wore a hood, but her feet were free while her hands were confined by
leather restraints connected to a leather belt. The way she walked made Shanel wonder if
she was wearing a butt plug.
The two men whod taken them out positioned the women in front of their
respective cages. Then they left them standing there and walked over to where Shanel
was.
Hall, please!.
Come on, bitch, Cigarman said as he unlocked her door. Weve got some work
for you to do. Mess up and everyones going to pay.
With the warning ringing in her ears, she stood up and stepped forward. He
grabbed an exposed nipple and twisted it until she cried out.
Got your attention, have I? He released it and did the same to her other nipple.
Just wanted to make sure. Youre going to be a good slave, arent you?
Yes. She nearly gagged on the word.
I thought so. Now, as you can see, we havent quite finished with these two. Left
themkind of wrapped up in their work.
Both men laughed, then the other man spoke. Now, we could leave them like they
are. Give all of you something to think about. It wont be the first time.
Ill kill you. Somehow, Ill kill you.
But they were good little girls and did what we told them to. They deserve to be
rewarded. Dont you agree?
Yes.
Of course you do. And youre going to do the rewarding.
Despite her dread of what they had in mind, Shanel kept her reaction to herself. Hall
would be back; hed get them all out of this hell! And until then, shed do whatever it
took to keep everyone alive.
When the men told her to take the clips off Jazs breasts, she did so as gently as
possible. Then they ordered her to lick Jazs nipples and she complied. They kept her at
it until Jaz moaned behind the hood and leaned toward her.
Its all right, she told Jaz. Well get out of this, and when we are, Ill get you all the help you
need.
She was so concerned about Jaz she barely noticed she was becoming excited.
Suddenly Cigarman stepped behind her, snaked his arm around her waist, and pulled
her off-balance. He shoved his free hand between her legs from the rear. Although she
entertained fantasies of beating him senseless with Jazs chains, she submissively
widened her stance. He probed at the entrance to her wet pussy.
Shit, damn bitchll do all right. Hot and bothered.
Keep her that way, the other man muttered. All right, bitch, we dont want you
and the other slave to have any fun without us. Besides, your work isnt done. Slave
number two is waiting.
Hating her bodys response to what shed been compelled to do to Jaz, she
nevertheless forced herself to stand behind Dena. At Cigarmans order, Dena leaned
over and spread her legs. Shanel could plainly see the end of the butt plug sticking out
of her. It looked huge.
Weve got a problem here, Cigarman said. Poor bitchs got something rammed
up her ass, and we cant get it out. Think you can handle it?
Against all reason, the sight caused Shanel to become even more excited.
Did you hear me, bitch? Cigarman demanded. He grabbed her arms and pulled
thembehind her. If you want to eat and drink, youre going to get the sucker out. With
your teeth.
Swallowing equal parts revulsion and excitement, Shanel bent down and brought
her mouth close to Denas ass. Cigarman still had hold of her arms, and although she
might have been able to yank free, it wouldnt have accomplished anything.
She opened her mouth and positioned it over the plug end but couldnt force herself
to go any further.
Come on, bitch, get it done. The trick is to get the right angle and go at it slow and
steady. Give her something to feel.
Im sorry. Im sorry. Hating Cigarman, she adjusted her grip and angle and slowly
backed away from Denas ass, bringing the frighteningly long plug with her. Dena
sobbed and might have fallen forward if the other man hadnt caught her.
Cigarman waited for Shanel to straighten before letting her arms go. Then he pushed
the plug further into her mouth until she gagged. Finally, he took it fromher.
Not bad for lesson number one. He laughed as he shoved her toward her cage.
Not bad.
* * * * *
As much as Shanel had wanted to connect with her fellow prisoners, in the wake of
what shed been forced to do, she couldnt bring herself to break the silence. Shed been
relieved when Dena and Jazs restraints were removed and everyone was given fresh
water and a sandwich. Shed had to eat in the dark which had made it both easier and
harder to face herself. If only shed kneed those men where it counted! But if she had,
she and more importantly, the other women would have been punished; she had no
doubt.
Although the mattress was so thin she could feel the springs under it, that wasnt
why she barely slept. Howlong before she forgot who and what shed been before shed
been thrown into a cage? In a few weeks, maybe less, shed stop dreaming of killing
those bastards; shed become like Jaz and Dena, resigned. Maybe her innate sexuality
would continue to respond, but it was only a bodily function. And after awhile, the men
would growtired of what little they could get out of her.
For the first time since Hall had grabbed her, she allowed herself to truly cry, but as
a sob welled up in her throat, she forced it down because she refused to subject her
unwilling companions to her emotions. Shed remain strong, defiant, give them
something to cling to until Hall
If Hall
It might have been morning by the time she put her light sleep behind her and sat
up. She heard a spring squeak but didnt say anything. Thinking someone might be
seeking the same sexual release shed resorted to when she was first put in here, she
waited, but the squeak wasnt repeated. Talking to Georgia had eased the slow passing
hours yesterdayif it had been yesterdaybut she couldnt think of anything to say
now.
Hall. Hall, I have names. Connections to The Takers. Hopefully specific information about
where the money is.
Excited, she stood and in two steps reached the bars. She grabbed themand stared at
the dark, ceased to be a prisoner and turned back into a cop. She felt the adrenalin rush
that always accompanied solving a crime or arresting a suspect. Shed found the key,
she! Now all she had to do was get out of here so she could slap cuffs on those two
conscienceless and well-connected women.
Get a move on, Hall! Ive got an arrest to make.
Intent on her one-sided conversation, she was slow to comprehend the dungeon had
been bathed in light. Someone whimpered and more bed springs creaked. She increased
her grip on the bars and waited to see who was coming. Then she recognized Buddy and
took an involuntary step back. He carried a red lightweight whip.
