Forever Lost: Becoming Elena - Book Two (4 page)

He groaned, something rare with Dalton as he thrust deep and hard, leaving every ounce of his pleasure buried deep within her. When her trembling stopped, she realized he’d released her leg and had already moved up to the top of the bed to release her arms before he gripped them and rubbed the tender area out.

Neither of them spoke as he finished soothing her sore wrists then sitting down on the side of the bed and looking at her. She wanted to curl up into a ball and protect herself.

Now that the sex was over, she felt too vulnerable. She always did with Dalton. He demanded she open herself fully to him without giving her the same, and she was left raw and unprotected.

“If you obey, then it will always be like this,” Dalton told her. He stood and moved to his discarded clothes.

He wouldn’t stay with her. He never did.

“Go to sleep now. We leave for home in the morning.”

He turned and walked from the room. Elena curled into a ball, lifting the blankets over her, shivering beneath the covers.

If only the sex would never end. At least while in his arms with passion flowing freely between them, she wasn’t alone, didn’t feel empty and betrayed.

Sleep took a while, but when it came, she drifted off and slept hard. She’d made a decision and even though she didn’t know the future, she didn’t have to think about it anymore.

Her life was in Dalton’s hands, and he would make sure she didn’t keep falling — or he would push her over the cliff himself. She really didn’t know and didn’t care how it all ended.

B
ack at Dalton’s
place, Elena found herself in a new world that she wasn’t exactly sure of. Even though she’d been in his household for years, she’d never been so controlled, not even in the beginning when they’d beat her into submission. Then, though, she’d fought it, still tried to keep a piece of herself she’d clung to.

From that moment in his hotel room, though, she’d agreed to give herself over to him. It wasn’t easy for her to do. She’d had to bite her lip more than once when he barked out an order, but he’d been right. By allowing Dalton to take control of her life, the spinning had slowed, had eased.

It hadn’t stopped, though.

If she did resist him, he didn’t hesitate to show his displeasure. Sometimes he wouldn’t see her for days as punishment. And those days were the worst — the times she had nothing to do but think of all she’d lost. He was right; it was much easier to lay it all on his shoulder. Even knowing this, it didn’t make it easy. Her initial reaction was to defy him, to try to assert herself.

It had been a month since she’d watched her mother turn from her and practically run away. Elena knew she was a broken woman. She only hoped Dalton truly was the person to help her pick up the pieces, the one to help her heal so she wouldn’t always need to be controlled.

A tapping sounded on her bedroom door before it opened, and Elena turned to find a beautiful woman standing there with an open smile and long dark hair.

“Hi, Elena, I’m Tina, your personal shopper for the day,” she said and stepped into the room.

Elena was confused.

“My shopper?” she finally asked when the woman didn’t elaborate.

“Yes. Dalton said you’ve never been out shopping, and he has events coming up, so you and I get to go put a nice little dent in his platinum card,” Tina said with a twinkle in her eyes.

Dalton hadn’t said a word to her about shopping or events. She’d only left the house with him twice: once at the beach, which hadn’t gone too well, and the second time when he’d taken her home. That had gone even worse.

“I don’t understand,” Elena said, not moving from her position.

“What don’t you understand? We’re going to buy clothes, cosmetics, get a makeover, and it’s all on Dalton,” the woman said with a laugh. “Come on. There’s lots to do and only so many hours in a day.”

She turned toward the door, opened it, and exited. Elena didn’t move. Was this a test from Dalton? He’d told her she was to do exactly as he said at all times. Was he seeing if she would jump ship at the first opportunity?

Elena was torn on what to do. Tina came back to the open door and looked at her expectantly.

“Dalton didn’t say anything about this to me. I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to go,” Elena finally told her.

Though it was almost physically painful to resist going out when she rarely ever got to leave the mansion, she wanted to pass this test.

“We will be back before Dalton gets home if we leave now. You have nothing to fear,” Tina said, her brows puckered as she considered Elena.

