Wicked and Bound (Wicked Lovers: Soldiers For Hire #10)

Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

H aisley’s legs trembled as the beefy guards escorted her from the stage, the auctioneer’s voice already concluding the evening. Her skin crawled where his eyes had lingered, where the cameras had broadcast her body to God knows how many twisted perverts willing to buy another human being for their pleasure.

And one of them had caught her attention: JasperTheDick.

The name nagged at her. Could it possibly be JasperThePrivateDick from her Crime Solvers International forum? The username she’d chatted with for hours about cold cases and investigation techniques?

No. That must be a coincidence. Or was it? The timing was awfully perfect. Too perfect. Somewhere along the way, she’d heard a quote that had stuck with her: That’s too coincidental to be a coincidence. So…

Either Jasper had been playing her all along, pretending to be her friend while sizing her up as merchandise, or after her disappearance, he’d somehow traced her here and was trying to help her escape. She didn’t know which scenario to hope for—that a supposed friend had betrayed her, or that her only potential ally was walking into this nightmare thinking he could save her.

She tucked that worry away when a flash of familiar dark hair caught her attention. Amy, her former cellmate, was being led down an intersecting hallway. Their eyes met for a brief moment. The terror in Amy’s expression made Haisley’s heart clench.

Without thinking, she reached out, caught Amy’s hand as they passed. Squeezed. The guards didn’t stop them—probably thought the gesture pathetic rather than threatening.

“Stay strong,” Haisley whispered.

Amy nodded. Then she was gone, another victim being led away to whatever horror awaited her—with no end in sight.

I’ll find a way out. And when I do, I’m coming back for you. For all of you .

Instead of returning her to her cell, the guards steered her through a maze of corridors to a large, empty room with marble floors and gilded mirrors that reflected her barely covered body at every angle. Two other women in similar scraps of silk were already there—her fellow “breeders” who had been auctioned tonight. Their faces showed varying degrees of fear and despair. The honey blonde couldn’t be more than nineteen, terrified and struggling not to cry. The other, a willowy brunette with a dancer’s posture, maintained a mask of cold dignity despite her trembling hands.

The door opened again. A man entered—tall, forty-something, and distinguished looking in an expensive suit. He carried himself with the easy confidence of someone accustomed to power. The guards straightened, suddenly alert. Haisley cataloged every detail about him, storing information she might need later. The way he favored his left leg. The bulge of a shoulder holster under his jacket.

“Ladies.” His smile never reached his cold, reptilian eyes as his gaze swept over them. “I oversee this facility’s…special programs. You may call me Mr. Gray.”

Smarmy bastard with a fake name. Haisley’s stomach turned as she noticed cameras tracking their every move from the corners of the room.

“You three are very fortunate,” he continued. “You’ve been selected for our premium program. Your buyers are extremely successful men who appreciate quality and are willing to pay handsomely for it.”

The Jasper she’d known online had just seemed like an average, everyday guy. But clearly, he’d already fooled her once. Shame on him. If she fell into the same trap twice? Well, shame on her.

“Oh, my god,” the honey blonde sobbed quietly.

“Now, now.” Gray’s voice held mock concern. “There’s no need for tears. You’ll be moved to private suites shortly. Luxurious and much more comfortable than your previous accommodations. In the next couple of days, we’ll host a gathering where you’ll meet your new masters. Together, you’ll join our most exclusive festivities. A celebration of our community, if you will. Until then, you will rest—unless you’re taken to our onsite spa for procedures in accordance with your masters’ wishes. Above all, you should begin accepting your life of submission.”

“What about the others?” Haisley asked, desperate to know Amy’s fate. “The women who weren’t in this…program?”

“You needn’t concern yourself with them. They’ll be leaving our facility with their new masters shortly.”

“And us?” The brunette woman spoke up. “When do we leave?”

“When it’s time. You’ll remain here until you’ve fulfilled your purpose.”

Haisley’s chest constricted. “Which is?”

He turned a sharp glare to her, brow raised. “You’re breeders. You’ll stay until your new master has ensured you’re pregnant.”

She had to let Jasper, a man who had already lied to her, plant his seed in her womb and then give birth to his spawn? Oh, god.

The room spun, falling silent except for the blonde girl who now sobbed harder. Haisley struggled to breathe past her shock and horror. Through the mirrors, she caught the dancer’s eye. A silent understanding passed between them—they needed to stay alert, strong, and ready.

“Your buyers have paid handsomely for the privilege of breeding you,” Gray continued as if discussing the weather. “A rare few will simply make deposits for our medical staff to handle the insemination. But most find impregnating their prize…entertaining.”

In other words, they enjoyed repeatedly raping them until the biological inevitable occurred. Was that Jasper’s kink of choice?

Haisley felt ill.

“Either way,” Gray went on, “you’ll remain here under observation until conception is confirmed.”

The clinical way he discussed their rape and forced pregnancy made it more horrifying.

