Preston hesitated. Joe saw him catch Angel's eye and wondered what was going on between them. “Maybe,” Preston said eventually.
“Can I see her?” asked Joe.
“She doesn't really meet your criteria. Melissa here is a perfect match.'
It was true Melissa was exactly the girl he'd wanted, but he liked more than just one type of girl. Maybe he'd like the other one too. Maybe he'd buy both of them.
“I wanna see her anyway,” Joe said greedily.
His host sighed. “Very well.” Joe thought he noticed a smile on Angel's face despite the large ball-gag in her mouth. Preston led him into the kitchen where Sharae was sitting, struggling and bemoaning her woes.
Joe stopped dead in his tracks. For the second time that evening his jaw dropped open. “Sharae?!” He turned to Preston in shock. “You?!'
Preston looked confused as he took in Joe's shock and Sharae's struggles, which became frantic as soon as she saw Joe. “You know her?” Preston asked Joe.
“You're the one who kidnapped her?” Joe retorted.
“That's right. The bitch was in the wrong place at the wrong time.'
Joe stared at him in disbelief. It seemed like too much. First “Angel,” who he knew was really Angela even if he had to pretend otherwise, and now this. Sharae was right here, helplessly bound and gagged just the way he'd pictured her so often. Suddenly, Joe grinned. “All right!” he exclaimed.
Preston burst out laughing as he watched Sharae's expression go from helpless damsel in distress, to a look of fury. “What's she to you, anyway?” he asked Joe.
“My girlfriend.'
Preston slowly stopped laughing. “Ex-girlfriend now, I'd say. And, as of yesterday, my property,” he added pointedly.
Without a moment's hesitation, Joe said, “I'll take them both.'
Preston frowned. “I don't know. Two girls… We discussed the price for one. There's no volume discount, you know.'
Joe would not be put off. He pulled out a pen and grabbed a piece of paper lying on the table. After scribbling out a number, he handed the paper to Preston.
Preston looked at the number and let out a slight whistle. He glanced at Sharae. She was trying desperately to say something, but he ignored her. His lips slowly formed into a sly grin.
“You're really prepared to go this high?'
“Definitely.'
“In cash?'
“Of course.'
Preston held out his hand. “Well, I'd say you just bought yourself two slave girls, my friend.” The two men shook hands and returned to the living room, leaving Sharae still bound to the chair, struggling violently and shouting inarticulately through her gag.
CHAPTER 18
Angel stood next to Joe's empty chair, with his mug on her tray. The clamps attached to her nipples didn't seem to bite as hard since she knew Sharae would soon be out of the picture.
She glared defiantly at Joe as he returned and once again eyed her bound body. It was a good thing the gag kept her from talking because she could sure give him an earful. Her green eyes shot daggers at him as he turned to Preston.
“How much for Angela, I mean, Angel?'
Preston's laughter stopped abruptly. He was suddenly very serious. “Angel isn't for sale. She's mine. No amount of money could change my mind about that.'
Angel beamed in pride. She wished she could tell him there was no place she would rather be. She loved to be bound by Preston's ropes. To her, it was being bound with his love.
“But-'
“No! Enough!” Preston snapped. “I wouldn't sell you three at the same time anyway. You'll have your hands full with those two.'
Joe reluctantly nodded his head. “I guess you're right.'
“I know I am, Joe. Believe me, it isn't as easy as it looks.” Preston walked over to Angel and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Angel wasn't always like this. She was a spitfire at first, and sometimes she still is.'
Angel basked in Preston's words, hearing the emotion ladled in each. She knew Preston loved her beyond belief as she did him.
Joe smiled and nodded again. “Thanks. But there is something else I'd like to discuss with you.'
“And that would be?” Preston asked.
Angel looked at Joe, expectantly. What could he possibly want to discuss with Preston?
“Well, it's actually sort of a favor. You see, I have this sister-in-law I'm not very fond of. I'd like to see her disappear… Permanently.'
“I see,” Preston said. He frowned and stroked his chin. “Well, first of all, I'm a businessman. I don't make money doing people favors. Typically, a girl is snatched for a specific buyer. I suppose I could get some information about her from you, scope her out, see if I can find a buyer. I'll have to think about.'
Joe nodded. “All right.'
Preston's smile returned. He threw his arm around Joe again and held up his own mug. “Let's drink to the good life.'
“And new friends.” Joe clinked his mug against Preston's and took a swallow while Angel watched the two men celebrate their deal. She couldn't wait to get that blonde piece of fluff out of the house.
As the men finished their beers, they circled Melissa and discussed her various assets. Preston felt comfortable enough with Joe that he mentioned her attempted escape, and let Joe feel the lump on his head.
“Wow!” said Joe. “I guess you weren't kidding about her.” He glowered at the cruelly bound brunette. “Looks like I'll just have to keep you tied nice and tight at all times.'
“Definitely,” agreed Preston. He glanced at his watch, then at Angel. She felt herself melt in that split-second gaze, knowing what was suddenly on his mind. “It's getting late. Let's wrap up your merchandise.'
“Great,” agreed Joe.
Angel could hardly endure the wait as Preston counted the cash Joe had brought in a small suitcase. When he finished, he removed her serving tray. She gasped loudly at the sudden release of pressure on her nipples.
“Get one of my extra-large duffel bags,” he told her.
Gladly, she shuffled off, constrained to the tiny steps permitted by her hobble chain. She couldn't help smiling as she pictured the blonde bitch zipped up inside a duffel bag again.
By the time she returned, the men were about finished preparing the merchandise for transport. Both girls had been untied from the chairs, and now writhed on the floor in severe hogties. Blondie was being especially vocal in her complaints, until Joe leaned down and slapped her.
“Shut the fuck up!” he shouted at the helpless blonde. “You're my property now, Sharae. No more refusing me.'
Angel almost managed a giggle despite the jaw-stretching ball-gag still strapped in her mouth. She watched as the men shoved Joe's new toys into the bag and zipped it shut. Then they each took one end and carried the seething package of female helplessness out to Joe's truck.
Angel waited breathlessly. She heard the engine start, and as Joe drove off, Preston returned. He stood in the doorway for a moment smiling at her. “Well, well, well,” he said at last. “Whatever shall I do with you tonight?'