Its just you and me, slave, he told her. The others put on their suits and ties and
left for work this morning. Fortunately, I have the day off. He laughed. Time for you
and me to get acquainted. And for you to understand whos boss.
Chapter Nineteen
Shanel stared down at what remained of the panties and bra which now lay in a
heap inside her cage where Buddy had told her to leave them after ordering her to
remove them. Before opening her cage, hed had her stick her hands out the bars and put
on cuffs that held the insides of her wrists a couple of inches apart. Then hed taken her
out and forced her to straddle a hard plastic contraption resembling a sawhorse. Hed
fastened the cuffs to the sawhorse in such a way she was forced to bend over at the
waist. As long as she stood on her toes, her cunt didnt touch the nearly pointed top, but
she couldnt keep that up forever
Buddy positioned himself behind her. She knewhe was staring at her ass.
Nice cunt you got there. Guess thats why I picked the outfit I did, so I could see it.
The slaver, he didnt ruin you, did he?
She clenched her teeth.
I asked you a question, slave. He touched her ass with the whip tails and glided it
down her thighs. Hed better not have ruined you. Whatd he do to you? Tell me.
Hall! Please, now!
Spit it out!
He swung. The whip bit into her backside, and she jumped. When she came down,
the sawhorse ground into her pussy and forced her back onto her toes.
HeI dont knowwhat you want me to say.
What the hell do I care? Entertain me.
Anticipation of another swat slowed her thoughts. She was still trying to think what
to say when he stung her for the second time. Fortunately, she remembered not to come
down on the sawhorse, but her legs already ached fromtension. Sooner or later, her cunt
would be smashed against the plastic.
Look at me. He prodded her ass with the handle, and she obediently looked over
her shoulder at him. Thats better. Now, the slaver said something that needs further
explanation. The rules are, no climaxing until I or one of my partners decides you
deserve it, but he said he let you come once. What happen, he get careless? Didnt back
off in time.
II guess. Hall, please. I need you.
Guess doesnt cut it, slave. He prodded again. Details or youre going to be
fucking this.
II couldnt stand it any more. I begged. He sucked me.
Hm. You like being sucked, do you?
Careful. Dont give him any ideas.
Like he doesnt already have too many?
Ithelped. Her neck ached, and she turned back around to relieve the tension.
Nowshe couldnt see him.
But he didnt ramhis cock up you?
No. Liar.
Pity. He slid the whip tails over her ass again; the sensation was like a caress.
Hot as the merchandise looks, he should have. Now, Ive got a bit of a dilemma. Youre
strong. He leaned down and gripped her taut calf muscle. Look at it. A runners legs.
Its going to take awhile before they give out and I get my fun watching you squirm on
this little toy. I can either go up for a drink or wait for the game to start. You tell me.
Howmuch longer?
Hall, I cant do this! I needyou.
Cat got your tongue? Huh, cat got your tongue.
There was nothing gentle or teasing about this swat; try as she might, she couldnt
stop herself from trying to get away from the whip. Unfortunately, she lost her balance
and came down, hard, on the sawhorse. A strange blend of pleasure and pain spread
through her pussy; maybe she didnt get back up on her toes as soon as she could have.
Hm, he muttered. Like it, do you? Well see how much you do after youve been
riding the bronco for an hour. He laughed. Thats what we call it, the bronco.
Hall!
Maybe Ill stay after all, Buddy said. Pull up a chair and
For a moment, all she knew was Buddy had stopped in mid sentence. Then she
heard a mans voice. Get away fromher, or Ill kill you.
Hall? Was it him or just her imagination? Although she struggled to look in the
direction of the voice, she couldnt.
Did you hear me, get away fromher.
Hall! she fairly screamed.
What the fucks going on? Buddy demanded.
Whats happening is, Hall said. youre going to get down on your hands and
knees, now.
What are you doing here? You
Shut up. Ill tell you when you can speak.
Halls words sounded calm enough to his ears, a professional carrying out an
operation, but if he looked at Shanel again, he wasnt sure he could control himself. He
didnt dare think about how long shed been chained to the damned instrument of
torture or the hell leading up to it. He was hereas soon as he could once he was certain
Buddy hadnt left with the others.
Not that he gave a damn, but obviously Buddy knewwho held the upper handthe
man with the gunand was reacting accordingly. The Takers belly got in the way but
eventually he was down on his hands and knees.
Keeping his gun trained on him, Hall walked over to Shanel. She stared at him, but
he couldnt read her expression. He put the keys in his pocket, she said.
He stalked over to Buddy and ordered himto hand him the keys. Red-faced, Buddy
complied. Then, taking a great deal of pleasure in the task, he ordered Buddy to get into
the empty cage and slammed the door shut. It gave hima great deal of satisfaction to see
the look of disbelief and fear in the bastards eyes.
Freeing Shanel took too long, but finally the cuffs fell away, and she straightened.
Dropping her gaze, she stepped off the sawhorse. She wrapped her arms around her
middle. He didnt remember her looking so small or vulnerable before.
Im sorry, was the only thing he could think to say. After the way he acted
yesterday, I didnt dare leave you alone with him.
Shoot him, she hissed. Or let me do it.
No. Were getting out of here.
She swayed, then lifted her head. Not yet. Not until the other women
Shanel, the others might return.
He hadnt wanted to scare her, but she needed to think of the danger they were both
in. The more time he spent in this hell-hole, the stronger the need to lift her in his arms
and run toward sunlight.
I cant go, she whispered. I promised
Well be back, but not until I have reinforcements. Did you get?
The information? Yes.
