Escape From Paradise (29 page)

He went out to the veranda and lit a cigarette, surveying the entire area with care. Two boats were docked at the end of the steps. Colin was running different scenarios through his mind when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned his head to see Marco approaching, one of his henchmen watching them from the rounded doorway.

Marco stopped a few feet away with his hands behind his back.

“And how did it go, Señor?”

As if you don’t know
, Colin thought.

“It went well, I think.” Yeah, Colin was not in the mood for small talk. He was in the mood for face punching.

“Good. Very good. I spoke to her and she was appropriately contrite.” Marco joined him at the stone wall, and they stood together staring out at the magnificent sea. “You seem lost in your thoughts this evening. That is understandable, considering all of your new experiences this week.”

Colin gave a slow nod. “It has been a week of firsts, that’s for certain.”

An idea had begun to form. What he needed was to get Marco alone, away from the villa. It was time to work this man.

Colin inclined his head toward the large and small yachts. “Fine boats you have there.”

“Ever been yachting, Señor Douglas?”

“No,” Colin lied. “But I imagine fucking at sea is a pleasure.”

“That it is.” Marco looked up at the darkening sky. “How much longer do you plan to stay with us?”

“Only a day more, unfortunately. I need to get back to the gallery.” Colin’s pulse was thumping wildly under his skin as he waited, hoping for an opening of some sort.

Marco turned his back to the ledge and crossed his arms. “How about a boat ride in the morning? You, me, two of the girls—Angel of course.”

Colin held back a celebratory grin. “Sounds fantastic.”

A small smile lifted the edges of Marco’s mustache. Colin realized the man probably had an ulterior motive, just like he did. Something was on his mind, though Colin couldn’t figure out what. He’d have to be on his guard. He held out his hand and Marco shook it.

“You are a generous man, Señor Ruiz. I cannot thank you enough.”

“I assure you, the pleasure has been mine.”

Hm. What was this sneaky fucker up to?

Marco left Colin as he stubbed out his cigarette in a nearby tall ashtray, and lit another. His brain went on overdrive, playing out possible situations for tomorrow. He wondered how many men Marco would bring for protection. Every detail was important.

He spent the rest of the evening devising multiple plans based on the many possibilities, until he felt a surge of confidence.

Tomorrow was the day.

The bodyguard Luis was waiting for Colin outside his door the next morning, ready to escort him to the smaller boat. It was a bright morning. Colin slid his sunglasses into place and ran a hand over his freshly shaven jaw as they boarded. Marco was waiting for him at a table under a shaded overhang at the boat’s rear. Colin’s heart banged when he spotted the two slave girls kneeling at his sides in bathing suits and oversized sun hats. It took him a moment to recognize Angela, and he had to smile as he walked over.

Her blonde hair was hidden under a shoulder-length black wig. It was high quality, and paired with the hat, she was quite stunning. Her skin was pale and creamy, contrasting with the bronzed glow of Perla’s. Though Angela’s head was down, Colin caught the look of complete contentment on her face. It made his breath catch, and his chest swell. He wondered how a girl in her predicament could find that kind of peace when he never could.

He sat across from Marco and admired the breakfast spread.

“Coffee?” Marco asked.

“Please.”

Marco nodded down at Angela, who came up on her knees to pour both men steaming black coffee from a porcelain carafe before returning to a kneeling position.

As the boat pushed off, the men ate in comfort, occasionally feeding their women bites of fresh berries and pineapple. Colin lounged, but his eyes took in everything. As far as he could see, only one bodyguard was with them. Luis stood to the side with his arms crossed. And then there was the captain driving the boat. He waited for others to appear from below, but none did. Was it possible that he’d earned this suspicious man’s trust?

Marco didn’t appear to be armed. Luis had two visible guns at his waist. He spied ropes for various uses on the vessel, and an emergency ax in a glass compartment. All things he could use if needed.

When they finished eating, Perla and Angela cleared the table. The boat moved at a pleasant speed, causing just enough warm wind to encompass them.

Marco stood and led them to the bough of the boat, overlooking the glimmering blue-green waters. Colin watched him sit on the white cushions and pull Perla to his lap. Her hands ran through the back of his hair and down over his shoulders. Colin pointed to the corner seat of the cushions and Angela obediently sat. He nestled himself between her legs with his back to her chest, and was rewarded with the feel of her calves as they wrapped around his hips. He leaned lazily back against her as if he owned her.

As if she were his.

That thought went straight to his cock and he swallowed hard. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand, but she addled his fucking brain. Because if he was being honest with himself, he wanted her. He wanted every day with her, to learn her, to feel her, to make her happy.

Fuck.

He’d never felt that for a woman, and this was definitely not the time to start. She wasn’t his and she never would be. This was a game. A job.

When Colin turned his head, he caught that same look of ease on Angela’s face as she held the top of her hat one with one hand and stroked up and down his shoulder and bicep with the other. She stared out at the Mediterranean. Colin tried to memorize her like that so he could paint this image someday—her black hair and all.

Marco rested his hands behind his head and leaned back, eyeing Colin as if he had something to say. Colin waited patiently, and it paid off.

“What will you do without your muse when you return to work, Señor Douglas?”

Colin stared off, pretending to contemplate.

“Be miserable and uninspired, I suppose.” He grinned, and Marco returned the expression. “This week has been enlightening, Mr. Ruiz. With your permission, I wish to be frank with you.”

Marco nodded, his eyes gleaming with interest.

“If I may be so bold…” Colin hesitated, mostly for show, but his gut was jittery as hell. “How does one go about obtaining a slave?” At this, Marco raised his brow. Colin continued, unfazed. “If you cannot say, I understand. I’m certain such a purchase would be quite expensive, but I’ve learned that some things are worth the money.”

