Chapter Ten #3
“They sound beautiful,” Ebony complimented them.
“When we’re all done, we’ll return to the house and make hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream,” Rebecca said, caught up in her own dream.
“Don’t forget sprinkles,” Kara reminded her.
“What about marshmallows?” Ebony grumbled. “They taste the best when they melt in your hot chocolate.”
“You have a point,” Rebecca agreed. “We can add both.”
Megan snuggled in her arms, listening to the conversation. Her eyes grew heavy. Rebecca fought to keep her there, safe in her arms. The fear of any of them taking Megan away spurred her into action, laying her gently on the dirty mattress and covering her.
Half an hour later, two men entered with garbage bags, dumping Hillary’s body inside.
The women watched, each wondering if they’d suffer a similar fate.
They dragged her out of the room and a few minutes later, they returned to mop up the puddle of blood.
The coppery scent floated in the air. The last reminder of their friend.
One of them walked over to them, holding the bloodied mop. “Stack up those mattresses and fold those blankets, we’re leaving in an hour.”
The women stood and piled the mattresses together. Rebecca helped Kara fold the blankets as Ebony lifted Megan in her arms. As if an invisible clock ticked down her time, Rebecca became hyperaware of her surroundings. When the chance to escape presented itself, she’d take it.
Julio paced the large hotel suite. He adjusted his collar, which felt too tight around his neck.
Glancing in the mirror, he winced at the person staring back at him.
This lifestyle didn’t fit him at all, and he knew someone tailed his every move.
The fancy furnishings, the expensive meals and wine, and outrageous spending made him sick.
He stuck around the bar long enough to pick up a high-class woman and take her back to her room, giving the appearance of a lady’s man.
Only one woman held his heart, and he counted the days until he found her.
When he returned to his room this afternoon, the coveted invitation sat on his bar, sending the message they could get to him at any time.
Jameson insisted he refrained from bringing anything pertaining to the investigation and Rebecca.
He needed to eat, sleep, and live like a wealthy man.
Soon, he hoped to bring Rebecca to Serenity Ranch and show her his new home.
Hopefully, it’d turn into their home. Matthew sent him pictures at each stage of the building.
Yet, he didn’t want to step into his new home without Rebecca at his side.
Initially, he planned to stay in the mansion, but after spending weeks in these stuffy places, he knew the place would never work.
When he spoke with Kassie Winters, she readily agreed and sent her construction crew to Texas.
Matthew and Kassie found the perfect plot of land.
He approved the generous house plan, and they started building.
The doorbell rang, and he checked his suit one more time before answering it.
A man about his age smiled and shook his hand. Julio resisted the temptation to say, ‘Smile, you’re on camera,’ as the man entered the suite.
“May I present Mr. Smith and I’m Gerard Halloway. I’ll be your host over the next couple of days. If you’ll pack a bag for the next three nights, including a tux, I’ll take you to my home.”
Julio eyed Mr. Smith. The man appeared to be in his forties, with jet-black hair and a mustache. His clothes reeked of money, along with his cologne and Italian leather shoes.
“It’s nice to meet you, Gerard. When will I be able to see the… merchandise?” he asked, leading the men to the living room and offering them a drink from the bar.
“I’ll take a brandy. We’ll discuss the meet and greet on our way to the house,” he said, taking the snifter Julio offered.
“I’ll only be a few moments.” Julio turned and entered his bedroom.
Pulling out his Italian luggage, he added his personal items and carried a suit bag with a tux, a suit, and a couple of dress shoes.
Each pair, plus the ones he wore, held a tracking device.
His cuff links took pictures, and the pin on his suit videoed his every move.
Matthew watched at the other end and used facial recognition to identify the suspects while Jameson stayed in the underbelly of the organization.
So far, he hadn’t seen any signs of Rebecca.
Since the last incident, the organization has become more selective in issuing invitations.
“You have a nice place here,” the man said, setting his glass on the table beside him. “Don’t you have any servants?”
“I don’t like people in my business. It takes one snooping housekeeper or a butler to ruin a damn contract. I prefer to avoid such annoyances,” he replied as they left the suite. He followed Gerard to a limo parked out front. The driver took his bags as he slid into the soft, buttery leather seats.
“What’s your poison?” Gerard asked as the car moved, and he opened a liquor cabinet.
“I’ll take a whiskey,” he replied.
“You’re in luck. One of our other customers has decided not to attend, freeing up your invitation. It always makes me curious when a man with your kind of money can find a pretty lady and shower her with presents, decides to purchase a woman.”
Julio shrugged noncommittally. “I don’t have time for entanglements and want someone obedient to only me.
There’s nothing more satisfying than waking up next to a submissive woman in your arms. It’s the part where I see the dollar signs in her eyes, I find distasteful.
A woman who has a good meal or a roof over head tends to appreciate the little things. ”
Gerard chuckled. “You have a point there. I wish I’d known this before I got married. Then again, we rarely stay in the same country anymore, so it doesn’t matter. I can have my little toys to play with until she returns home, then I turn into the doting husband.”
“What about your toys? Do you lock them away?” Julio asked, wanting to smash the man’s face.
“If they play well, then I put them in my toy box and send them to one of my other houses,” Gerard said, sitting back and regarding Julio.
“And if they don’t…?” he asked.
