Food. Water—actually I was more excited about the soda. A warm place to sleep. Those promises had been fulfilled. The heat was turned up in the room that had previously been so cold I shivered. I might have still been sleeping in a cramped cage, but I had a blanket. I had a pillow. Those were luxuries I took for granted, yet I felt a mild bit of excitement having them after being deprived for days. I still didn’t have any clothes yet, but I had no intentions of complaining. I woke up the next morning to a wonderful breakfast and Reynard was not so—angry—when he came to see me. I hoped it was a sign that our relationship was morphing into something that wasn’t as hateful as it had been up to that point.

Reynard told me that he would be away for part of the day, but Mauro would be there. He wasn’t sure if Mauro would actually open the door, so I prepared myself for the loneliness of the cage, but he left the light on—that was a semblance of kindness—probably buried in the contract somewhere, in the terms that I didn’t fully read before I signed my life away. I was pleasantly surprised when the door opened, and I saw Mauro standing in the doorway. Not only was he standing there, but it appeared that he had brought me lunch.

“Do you want to stretch your legs out some?” He walked over and dangled the key from his hand.

“Yes.” I nodded and moved to the front of the cage. “Thank you.”

“I’m sure this will be a little more comfortable than eating in your cage.” He motioned to the tray of food that had been brought in.

I crawled out of the cage and winced when I started to stand, the punished flesh still aching when I shifted my weight.

“I saw the contract you signed.” Mauro walked over and sat down. “You’re really ready to endure all of that? Actually, go through with all the promises you made?”

“Do I have a choice?” I sighed and winced again when I sat down in the chair. “I’ve had a lot of time in the cage—time to think.”

“And?” Mauro tilted his head to the side and started pouring me a glass of water.

“If the two of you hadn’t tracked me down, someone else would have—eventually I would have crossed the wrong guy and I might have ended up in a coffin instead of a cage.” I reached over and picked up a piece of fruit. “I think there’s a part of me—that’s partially relieved I ended up here instead of somewhere much worse—like prison.”

“I’m surprised you view this as a better alternative than prison.” Mauro lifted an eyebrow with a shocked expression on his face. “My brother isn’t exactly a kind jailer—judging by the way your ass looks, last night wasn’t pleasant.”

“No…” I sighed and started eating, talking between bites. “But the contract is generous. If I fulfill the promises I made, I’ll be free—and he put in a level of protection for me if someone ever tries to come after me for what I did. When I leave here, I’ll have a clean slate—the cleanest one I’ll ever get at least.”

And that’s worth more than you probably realize—and certainly, more than Reynard realizes, or he wouldn’t have offered it in the first place.

“There is a good man inside Reynard. I know that may be difficult to see at times, but he’s been through a lot.” Mauro sighed. “I hope he finds that part of himself before this is over.”

I’m seeing a glimpse of that—I think.

“Can I ask you something?” I put down my sandwich and leveled my gaze at Mauro.

“You can ask. I can’t promise I’ll be able to answer.” He nodded.

“I understand why I’m here. I understand that my actions put me in that cage.” I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “But why the two of you? Wyatt is the one I hurt. Why isn’t he here?”

“Reynard hasn’t told you…” Mauro’s eyes seemed to space out and I saw a painful expression sweep across his face.

“No?” I tilted my head inquisitively.

“That’s a question I can’t answer. He’ll tell you—when the time is right.” Mauro stood to his feet immediately. “I should go.”

“Oh, okay.” I looked down at the unfinished food.

“You can finish your food. Just get back in the cage when you’re done.” Mauro started walking towards the door.

I watched as he left, wondering what it was about my question that upset him. It upset him so much that he didn’t even want to be in the same room as me. I was pretty positive that Wyatt was hurt by what I did—I saw the expression on his face when I blackmailed him. I just didn’t understand how fifty thousand dollars—a sum that didn’t appear to be enough to impact him in any way—could have driven his brothers to kidnap me. Revenge was one thing—but I had a sick feeling in my stomach after Mauro left. I didn’t even finish the food I had on my plate. I returned to my cage and closed the door. About an hour later, Mauro returned, cleaned everything up, and locked my cage. He didn’t even look at me.

