at the cavern ceiling, tears streaming down her cheeks.
As Angelica walked up the steps, however, she noticed that when some of the guests, especially the men, looked at her, they frowned, then glanced at Reyes.
I think we should have figured out a way to give me those bruises. You’re losing your street cred because I’m still intact.
He glanced at a group of men and nodded to them.
I don’t give a fuck what any of them think. I only have to impress Engles—and mend fences with him, if I can. The rest can go to hell.
His words reminded her again just how different Reyes was from the rest of these cretins. She had to work at holding her head down and sustaining her long-suffering expression, because right now she felt nothing but admiration for him.
Do I look submissive enough?
He glanced back at her once more.
You’re doing great.
And so are you, master.
#
Reyes liked Angelica in his head and he was proud of her for bearing up well, but he’d expected nothing less. He knew her history, because he’d had her investigated, that she was the sole support of her infirm mother and had sacrificed a lot to take care of her. She hadn’t had an easy life.
She was a woman of great strength, another reason why he hated that she’d gotten caught in the Starlin trap. And one more reason why he needed to bring this organization down.
As he led her up the broad stone steps to the entrance, Engles stepped out onto the expansive porch. He had his usual Dubonnet in hand, a leer in his eye, and a smile Reyes wanted to wipe from the bastard’s mouth.
“You haven’t chained her yet?” Engles narrowed his eyes as he took another sip. His gaze drifted the full length of Angelica. “She’s not even bruised.”
Reyes took a step closer to her. “Unlike you, I intend to take my time.”
Engles shifted his gaze to stare hard at Reyes. “I’ve always had my doubts about you, pretty boy. And I think you may have just proved my opinion again tonight. And by the way, anyone’s membership can be revoked at my sole discretion.”
Reyes had known men like Engles his entire life. They taunted and bullied at every opportunity, no matter the situation or the person. But he knew something else as well: if he showed the smallest sign of fear, Engles would go after him. Nor could he appease him. Engles would see that as a sign of weakness.
A real rock and a hard place, so he opted for a different tack.
He held Engles’s gaze for a long moment, then wheeled on Angelica, hoping like hell she would follow his lead without flinching. He caught the back of her neck with his hand and telepathed,
Drop like I’m hurting you. Whimper, groan, cry, anything you can do.
Aloud, he said, “On your knees, slave.”
She immediately obeyed and gave a decent performance, crying out as she crumpled at his feet.
While keeping one hand on Angelica’s head, he met Engles’s surprised stare. “The thing is, I’ve already laid out a plan for this slave. And if I don’t hold back, she’ll be dead before I’ve even started. I may not have the same punching style as the rest of your bidders, but I like my meat seasoned over a period of time, then chewed slowly in my mouth for about as long. I take no pleasure from a quick slice-and-drain. I want the woman’s pain to serve me for months.” He lowered his voice. “More important, I want to get her to a second auction at the six-month mark. I intend to set a new record and recoup my investment.”
Engles’s eyes widened as his gaze fell to Angelica. He actually seemed impressed as he licked his lips. If Reyes had been at all serious, Engles would no doubt have been the first in line to bid for Angelica at her six-month transition.
Engles tugged at his chin. “All right, then. I look forward to what the future holds.”
“As do I.” He pulled on the leash and Angelica slowly rose to her feet, wiping away tears. He gave her a shove, setting her in motion as together they moved into the
As Angelica walked up the steps, however, she noticed that when some of the guests, especially the men, looked at her, they frowned, then glanced at Reyes.
I think we should have figured out a way to give me those bruises. You’re losing your street cred because I’m still intact.
He glanced at a group of men and nodded to them.
I don’t give a fuck what any of them think. I only have to impress Engles—and mend fences with him, if I can. The rest can go to hell.
His words reminded her again just how different Reyes was from the rest of these cretins. She had to work at holding her head down and sustaining her long-suffering expression, because right now she felt nothing but admiration for him.
Do I look submissive enough?
He glanced back at her once more.
You’re doing great.
And so are you, master.
#
Reyes liked Angelica in his head and he was proud of her for bearing up well, but he’d expected nothing less. He knew her history, because he’d had her investigated, that she was the sole support of her infirm mother and had sacrificed a lot to take care of her. She hadn’t had an easy life.
She was a woman of great strength, another reason why he hated that she’d gotten caught in the Starlin trap. And one more reason why he needed to bring this organization down.
As he led her up the broad stone steps to the entrance, Engles stepped out onto the expansive porch. He had his usual Dubonnet in hand, a leer in his eye, and a smile Reyes wanted to wipe from the bastard’s mouth.
“You haven’t chained her yet?” Engles narrowed his eyes as he took another sip. His gaze drifted the full length of Angelica. “She’s not even bruised.”
Reyes took a step closer to her. “Unlike you, I intend to take my time.”
Engles shifted his gaze to stare hard at Reyes. “I’ve always had my doubts about you, pretty boy. And I think you may have just proved my opinion again tonight. And by the way, anyone’s membership can be revoked at my sole discretion.”
Reyes had known men like Engles his entire life. They taunted and bullied at every opportunity, no matter the situation or the person. But he knew something else as well: if he showed the smallest sign of fear, Engles would go after him. Nor could he appease him. Engles would see that as a sign of weakness.
A real rock and a hard place, so he opted for a different tack.
He held Engles’s gaze for a long moment, then wheeled on Angelica, hoping like hell she would follow his lead without flinching. He caught the back of her neck with his hand and telepathed,
Drop like I’m hurting you. Whimper, groan, cry, anything you can do.
Aloud, he said, “On your knees, slave.”
She immediately obeyed and gave a decent performance, crying out as she crumpled at his feet.
While keeping one hand on Angelica’s head, he met Engles’s surprised stare. “The thing is, I’ve already laid out a plan for this slave. And if I don’t hold back, she’ll be dead before I’ve even started. I may not have the same punching style as the rest of your bidders, but I like my meat seasoned over a period of time, then chewed slowly in my mouth for about as long. I take no pleasure from a quick slice-and-drain. I want the woman’s pain to serve me for months.” He lowered his voice. “More important, I want to get her to a second auction at the six-month mark. I intend to set a new record and recoup my investment.”
Engles’s eyes widened as his gaze fell to Angelica. He actually seemed impressed as he licked his lips. If Reyes had been at all serious, Engles would no doubt have been the first in line to bid for Angelica at her six-month transition.
Engles tugged at his chin. “All right, then. I look forward to what the future holds.”
“As do I.” He pulled on the leash and Angelica slowly rose to her feet, wiping away tears. He gave her a shove, setting her in motion as together they moved into the
Similar Books
