I stand in an alcove of the ornate hall, hidden by the thick velvet draperies covering the walls—moth-eaten draperies covered with dust and mold. I can just imagine the splendor of bygone days when the wood shone on the dingy St. Andrew’s Cross on the stage before me. According to Connor’s description, it was splendid in its day.

I have a view of the entire room. I don’t know how I’ll keep my cool while Viper’s men use our women. I rethink Connor’s rescue plan. Too late to change that now. If Connor can bear to watch his wife get fucked by these men, I can bear to watch them fuck a woman I’ve only known for a week. Liar.

It took one phone call to locate Viper using the tracker Joker dropped into his car music files. A little loophole Viper hadn’t accounted for. Not that we needed it, he’d left a highway for us to follow. Viper had called a meeting with his men, so twenty or so of his goons sit around the table.

I flex my neck and once again give thanks for my solid team. Viper had headed straight for The Manor, his hidey-hole up in beach country. We hadn’t been far behind him. Meanwhile, Connor’s partner, Brian, took Summer to their private rehab clinic. Connor and Kat had joined my crusade to rescue child sex workers. They’d teamed up with professionals to offer physical and psychological rehab to any young women we rescued. Summer was in good hands.

Next, we’d picked up more artillery, a couple of vials of Pentothal, and Connor’s disguise. His plan was just crazy enough to work. He was right, even with our weapons and fighting skills, twenty or more armed guys were heavy odds. A few calls and we knew who Viper used to cater the event. Connor proposed he go in as the sommelier. Viper had ordered a case of 2012 Equuleus from the Château des Charmes winery for the event. He’d ordered one bottle of 2000 Échézeaux for himself. Hard to believe but the man has good taste in fine wines. We’re placing a pretty heavy bet on that being just for him.

A team of servers bustles about, placing huge trays of food on the sideboard lining one end of the large hall. Connor’s disguise is bang-on, even I wouldn’t recognize him. He circulates around the men, pouring wine liberally. Several of the men speak to Connor. I can’t hear him, but presumably, he’s putting his extensive knowledge of wine to good use. Delicious smells fill the room as the sideboard fills with meats, cheeses, and steaming dishes of all kinds. A large turkey and a huge ham act as king and queen, surrounded by enough food to feed a kingdom.

Viper stands and claps his hands for attention. Immediate silence descends as all twenty men turn to face their leader.

“I’ve got a special treat for you lads tonight. Kind of a thank you before we process the next shipment. You all know the rules of the party game. We’ll do five courses tonight—face, breasts, ass, clit, cunt.” Hoots and hollers vibrate around the hall.

“The old bitch is fair game. No one fucks the young one—she’s mine. If I see even the tip of your cock near her mouth, cunt, or ass, I cut it off. No questions. You get her hot and ready for me. You can have her after I’m done with her.”

Another raucous roar echoes through the hall. “Now, who’s got the drugs?” Viper asks.

A muscular man wearing full leathers lifts his hand. “Right here, boss. Ready when you are.” He drops a leather bag on the table beside Viper’s plate.

“Then let’s get this show on the road.”

Two men hustle in Rayne and Kat. Rayne struggles. I’m not surprised. Kat glides in like some African princess, full of élan. My little Dracaena sports a tapestry of fresh bruises. Her abdomen, ass, and thighs cascade with color. Yet, she struggles. I clench my fists at my side. Wait, Jaden.

While I get what drives her—she thinks if she acquiesces, she’s a willing participant—I pray her survival instinct is stronger than her spirit. Maybe Kat can teach her submission has nothing to do with weakness. Stop fighting, Dracaena. I telegraph the message to her. She stills for a moment and cocks her head. I’m here, little dragon.

Viper pulls a vial, syringes, and rubber tubing from a leather bag. He fills a syringe, points at Kat, and then to the chair beside him. “This one first. Maybe she’ll show the little bitch a thing or two about obedience.”

Kat shakes off the men and takes the seat. She hasn’t said a word, but her message is clear. Fuck you. She slides her arm on the table before Viper can grab it. He ties off her left arm and taps for a vein. What the fuck? Is Connor going to stand for this? I catch his eye as he walks by holding a white napkin around the neck of a wine bottle. I quirk my eyebrow and nod toward the action at the table. He shakes his head imperceptibly. I hope to hell the drug Connor’s put in the wine acts quickly.

Viper plunges the needle into Kat’s vein and hits the plunger. Kat leans her head back and sighs. Viper smiles and runs his hand up her thigh. She spreads her legs apart.

“That’s it. That’s how it’s done.” Viper laughs uproariously as he wiggles his finger between Kat’s legs. “You like when I twiddle your twat?”

“I like. Give me more, baby.” Kat pouts and leans toward Viper. Fast as a viper striking, he twists Kat’s earlobe and pulls her head down. “You think this is some kind of joke? That’s good. I hear you like pain.” He laughs and signals. One of the goons helps Kat from the chair. “There’s plenty more where that came from.” Viper motions for Rayne to take the chair. I take a small step. Connor must see me because he moves between Rayne and me, shaking his head.

“What the hell’s wrong with you?” Viper sounds annoyed. “If you get in my way again, it will be the last thing you do.”

