“Then fight, baby. Survive, because I’m gonna rally the troops and we’re gonna divide and conquer.”
“Three minutes,” that motherfucker hollers.
“Give me a kiss, Star. Then, you need to get your ass gone so that they don’t grow suspicious of why we’re taking so long.”
Star
Giving him that last kiss made it harder to walk out of the room. But I had to, I needed them to think that I’m still afraid of disobeying them.
“Sorry, Gray,” I drone out as I continue along my path and attempt to walk past him.
He reaches out and grabs my elbow with the palm of his hand. His grip is tight and unwelcoming. He escorts me toward Jeremiah’s office instead of into the changing room where I was expecting to be led to. I know that somehow, I’ve done something to anger him. Call it intuition, call it knowing him so well that I can read between the lines.
He may have offered me up to Shamus on a silver platter, but ultimately I will pay for that decision he made. Doesn’t matter that it was his choice. Anytime he’s ever given me to another male, he has to insert his dominance and remind me who it is he believes I belong to. I want to dig my feet into the carpet once we enter his domain; he already has his belt out of its loops and bent in half, he’s slapping the palm of his hand with it in an intimidating action.
I fucking hate that belt.
It’s left me with so many welts and bruises on my skin that I should carve my name into it. It seems to be especially attached to my person. It’s Jeremiah’s favorite brand of punishment on me when I’ve done something he deems inconceivable.
“You know what to do, Star. Assume the position,” he demands of me as Gray shoves me into the office and shuts the door behind me. I know he’s standing guard in front of the door, so there is no escaping for me. Even if I could get out of here and not get caught, I’d be more severely penalized and kept from Ella for a lengthy period of time.
That can’t happen.
If nothing else, me seeing Ella may make it to where Shamus could follow her keeper and find out where she’s being held.
He whispered in my ear right before I walked away that he would be scouting, watching for me to leave so that he could follow. I know that it’s his way of protecting me, but all I care about is him locating where my girl is being held and getting her out of there.
I wouldn’t shed a single tear if a few people lost their lives along the way. Especially those that are on Jeremiah’s payroll.
Knowing I can’t put this off any longer without angering him further; I walk with my shoulders upright and my head held high as I walk toward his desk placed in the center of the room.
I won’t give him the pleasure of seeing my panic. That’s mine to harbor, and I’m unwilling to let him know that I fear him in any shape or fashion.
Leaning forward, I brace my hands on the top of the desk and push my back end up high into the air. I have no clothes as a barrier, so I know the pain is going to get to me, have me clenching my teeth together in agony.
“Count each one, Star.” The humor in his tone makes me envision turning around and kneeing him in the junk.
He’s a damn selfish lover anyway, it’d be no loss on women if it was rendered unusable. I actually think I’d receive a standing ovation if I was to help rid the world of a useless dick.
He’s a two-pump chump. I still don’t know how I was able to conceive Ella. I’ve always heard that both parties need to get off for Mother Nature to take root. Another urban myth I suppose. Because ten months after we initially got together, I delivered a bundle of joy wrapped in pink cloth.
As an automatic response, I begin counting as each swipe of his belt cuts into my flesh. Not wanting to holler out or protest, I lose myself into the most intimate moment of my life. Being enraptured in the arms of Shamus.
Those memories become the salve to my wounded soul. It cools the internal part of me as heat invades my sensitive skin. It eases the pain somewhat with an imaginary coating that soothes my external aches and pains.
Jeremiah’s swats become harder as he angers further from the fact that I’m not screaming out with each methodically placed blow. A smile breaks out across my face, it’s the only victory I have where he’s concerned. I many not know what brought this ‘punishment’ on, but after experiencing the best time of my life, I honestly don’t give that first fuck.
I’m finally escorted to the showers to remove Shamus’s scent from me. I memorize it before I lather up the sponge and wash away his essence.
They can force me to rinse my skin, but they can never take away the memories of the most passionate night of my life. That will always be ingrained in my mind.
Chapter Five
Star
As I dress the next day, so that I can have my weekly earned visit with Ella, my body is deliciously sore in some areas, while others are screaming in protest from the prior night's penance paid.
I place a pair of leggings on my legs, knowing that I’ll need something that won’t rub against the markings on my bottom. This is the best I can do, blue jeans would just irritate them further, so I slap on a tank top to complete the outfit then toss on a pair of chucks on my feet.
My