“Once pregnancy is achieved, you’ll be moved to the location of your master’s choice, be that in our medical facility or a location of their choice.” His smile grew sharp. “But first, in forty-eight hours, we’ll host a masquerade. Your masters will claim you there, and the celebration will last until dawn. You should prepare yourselves for their…enthusiasm.”

“What happens to our babies?” the dancer asked, her cultured voice barely above a whisper.

“That’s up to your masters. Most sell them and recoup the money they spent on you, so I don’t recommend getting attached.”

Haisley felt gut-punched—and beyond angry at the words that spewed from his mouth. This night—along with the past few days—felt surreal. She braced herself on a nearby chair and fought a wave of nausea that threatened to take her out at the knees.

A guard appeared at Gray’s shoulder and whispered something. He nodded with a tight smile.

“Your suites are ready, breeders. Appropriate attire for our coming festivities will be delivered tomorrow. Think about what I’ve said. Any resistance will be met swiftly and brutally, so reconcile yourselves. Your new lives begin very soon.”

Guards began separating them. One gripped Haisley’s arm like a vise and led her down a different corridor than the others. Into an elevator, up several floors, then through doorways, she glimpsed luxurious rooms with plush beds and silk sheets—beautiful prisons with state-of-the-art locks and ever-present cameras.

She fought to keep breathing. To keep thinking. To memorize every turn, every security checkpoint, every possible escape route.

Two days. That’s all she had before her “buyer” arrived. Two days to figure out how to escape this nightmare. Over the years, she’d listened to Nash, Matt, Ethan, and the others. She’d learned to observe, to plan, and to wait for the right moment.

Because she’d die before she let Jasper, the monster who had plunked down cash for the privilege of raping her, to use her body—her womb—for sport and profit. She refused to carry a child only to have it ripped away and sold as she’d been.

She’d already lost out once. A second time would break her.

Instead, she prayed—for help, for divine intervention, for Nash to come help her escape this hell. Because right now, he felt like her only hope of survival.

As the guard shoved her into a suite that looked like it belonged in a five-star hotel—if five-star hotels had reinforced doors and surveillance equipment—Haisley made herself a promise: She would find a way out.

Or die trying.

The conference room at EM Security buzzed with tension. Nash watched Hunter pace while Logan leaned against the wall, both men’s faces grim. Their stepbrother and fellow owner, Joaquin, studied a tablet with a scowl. Zy bowed his head in whispered conversation with Matt as they reviewed satellite imagery. One-Mile had stepped out to confer with a contact. Trees was at his desk, still pounding away at the terms and conditions. Ethan and Kane looked as anxious for go-time as he was.

The whole team had assembled. They’d need everyone’s expertise for this op.

“So you three are clear on your covers?” Hunter paced the conference room. “Nash?”

“I’m Jasper King, CEO of King Imports. Ethan is Ethan Fischer, my partner in the textile trade. Kane is Keith Manford, part of my security team and a minor investor. The three of us have a long history as friends, and we share specific…sexual tastes.”

“Perfect.” Hunter clapped him on the back.

Only eighteen hours before the three of them departed for the island. Nash had spent days committing every detail of their covers to memory. And every night sleeplessly wondering if Haisley was alive.

“Trees has been collaborating with Stone since the auction ended,” the older Edgington brother went on. “They’ve created a trail of joint ventures going back five years. If anyone digs, they’ll find board meetings, travel records, joint property ownership, not to mention a social media footprint that should survive well beyond a cursory glance.”

“The security is tight, but the good news is,” Logan added, “it’s focused on keeping people in, far more than out. They’re not expecting a tactical team?—”

Trees burst through the door, laptop in hand, face grim. “We’ve got a problem. A big one.”

The room went silent. Nash’s pulse jumped. “What?”

“I finished the seemingly endless terms of service for your purchase. In the footnote of the fine print, I discovered that first-time buyers of breeders are required to stay on the island until pregnancy is confirmed. No exceptions.”

“What?” Nash’s chair crashed backward as he jumped to his feet. “That’s six to eight weeks—minimum.”

“It gets worse,” Trees continued. “Their ‘accommodation fees’ nearly double the purchase price. Medical services, fertility treatments, special food, and other amenities. And—get this—there’s a mandatory masquerade party tomorrow night at midnight—some kind of formal ‘claiming’ ceremony.”

“Clever bastards,” Hunter growled. “They trap the buyers there, drain them financially, and gather blackmail material while they’re at it.”

“And evil as fuck. They force the buyers to become fully invested while maintaining complete control.” Logan gritted his teeth.

“But why not let the buyers leave with their…purchases?” Ethan spit out the last word like poison.

Trees pulled up documents on the wall screen. “They claim it’s about ‘premium medical care’ and ‘proven results,’ which require strict protocols and monitoring. But they’re really building an exclusive club atmosphere while investigating buyers thoroughly and gathering proof of participation. Anyone tries to talk later, they go down, too.”

“Insurance.” Hunter’s voice was grim.

Nash ran a hand over his face. “This changes everything. How the fuck do we stay there and maintain cover for weeks? Or months?”

“Once you’ve paid and participated in the claiming ceremony, you can leave whenever you want,” Trees pointed out. “You just can’t take Haisley with you.”