I need to find out what happened to Wyatt. He’s the one I should be apologizing to—he’s the one that should be punishing me—he’s the one I wronged.

It was easier to judge time without being trapped in the darkness. I knew it had been several hours since Mauro served me lunch—and left in a haste. The door opened, and I saw Reynard. The kindness I saw earlier that morning was gone. There was nothing on his face but anger. He walked in with the stack of papers—one of which contained the promise I would have to fulfill. I had mentally prepared myself for what it could be—there were so many promises that had been made. There weren’t many that would end without my body being ravaged—my innocence taken by the angry man who intended to collect on them.

I don’t think I’m going to be a virgin after he’s done with me tonight.

“I’m afraid I’ve allowed you too much freedom.” He narrowed his eyes as he walked over and pulled the chair close. “You think you can just ask questions when you want?”

“I—I just wanted to know.” I looked at him through the bars. “I didn’t mean to upset your brother.”

“What happened to Wyatt?” He leaned forward. “Was entirely your fault.”

It has to be—otherwise I wouldn’t be here. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to know what the result of my actions were—and why they were so bad I ended up in this cage.

“Since you can’t keep your mouth closed, I’m going to close it for you.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a red ball with a leather strap attached to it. “You’re going to wear this for a week. The only time it will be removed is when you’re eating, and when your mouth is being used. Tell me that you understand.”

“I—I understand.” I nodded, feeling my stomach twist into a knot.

“After a week, I will decide if you’ve earned the right to speak again.” He pushed the key into the cage and twisted the lock until it opened. “When it is removed, I expect silence—otherwise I’ll add another week. Tell me you understand.”

“I—I understand,” I repeated the same phrase again.

“Crawl to me.” He motioned with his hand, and I obeyed. “Until the contract is complete, and all of those promises are fulfilled, you are nothing more than property—and I expect you to behave like it. When I allow you to speak again, you will refer to me—and Mauro—as Master. You will never utter our names again—nor will you ask questions about Wyatt or anyone else you’ve fucked over.”

“Yes—Master.” I barely had time to acknowledge him the way he ordered before he pushed the gag into my mouth and tied it behind my head.

“I’ve had a long day and you’ve upset Mauro, so I’m going to spend the evening with him instead of letting you work off one of the promises you’ve made. Consider this an extra day on your sentence—and it’s only going to get longer if you don’t learn your fucking place.” He pointed at the cage. “Back inside.”

Yes, Master. That’s what I would have said if the gag wasn’t in my mouth—because that was the only name he had until I was done with the contract.

But all I could do was nod.

Once I was back in my cage, he turned out the light and left me in the darkness. The balance had been restored. Whatever kindness he displayed the previous evening and earlier that morning was clearly not what I should expect just because my name was signed at the bottom of the contract. My question caused so much pain that it resulted in a brutal response. Perhaps that was the answer I was seeking, even though I didn’t know how to make sense of it. I definitely knew that I hurt Wyatt—there was no doubt in my mind about that—but it had to be worse than I realized. Did I destroy his marriage? Did it impact the company in some way? Or was something even worse than that…

I think I’ve asked my last question. I just need to do what is necessary to fulfill the promises, complete the contract, and earn my freedom.

The price was one I had already come to terms with, even the loss of my virginity—and the filthy promises I made when I was alone in my apartment, speaking into my safety net with no concern for what I was saying. I would be a different person when I left captivity. The girl that was taken—the girl that believed she was untouchable. She was dead. Whatever piece of her remained was shattered into a million pieces the moment I was locked inside the cage. The path to redemption was clear and while I wanted to know what happened to Wyatt, trying to find out would only push me further into the darkness. It might have been what I deserved, but I didn’t want to live there forever—I just couldn’t.

I’ll be a good girl. I’ll do what I’m told. I’ll keep my mouth shut unless he wants me to speak. I’ll call him Master. Whatever it takes to earn my freedom—to get the clean slate I need.

But I will not lose myself here.

The darkness may have broken me, but I’m going to find a way to put those pieces together again.