Forsaken (The Found Book 2) (19 page)

“Anton will be escorting the girls in. Most of them don’t speak English, but it shouldn’t detract from their charm.” She gave him a salesman’s smile.

“Just have them brought in Leslie, and let me be the judge.”

“Anton.”

Once again a girl was brought in wearing nothing but a white slip, scared out her mind. When she looked around the room and saw him and Thiago sitting in their chairs she calmed slightly. It was clear she had been expecting more men in the room. Anton prodded her forward until she stood in front of them.

She was young. Her strength of character to stand tall was amazing. He looked at her, and did not see someone who had been through such an ordeal before, so it was not the reason for her ability to cope. No, he saw a young woman with an innate belief in her ability to survive.

Thiago must have seen it too. But instead of admiration, he saw it as something to be extinguished. He reached out and grabbed her breast and twisted. She leaned toward him, crying out in pain and bewilderment.

“Stop.”

Thiago continued.

Seth grabbed Thiago’s forearm in a punishing grip, seconds away from breaking it.

“Let go,” Thiago said, through gritted teeth. “You forget yourself.”

“Until I say differently, she’s my property, or I leave now.” Seth was truly scared. Labado was a murdering sadist, and he might have pushed him too far, but he couldn’t ignore it for one more second. Labado stared at him and slowly let go of the whimpering girl. She dropped to the floor. Labado cradled his arm and toed her with his shoe.

“Is she the one?”

“How would I know, I haven’t seen the others,” Seth said in a calm voice.

“Anton, bring in the next sample,” he called out. Four more young women were brought in for Seth to view, all slightly older than the girl who remained silently crying on the floor at his feet.

After they all were standing in a row, Leslie turned to him. “Well?”

“And the one in the picture?”

“She’s not as docile, and she has bruising.”

Seth gave her a toothy smile. “So she has spirit and marks up well. Too bad you didn’t bring her.” He set down his drink and got up.

“She’s in the hall. Bring her in Anton.” He continued to stand. This was it, his palms were damp, and a bead of sweat trickled down his neck. The bastard was gripping Annie tightly by the scruff of her neck, forcing her into the room. Her face was mostly hidden by her hair. It was a trick he had seen her use many times to assess a situation without people being aware of what she was doing. Then like a laser, she saw the girl lying on the ground and she yanked out of the man’s hold and was on her knees in front of Labado, cradling the girl’s head in her lap.

“Oh, I like a woman who knows her place,” Labado crooned.

Why didn’t I break the fucker’s arm?

“What did you do to her?” Annie demanded, her head turning to Labado, as Leslie watched Seth. He looked at her, schooling his features, so he could survive the contempt he would see in his lover’s, his love’s face. But while her face was hard and cold her eyes held nothing but joy.

“She is not your business.”

“I’m making her my business.”

“You’re in no position to negotiate. You’re a captive. All but naked on the floor. Where is your leverage?”

“Apparently I’m a commodity of some value, or I wouldn’t be here.” She tossed her hair and looked at Labado. “I’m of value to him. I have leverage.” She helped the girl off the floor, murmuring softly to her. God, she was magnificent. He kept his face flat and raised an eyebrow at Labado.

“You seem taken.” Seth said stating the obvious.

“You don’t. I thought spirit and easily marked were two of your criteria.” Labado’s eyes followed Annie as she took the young girl to a sofa. Anton followed her with an amused expression on his face.

“I find myself drawn to both of them. They both have,” Seth paused, “certain qualities.”

“I am in complete agreement. I will take whichever one you pass up.”

“But you told me the other day your current mistress was to your liking.”

“A man can always make room for two women.” Labado licked his lips as he looked at the women/girls on the sofa. Seth looked at the four other women in the room. He wished a man could always make room for six. God, they had to stop this tonight, but it wasn’t going to happen. Could Kota and Nate somehow keep track of these four?

“I’m sorry. I really can’t decide. If you’re intent on taking one of these two, I’m going to have to go through with the divorce.” Labado pulled his gaze away from the sofa and stared incredulously at Seth.