“I . . . really . . . I don’t know . . .”

Elena was torn. Tina picked up her phone and dialed, holding it to her ear. It must have been answered quickly.

“Dalton. Would you please tell Elena it’s okay to go out with me,” Tina said before turning back to Elena. “He wants to speak to you.”

Elena cringed as she took the phone. This was a test, and she’d failed it by disobeying Dalton’s friend or employee, maybe even his lover. She had to fight the trembling in her fingers as she put the phone to her ear.

“Elena?” His voice was firm and she couldn’t stop the slight quiver this time.

“Yes, it’s me,” she said.

“Go shopping with Tina. I have events coming up, and I need you presentable. Enjoy the afternoon.”

“Okay,” she said. Before Dalton said another word, the phone was ripped from her fingers as Tina lifted it back to her ear.

“Good. That’s all settled. I’m going to make a dint in your ever expanding wealth now,” she said with a laugh. He must have said something else, because her chuckles grew before she hung up the phone.

Elena followed Tina out the door without any hesitation; they moved down the staircase and exited the house. The large black SUV was waiting for them, and Elena gave Lincoln a hesitant smile as she began climbing in.

“It’s good to see you outside, Elena,” he told her.

“Thanks, Lincoln,” she responded.

She wouldn’t exactly call Lincoln her friend, but he was her confidant once in a while. Dalton would sometimes be gone for days at a time and if her path crossed with Lincoln’s he would offer her kind words, or just sit and talk to her about anything and everything.

He was a huge football fan and really got revved up when the Cowboys were playing. It didn’t help that they often lost games. He said it didn’t matter if your team was winning or losing, you were loyal to them no matter what.

Elena knew nothing about loyalty. She’d been loyal to Leo and look how badly that had turned out for her. That man had shattered her trust in people, had abused her, and done whatever he’d wanted with her. But she’d never felt protected by Leo, just used and afraid.

Dalton had saved her from that life, but really, what had he saved her for? He wasn’t nearly as cruel as Leo had been, and he actually made her feel emotions and feelings she still couldn’t comprehend, but she’d had to agree to be his servant first.

She didn’t know a life beyond that.

“You seem to be in a far off place,” Tina said as they drove down the city streets.

“I’m sorry. I don’t get out much,” Elena told the woman.

She found herself embarrassed about it. Here was a confident, beautiful woman who had the freedom to do whatever she chose, and they both knew Elena didn’t share the same existence.

What would it be like to have control over your own life?

Elena was beginning to think it was something she might want. She just didn’t know how to go about getting that.

The next few hours were a flurry of activity as Tina dragged Elena into a mall where they went from store to store, trying on endless outfits until Tina approved. Of course they also visited a lingerie store, where Tina picked out skimpy pieces of lace and satin, and then they finished it off with some of the most beautiful jewelry Elena had ever seen.

“I’m famished now. Time to eat,” Tina told her as she sent the last of their bags with Lincoln to the car. “We need fuel before the makeover session starts.”

They entered a nice Italian restaurant and took a seat while Tina pulled out her iPad and seemed to be checking items off a list.

Elena found that she was truly enjoying Tina’s company. The woman was confident, fun, and so sure of herself. If Elena’s life had been different she wondered if the two of them would have been friends. If Elena would have been like this woman.

Maybe someday she could. She decided right then and there that she wanted to be like this woman, wanted to have the respect of her peers. She would do whatever Dalton demanded of her so she could achieve that goal.

Elena watched everything Tina did, how she held her silverware, how she picked up her glass, the way her mouth quirked when she was amused, and how she spoke to the wait staff. It was fascinating.

“Dalton is a wonderful boss, and I adore him, but he hasn’t told me much at all about you, Elena. Tell me all about yourself,” Tina said as she sipped on her iced tea, her iPad put away, and her full attention on Elena.

“There’s really nothing to tell,” Elena told her.

“Everyone has a story, Elena. And even if we think our story is too ordinary, or too outlandish, a story is magical, and to tell it is a gift. I want to hear yours,” Tina countered.