After months of waiting to hear the words, it was strange how little putting an end to
The Takers mattered. Next to finding her alive, everything else was secondary. Thank
you, he managed.
Instead of replying, she glared at Buddy. Hed never considered himself particularly
intuitive, but there was no doubt she wanted to kill the man.
Not now, he insisted. Grabbing her arm, he pushed her toward the stairs. She
jerked free, but after sweeping her gaze over the other cages, she started up. He didnt
dare look at the other woman because if he did, he wouldnt be able to go through with
what hed come here for which was freeing Shanel.
She was nearly at the top, and hed started up himself when the door flew open.
Two armed men filled the space. Before he could order Shanel to duck so he could
shoot, she lowered her head and rammed it into the nearest mans belly. Gasping, he fell
backward.
Run! he ordered Shanel. Get the hell out of here!
She vaulted over the fallen man, but instead of disappearing into the dark, she
whirled toward him. The other manhe thought it was Garpwellglanced over at
Shanel but kept his gun aimed at him. Holding his own weapon steady, Hall stared back
at him.
Whos going to fire first, Loring Garpwell? he challenged. Maybe youll kill me,
but if you dont, I sure as hell will put a bullet through your heart.
You knowwho I am? What the fuck are you doing?
Unexpected laughter bubbled up inside him; unfortunately, there wasnt time for an
explanation that would have drained the color from Garpwells face. The man Shanel
had floored was getting to his knees. As he started to lift his gun, she kicked, her foot
connecting with the back of his head. His gun flew out of his hand. Determined to
subdue the two men without gunfire which could injure the innocent women below,
Hall charged. Hed nearly reached Garpwell when The Taker fired.
Molten lava seared his left shoulder. He staggered, then caught his balance. A rage
he didnt believe he had in himtook over, and he fired. His bullet ripped into Garpwell
s chest, and the golf course developer sank to the floor like a deflated balloon.
Hall! Shanel screamed.
The other man had managed to retrieve his gun and was trying to aim it. Shanel
kicked it out of his hand. Fighting a strange weakness, Hall accessed the situation.
Maybe he could kill or at least disarm the man before he took another bullet, but the
more time they spent here, the greater the danger other Takers would arrive.
Run! he bellowed at Shanel. Now!
Instead, she started toward him. Hall?
He jumped over Garpwells body. When he landed, pain shot through him.
Although hed been hit in his shoulder, everything felt weak; he wasnt sure he could
hold his revolver steady.
But he could runat least he could right now.
The man Shanel had kicked had again grabbed his pistol.
Together, she said almost softly. Were running together.
A great idea, a wonderful idea! Acting on instinct and adrenalin, he matched Shanel step
by step. The dungeon was accessible via a room at the rear of the mansion, and he
guided her toward the back door hed come in through. She didnt take in her
surroundings but kept looking over at him.
No wonder. Blood soaked his shirt.
She turned the knob, stepped into the morning light and held the door ajar as he
staggered through.
Hall?
Imall right, he lied. Head into the woods.
* * * * *
God, she loved running, Shanel thought. Yes, shed prefer to have on shoes and
clothes and not be thinking about what had happened back in that God-awful place, but
the sense of freedom that went with runningwonderful!
By her reckoning, she and Hall ran about a half mile before slowing to a walk. The
distance might be off because theyd had to zigzag through the thick vegetation, but at
least the dense carpet of rotting plants had provided a cushion for her feet. Ancient trees
shut off much of the sunlight, but she saw wild growing things, not bars. She wasnt
short of breath, proof she hadnt been imprisoned long enough to undermine her
physical condition.
What did it matter? Hall had been shot. The Takers might be after them.
Not fully believing they were safe, she stopped and turned toward the man whod
complicated her life beyond belief. His cheeks were flushed from the exertion, but his
lips looked unnaturally pale. Blood continued to seep from his wound, and hed
holstered his gun, maybe because it was too heavy.
At least he had the strength to unhook the cell phone from his waist. He punched
send. Go in! he ordered whoever he was speaking to. Now! He listened for no more
than five seconds. Yeah. Be careful. He punched end.
Your partners? she asked. Where are they?
I dont know, he said. As close as they dared get. Theyll call when its over.
When its over. II was pleading to myself for you to come, she admitted. Did she
dare touch him? IBuddy
Dont think about him.
Hes a monster.
He touched her cheek with his good hand. Imso sorry.
Imso sorry. Had she ever heard more wonderful, heartfelt words? Why did we run?
You could have killed
Thats the way it works in the movies, but in real life, stray bullets hit innocent
people. You know that. Besides, there are more Takers. If two came back to see what
Buddy was up to, maybe the others had, too.
I didnt think of that, she admitted. Just before Hall had shown up, shed
despaired of getting out of the hell-hole alive. Now she was free, but the nightmare
wasnt over. Hall had been shot, and the other women were still in there. Howbad is it?
She indicated his shoulder.
I dont know.
But you must have an idea.
I can run, he said. It tells me something.
But now that hed stopped, could he start again? Although she hated hurting him,
she unbuttoned his shirt and slowly drew it off him. So much blood covered the wound
she couldnt tell anything. Do you know, are we anywhere near water?
Yes. He almost smiled. Earlier when I was carrying out surveillance here, I came
across a cabin. Its deserted, but the well still works.
A cabin with a water source! What more could she want?
Where? she asked, and when he said they were within a mile of it, she asked if he
could make it that far.
I think so, he said, revealing a vulnerability that touched her heart. Now that the
immediate danger was behind them, and shed felt sunlight on her back, she was struck
by howlong last night without Hall had been. Awful as her surroundings had been, the
worst was not knowing whether shed see himagain.