“There are ways to dispose of unwanted ones. Why waste your money when you can buy a brand-new, shiny toy? I take it this will be your first?” Gerard asked, sipping his brandy.
“Yes. A friend of mine introduced me to the idea. You might know him, Darren Garfield,” Julio dropped the name and watched Smith’s face. The corner of his eye twitched and his mouth firmed into a straight line.
“Ahh, I see you know him,” Julio said, glancing down at his whiskey glass, refusing to drink.
“He’s an acquaintance,” Smith said, annoyed. “The man has eccentric tastes. I’m surprised you wish to come to this auction when the next one has merchandise more to Garfield’s liking.”
“We disagree with his taste in merchandise. It’s why he suggested I attend this one,” Julio explained, already planning on how to take the sick asshole out. He should’ve known Garfield preyed on the weak, including children.
They pulled up to a sprawling mansion, and the driver opened the door for them to exit. Julio turned slowly, allowing the cameras to capture the layout of the place, the guards, and camera placement. Mr. Smith disappeared upstairs, leaving him with the house’s owner, Gerard.
“Welcome to my humble home,” Gerard said as they climbed the steps. A butler welcomed them inside while the chauffeur carried his luggage to his room. Julio suspected he’d search it, too.
“You have a lovely home,” Julio said, walking around and pretending to admire the artwork.
“We’ll have cocktails at five, dinner at six and a preview at eight. Mr. Presley, an associate of the group, will be here in an hour. He’ll want to speak to you about your preferences. I’ll have Gil show you to your room and he’ll escort you to my office when Mr. Presley arrives.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Julio said before following the butler to a room in the east wing.
“When will the other guests arrive?” Julio asked as they entered his room.
“They’ll be arriving around five, sir,” the butler responded as he opened the curtains. “You have a wonderful view from the balcony. It’s a bit chilly, but it’s available if you need a breath of fresh air while you wait.”
Julio gave a slight smile, realizing he must play the part of captive until they called for him. The butler left, leaving him time to explore his room. His clothes hung neatly in the closet, and his bag was emptied, indicating they searched it.
He sat on the bed, taking out his computer, pretending to work.
His watch buzzed, alerting him to Jameson’s arrival at the house.
The ‘merchandise’ must have arrived. His heart raced as he prayed Rebecca might be one of the women brought below.
He closed his eyes and massaged them with his fingers.
One more night, Rebecca. I’m getting closer, he thought.
Someone knocked, and Julio rose to answer the door.
“Mr. Presley has requested your presence in Mr. Halloway’s office,” the butler stated as he stepped aside, allowing Julio to leave the room.
He entered the office and shook hands with the tall man dressed in a designer suit and nodded at Gerard.
“It’s finally nice to meet you,” Mr. Presley greeted him. “You have an impressive portfolio. We sometimes appreciate a favor from our buyers, such as using one of their properties for our impromptu events. It seems you have invested heavily in the real estate market.”
Julio nodded as he accepted the glass of whiskey. “I’m sure we can work something.”
Mr. Presley nodded. “Tell me about your preferences.”
“I like blondes. Shapes and sizes don’t matter to me as long as they’re appealing to the eye,” he said, thinking about what Jameson told him about how they gave the higher-paying clients more choices if they didn’t have specific requests.
He kept his description vague, hoping to cast a wider net to find Rebecca.
“I’m sure you’ll find we have a nice selection of blondes. Do you have a preference in eye color or temperament?
“No. Personality intrigues me. Sometimes a quiet woman can add mystery, and one with attitude can be amusing to subdue,” Julio added, making it sound as if he gave it some consideration. In truth, it made him sick.
“Then you’ll be pleased. We require a $100,000 deposited to our account before this evening’s festivities.
For an additional fee of the same amount, you’ll get a private glimpse of the merchandise before anyone else.
Bidding will start tomorrow night at nine.
Once you complete the purchase, you’ll return to your hotel, and we will deliver your order. ”
“How do I know you won’t take my money and run?” Julio asked.
“We work on a system of trust, Mr. Garcia,” Mr. Presley said, pulling out a computer from a briefcase, typing in his password, and turning it toward Julio. “We trust you’ll keep our transaction to yourself and you’ll receive your merchandise.”
Julio bent, typing in his bank account number and sending double the amount. He refused to let Rebecca go through such humiliation when he could prevent it.
“I see you like having first choice,” Mr. Presley chuckled.
“After dinner, you’ll join me in the private library for a viewing.
Your generous payment will allow you to make the first bid, and you’ll have one opportunity to outbid the highest bidder for your preferred choice.
If you don’t bid high enough, they will walk away with your preference. ”
“You’ll find if I want something, I won’t stop until I get it,” Julio said as he rose from his chair.
“I look forward to this evening.” He left the room, scanning the hallways and noting the stationed guards.
More people appeared as he walked through the house.
Ensuring he got pictures of everyone he encountered, Julio slowly made his way back to his room.
The watch buzzed twice. Jameson must’ve found something. Anticipation filled him as he entered the bathroom with his phone and turned on some classical music. The room filled with steam as he entered the shower and checked the message Jameson left him.
The deal didn’t go through. They have another offer in place.
Jameson texted.
What the hell did he mean? Julio ran his hand down his face as he let the hot water slide down his back. Disappointment filled him. Rebecca wasn’t there. What did Jameson mean by another offer? Julio guessed he was about to find out.