“Really. I . . .” Elena paused. Even if she liked this woman, she didn’t know her. What could she honestly tell her? “I had a concussion a while back and I don’t really remember much of my life.”

Yes, pieces of her life had come back to her, but every time a new memory came, it didn’t bring her peace, only more pain. She would rather not remember her past. Instead she wanted to dream of a better future.

“Well, where did you grow up?” Tina pushed.

“Somewhere back east. I’m not exactly sure.” That was partially the truth.

“I love traveling. I go to New York any chance I get. There’s nothing like a show on Broadway to make you feel like a nineteen twenties starlet,” Tina said with a laugh. “I get dressed to the nines, including wearing unbearably uncomfortable heels and my thick fake lashes.”

“That sounds amazing,” Elena told her. She silently added that to her growing list of things she would love to do in the future.

“What about family? Are you from a big one, small one, in-between? Any sibling rivalries going on?” Tina pressed.

Elena realized Dalton hadn’t told Tina anything about her situation. This entire day had to be a test. He was seeing if Elena could be trusted to be in public without humiliating him.

Still, bringing up the family Elena would never have again, choked her up the slightest bit as she shook her head.

“No. I have no family,” she answered. Elena picked up her glass and took a sip as she gave herself time to calm her emotions. She must not be pulling it off well.

“Are you okay?” Tina asked as she reached across the table and patted Elena’s free hand.

The kind gesture nearly broke Elena.

“Yes, of course,” she answered. She needed to pull herself together.

Tina looked as if she were going to press the matter, but they were saved when the waiter appeared with their food. Luckily after he left, the conversation lightened up as Tina shared some funny workplace drama while munching on her Caesar salad.

The next few hours were a blur as Tina took Elena to a salon where they were waxed, plucked, and other painful things torturing her skin before soothing it all with lotions. Her hair was cut and styled, and she was shown how to apply makeup to make her eyes appear smoky and alluring.

At the end of the day Elena was shocked when she looked in the mirror. What surprised her more than anything else was how she looked so . . . normal. Yes, her eyes were highlighted, and her lips were shining, but the pale blue blouse and soft skirt that stopped above her knees gave her an almost innocent appearance.

That proved to Elena how looks could be so deceptive. She wasn’t innocent — not at all. Leo had insured her of that, even though the things Dalton did with her were far from modest.

But Tina had picked out the clothes, instructed the beauty technicians of her look, and been a part of every step of her new transformation. So this had to be what Dalton wanted.

By the time they got back home, she was exhausted and wanted nothing more than a hot bath and to climb into bed. But Dalton had other plans, of course. He’d sent her out for the day to be transformed. He would certainly want to unwrap the package he’d had specially delivered.

T
he sight of
Dalton walking to her never ceased to take Elena’s breath away. And that simple fact never ceased to annoy her. The man had so much power over her. She was actually worried about what he would think of her new look.

Sitting on the couch, she waited as he assessed her, taking his time as he set down his briefcase and then stopped in front of her, his eyes caressing her from the pointy toes of her new shoes to the tips of her highlighted hair.

She could swear she saw a flare of awareness light his eyes, but before she could assess that, he looked away, moving to the kitchen.

“Follow me,” he commanded.

Everything inside her wanted to scream out at him, tell him she wasn’t his willing servant. But they both knew that wasn’t true. So she stood and without pause her heels clicked on his pristine hardwood floors as she trailed after him, obedient like a willing puppy dog.

“Sit down.”

Elena sat at the kitchen bar while he pulled out a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass of the ruby liquid. She immediately lifted it and enjoyed the tangy flavor swishing on her tongue.

Dalton moved to the fridge and pulled out the dish his cook had prepared, putting it in the microwave to warm before he moved back over to her and again caressed her body — or what he could see of it over the bar — with his cold eyes.

“Did you enjoy yourself today?” he asked.