Well go slow, she told him. And if you need to rest, let me know. Theres no
reason for you to play macho man.
Again the hint of a smile touched his lips. Have the tables turned? Now youre
ordering me around?
She nodded. Wouldnt you say its my turn?
This isnt the way it was suppose to turn out.
How then? With you and the others shutting down The Takers and riding off into
the sunset?
Something like that.
What about me? she demanded. What was suppose to happen to me?
Hall didnt answer, and despite her frustration, right now she couldnt take being
told his intention had been to walk out of her life. Although he matched her moderate
pace, his clenched jaw and the way he cradled his injured arm told her what this was
costing him. She longed to stop, but shed seen enough injured people to know hed
stiffen up if he didnt keep moving. Hoping to give both of them something to think
about, she asked howhed happened to show up this morning.
This had been my intention fromthe beginning, he told her.
Why you? Because youd invested so much, ah, time in me?
Imthe only one whos been in the mansion.
It made sense. It just wasnt what she wanted to hear. What the hell was happening
to her anyway? For the first time in who knew how long, she wasnt dealing with a
libido in overdrive. She shouldnt care who played Lone Ranger as long as she and the
other women were rescued.
But she did! Hall was the only one she wanted to see, to talk to, to touch.
Imsorry I didnt tell you everything about my plans, he said. But if youd been
expecting my returning this morning, The Takers might have sensed it in you.
In other words, you wanted me to come across as scared.
And turned on.
Of course. Why had she let the conversation take this turn? Why couldnt they talk
about anything except those monsters? How could I forget?
The deer path they were on went up a slope. She took it first, then turned and
extended her hand. For a moment she thought Hall wasnt going to take it, but he did,
and she brought him to her. It tore her apart to see him without the strength that was
part and parcel of him. At the same time, it leveled the playing field, erased the
differences between them. He was no longer the one in controlwas she?
Did you sleep last night? he asked when they were again on level ground.
Not much. One of the women and I talked. She told me a great deal.
I want to hear everything, but not now.
He was still holding her hand but not, she suspected, because he needed her
support. Her hands werent what shed call small and delicate, and she loved the sense
that they were nearly equals in thisthat he could take strength fromher if he needed it.
Because she wasnt willing to tell him, she pressed him for more details about how hed
gotten into the mansion. He explained that he had a skeleton key.
How did you know about Buddy? she asked.
I never left last night. I drove away, then I doubled back on foot.
Hed been there. You
Id managed to plant a listening devise upstairs yesterday, he continued. But I
didnt know what was going on in the dungeon. When I heard Buddy unlock the
dungeon doorI called the other SHIT members; they thought it was too dangerous for
me to go in.
But you did.
Yes.
Why?
Stopping, he pulled her against him. Because she didnt want to risk hurting him,
she didnt wrap her arms around him. Maybe he was thinking the same thing because all
he did was look down at her. Then he gently brushed her tangled hair off her forehead.
I had to, he whispered. I had no choice.
Chapter Twenty
The cabin had been through a fewtoo many storms. It listed to the side and some of
the shingles had been blown away. Because it didnt have a foundation, the boards were
rotting at the bottom, but Shanel was delighted to find a substantial looking wood stove
and a supply of firewood near the front door. The door was locked, but because some of
the hinges had pulled out, it was a moot point.
She shivered in the small, cool interior. I wish I dared start a fire, she told Hall
who now sat on what served as a couch. I was warm enough when we were walking,
but She rubbed her upper arms.
He stared at her, bringing her attention to the fact that massaging her arms caused
her breasts to jiggle. There are clothes in the dresser, he said.
The dresser, if thats what it was called, looked like a yard sale reject and was next to
a single bed positioned against one wall of the single-roomed structure. She wasnt sure
she could put on something that had been molding away here for who knew how many
years but dutifully tugged open the top drawer. To her surprise, it contained a pair of
new jeans, an equally new T-shirt, and expensive-looking bra and panties in her size.
There were also socks and tennis shoes.
You, she managed. You put themhere for me?
Yes.
Nothing anyone had ever done for her had meant as much. Blinking back tears, she
clutched the clothes to her. Youtheres water? Id love to clean up.
Theres a pump in the sink. The cabin was built around the well.
She should have tended to Halls wound first, but because of what Buddy had done
to her, she felt filthy. Using the towels and wash cloths Hall had left on the kitchen
counter, she cleaned herself with icy water and heavenly-smelling soap. Then, although
it felt strange to have on clothes, she dressed.
It fits? he asked.
Perfectly. Whenwhen did you?
Awhile ago. Could I have a drink?
Oh God, Imsorry. I should have
Its all right.
The dishes and glassware didnt look particularly clean. Fortunately, someone had
left paper plates and plastic cups in the single cupboard. After taking care of Hall, she
got a drink herself and dampened another washcloth so she could clean his wound.
Theres disinfectant soap in the drawer, he told her. And bandages.
She took out the disinfectant and poured some on the washcloth. Did you do this
too? she asked. Because you thought someone might be hurt?
I didnt know.
He winced when she placed the cold soapy cloth over his shoulder. She left it there a
little while to loosen the dried blood. Then, slowly and gently, she began to wipe. She
rinsed the cloth several times, not stopping until only fresh blood oozing from a flesh
wound remained. After using some of the antibiotic cream, she covered his injury with
gauze. Now, except for the wrapping, he looked like the man she believed himto be.
She could have rummaged around for something to eat. Instead, she remained
beside him. When she drewhimagainst her, he rested his head against her breasts.
You make a good nurse, he said. Calm, cool, and collected.
Next to everything else Ive been through, a flesh wound isnt going to bother me.
Then why were your hands shaking?
