Page 85 of Hawk's Sapphire

“You are a very beautiful girl,” Cusenza says, his thumb caressing my swollen cheek.“It’s a shame that asshole marked you.Your new owner has very strict orders that no one is to mark your skin but him.He has a very sadistic way of playing with his toys.So, you will come to my home, on my island, where you will heal for a few days.Once I’m certain you are ready to be presented, I will make the call.”He leans in closer, whispering in my ear, “Perhaps I’ll even have a little fun of my own with you before handing you over.How would you feel about being mine for a few days, hmm?You can be my littleputtana.I don’t care about a little swelling or bruises, so long as your jaw still opens and your cunt is in working order, that’s really all that matters.I might even take that sweet little ass of yours.”

I say nothing.Do nothing.I don’t flinch or plead for mercy.Which seems to upset Cusenza a bit.

“I asked you a question.I expect an answer,” he grits, low and menacing.

“Whatever you wish, sir.”I answer softly.I even add a slight tremble to my words for effect.The smug bastard buys it.

“Very good.”Dropping my chin, he stands tall, turning away.“Put this one in my chambers on the yacht.No one touches her except to transport her to the boat.Secure her chains to the bed and I want two guards on the door at all times.”

Cusenza leaves the area with three men while the others gather closer.Lifting me by the elbows, dragging my feet as they take me away.We enter another large empty space.The smell of fish and urine is heavy in here.My head still hangs low, only allowing me to see the bottom half of metal cargo containers, stacks of cardboard boxes, and the feet of the men carrying me.

When we reach their destination, I’m unceremoniously dropped onto the concrete floor.Tilting my head ever so slightly, I find we’re not alone.There are others lined up, tied up like cattle in nothing but their underwear and the same matching metal accessories as mine.I’m still in my workout clothes, but I’m certain that will change as soon as I’m taken onto the yacht.

I can see the knees of several women.Six, I can count to my right.One set of legs looks smaller than the rest tucked in the middle.Either she’s a very small woman or …it’s a child.

My pulse picks up.Anger and fear are an explosive concoction running through my veins as her soft sobs echo throughout the otherwise empty room.I remember hearing Lilah talk about being captured and how scared she was until Skyler came along and promised to take care of her.Ethan and the Kings got to them just in time, but I’ve heard Skyler tell Liz about Lilah still having nightmares.

That poor baby.

It makes what I’m going to do to this organization feel so much more gratifying, but first, I’ll need to find a way to get her out of here.I’ll need to get ahold of Matteo somehow and let him know we’re not leaving without her.

You must get onto the island first.

The woman next to me is shaking, her chains jingling with the movement.A few strands of her dark brown hair hang loosely covering her face, the length reaching just above her wrists.She’s sweating and panting much like me, but her breathing is becoming more ragged by the second.If she doesn’t calm herself down, she’s going to pass out and then she’ll be fair game.An unconscious woman is their favorite kind.I’m about to tell her when the little girl screams.The piercing sound is loud as it bounces around the room.

One of Cusenza’s men is standing in front of her, his patent leather shoes kicking her knees as he shouts things at her in Italian.I’ve picked up some of the language being around the Parisis.He’s mocking her.Nudging her with his foot.Asking her bullshit questions in a menacing voice just to watch her cower before him.

Asshole.

She doesn’t answer, just continues to scream and cry.I don’t know if she doesn’t understand his words or if she’s too terrified to respond, probably the latter, but these men don’t care why she’s not answering, only that she’s not obeying what she’s been told.

When the swish of a whip and the crack of it meeting flesh fills the air, followed by the small, frightened screech, my pulse skyrockets.The other women shake with fear and crying.

I have to do something.Now.

“She doesn’t understand you,” I call out, knowing it’s not the smartest thing to do.It will only draw attention to myself, which Matteo has specifically instructed me repeatedlynotto do.Instructions to which I agreed to follow.But he knows I would never allow a little girl to get hurt if I can help it.

I’ll ask forgiveness later.

My outburst may only give her a small reprieve, but if it helps her breathe easier, even for a short period, it’s worth it.I’ll find a way to get her out of here and away from the monsters who want to snatch her innocence from her.I’ve been trained to take whatever they’re going to do.To take the pain and shut off my emotions.A child wouldn’t know anything about the depravity that awaits us.

The man with the whip stalks toward me, letting the whip drag along the concrete floor with each slow, deliberate step.It’s meant to intimidate and frighten me—to show me who’s in charge here.

A submissive would cower.Show remorse.

Sergio practiced this same move with me multiple times.Over and over, he dragged and cracked the whip while I was blindfolded, training me not to flinch.Not to show fear.We trained for weeks for this moment.

Matteo took over when we got to the hard shit.He stripped me down, blindfolded and cuffed me, dropping the temperature in the room so low my body shook from the cold.Then he would turn up the heat until the room was sweltering to the point I nearly passed out.He put me through several scenes in the basement of The Mansion, preparing me for what was to come.He helped me calm my urge to fight back, to take control.He pushed my limits to the point of breaking, then taught me hownotto break.

He showed me the beauty in submission and the power it holds.I didn’t break because I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.However, that is not the same for these men.

Breathe in.Breathe out.You can do this.

“A woman’s submission is a gift, Dolcezza.It is not to be taken for granted.Do not give such a gift to any man.Make him earn it.”

I knew he was talking about Hawk, but his words still hold merit here.These women are submitting because they are afraid for their lives, not because these men have earned their trust.But their willingness to give up, their loss of fight, is what will damn them in the end.

“The broken ones get sold off.The strong-willed are Cusenza’s weakness.He chooses them for his own.”Matteo’s words flitter through my mind and a plan begins to take root.

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