Madeleine Abducted (8 page)

“Lean back.”

When she didn’t move fast enough, his hands gripped into her
hair, pulling her lightly to encourage her compliance. Resisting only met with
pain. Swallowing her pride, her modesty, she uncurled from herself, displaying
her body to him as she moved backwards against his hand. He held her in that
position, not moving to touch her, simply looking at her, studying her skin,
her breasts, those parts of her that no other person had seen until she’d been
brought to this place.

“Another rule you must obey is that when I tell you to do
something, you do it without hesitation. If you can do that, you’ll save
yourself from the unpleasant events of this morning.”

Without another word, he reached up to retrieve the
showerhead, using it to rinse the shampoo from her hair. He moved her into an
upright position, letting her go briefly to grab a washcloth and soap. Her body
flinched involuntarily, occurring before she could consciously hide the
reaction. Aaron reached down, holding the washcloth and soap out to her.

“I certainly hope you didn’t flinch in reaction to the
threat of MY touch. If that were to happen again, I might take
offense ….
” Aaron’s pregnant pause made
Maddy
feel that much more helpless. “Take the soap and wash yourself while I watch
you. Make sure certain parts receive more attention than others. I’m sure
you’re smart enough to figure out which ones.”

Heat filled her cheeks, embarrassment openly displayed to
her captor. Shaking, her hands hesitantly reached up to take the soap, to
act
as he’d demanded. A whimper escaped her lips, but she
obediently lathered the washcloth with the soap, scrubbed it against the skin
of her arms, her legs, her stomach … anywhere but those areas she’d known he
been referring to previously.

His hand moved down to grasp her, to lead her hands to her
breasts. Tears streamed down her face as he cupped his hand over hers; forcing
her to touch herself — squeeze herself — beneath his hold. She
feared this was the beginning of the worst violence of all, the violation of
her in ways she’d never before allowed. Her face twisted at his touch, his
hold, at the invasion she knew was to come.

Pain, both physical and psychological; Aaron could tell both
consumed her as she washed herself in the shower. For him, her pain was
suffocating, making him want to scream at the injustice of the events in this
young woman’s life. However, he couldn’t show her mercy if she was to survive
this fate. Shame enveloped him. His body had responded to touching her, running
his fingers along the silk of her flawless skin. Arousal, a nagging sensation
rubbed itself along his thoughts as he bathed her, demanded that she display
herself. Fear hit, hard and solid; fear that he’d started to lose his resolve;
that his father had succeeded in his attempt at corruption.

“Now the other area, Madeleine. Wash yourself there.”

She hesitated, her tear streaked face poorly hiding her
distress at being displayed so openly to a man he was sure she despised. Reaching
down slowly, he reminded her that if not done willingly, he would force her to
act. Resignation flowed in the release of air forcing itself across her lips. Trembling,
her hand reached down to the apex of her thighs, her eyes tightening as she rubbed
at herself with the cloth. The tightening of his pants infuriated him, but this
woman was a sight to behold. Small, so small, but built more perfectly than any
of the women he’d had the pleasure to touch. The healthy weight of her breasts
perfectly accentuated the pinch of her waist, the sensuous curve of her hip. It
was becoming too much, he needed relief and he wouldn’t find it in her company;
at least, not like this.

“Enough … ” He cleared his throat of the constricting
desire. “ … Enough. Stand so that you can be dried off.” He turned to grab a
towel, shaking himself from the erotic heat slowly creeping through his blood. When
his eyes returned to hers, her stare struck him physically. Closing his eyes
quickly, he regained his composure, once again, donning a mask of indifference.
Regaining control, he brushed the back of his hand down her cheek, noting her
attempt at concealing her body’s reaction. Surprised by her ability to remain
still, to allow him to touch her, he brought his hand down further, testing his
restraint while testing hers. His hand traveled slowly down her neck. He could
feel her body twitch, her disgust and fear overpowering her. Lips parting
slightly, he watched his hand as it reached her neck, her shoulder, eventually
running down along the side of her body before he pulled away.

He had to stop.

Shoving the towel toward her, he ordered, “Dry yourself and
meet me in the hallway when you are done.” Not waiting for an answer, he
turned, stormed out of the room and beat his hands against the walls of the
hallway when he’d crossed it. Resting his forehead against the wall, he
resented his father … himself. His weakness in her presence was stifling, a
thing so unnatural, he wasn’t sure he could stand it. Not wanting her to see
his struggle, he forced himself upright, turning to lean casually, appear
unaffected. The pads of her bare feet could be heard approaching before her
small form occupied the doorway. Naked, the silk of her skin called to him, the
palms of his hands itching to touch her in ways she would never approve.