They still trembled; shed just hoped he wouldnt notice.
Imtired, she told him. You didnt either sleep last night, did you.
No.
Because you had so much planning to do?
When he looked up at her, it took all her strength not to cover his mouth with hers.
What was it shed said about not being turned on? Everything had changed.
Because I was scared for you, Shanel.
She should have stood so she could walk away if necessary. Instead, she sank down
beside him. Now their shoulders touched, but they didnt look at each other. The cabin
had a small opening where a window had been. She studied, but didnt really see the
wilderness just beyond.
I dont understand you, she whispered. Youthe things you did to methey
were mechanical. A job you had to perform.
Up to a point.
He was beginning to get an erection. If she touched him, she could make his cock
strain against his jeans.
Apoint? she asked.
He indicated his erection. Im a normal, healthy male. When I see a naked woman
A helpless, blindfolded and gagged woman
He sighed. I didnt know it was going to be so much of a turn-on. Theres
something about a sense of control
I wouldnt know. Although she told herself not to, she leaned toward him so his
good shoulder pressed against hers. His warmthhis living, breathing warmthwas
getting to her.
No, you wouldnt. He was silent for the better part of a minute. I anticipated the
sexual reaction, at least I thought I had a handle on it. But the longer we were together,
when I started seeing you as a human being
Whatwhat happened then?
Instead of answering, he let his head sag forward. Alarmed, she scooted around so
she could look into his eyes. They looked so dry and haunted she ran her hand over his
cheek. Whats wrong? she asked.
I didnt expect to care. I didnt want to.
Because you had a job to do, and I was the means toward an end; I understand.
No. You dont. You cant.
Shed seen tortured human beings in her life. Hell, when shed first seen the pink
slip, shed felt as if shed been shot. But what Hall was going through went deeper than
even the end to a career. Determined to reach him, she placed her hand over his cock
and gently massaged through the denim.
I dont need that, he whispered. She started to remove her hand, but he placed his
over hers and held her there. But I want, he said. I never thought I would feel want
again, but
Again? What do you mean?
After my wife and parents were murdered
Had the sunlight left the room? Was it getting cold? Beyond caring about anything
except him, she ran her free hand over the side of his neck. He spread his legs, and she
inched closer, then rested her hands on his thighs. Murdered, she whispered. How?
By who?
I dont know. He groaned. Thats the hell of it, I dont know. He lifted his head;
rage had replaced the earlier look of despair. I was an FBI agent and had been working
three major cases at once. The only thing we could figure was Id gotten too close to
someone; they tried to stop me.
Byby killing your family?
Yes.
Enough! She wouldnt put him through any more. Hall, I am so terribly, terribly sorry.
But youre doing something worthwhile with your life now. As a member of SHIT
your wife and parents would be proud of you. Theyd understand.
Would they? I served themup like sacrificial lambs. Put my damn career first, didn
t see what I was doing.
Stop it! Shed never felt closer to another human being, angry and hurting at the
same time, desperate to help him heal. Acting on instinct, she pulled off the shirt hed
bought for her, then placed her hands on his thighs. Blaming yourself wont change
what happened. You have to look ahead, not back.
Imtrying.
But the journey was so hard. She understood that as shed never understood
anything before. Its the end of The Takers, she told him although she wasnt sure.
That wouldnt be happening if it wasnt for you.
And you. He massaged her hands, the pressure pushing her fingers more firmly
against his thighs. Youre the key, the breakthrough.
Not me. Georgia told me what we needed to know.
We? Then you see yourself as part of SHIT, not a prisoner?
She was still a prisoner although maybe she never wanted to be free of the hold Hall
had on her heart.
Hall, right here, right now, its just you and me. After youve rested, well decide
what to do next. Hopefully by then well have heard something.
And if we havent?
Well deal with it.
He nodded but didnt look at her. Instead, his attention seemed fixed on what he
could see of the world outside the cabin. Tell me about your family, she said as she
unfastened his jeans. Make themcome to life for me.
What are you doing?
What feels right, she told him. Beyond, I dont know.
As she waited for him to begin, she pulled down the zipper and eased his cock
through the opening in his shorts. Before, his body hadnt been hers to do what she
wanted with. Nowtheyd reached this pointmaybeshe didnt know how to begin so
simply ran a finger lightly over the tip. A bead of moisture appeared.
Hall, when you and your wife had sex, what was it like?
I dont want to
Youve buried her and your parents somewhere deep inside you, havent you?
IImnot sure.
Was it good between you and your wife?
Yes.
The admission hurt but she continued. And when she died
She was murdered. Blown apart by a bomb thrown at my parents house while they
were all in it.
Oh God. Youwhy did you marry her? Because you loved her, yes, butwhat
made you think she was the one?
I dont want to do this, all right. Maybe later but not now.
She wanted to believe he was being distracted by her gentle caressing of his sex
organ, but it wasnt so simple. You know everything about me, she told him. My
hopes and dreams, howmuch I wanted to be a cop. Shed dropped her gaze to his cock,
but now she faced him again. What Im like when I climax and how to get me there. I
need something from you. She brought her mouth close to his cock but didnt touch
him. Otherwise, theres nothing between us.
She thought he might order her to leave him alone. Instead, he ran his fingers
through her hair. I arrived just as the first officers were getting there, he whispered. I
d been coming to my parents house so we could all go out to dinner. My wifeId
asked her to meet me there. If I hadnt, at least she would have lived.
Shanels breasts ached, not just because she needed to have sex with him, but also
from his pain. After licking the pre-cum from his tip, she cupped his scrotum through
the fabric.
Dont, Hall, please, she begged. Blaming yourself isnt going to bring them back
to life. And beating yourself up will keep you from making your peace with the horrid last image
of them. I survived last night in a cage by holding onto hope. You have to look ahead.