Connor bows. “Sorry, sir.” He moves away. Shit. I almost blew it. Connor’s advice comes back to me: “Think of it as a scene.” But it wasn’t anywhere close to a scene. I want to kill . . . now.

I wait for Armageddon. Instead, Rayne’s voice rings loud and true. “What the fuck is this?”

Viper backhands her. Rayne’s head snaps back. My hands wrap around my throwing knives, and I’m breathing hard. Rage races through my system like an angry raptor on the rampage. I call on my inner resources to quell the beast. Time enough for that later.

“Bastard,” Rayne hisses. Viper slaps her again.

Rayne, shut the fuck up—now. She bows her head and extends her arm. That’s it. Just hold on. I put every ounce of energy into keeping her calm. That means calming myself. I pull on my tai chi training and adjust my breathing, letting calm energy flow through me. This empathy thing might be bullshit, but it seems to have some effect on her. She stays still while Viper gives the hit. Rayne’s head snaps back as the rush hits her.

“Now, you’re mine.” Viper runs his hand up her leg. She pulls away, but her movements are lethargic. “Don’t worry, honey. In about two minutes, you’ll be begging for it. You won’t be able to fight it now, baby.” He twiddles her cunt just like he had with Kat. Rayne moans and moves away.

Viper grabs a fist full of Rayne’s hair and drags her face to his. It must hurt like hell, but my Rayne fights anyway. I can’t help but admire her spirit while I curse her out for being so damned stubborn.

A rich pink flush dusts Rayne’s skin as blood rushes through her system. He’s given her a goddamned sex enhancement drug. I. Will. Kill. Him.

Viper pulls Rayne to her feet. He holds his left arm straight out. One of the goons shoves Kat into Viper’s embrace.

“Like I promised you, lads, here are your party favors. Remember the rules.” He pushes Rayne closer to the table. “Ready to prime the pump? First course, mouth play above the neck.” He looks down at Kat and Rayne. “As for you two, you’ll serve my men and do whatever they want.” He kisses Rayne full on the mouth before moving back to his chair. The men follow suit and take their seats.

Rayne winces and wipes her lips. Kat looks in Connor’s direction and winks. Okay, she’s taking this in stride. Why can’t Dracaena? Rayne gives no sign of recognition when Connor walks by. His disguise serves him well.

Kat takes Rayne by the hand and leads her to the sideboard. She whispers something in Rayne’s ear. Rayne shakes her head violently and says something in return. She’s not buying it . . . whatever it is. Urgency radiates from Kat’s small frame. She puts both hands on Rayne’s shoulders and shakes her. “Never.” I lip read the word as it sounds clearly in my head.

Viper slams a large butcher knife into the thick wood of the banquet table. The room stills instantly. “Don’t make me come over there.”

Fuck. Do it, Dracaena. Trust me. We need time. Play along. Trust me. I repeat the mantra over and over. Kat picks up a cheese tray and heads to Viper. Rayne frowns in my direction, her message clear: fine, I’ll play along, but you’ll pay for this big-time, buster. She straightens and follows with the breadboard.

Kat bows low as she presents Viper with the cheese. He helps himself then replaces the fork on the tray. He grabs the bib of Kat’s apron and pulls her close. He licks and nibbles her earlobe. “Very soon, my men will arrive here with your beloved husband. You I get to fuck in front him.” He licks her chin. “Before I kill him.” He kisses her on the mouth. Kat sinks to her knees and bows her head in supplication. Viper laughs. “Yes, you may speak.”

“Please, sir. Do whatever you want with me, but leave Connor out of this.”

Rayne’s mouth drops open, clearly appalled. Watch her. She knows how to play the game.

Viper reaches down and cups one of her breasts. “Then you’d better make me want to let him live. But the bastard will pay for rejecting me.” He pats Kat’s behind. She moves on to the next guy. Viper waggles his little finger at Rayne.

“Your turn. “Time to put these little babies back on.” Viper waves two weighted nipple clamps in the air before dropping them on the table. Grabbing Rayne’s arm, he jerks her closer. He points. She puts the breadboard on the table. He pulls her onto his lap. My blood heats up to a fast boil as I watch him manhandle her, helpless to do anything else.

Rayne’s large brown nubs harden as Viper brushes them with the clamp. She bites her bottom lip hard as Viper clamps her nipples. Her nipples take a nosedive to the floor, bent by the weight. Rayne stares straight ahead. Tears brim in her eyes, but she doesn’t make a sound. As he licks each nipple, her mouth remains rigid. A deep rose flush rises up her chest.

Her determination not to succumb to the drug moves over her face. Rage and pride burn through me in equal measure. The green monster joins the party. I clamp down hard on these emotions. I take a moment to imagine how Viper will feel when I hang those clamps from his balls. Hang on, Little Dragon. It won’t be long now.

Viper’s cell phone vibrates. Connor’s men create a diversion. Finally!

“This better be good . . . When? . . . How many?” A huge grin lights his face as he slides the phone on the table. “They’re here. Coming in the back way through the woods. Fools. Sid, Red, Gris, Blow, and Hammer. Go get them.”