“You are talking crazy. You have what you want. You just said so.”

“But you are intent on taking what I truly desire.” He watched as the sick bastard processed what he was saying. Leslie laughed.

“Well aren’t you just full of surprises. First you didn’t want any of the women I had to offer, and now you want two. But I thought you liked spirit, and one seems like a bit of a victim.”

“I like the dichotomy. But the point is moot.” He looked at the sofa and couldn’t see Annie’s face, her hair hid everything. He knew exactly what was going on in her mind, in her soul, because it mirrored his own heart. He had to pull this off.

He watched as Leslie got up and picked up the decanter of bourbon. “Benitez Shipping has just begun to assist us with moving this new type of product. You know how invaluable Carson is to all aspects of your business endeavors, and keeping him working smoothly with Tomas makes it easier for all of us.” Labado held up his glass, allowing her to pour him a healthy amount of the liquor.

“He’s being selfish, these are remarkable specimens.”

“For today maybe. But tomorrow…well. I have something very special. Something both you and I will both be interested in.”

“But…”

“You must trust me.”

Seth had to hand it to the woman, she knew how to play him. He often wondered if in their earlier days they had been more than associates. But now he knew their proclivities, he didn’t see how it could have worked.

“All right, I will take your word. After all, Carson is like a son to me. His happiness is very important,” Labado’s smile was wide. He stood up and held out his hand. Seth too it.

“Now this is settled, my boy, you should join us for one of our little parties.”

“Parties?”

“Parties. I look forward to you joining us.”

“Let me collect my women, and get them to the penthouse. We need to spend some time together. After I get things worked out to my satisfaction, then I can think about socializing.”

“Ah, I don’t think you understand me. It wasn’t a request. You will be attending a party with your new acquisitions in two days.”

“And what is the purpose of this
party
?”

“First, it is a good way for us to socialize with our old and new business associates.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about Vargas and Soto. Luther and Ricardo Vargas will be there, they have been partaking of Leslie’s product, and Soto has his own woman he intends to bring. So this will be quite the chance for us to get to know one another better, as well as enjoy ourselves.”

“I’m not attending.”

“You don’t have a choice. You have joined the club, your absence would be noticed, and I need you there to mingle with our business partners. What’s more, once you have purchased from Leslie you are required to attend and bring your new acquisitions.”

“You’re out of your God damn mind. I agreed to no such thing.”

“Calm down, nobody is going to take away your toys. But we might want to play with them. The good news is, we’ll share ours as well. It’s just for one night a month. Go say hello to your women.”

Seth put it out of his head. They would be long gone, he needed to get through the next day and a half. He watched as Labado got out of his chair and held his arm for Leslie. She signaled to Anton who gathered the remaining women and they left, leaving Seth with Annie and the young girl.

He stood locked in place. His feet couldn’t move. Annie stopped stroking the girl’s hair. She was as still as him. After an interminable amount of time, he took a step in her direction and Annie’s head turned towards him.

“Seth,” she mouthed.

He gave a sharp shake of his head. She nodded and continued to stare at him as he moved closer. Finally he was there, and he fell to his knees, uncaring if there were cameras, how could he do anything else but kneel at the feet of the woman who meant everything to him?

Once more he saw a flash of joy on Annie’s face, and it quickly morphed to horror and then rage.

“Get away from us, you bastard.” She drew up her legs and then kicked hard knocking him on his ass.

“You’ll do what I say, when I say it. If you ever strike at me again, your punishment will be brutal, are we clear?” He shoved his hand in her hair, tugging and she shrieked as if in pain. The girl grabbed his arm. Damn, he didn’t want to hurt her.

“No!” Annie grabbed the girl’s hands, while flinching from him.

“Enough,” he roared. The women ceased all movement and stared at him, Annie in relief and the girl in fear.

“Names.”

“Annie,” she said pointing at herself. The girl said nothing until Annie gave her an encouraging nod. Then she pointed at herself and said, “Magda.”

“Up.” Annie helped the girl off the couch.

“Move.” He grabbed each of them by an arm, and started towards the door, and then he realized he had his Ferrari, and it only sat two people.