You have to!
Was it her imagination or was he rocking a little? If he was being sucked into the
past, she might lose him. Because it was the only thing she could think of to do, she let
go of his balls, then reached behind her and unfastened her shirt and bra. She lay them
on the couch next to him.
Hope wasnt the only thing that kept me going, she told him with her hands now
on his knees. I kept thinking of you.
Hating me for putting you in there?
No! Id made a vow to get those women out of there; you know it. I was where I
needed to be. But that didnt make it any easier.
His cock was dark and swollen, a mans sex organ wanting and deserving a home
in her pussy. Even with everything you put me throughwe havent made love.
Love?
Imnot going to call it sex or fucking, she told him around a lump in her throat.
Hall, youre the bravest man Ive ever known. The risks you took getting me out of there
It was my job.
No it wasnt, at least thats not all of it. Ill never believe that.
Good, he whispered. Youre incredibly strong. I dont know if any other woman
could have held it together and gotten the necessary information.
Were both strong, she whispered. Maybe this is why Ive fallen in love with you.
She waited for him to rebuff her, to tell her she didnt know what she was talking
about, to turn his back on her. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed the top of her head.
After the bombing, he whispered. I stopped feeling. It was the only way I was going
to survive.
Iunderstand.
Thats why I agreed to go after The Takers. Whether I lived or died didnt matter.
Dont say that.
And this is why I believed I was the right one to kidnap you.
Nodding, she stood and slipped out of her jeans. Hed chosen modest but
well-made pale yellow panties with touches of soft delicate lace. She slowly removed
them. When did you buy these? she asked.
The day before I took you. Id been watching you and had been in your house. I
knew your size.
But why didnt you just grab a pair of mine? Or the cheapest things in the store?
I dont know.
A man whos all but given up on life, someone who does the kinds of things you
did to me because its part of his jobthat man doesnt go into a store for expensive and
feminine panties for a woman he hasnt met and doesnt care about.
When he didnt reply, she removed his shoes and socks and helped him stand.
Slowly, reverently, she drew his jeans and briefs off his hips and down his legs. Then
she indicated she wanted him to sit again. After he had, she knelt and pulled off his
garments.
You believed youd died emotionally, she whispered. His body wasnt perfect; it
had seen too many years and battles, but she wasnt after perfection; she needed human.
But you hadnt. You simply went where you needed to in order to survive.
She took hold of his cock and guided it to one side so she had easy access to his
balls. Leaning forward, she touched her lips to his soft/hard flesh. Growing bolder, she
dampened her tongue and began bathing his scrotum. Over and over again, she
replenished her moisture, bathing himas hed once bathed her while she stood helpless
in the shower. Every time she started to lean back to study her handiwork, she was
overcome by a fresh wave of desire to press her mouth to his sex organs.
At the same time, she caressed his cock with fingers so sensitive she swore theyd
been touched with an electric current. Her fingertips became paint brushes she used to
stroke and glide. Her breasts, belly, and pussy heated, and she couldnt hold onto their
surroundings. In her mind, the aging cabin became a pleasure palace, a sheltered room
made for candles, perfume, and lovers.
Opening her mouth wide, she drew one of his balls into her and gently closed her
teeth around it. He tensed but then relaxed as she bathed and sucked. Before her jaw
could growtired, she released him. Then she drew in the head of his cock and held him
in place with her lips. At the same time, she touched the tip of her tongue to the slit
where shed found the pre-cum. What shed swallowed before had been replaced by
more proof of his arousal so she drank that too. It tasted of salt and warmth, of him.
Relying on her instinct for what he needed, she released his cock and pushed on his
belly until he reclined against the back of the couch. No fresh blood discolored his
bandage; his smoky eyes said he was aware of nothing beyond the two of them.
I can do this for you. This is my gift to you.
Her legs threatened to give out when she stood, but she forced them to hold her
weight. Using her arms to brace her weight against the back of the couch, she leaned
over him, naked body to naked body. He was silk and muscle against her silk and
muscle, aroused cock grinding into her belly. He slid his good arm around her and held
her to him; until her back started to ache, shed actually believed she could stay like this
forever. A kisshungry mouth pressing hungry mouthand then she straightened
again. From the waist down, her body had grown hot and heavy, not because the
reaction had been forced on her but because shed sought it. She needed him to see her
as free and equal, making love to himof her own accord.
Smiling, she pressed his knees together. His engorged cock jutted skyward. The
saliva shed placed there had started to dry, but she could moisten it again, bathe it in
another fluid.
Climbing onto the couch, she straddled him. He braced her hip, and she took
possession of his cock and guided it into her, stopping her descent when only his head
had found a home in her pussy. She tightened her cunt muscles around him and held
him where he belonged. Drawing on the strength in her runners thighs, she stretched
upward and took himwith her. Careful not to touch his injured shoulder, she spread her
hands over his breasts and eased herself down. Claimed himwillingly, freely, joyfully.
He was filling her. Burning what was already hot.
She no longer needed help in retaining her balance; he slid his good hand over her
belly, up her middle, between her breasts.
Down, down she went until her ass covered his balls. She straightened and then
arched back to increase his cocks contact with the front of her pussy. This was why shed
become a runner, so she could move up and down, up and down during sex with this
one man. Whenever she settled down onto him, his cock speared her along the entire
length of her passage. She played with and denied her humming climax by drawing
away fromhim.
Not once did she lose him; it would never be part of this act of love and sex. She
needed himfilling her, his penis gliding, gliding throughout her pussy as if kissing it.