“You will eat.” Not saying another word, distancing himself
by refusing more than what was necessary, he simply indicated for her to walk
down the corridor in front of him. She complied immediately, not wanting a repeat
of the events of that morning. Emerging from the hallway, Aaron’s eyes met
Xander’s
. Concerned etched itself within
Xander’s
gaze, a silent question that would be saved to be
asked at another time. Aaron moved to pull out a chair at the large table. Turning
to
Maddy
, he indicated for her to sit. Instantly, she
complied. Neither one spoke to the other, as
Xander
eyed them both, wondering what had occurred in the bathroom.

Aaron stepped away. Directing his attention to
Xander
, he commanded, “Feed her. Return her to the room
when she is done.” Having missed enough time from business as it was, Aaron
moved across the room to enter his office. He let go of his held breath once he
heard the soft click of the door locking behind him. Defeated, he dropped into
the large leather chair behind his desk. Work would distract him, would help
take his mind off Madeleine. But it proved useless; his focus was locked on the
woman currently sitting at his dining table. Papers flew from his desk from the
force of his fist coming down on the surface of the wood. Rage boiling within
him, igniting every nerve, eliciting physical pain from its intensity. His head
dropped into his hands as he contemplated how he would train her without losing
himself in the process.

A brisk knock sounded on the door, followed by the metal
against metal sound of a key releasing the lock. As
Xander
strode through, Aaron sighed loudly, leaning back into the plush leather of his
chair.
Xander
closed the door behind him as his eyes
surveyed the paperwork strewn across the floor. One eyebrow raised, he looked
up at Aaron, an unasked question hanging between the two men.

“Just spit it out,
Xander
. I don’t
have time to decipher your facial expressions this morning.”

Xander
approached Aaron’s desk,
unbuttoned the jacket of his pinstripe suit jacket and sat down in one of the
chairs facing his friend. “Do you care to explain what that was this morning? Should
I be concerned that your father has succeeded?”

More papers fluttered through the air as Aaron’s hands came
down hard on the desk again.
Xander
remained stoic,
not even flinching at the show of anger.

“Where is Madeleine?” Wanting to forget her, Aaron surprised
himself with his instant question about the woman who could destroy him just by
her presence in his home.

“In her room, as you instructed. She ate … somewhat … more
like a bird. However, I’m not sure she can be blamed, considering the morning
she’s had.” The condemnation in his tone shook Aaron, made what happened
between him and Madeleine even more real by the acknowledgment.

“Fuck!” Aaron stood up suddenly, damn near knocking over his
chair as he rose. Running his hand through his hair, he began pacing back and
forth along the bookshelves that lined his walls. “She needs to be trained,
Xander
. I have only so much time before the old man will
ask that she be presented. She can’t go in there without being absolute in her
submission. What good would mercy do for her? If nothing else, it will only
cost her more than what’s already been taken from her.”

A curt nod as
Xander
considered
Aaron’s words. “Are you able to do this? You seemed … overtaken … when I saw
you with her in the bathroom. I feared you would take it too far, lose yourself
to the task.” Framed as a simple question, Aaron knew
Xander’s
words also held warning. They’d known each other since childhood; there was
nothing Aaron could do that would fool his friend.

Relenting, Aaron admitted, “I almost did lose myself.” Snorting,
Aaron continued moving, releasing emotional energy through physical movement.
“The old man has really outdone himself this time, found the chink in my armor,
so to say. This girl … ”

“What exactly is it about her, Aaron? Yes, her body is
something that would drive any man to insanity, but you’ve had so many, you are
not some post pubescent teen whose dick swells at the sight of a naked woman, I
don’t understand your lack of control.” Harsh words, but necessary;
Xander
often took risks speaking aloud the thoughts that he
knew were already running rampant through Aaron’s head.

 
No answer was
given to
Xander’s
inquiry. Aaron didn’t want to face
what demons drove him when faced with Madeleine. Pushing his fascination to the
side, he aligned himself back with the business aspects, the plots and
conspiracies already in play within The Estate. “Have you spoken with Jason?”

Xander
rolled his eyes at Aaron’s
deflection, but answered, “I spoke with him this morning. He’s on our side and
will align his men to our needs. Your father’s strength fails within the network;
most of the men are concerned with his dip into insanity. Your exchange last
night helped seal Jason’s allegiance.”

“How so?”