“Fuck.”

“Here?” Annie asked under her breath. It was all he could do to suppress a smile. He didn’t look at her, just headed towards the foyer. He was met by Leon, Labado’s general caretaker of the house.

“I have a car waiting to take you into the city.”

“You think of everything. Gracias.” Seth continued to hold onto the two women as they made their way outside to the Escalade. The tinted windows and the underground entrance to the Penthouse should prevent anyone from questioning Annie and Magda’s attire. He could say they were models, and were coming back from a fashion shoot, but hell, it was Miami, he really didn’t need to say anything at all.

The driver opened the door, and Seth motioned for Magda to get in first, but she stood in a daze. Annie took charge, and practically lifted her into the vehicle. Seth got in behind them.

“What the hell did the animal do to her?” she hissed.

“Not here.” She shot him one final look, and then spent the entire drive concentrating on Magda. He kept a distance between them. He couldn’t have any part of himself touching her, it would be overwhelming, and she was as careful not to allow herself to brush against him.

When they got to the underground garage, the driver opened Magda’s door, and attempted to help her out.

“Don’t touch her. Don’t look at her.”

All color drained from the big man’s face. “I’m sorry Mr. Runyon. Let me press the button to your floor.”

“It requires a key and a passcode.”

“What can I do, Sir?”

“You can stand there.”

“Yes, Sir.”

For the first time Annie looked at him with trepidation, he wanted to reassure her, but her protection was far more important. He got out of the SUV, and came around to the other side, easily pulling Magda into his arms. He ignored her shudder of fear, and looked back at Annie. “Follow me.”

The driver kept his eyes respectfully lowered as he walked by with the women. He entered the elevator, and Annie opened her mouth. He jerked his chin up towards the security camera and she drooped her shoulders in defeat. He knew it was for show, but he hated seeing it.

The elevator arrived at a secluded vestibule with three doors. Juggling Magda, he entered his key and passcode to the one on the right. . As soon as the door closed he marched to the bedroom with Annie following. He placed the girl on the bed and she let out a cry and shot off the bed to huddle in the corner of the room. Seth wanted to soothe her, but knew he couldn’t and looked helplessly at Annie. “I’ll get ice. It’s her right breast. Labado is a sick fuck. I don’t know if he broke the skin.” He waited and she looked at him, and then back at the girl in the corner.

“I have to…”

“I know sweetheart. I know.” She lifted her hand, and then turned and swept the duvet off the bed and made her way to the girl.

“I love you, Annie.”

“I need you, Seth, please hurry back.”

“Annie?”

“Please hurry. I can’t handle being without you any longer.” It’s exactly what he needed to hear.

****

Her arm hurt, and when she checked she saw where Magda had broken the skin on her forearm with her jagged nails. She was sobbing wildly. Annie looked at her, really looked at her, and realized some of her outpouring was relief. Magda finally realized they were in a safer place than they had been in, and she was letting out all of her pent up emotion.

“I need you to stop now.” She cried harder. Annie needed to examine her.

“Magda, please.” The girl was shaking her head.

“Stop.” Blessed silence. Annie looked over her shoulder at Seth. He didn’t look angry, loud, but it was necessary to be heard. Magda stared at him, breathing hard. He stepped forward with the ice pack in his hand and Magda gasped.

“It’s ice. It’ll help with the swelling.” Annie winced at the pain in her arm, as Magda dug her nails in even deeper.

“Shit, she doesn’t understand a word I’m saying, does she?”

“Nope.” She couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was in front of her. She could look her fill. He looked so much older than the man who had held her in his arms back in New Mexico promising to be back soon. That man had a ready warm smile, because the world smiled back. This man didn’t live in a nice world, and it showed. Seth lowered his eyes under her scrutiny.

She pried Magda’s fingers loose, and patted the girl’s arm, and went over to him. He practically vibrated. Even after she took the icepack from his hands he didn’t look up. She set it on the carpet, and then cupped his beard roughened cheeks.

“Look at me, Seth.” Silky black lashes swept upwards, and black eyes flashed at her. She gasped.