Her thigh muscles began to burn; she felt lightheaded. He cupped his hand around
first one breast and then the other, pressing and squeezing, mirroring what she was
doing to his cock.
She could do this forever! Over and over again she suck his cock deep into her,
maybe felt it touch her uterus even. She perch on the edge of a climax, breathing like a
race horse, sweating, her vision blurred, body aching, wanting nothing more.
Then she settled down once more and nearly flattened himbeneath her, trapped him
as hed once trapped her.
Before she could gather herself for another retreat, he closed both hands over her
hips. Not wanting to jar his injured shoulder, she stayed where she was. She tried to
make his face come into focus, but her world had turned redred and burning.
Now she understood he wanted her to remain still while he took over the dance.
With her legs widespread and his cock spearing her, she tunneled down until she knew
nothing except his thrusts. He came at her again and again, sweating, groaning,
laughing.
Wild with delight, she, too, laughed.
Is this what it is? he gasped. Lovemaking?
Yes! Yes!
Because shed ceased to exist anywhere except between her legs, she knew when he
started to ejaculate. His cum bathed her.
Not without me! This is our journey, ours.
She turned her pelvis one way and then the other, twisting his cock inside her. He
thrust again, catching her hard and solid.
The shudder began in her clit but radiated out until it exploded in her head. Her
heart.
Climax! Heat and flames, a rolling, unending shudder.
Sobbing, she collapsed against him but managed to aim so her weight came down
on his good side.
They panted in unison. His cock was deflating, but as long as she didnt move, hed
remain inside her. There was no world beyond the two of him, nothing except the sound
of their post-climax breathing, the breeze coming in through the broken window, the
smell of wilderness and sex.
I love you, she whispered.
* * * * *
If he hadnt tried to change position, Shanel might have stayed on top of himforever,
but even the aftermath of the best sex of his life wasnt enough to let Hall forget hed
been shot. When she was sitting beside him with her legs tucked under her, he touched
his shoulder.
Does it hurt? she asked.
No. I cant feel anything except you, think of anything beyond you. Because he didnt
knowhowto handle her stare or his reaction, he turned his attention to the ceiling where
generations of spiders had left their handiwork. One web looked new; the complex
webbing formed a nearly perfect circle. Not a single strand was broken. Shanel was like
that. Shed encircled him, pulled him into her core and soul. It wouldnt take much to
destroy the spider web, but the same couldnt be said for his heart.
Did he want to be free?
Before he could get a grip on the question, his cell phone rang. He snatched it off the
small, unfinished end table and punched send.
This part is over, Brad said. One dead, the others in custody.
Just a minute. He adjusted the volume to its highest level and held it so both he
and Shanel could hear.
According to Brad, the raid on the mansion had gone off without a hitch. The two
surviving Takers had been so surprised to see armed men storm into the dungeon they
hadnt put up a fight. Realizing the gig was up, theyd fallen all over themselves telling
the SHIT operatives where the rest of The Takers were.
What about the women? Shanel demanded.
Theyre alive, Brad told her. Right now they arent saying much; they probably
cant believe whats happening.
They need to be taken to a hospital.
Were heading there as soon as the state police get here. Shanel, theyre in shock. If
they saw you
Well get there as soon as we can, Hall interrupted. In the meantime, make sure
theres a psychiatrist for themto talk to.
Brad, who was obviously delighted with the way things had turned out, wanted to
give a blow-by-blow of the raid, but Hall told himthat could wait.
What is it? he asked Shanel after he ended the conversation. Is something wrong?
She shook her head and reached for her clothes. Its really over? she asked without
looking at him.
I wish. Nowthe legal system takes over.
But the women are free, and The Takers enterprise is no more.
Its caving in around them.
She slipped on her clothes without looking at him. Then she stared out the window.
Well want to leave before dark, she said. Howlong do you think itll take to get back
to the mansion, maybe an hour?
Whats wrong?
When she faced him, he waited for her to acknowledge his nudity, but she didnt
seem to notice. Its over. Except for what I need to tell law enforcement, my role in this
is over.
She could go back to her life, her world. Its what hed planned, hadnt he? And once
theyd shaken hands and parted company, hed wrap up his involvement with The
Takers and accept another SHIT assignment.
Like hell he would.
No, it isnt. He held out his good hand, but she remained out of reach. I thought I
was going to be the one to storminto your life and turn it on end, he told her. I didnt
count on the same thing happening to me.
Youdidnt?
How could this courageous woman be so unsure of herself, of him? On the tail of
the question, he found the answer.
He closed the distance between themand slid his arm around her waist. Her breasts
pressed against his chest, but her arms remained by her side. He wasnt sure which of
themwas trembling, maybe both.
Im not going to say Im sorry for what I did to you. If I hadnt, if I hadnt learned
what an incredibly sexy woman you areand how Id respondwe wouldnt have just
made love.
Made love?
Yes, he whispered and kissed her. For a heartbeat, memories of the last woman he
d truly kissed threatened to overwhelm him, but he put Beth in the past where she
belonged. Shanel, just before Brad called, you said something.
She nodded; tears filmed in her eyes.
That you loved me. He kissed her again, longer and deeper this time. Hed just
spent himself inside her and despite his bravado, his shoulder hurt like hell. Just the
same, his cock was beginning to twitch. I didnt have time to tell you the same thing.
Thesame? She wrapped her arms around his neck.
Yes, he whispered. It occurred to him that this time she was dressed while he
stood there buck naked and more vulnerable than hed been in his entire life. I love
you, he said.
Epilogue
The modernistic house overlooking the Pacific Ocean had floor-to-ceiling windows.
