Page 33 of StoryTeller's Tale

Carole rattles the cage again. “Why the fuck not?”

He shrugs. “Only have enough payment to get one person out of here, and that’s got to be my ol’ lady.”

Standing, I suddenly feel disgusted and unclean. My release shouldn’t come at the expense of others. For some inexplicable reason, he’s here for me, and though I long for freedom, I’d at least want to try to free the women also kept captive.

Reading the signs that my temper is in danger of flaring, he closes the distance between us and holds me tight. I try to pull away, but he’s too strong for me, so I content myself by lowering my voice to a growl and disputing, “I’m not your ol’ lady. We’ve never fuckin’ met.” Then I remember one of the first things he said. “And what was that about MariaLisa DeMora? How do you know her?”

“I don’t,” he says simply, then pulls me to him again. Keeping his arms wrapped around me so I can’t move away, to any onlooker it would look like a lover’s cinch. “Your fuckin’ life depends on doing what I say.” He snorts softly. “Mine too, for that matter. Sure, I had to claim a relationship that I’ve no right to, but the ploy is simply to get you free.”

But he’s locked in this cage. He’s now a prisoner as much as me. Rolling my eyes, I can’t help observing, “And that seems to be working like a charm.”

He glances sharply at me, then his face breaks into a grin. “Yeah, all is going as planned.” When he winks, he seems to be indicating he hadn’t factored in being imprisoned himself, but even so, he isn’t particularly worried.

He might not be, but I am. I might have company, but other than that, nothing has changed. I’m still a prisoner and unless he can persuade them to release me, I’m faced with a fate I don’t want to imagine.

CHAPTERELEVEN

STORYTELLER

Okay, so my initial plan had been that they’d accept the exchange—the guns for Sheri’s release. Though it had been on the cards they’d find a way to have their cake and eat it too, I hadn’t really expected to be locked into her cell, nor lose my cut for which I’ve already had a deafening earful of abuse and derision.

Though that was welcome confirmation I’ve Slugger and my brothers on the outside looking out for me. No need for me to be concerned as for now I’m still breathing. And while the location hasn’t got much going for it, my companion, well, she’s something else.

I hadn’t known what to expect. All the information I had was a few brief details from her social media profile, and her profile pic, which in truth does her no favours. While I haven’t seen her at her best, with eyes red raw from crying, her skin is covered in the most attractive freckles, her face rounded, her lips… well, they’re perfect. The kiss that had started off as a way to impress our audience turned into something else. If Knuckles hadn’t interrupted us, I was probably only a few seconds away from throwing her on the ground, tearing off her clothes and having my wicked way with her. Fucking her would have been no hardship. My cock was already fully engaged. She’s soft with curves in all the right places and that hair, well, I just want to fist my hand around it and…

Fuck.I should slap my own face for allowing myself to get distracted.

After the kiss, her pupils had been dilated. I know she’d been turned on as much as I was. And even if it’s true that she’d never been close to a throbbing dick before, she didn’t act as if as if she’d have any objection if I’d been the first man to take her.

I suspect, like me, she’d forgotten where we were and exactly who was watching us, which on my part was unfathomable seeing as I’d had Iron speaking into my ear, telling me to try to get information.

Now she’s leaning away from me, as though trying to put distance between us, probably embarrassed about her reaction to me, just as I’m examining mine to her. I know I made her upset when I refused to confirm I was going to try to get the other women free. But suspecting ears at least were listening to us, and suspicious that there were probably cameras as well, I couldn’t say anything that would cast doubt on my already flimsy cover story.

I hold tight to her to put on a show, but I can’t deny enjoying having her close. She’s curvy and soft and fits in my arms as if she’s made to be there.

Wary of listeners other than my brothers, I can’t say much else to her. Then again, I wouldn’t be spilling our plans, that apart from rescuing her, our aim is to put a dent in the Dominators’ operation. Slugger couldn’t hide his joy at finding this location, and them knowing by me turning up, that this safe house is now a bust and can’t be used by them again.

I’d told her it was all going as planned, but I hadn’t factored in being made prisoner. At least I’m in contact with my brothers, and I know they won’t desert me. Well, I’m pretty damn sure. Or I think so, anyway.

“Iron?” I say softly when I haven’t heard his voice for a few moments.

“Hold on, ST. We’re thinking.”

I hear a tinkling sound and realise it’s one of the other women, forced to use the bucket which is their only facility. They’re being kept like fucking animals and that doesn’t settle well with me. Already I know it will need a ton of therapy to get those taken away from friends and family back to the equilibrium they enjoyed before.

Something confirmed when the door opens again. The British Dominator saunters down the stairs and unlocks a cell opposite. Without a word, he drags the reluctant woman out by her hair. I don’t need any explanation of what he’s going to do to her, nor for anyone to tell me it’s not the first time. Her clothes are already torn and more of her is uncovered than hidden. She goes, not willingly, but as if there’s no fight left in her.

There’s a collective sigh of relief from the others remaining, and I close my eyes briefly, thanking the universe that Sheri’s quick thinking had saved her from a similar fate.

“Think faster,” I say softly, my mouth turned away from her ears, knowing Iron will pick my words up, and hear my urgency.

I can feel the woman in my arms shaking as she watches the scared woman being led away.

I turn my attention back to her and tell her quietly, “I’m not going to let that happen to you. And good thinking, by the way, to say you’re untouched and keep yourself safe.”

Her cheeks glow as red as her hair. She turns her head away as though embarrassed. Mumbling, she admits, “They use them all. They come down, take one, or two, and…” She sobs.

“Hey, no need to feel guilty. You did what you needed to to protect yourself.” Gently, I move her to face me. “It’s on those motherfuckers, not you.” Now, when I pull her into my chest, she relaxes against me.

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