He lifted his head staring at the other man. “How do you know?”
“Because your father was in contact with the Feds before he died. He saw what was happening at Possession and at Ravage. His evidence and words are what we’ve been working on. When he died the case went cold, but everyone was still waiting for them to slip up. Henry’s father slipped up, and so has Henry. Together, we can get Prudence back and put an end to their shit for good.”
For the first time in the last forty-eight hours, James started to feel a little better.
Chapter Five
Prue had gone from being locked in a room on a boat to being locked in a room in a gorgeous house. She’d seen the house in a passing glance before she was escorted to her room. The windows had bars across, and she felt more like a prisoner than she had on the boat. She couldn’t detect any sounds either. Prue never heard when someone was close by or waiting outside her door. The only person she’d seen was a woman in a plain white robe who delivered her meals.
She’d not seen Daren since she arrived at the house. He threatened to kill her if she caused too much of a fuss. The woman ignored her as she delivered her breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Boredom was her biggest problem. There was nothing for her to do except stare through the bars trying to find some landmark or location of where they were.
She’d slept enough to last for one lifetime. The days passed, and she didn’t know how long she’d stayed at the house.
The door opened, and the girl who served her dinner came inside. Prue saw the man waiting outside. He openly stared at her. The girl looked more frightened than normal. She called her a girl, but she had to be in her early twenties.
“Morning or is it afternoon?” Prue asked. Like so many times before the girl didn’t answer. “Should I ask you what time it is or what f**king day it is?” She stared at the guy waiting for the girl to finish.
Her dinner at the table, Prue approached. The girl looked up startled, and she saw the shiner under her left eye. From the looks of it, the girl had been either punched or slapped hard in the eye.
Wincing, Prue reached out, touching her. The girl yelped jumping backwards. Prue’s bruises had lessened, and the ache they used to cause was gone.
“Release her,” the man said. He walked into the room and grabbed the girl harshly by the arm, pulling her backwards.
“Let her go.” Prue charged at the man. She hated him instantly.
Before she could do anything the door was closed and locked. No sounds came through the door. Her heart pounded inside her chest.
“You f**king cruel bastards. Keep your hands off her.” She slammed her palm against the wood, wishing with all of her heart it was the man’s face. The food on the table held no appeal.
Growling with frustration, Prue paced the room. She wished with all of her heart she was back on the boat. Charging into the bathroom she stared at her reflection in the mirror. The bruises against the side of her face were slowly fading. They looked worse than they actually felt.
She took a deep breath. “I’m Prudence Star. I’m twenty-five years old, and I’m in love with James Castleden. I’ve got an older sister, Veronica, and she’s married with children. I used to work for Cadeon Ashwood but then worked for James at his club Ravage.” She closed her eyes as tears began to fall. Being alone in the room was driving her crazy. Standing in front of the mirror staring at her reflection and speaking the facts of her life helped her to focus and remember who she was. “Ravage is a night club that has a BDSM club in the basement or the dungeon. James is an experienced Dom and a member of Possession.” She sobbed the words now. “Possession is a club for men who feel possessive about their women.” Rubbing her temple she let another sob break free.
Staring at her reflection she watched the tears begin to fall. “James is known as being an Owner. He will come and get me. He will come and get me.”
“You’ve resorted to talking to yourself in the mirror?”
Prue turned to see Daren leaning against the doorframe. She folded her arms taking an involuntary step back. He chuckled.
“What do you want?”
“I thought you’d miss me.”
She stared at him refusing to say a word.
“You’ve upset Cindy.”
When she didn’t say anything else Daren chuckled. “Cindy is the girl who has been delivering your food. You shouldn’t try to talk to them. The women here are … not useful.”
Folding her arms over her chest, Prue glared at him.
“What do you want?” she asked after some time had passed.
“I want a great many things, but the boss wants to see you now. You’ve caused enough fuss for him to want to meet the woman James Castleden wants.”
James has nothing to do with these people. They’re scaring you into thinking they know him for far more.
When she showed no signs of moving, Daren grabbed her arm then pulled her out of the room. The guy at the door sneered at her as she passed. Prue followed Daren’s rushed steps. He tugged her down three flights of stairs then through three rooms until she was pushed into a dining room.
Daren pulled her until she stood at the side. Three men were eating at the table. The man at the head of the table had slicked back hair that looked greasy to her. He stared at her. His gaze was cold as he looked at her.
“She’s old,” he said.
I’m twenty-fucking-five, you pig.
Prue held her tongue even though she wanted to scratch his eyes out.
The other two men leered at her. “I’m not one for young bitches. I’m happy with a nice, willing one. I bet her cunt has been tested a time or two.”
The man who spoke disgusted her.
“She’s not for sale,” Daren said. “This is James’s girl.”
“You’re the one that has my Cindy in hysterics.”
Glaring at the man before her, Prue couldn’t hold her tongue. “You’re the disgusting excuse of a man that gave her that shiner? No wonder you needed to hit her. You’re a poor excuse for a man.”
The silence following her words was deafening. The other two men looked at her as if she was some kind of alien.
They’ve not had a woman speak out at them.
Be careful, Prue.
The man at the table looked at Daren. After a sigh Daren raised his hand and slapped her hard. She fell to the floor clutching her cheek. Prue was determined not to whimper or cry out. These men were animals, and she needed to stay strong.