It had been featured in Dream Homes and belonged to couple whod been duped by
The Takers to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars. With the preliminary investment
fraud trial set to begin in Seattle in a week, the grateful owners had opened their home
to SHIT staff for any last minute strategy meetings they might want to hold. However,
when Hall heard about the offer, hed told his co-workers he had another use for it.
As she poured glasses of wine for the four former sex slaves, Shanel wondered
whether they were aware of the posh interior. Although the wind was brisk, theyd all
congregated on the deck . She couldnt blame the women. After the time theyd spent
below-ground, they preferred to be outside.
Hall would be here in a little while, but she hoped to get her newfound friends to
talk about howthey were doing before he arrived.
Georgia took a long swallow and stared at what remained of her drink. Im selling
my condo, she announced. I need something larger, with more windows.
I wish I had a condo to sell, Jaz said. She sipped. No, I really dont. While I was
gone, my landlord put my belongings in storage and rented my apartment to someone
else. I dont have a job which makes me doubly grateful for the money were getting
fromSHIT.
Imsure one of the people The Takers duped would give you a job, Shanel said.
Most of SHITs clients have asked about the four of you.
Jaz shook her head. I dont want a job, at least not for awhile. She watched a
seagull for a moment. Im going to buy a small motor home and travel, go to
Yellowstone and Disneyland, maybe Alaska.
Dena laughed and said shed been thinking about Disneyland, particularly the
laughter, lights, colors, and children there herself. As Shanel fought the lump in her
throat, the two women agreed to drive down together. Shed talked to each of them
almost daily since their rescue, but even though the psychiatrist assigned to them
insisted they needed to talk about their ordeal, so far theyd done little of that.
Imnot going to press them, shed told Hall last night. Itll happen when theyre
ready.
Hed pulled her into his embrace and in a husky voice had whispered that at least
shed only spent one night in the hell-hole.
That was the difference between her and the other women. Yes, Hall had prepared
her for what shed experience, but even at the beginning when she hadnt been able to
see or speak, she hadnt been afraid of her captor. She didnt understand terror in the way
the former sex slaves did. As for why it was differentlast night as Hall playfully
undressed her, she truly understood.
Fromthe first moment we were together, shed told him. It was as if I could hear
your heart beating. I also sensed your humanity. Shed also sensed a sexual connection
they were still having an incredible time exploring.
What about you? Georgia asked. What are you going to do with the rest of your
life, other than testifying against those bastards.
Not hurrying her answer, Shanel sipped on her wine. Tonights sunset promised to
be spectacular. She loved the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below and
the way the birds rode the wind currents.
Im going to work for SHIT, she said. In fact, Ive already started. Hall and I are
working on an extortion case, nothing as disgusting as what The Takers were doing, but
then Imstill learning the ropes.
Jaz chuckled and smiled for the first time since coming here. Did you hear her tone
when she said Hall, ladies? Not that we need that to know the way the two of you feel
about each other. Theres steam whenever youre together.
Dena smiled too, but it looked forced. I dont knowif Id ever want a man touching
me again. Right now, I dont even want to think about it.
The others nodded agreement which left Shanel with a melancholy lasting until Hall
showed up an hour later. After joining themon the deck, he announced he had a piece of
information theyd all be interested in.
It took longer than we wanted it to, he said as he took her hand. Our female
money courier was a hard nut to crack. She was deep into self-preservation. But we had
her listen to the tape all of you made shortly after you were rescued. When she realized
what her former client had put you through, she decided to hang himout to dry.
Its the end for her too, isnt it? Shanel asked. Shes been exposed.
Shes still blowing steam about how her connections are going to get her off, but
shes wrong. Hall held up his glass. My hats off to all of you. Youre courageous
women, survivors.
Hearing that from Hall had had a deep impact on the woman. Shanel only had to
look at them to know how much his praise and confidence in them meant. Now, as she
and Hall walked from the main house to the guest cabin where theyd spend the night,
she told himso.
I meant every word, he said with his breath warm on the side of her face. Damn,
its been a long day. I thought I was never going to get free. Miss me?
Yes, she whispered.
When they entered the cabin, she showed himhow much by slipping off her clothes
almost before hed closed the door.
You dont waste time, do you, he said as he unbuttoned his slacks.
Its not that. She ran her hand between her legs. After coating her fingers in her
juices, she held them to his mouth. He licked. The lessons you gave me when we first
metIll never want or need clothes the way I used to.
He kicked off his shoes; she helped himoff with his shirt. She waited for him to take
her, but he was staring at the place between her legs. Your hairs starting to grow out,
he said. Eventually itll hide the tattoo.
She fingered the small, red dragon. It itches. Ill be glad when I have all my hair
back.
Will you? Do you want to see if someone can get rid of the tattoo? The explanation
Hall? How do you feel about it? She widened her stance and thrust her pelvis
forward trying to make out the long dark tongue reaching for her clit.
Its a turn-on. An unbelievable turn-on. But it was put there against your will.
Yes, she admitted. It was. Only half aware of what she was doing, she traced the
outline with her forefinger. But it doesnt change howI feel whenever I see it.
He closed his hand around her wrist. Which is?
You really want to know? She sighed. In heat. I mean
Hed pulled her finger off herself and had taken over the journey shed begun. His
short, smooth nail crept over the fierce head, came closer to the searching tongue. Its a
honing device, he said. Points me to my goal.
Yourgoal?
Dont you agree? he asked and closed his fingers over her clit. Right where I
need to be. Where you want me.
But What had she been about to say? If he didnt release
But what, Shanel?
Wewe can hardly see it.
He rolled her clit between his fingers. Gasping, she clamped her hands on his
shoulders. At the same time, she spread her legs even further.
Then, he said. I guess Ill have keep you shaved. Among other things. If its what
you want.
I want. I want!