She had to think for a minute before answering him. Elena didn’t often consider if she enjoyed herself or not. It wasn’t expected of her to have a good time. What was expected of her was to please Dalton.

“Yes. Tina was very kind, and I can’t remember shopping before,” she told him.

“Good. I have events coming up soon, and I will want you by my side. Are you going to be able to handle that?”

“I don’t understand the question,” she told him, taking another sip of her wine.

He pulled the dish from the microwave and served them both before sitting next to her at the bar. They ate there most days as it was easier.

“You haven’t been in public settings too often. Can I expect you to behave normally in a group of people?”

She knew he was insulting her, which made her back stiffen. How was she to behave normally when she wasn’t even sure what normal was?

“I think I did fine today,” she told him through gritted teeth.

His lips turned up the smallest bit, but she didn’t understand why.

“We’ll have a test,” he said as the two of them finished their meal. Elena had lost her appetite. “Grab your coat. We’re going out.”

Elena was tired, but she wasn’t going to try to refuse him on this. Getting out of the house twice in one day was certainly unusual.

It wasn’t long before they were in his sporty Jaguar, cruising down the streets. Traffic was less than it had been earlier as they jumped on the freeway and began speeding along, making her want to smile.

When they arrived at a nearly vacant parking lot and Elena figured out where they were, she was confused.

“We’re at to the zoo?” she asked, more of a question than a statement. He pulled up near the entrance where a man stood by the door. “Are they open this late?”

“No. It’s closed. But there are privileges when you’re as big a donor as I am,” he said, jumping from the car and moving around to her side to assist her.

The night air was chilly, but she was actually excited. A distant memory tried to break free of her foggy brain. Her little brother was giggling as he stood outside the monkey cages, trying to mimic the funny little animals.

“Good evening, Mr. Garrett. I hope you enjoy your time tonight,” the man said as he held open a side entrance door.

“Thank you, Bill. I’m sure we will.”

They stepped inside, and Dalton led her to a map showing her where all the animals were located. She scanned it thoroughly as he stood next to her.

“Where would you like to go first?” he asked.

She was shocked that he cared about her opinion, much less was asking it of her. The choices seemed so endless. Elena looked at the map again; her instinct was to go see the monkeys, but that thought was so painful, she decided she’d better not.

“Can we just take a path and look at them all?” she finally asked.

“That sounds like a good plan to me,” Dalton answered.

Elena was stunned when he took her hand and began walking. When they weren’t in the bedroom Dalton didn’t tend to touch her. For him to do something as intimate as hold her hand was throwing her off balance.

They went through the African Savanna, passing the gazelle’s, zebras, and the hippos before moving on and looking at the lions. Elena was fascinated with the interaction of the huge animals.

She laughed as one of them rolled in something that didn’t look pleasant before it leaped up and chased after another, tackling the lion before rushing off to now be the one chased.

To tell the truth, the lion’s had a lot in common with Dalton. They were gorgeous, intimidating and a predatory species, yet they moved with a grace that was unmatched in the animal kingdom. They knew they were at the top of the food chain, and their behavior showed their confidence even while locked behind bars for the world to view them.

That must be what it was like for Dalton, being as powerful as he was had to feel a bit like living in a cage with the world peeking in on him. The thought gave her the slightest bit of respect and sympathy for the man who was so aloof.

Elena was sad to move on; being at the zoo at night with so few people milling around was a treat she probably wasn’t going to experience again.

Dalton didn’t speak much to her as they moved from cage to cage, each animal just as fascinating as the last to her, but there was something in their faces that made her think they were unhappy.

Some would rush up to the bars of the cage and look right at her as if pleading for her to let them out. There was a promise in their eyes, telling her they would behave if she set them free, allowed them to live out in the open.

It was then that she decided she would change her fate. She never wanted to be a caged animal. Maybe now she was locked up, owned by Dalton. But someday, she would have her freedom. And when she did, she would never look back again. She would never be a victim again.

She would trust him to heal her, and then she would be set free.