Clearing his throat,
Xander
prepared himself for the lengthy explanation. Settling himself even farther
into his chair, he leaned on the armrest, his pause obviously annoying Aaron. “Your
father is so focused on you, on corrupting his own men, that he’s lost sight of
the needs of the network. Every man in that room knows who runs The Estate. Your
father has become nothing more than a figurehead, one who takes advantage of
every man at his service. His mind, Aaron, is slipping so deep, that he never
noticed your intention last night; his only desire is to succeed in his games
against you. He is losing his hold on so many men. Jason understands that you
are the only man within this
family
that will be able to maintain control over the entire house. You haven’t been
lost to the power of your position … not like your father.”

Finally, having calmed himself, Aaron leaned back against
the bookcase while considering
Xander’s
words. “How
do we know that Jason speaks truthfully, that he isn’t whispering in the old
man’s ear as we speak?”

“I told him that those who assist will be given higher
ranking once The Estate falls within your hands. He’s not a dumb man, Aaron; he
knows that while your father reigns, he’ll remain on the lower end of the food
chain, so to speak. Emory and Vincent will never promote him, they’re too
nervous that he would overtake them if given the chance. Plus, this is house
full of murderers, thieves and liars. Loyalty is only given to those that
benefit the entire house … your father has not been that man since he allowed
his lead guards to make his decisions.”

Aaron nodded at the truth of what
Xander
was saying. Twenty years ago, it would have been a different story. No man
would have dared speak against his father, much less act against him. To do so
would have been an immediate death sentence. However, twenty years ago, his
father had not yet started his gradual slide into madness and he’d been careful
to ensure that all men benefited from the network, kept them rolling in cash so
deep, that their loyalty was assured. Slowly, however, whether from boredom or
extreme hubris, his father stopped concerning himself with the needs of the many
and focused instead on the needs of those within his innermost circle. While he
fed his depravity with whores and drugs, his two top men, Emory and Vincent,
made decisions that would eventually give the members of The Estate two choices
… loyalty or death … despite whether they benefited or not. Whereas his father
had gone mad, his men had become pure evil.

“Regardless … ”
Xander
continued.
“ … It will take time, another year perhaps until we have the backing to
overthrow the men who benefit by remaining loyal to your father. We must be
cautious, Aaron. Losing yourself to that girl … ”

“I’d hold that thought if you wish to keep your tongue.”

A threat, yes; but
Xander
was not
one to take threats idly, not even from Aaron. Knowing his friend would not
remain silent, Aaron answered the unspoken question, “
I
have not lost myself to her. Our mouse has more spirit in her than I previously
thought. She surprised me this morning by approaching me and putting her hands
on me. I cannot show her kindness,
Xander
, a fact you
know full well. Her behavior, her submission, is the only thing that will
ensure her survival. If she were to misspeak once presented, act in any way not
deemed appropriate for a whore, her death will not be a pleasant one. She has
not been broken as easily as we thought.”

Xander
chuckled. “No, that she has
not. Although, she was very well behaved once you handed her to me. Perhaps you
should continue the training yourself. Whereas she has a healthy fear of me,
her abhorrence of you is far more certain.”

Razor sharp and laced with acid,
Xander’s
words tore into Aaron’s chest, a physical strike that left nothing but pain and
rotting flesh.
"No,
I'll continue the training. You're correct about her hatred, she knows I'm to
blame for what's been done to her. It was my face she saw that night at the
concert, and it was my face she was met with when she was disgraced before a
group of obnoxious drunks." His heart sank further as he thought of
Madeleine, of her torment, of the torment yet to come. Even still, he knew he
was not impervious to his desire for her. Fearing he would, in fact, lose
himself to the temptation she presented, he needed to break rules in her training.

"She'll
need clothing while we train her … "

Xander
opened his mouth to protest, but swallowed his remark when
Aaron raised his hand to silence him.

"If
I am to remain free of the forced corruption, I must be careful in my approach.
Yes, she will have to tolerate nudity when she is within view of the members of
The Estate, but I believe our mouse will better accept training if she's given
some concessions while in our presence alone. She welcomes the threat of death
too easily. Her spirit has not been broken
Xander
,
not when she prefers the unknown release from life to the prison she finds
herself in now."

"How
can you be so sure?"
Xander's
question rang
between them as Aaron pondered the absolute truth to his statement. It was
nothing she said, it was not in the way she weakly fought, or the small
glimpses of rebellion in her reactions. It was what he saw in her eyes … the
same look, the same plea for release from the nightmare of The Estate that he
saw when he looked in the mirror each morning.