Fury swept through Nash’s blood. The thought of Haisley trapped there, forced to participate… “Not happening.”

“It’s not,” Hunter insisted. “These criminals aren’t dictating the terms. We’re changing the game.”

“Waiting out the pregnancy requirement is our last resort,” Joaquin agreed.

“Exactly,” Hunter agreed. “We should think more strategically. We have an opportunity to rescue more victims and shut this fucking ring down for good.”

“Hell yeah.” Logan crossed his arms over his chest.

Nash liked that plan a whole lot better. He wanted Haisley home and safe—more than anything. But he couldn’t leave all those other women there to be used and abused. “I’m in.”

“Me, too,” Ethan added.

“Same,” Kane put in. “Let’s end these motherfuckers.”

Hunter laid out the plan. “Nash, while you’re dealing with Haisley, Ethan and Kane will be gathering intel. Kane, focus on security systems, guard rotations, and escape routes. Make friends…or bribes, as you need. Ethan, work on identifying other victims and finding evidence of their trafficking network. Once we determine the support we need, One-Mile’s sniper skills and Zy’s demolitions expertise will provide whatever tactical support required.”

Zy nodded. “Whatever you need, I’m there.”

“I’ll fill One-Mile in once he’s off the phone. Matt, you’ll coordinate with home base, since you know Haisley best through Madison.”

Nash liked the plan. “Collectively, we’ll work to find out who’s running this fucking operation and stop them. We’ll follow the money and trace their power structure. But how the fuck are we supposed to coordinate if we can’t communicate? And how do I explain all this to Haisley with cameras and recording devices everywhere?”

Logan leaned forward. “Xander and Javier came through with specialized gear that disrupts their surveillance equipment, momentarily creating blind spots. Use it carefully—too many glitches will raise suspicion. But it will allow you three to coordinate without red flags. They also equipped you with advanced satellite phones that look like regular cells but can’t be traced or tapped.”

“Stone created a program that can piggyback on the island’s security feeds.” Trees turned to Nash. “I’ll walk you through installing it as soon as you’re able. Once it’s uploaded, we’ll have eyes all over the island to pinpoint weak spots and escape routes so we can plan a clean extraction.”

“Plan A is getting everyone out and shutting this organization down as quickly as possible. Our timeline should be two weeks—max. Get in, get the job done, get out without getting dead,” Logan said.

“But we need contingencies for every scenario,” Hunter insisted.

“You mean, if we have to wait this out until Haisley gets pregnant?” Even the thought made Nash’s gut twist. “That could be months…”

“I’ve done long undercover,” Kane said quietly. “The key is never breaking character. Not even alone.”

“He’s right, but let’s not borrow trouble,” Logan insisted. “If the worst happens, we’ll regroup and deal. We’ll need to get in and see precisely what we’re dealing with before we can draft alternate plans.”

“What about the masquerade? And the ‘claiming ceremony’?”

“Play your part,” Hunter advised. “Show enough dominance to be believable. Do what you can to protect yourselves. But if you break cover, they’ll kill you both.”

Nash nodded, fighting nausea at what they’d have to do. Dominating Haisley wasn’t the issue. She’d submit to him. But exposing her, degrading her in front of others...

He didn’t see a choice.

“There’s more.” Logan stepped forward. “A fed contact who’s been trying to get dirt on this group warned me these parties turn into sex shows. Orgies. They all but force participation.”

“And record everything, no doubt,” Kane added quietly.

“Assume you’re being watched twenty-four seven. Cameras and microphones in every room. Even the grounds will most likely be monitored to some degree. Just keep your guard up, utilize your communications tech judiciously, and watch your six.”

“The microcameras and recording devices the Santiago brothers supply you should document everything,” Logan said. “When we take them down, we’ll have irrefutable proof of every crime.”

“When can I get Kaylee out?” Ethan demanded.

“As soon as you’ve completed the claiming ritual.”

He blanched. “She’s a goddamn virgin. Her innocence…”

Logan sent him a regretful glance, one mirrored on his brothers’ faces. “But better debauched than dead.”

Garrison closed his eyes and swore again.

The room fell silent as the full weight of their situation settled in. Matt exchanged a worried glance with Trees as Nash’s hands turned unsteady again.

“We’ll get it done,” Trees finally said. “But prepare yourself to potentially play a long game.”

Nash nodded tightly. “Just make sure our covers hold. I’ll convince Haisley to play along. But I’m not leaving that island without her.”

“And if she gets pregnant?” Trees asked softly.

The question felt like a punch in the face. Nash forced down memories of his past reluctance to have kids and the mystery of her previous pregnancy. “We’ll deal with that if we have to. Getting her out safely comes first. Walk me through the cover details again. All of it. I can’t afford a single mistake.”

Because Haisley’s life depended on his performance. On every decision, on every gesture, on every word that came out of his mouth.

Hunter grilled him, Ethan, and Kane until they were perfect, backward and forward.

“You leave at dawn,” Hunter said finally. “Get some rest. Tomorrow, you start playing your parts.”