Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Spiders skittered across her skin.
Well, not really, although Emma did keep glancing down at her naked body to check, because that was what it felt like.
Where had the anger and stubbornness that had sustained her these last few days suddenly gone? It was like someone had pulled the plug, and it had just drained right out of her.
When she wasn't lying to herself, Emma knew the reason she felt scared and shaky today, like one gentle breeze was enough to knock her over. It was because Nathan had left her alone.
Gone.
Walked away like he wasn't leaving her in hell without his protection.
Protection?
Was that really what he’d been doing?
Looking at things as objectively as she could, something that was beyond difficult when her body wouldn't stop shaking, and her stomach threatened to throw up the nice breakfast she’d been given for once, along with the sandwich that had come not long ago, she could see that he had been protecting her.
He’d stepped in several times and taken over punishments, turning them into something that wasn’t really a punishment at all.
Yesterday, he’d refused to let her touch him sexually, even though it was the purpose of her being abducted.
Then this morning, he’d all but begged her to behave because he was leaving.
Objectively speaking, his actions could be interpreted as protective. But was he doing it because he really was trying to keep her as safe as possible, or was it all an act?
If it was real, why would he be there if he was going to try to protect the trafficking ring’s victims?
After all, this wasn't the kind of job you just submitted a resume to and filled in an application form. You’d have to do …
terrible things, she was sure, to earn the trust of being a member of the ring.
Why would he go through that unless he wanted to be there?
But if he wanted to be there, why would he try to make things easier for her?
And did he do that for everyone?
A totally inappropriate rush of jealousy flushed through her at the thought of Nathan’s attention on these other women. It was stupid, and made her feel like a bad person, because all the women were victims, and if he’d made their time somewhat better, then she should want that for them.
It was just … the thought of him kissing anyone else, of his hands caressing anyone else’s bare backside other than her own, made her feel irrationally jealous. Nathan wasn't hers, and she didn't want him to be.
Liar.
Ignoring that particular thought, Emma straightened when she heard the elevator open, signaling that someone was coming.
Hope had her jerking her head around to see who it was, even as she knew it wasn't going to be Nathan because she didn't feel that usual rush of comfort that his presence brought.
It was the man called Mateo, and Josh, the one who had abducted her on the side of the road that night.
Damn.
That felt like a lifetime ago, but in reality, it hadn't even been a week since she was drugged and woke up in this dark, dingy, concrete cell.
In the cells beside her, the women shifted uneasily, and she got a sick feeling in her gut. Something was up, and it seemed like she was the only one who didn't know what exactly it was.
Since none of the women were prone to talking, it wasn't like she’d been able to get any information out of them.
Adrian and Deacon enjoyed inflicting pain.
Van watched with eyes that were almost black and lifeless.
Josh was full of excited energy. Mateo stalked the corridors like a beast waiting to pounce at any second.
William and Hank took pleasure in drawing screams from the women they took down to what she’d learned were called the training rooms. And Henry and Marvin couldn’t seem to get enough of touching the women, letting their hands linger between their legs, tweaking nipples, and pushing unwanted kisses against pliant lips.
So far, she’d managed to stay off the radar for most of them, but she was sure it was just because they were waiting for her to buckle and start to break.
Something which felt far too close for her liking.
Behind Mateo and Josh were Henry and Marvin, and that sick feeling in her stomach only intensified.
Between the sight of those two particular men and the tension humming in the other cages, Emma stiffened, shoved to her feet, and stood defiantly watching the four men as they strolled down the middle corridor without a care in the world.
“Okay, ladies, shower time,” Mateo called out, and like the well-trained slaves they were, all the other women stood and moved to their cell doors, heads bowed because eye contact wasn't allowed.
Not that Emma cared.
They weren't breaking her down into nothing, she was going to find a way out of there. Nathan might make her feel safe, and he confused the heck out of her, but it was also clear she couldn’t rely on him to save her.
If she wanted to be saved, she was going to have to do it herself.
