Chapter 44
SUNDAY
It’s been the strangest day. From rags to riches indeed, because this time as I sit handcuffed to the bed, I am dripping in designer elegance.
My silent assistant styled my hair, did my makeup and dressed me in the most stunning silver gown.
It’s as if liquid steel is flowing around me as I tower on tall silver heels, diamonds on the shoes.
Many times throughout the entire afternoon, I considered my escape.
The woman may be softening toward me, but her grip was firm and her strength never in any doubt.
There were also the two bodyguards who stood silently watching from the doorway.
There was no conversation, no imploring glances, merely a woman doing her job as if she were an automaton.
The only time the men turned away was when she stripped me naked in order to re-dress me in finery. Even then she wouldn’t meet my eye, and it was an extremely surreal experience.
Then I was returned to my room and handcuffed to the bed, and my heart is beating out of control when I hear footsteps approaching.
The door swings open and the woman heads inside, closely followed by Santiago, his gaze searing my flesh, his intentions sinister.
It’s as if there’s a different vibe in the air tonight. It’s supercharged with something I can’t quite place and his gaze is greedy as it tears into my very soul.
“Josephine.”
His low purr of contentment sends shivers down my spine.
“You leave this room tonight and will never return.”
I say nothing, but my heart rate quickens, and his gaze turns to the woman beside him.
“Kneel.”
Her gaze is lowered to the floor as she does as he says, and I gasp when he removes a thick rope from his pocket.
His eyes flash as he approaches her, and yet her gaze remains on the ground, her shoulders shaking as he whispers, “You have been a good little pet, number seven.”
He strokes her hair almost lovingly and whispers huskily, “Lean into my hand, my darling.”
She does as instructed, her cheek pressed against his outstretched hand, and he clicks his tongue, gasping, “Such a good little pet.”
I scream when he winds the rope around her neck, and his eyes flash as he tightens it against her throat, causing her to jerk in surprise.
“Santiago! Stop!” I scream out, tugging on the handcuffs that rattle on the bedframe. He lifts his eyes to mine, and I shiver under the madness directed at me.
“I have no further use for her, my darling. I have you now.”
In one sick twist of his hands, he snaps the rope together, a low gurgle from her throat hitting me from all sides.
I cry out, “No!” Tears streaming down my face as her body jerks on the end of the rope, her eyes bulging in disbelief.
His face is a mask of excitement, his smile obscene as he laughs madly and uncontrollably. He increases the pressure, her body slumping on the ground, and as she falls, he lays her down gently and sighs. “Unlucky number seven, it seems.”
His gaze finds mine and he sneers, “Say hello number eight.”
I stare at him in astonishment as he retrieves a velvet box from his pocket and pulls out a diamond choker.
As he approaches, I scoot back against the bedpost and shake my head. “Don’t touch me.”
Tears are streaming down my face, and he shakes his head sadly, “Your makeup is ruined.”
He pushes his fist in my face, threatening but not connecting, and hisses, “Tonight, when we return, you will pay for your insolence. But first, we have a date to enjoy, and just in case you take it as an opportunity to, shall we say, try to escape, here is a little reminder about why that will never happen.”
In one swift move, he locks the choker in place, and as my fingers fly to it, he reveals a remote control, like one on a key fob, and presses it. I gag as the choker tightens around my neck, my breathing contained, my eyes filling with tears.
He releases it, and I gasp in oxygen, and he laughs.
“There. You will be controlled by me, and if I even consider you are planning to escape, you will take your last breath. So, my darling, tonight will be all my pleasure, and when we return, you will join me in my room. From now on we are a couple, in every way, and now I no longer have number seven to cater for my sexual needs, you will have to do it instead.”
I want to be sick so badly, and as he unlocks the handcuffs, he tosses the key at the woman lying dead at my feet.
I almost envy her.
He holds out his arm.
“Shall we, my darling? As it turns out, Cinderella will be going to the ball.”
We leave the room, and I try not to gag because it appears that Santiago has it all planned out.
My amazing escape plan is lying in tatters at my feet along with the dead body of a woman who never stood a chance.
It appears that woman is now me, and I have exactly a few hours to figure a way out of this mess.
* * *
We ride in a limousine through the streets of Los Angeles, and all around me are people casually going about their evening. Santiago’s hand is firmly in mine, his attention disgusting as he leers at me for the entire journey, relaying the cruel ways he will abuse me later on tonight.
I can’t even cry. I am numb inside because it appears that horror stories are all the rage right now. I’m living one and I never thought it would be this terrifying, but I have been backed into a corner and there is no visible way out.
As the limo comes to a stop on a red carpet, a liveried attendant opens the door, and Santiago grips my hand.
“Remember, my darling, I control you now and I always will. Act as if you love me, and I may lessen your punishment later tonight.”
I step out, bulbs flashing from the gathered paparazzi, and as we walk the red carpet, Santiago’s arm is circling my waist. His other hand is in his pocket, and the occasional tightening of the choker reveals he is loving his new toy.
It’s tight enough to warn and yet just loose enough for me to breathe, and I can’t even begin to imagine my fate if he decides he wants to end this.
I don’t focus on where we are, the people surrounding us, or anything at all because in my mind I may as well still be chained to that bed in the small room in his mansion.