“Indeed.” He steepled his fingers over his chest. “Taking a slave is a lot of work, Señor. Great care and maintenance of their bodies and minds. They must be kept busy. An idle slave brings trouble. You must be willing to punish and train them diligently to earn their loyalty.” Colin nodded, and Marco went on. “You would need to find a network of other slave owners wherever you decide to settle. It’s best if you’re not the only one using your slave, because the females tend to grow jealousies, which lead to problems. In my early days when I was too green to know how to properly train, I had to trade and sell slaves who couldn’t control their emotions.”

Slaves had human emotions. Imagine that.

Colin watched the slave on Marco’s lap, Perla, as she stared sadly down at the water.

“Mr. Ruiz.” Colin chose each word carefully. “I’m at a time of my life where I have the means to obtain anything I want, except a woman who will meet my expectations. I didn’t think such a thing was possible until now. After spending time in your company, I realize I’m more than willing to make the necessary changes to have the lifestyle I want.”

“The lifestyle you
deserve
,” Marco crooned.

“Yes.” Colin’s skin buzzed, making him hyper aware of everything around him. The sunshine on his skin. The way Angela had gone rigid behind him, as if listening intently. Marco’s fierce stare, as if figuring out if Colin had what it took to be a slave owner. The way Luis had inched closer. In that moment, Colin was ready to do this. The man was humoring him, and it was time to move this forward.

“What do I need to do to make this happen?”

“I can put you in contact with my people,” Marco said carefully.

This was happening. It was almost too simple. Colin had learned that if something seemed too good to be true, it was. How far could he push this?

Colin sat forward on the edge of his seat, forcing Angel’s beautiful legs from around him. He rested his elbows on his knees and linked his fingers as he stared straight into Marco’s dark eyes. He knew what he was about to do was a long shot, but if it worked it would be fucking brilliant.

“I want to buy your Angel. I will pay any price.”

Silence. Even the air seemed to still.

He felt Angela’s frame jump ever so slightly. Marco made no move, nor did he change his nonchalant expression. Without looking away from Colin he said, “Angel, venga aquí.”

Angela pulled herself away from Colin and went to Marco, kneeling at his feet with her head down. Marco lifted Angela’s chin and spoke to her in English, probably for Colin’s benefit.

“Would you like a new master, little one?”

Colin could hardly breathe. He could see her trembling under the weight of Marco’s mind game. He clenched and unclenched his fist.

“No se, Maestro,” she whispered.
I don’t know, Master.

“Come, come, Angel,” Marco crooned. “Be truthful. Can you be loyal to Señor Douglas? Can you love him as a master the way you could never love me?”

Marco stroked her cheek, and she didn’t answer. She looked terrified. Colin was itching to intervene—to stop the man’s mental torture, but he had to let it play out. If he could complete this mission without raising suspicion, and without bloodshed, it would bring both himself and Angela a measure of safety afterward. Nobody would search for them if they thought he was another legitimate slave owner. He would fall off their radar. It would be worth it.

Marco sat back and gave his attention to Colin again. “One of the most difficult lessons I had to learn as a slave owner was to share my toys. It’s the only way to desensitize slaves…and their owners. I learned the hard way that my own actions and selfish desires were hindering my slaves from understanding their role. Do you understand what I’m saying, Señor?”

Colin could only nod, because he didn’t like the direction this was going.

“I’ve not done right by Angel,” Marco said, looking down on the girl. “Her role, in relation to me, was not made clear enough. I had my own issues and regrets when it came to her, and my softness hindered her loyalty. Confused her.”

What the fuck was he going on about?

“Would you believe me, Señor Douglas, if I told you I’ve never even fucked the girl myself?”

Actually, this did surprise Colin, but his insides heated with hatred at the man’s attitude of goodwill. Marco Ruiz was the devil underneath. The tempter and tester. A bejeweled serpent. But that wasn’t how he saw himself at all, was it?

“Is that so?” Colin forced himself to ask. “You’ve been missing out, Mr. Ruiz.”

The words were sour on his tongue. As was Marco’s saintly expression. Colin sensed an obstacle coming. If he could keep his emotions and anger in check, he could pass this last fucking test, exchange money, and get Angela out of Spain by nightfall.

“Angel,” Marco said. “Kneel beside Señor Douglas.”

Colin’s blood pounded hot and hard as Angela moved to his side, never looking up.

“Perla.” Marco moved the girl from his lap to stand, and spoke to her in Spanish. “Pleasure the Señor for Angel to see.”

It took Colin a few seconds for the words to crash down.
Ah, fuck me.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Colin felt heavy. He didn’t want to fucking do this. And yet, he made no move to stop the latin beauty as she unbuttoned his cargo shorts.

“Watch, Angel,” Marco commanded, and her head snapped up.

Perla worked his semi-hard cock in her hand until he was fully erect. When her mouth came down over him and Colin moaned, Angela’s eyes flicked up to his face long enough for their eyes to briefly meet.

What he saw there made him groan with lust. Angela’s eyes were filled with the fire of jealousy.

Colin pulled Perla’s head down further onto his shaft, signaling her to move faster and deeper. All the while he watched Angela’s eyes on them, and he imagined it was her mouth around him. The way her small nostrils flared with anger was fucking hot. Colin couldn’t hold back from touching her, but he knew he couldn’t be gentle, so he let out his beast, embracing it one last time.

His hand gripped the back of Angela’s neck, forcing her face up to his.

“Do you wish it was your mouth I was fucking?” Colin asked.

Angela whimpered and closed her eyes.

His hand tightened, forcing her to cry out, “Sí!”

“Do you wish to be owned by me, Angel?”

Her eyes opened now, hitting him in a hot wave before she dropped them to the sight of his blow job. In a quieter voice she answered, “Sí, Señor.”