Determination forced away a little of the terror as Mateo stopped outside her cell. “Come, one three nine,” he ordered.
“No,” she shot back. Nathan’s pleading ran through her mind. He’d asked her to be good, not to cause trouble, and not to do anything that would get her punished, and she’d determined to try to do as he asked. Only this was her hard line. She wasn't giving up her name, not for anything.
“Not in the mood to deal with a tantrum, one three nine,” Mateo said, his voice as cold as ice.
“I’m not having a tantrum. You know my name, you should use it,” she said, jutting out her chin in defiance.
“You don’t want a shower, one three nine?” Mateo asked.
“Damn, she’s hot. I hope she doesn’t earn herself a punishment, cos I can't wait to see her in action,” Henry said, practically salivating as he came up beside Mateo.
In action?
What did that mean?
Were they going to rape her in the showers?
Mateo threw a glare Henry’s way before turning his gaze back to her. “You haven’t had a shower since you’ve been here, and if you don’t come, I won't offer you the option of another until you're ready to be prepped for sale. Your choice.”
The man stood there, arms crossed over his broad chest, staring her down, but he didn't use the numbers again, and the idea of a shower did sound appealing.
It wasn't likely they would really rape her.
It seemed that was off the table when it came to what the men could do to the women.
But she hadn't been there long enough to know that for certain.
Still, he hadn't used the numbers, and she did want a shower, so she took a tentative step toward the door to her cell. Then another and another, until she was standing right in front of it.
Without another word, Mateo unlocked the door and opened it to allow her to walk out. Henry’s leering gaze grazed across her body, making her want to cover it up as best as she could. At least Mateo’s gaze was more assessing and impassionate. It was like the man didn't even possess feelings.
Guided into a line of women, she followed along as they headed all the way down to the far end of the corridor away from the elevators. Another elevator was down there and also a large room she hadn't seen before. In it was a row of showerheads lined up against the far wall.
Obviously, having all been in there before, the other women moved straight to the showers. Because she was really trying to do what Nathan asked and not get herself into trouble, she followed.
All of a sudden, the water spurted on. It was cold at first, but it quickly warmed to what she’d consider lukewarm.
Just off cold, but nowhere near hot enough to be pleasant.
Still, it was water, and there were rows of products set out, loofahs and body washes, shampoos and conditioners.
Emma snatched up the closest body wash and a white loofah and poured on a generous amount, but before she could start soaping up her body, one of the other women was there, running a loofah across her chest.
Jerking backward, she batted the woman’s hands away. “What are you doing?” she demanded.
Scared blue eyes looked back at her. “Please, don’t make a scene. Just go along with it.”
“Go along with what?” she asked, that bad feeling brewing once again. She’d known something was up the second the other women got tense when the elevator doors opened, and the men strolled in.
“They like to watch.”
“Watch what?”
“Us. Get each other off in the shower. I'm not into girls either, I hate it, but … it’s better than the alternative,” the woman whispered, shame shone from those blue eyes, and her pale cheeks tinted pink.
“I'm not letting you get me off,” she hissed. Not only was she not into girls, but no one was going to get her off while she was there. At least not without her fighting tooth and nail to stop it from happening.
“Please,” the woman begged. “Just pretend I'm a guy if you have to. That’s what I always do.”
But when the woman shifted the loofah between Emma’s legs, and the rough material dragged across her most intimate places, she realized she couldn’t do it. Instead, she yelped and jumped sideways.
“Is there a problem here?” Mateo asked as he strolled over.
The other woman stiffened, dropping her gaze to the floor, but Emma met Mateo’s gaze head-on.
“Go, one three three, find one of the others,” Mateo ordered, then his hand circled her bicep, and he pulled her out from under the spray of water. “And you, you can come with me. You don’t want to participate in the group shower, then you can have your own special cleaning.”
Emma fought against his grip as he dragged her out of the room, aware of the pitying gazes from some of the women, along with the leering ones from the men. Marvin even dragged his tongue along his lips as he eyed her with a hunger that had her belly clenching.