Chapter 18
Be soft, gentle, and docile.
Those words tumbled around in Olivia's brain as she sat on the chaise lounge staring forward. She knew someone was watching her through the mirror. That had become evident when the lights suddenly brightened to blinding again, and soft music wafted through the room. It took every ounce of resolve she could muster to appear relaxed and pliable. She knew Bruiser was out there, somewhere, looking for her and she needed to give him time to find her. However, if the chance of escape presented itself, she wouldn't hesitate to take it herself. That meant not giving them a reason to drug her.
The lights dimmed, and the music stopped. The door opened, drawing her attention. She watched as a man stepped through the doorway and into the room. He was tall, muscular and, in any other situation, appealing. His face was darkly tanned and though pleasant, contained a hardness that told her that she did not want to piss him off. He wore a suit that had obviously been tailored to fit and looked to be rather expensive. He looked familiar to her, although she couldn't place where she had seen him before. That made sense. After all, Jake said this man had seen her and impulsively decided he wanted her.
He stood just inside the door for a moment then walked over to stand before her. Clasping his hands behind his back, he scrutinized her with an impassioned countenance. Under the heat of his unwavering stare, she fought the compulsion to lower her eyes. She may not have many choices at the moment, but that didn't mean she would cower submissively. Instead, she stiffened her back and glared back at him. He laughed.
"There is the spirited girl that grabbed my attention at the airport," he quipped.
The airport. Suddenly, it all became clear to her. The man who had offered to share a cab with him. This was the stranger who struck up a conversation with her when she was waiting on Bruiser to arrive to pick her up.
"Ah, I see you remember me. Good." He studied her a moment more then turned toward the mirror and nodded. A moment later, Jake entered the room, followed by two large, muscle clad men.
"You have delivered exactly as promised. I'm well pleased. She is exquisite, is she not?"
Jake nodded enthusiastically. "She is lovely. I'm sure you will enjoy her."
As the two men conversed about her as if she wasn't there, her anger flared to life. Rising slowly to her feet, she glared at the men. As if it were an afterthought, she tugged the bottom of her dress down from where it had ridden up around her thighs. The horrid thing was a bright yellow, form-fitting monstrosity she would never have picked for herself. She had almost balked at putting the ridiculous thing on, but something told her they would be just as happy with her parading around naked. The three-inch high black leather heels reminded her of the ones her mother wore when turning tricks. That memory had made her stomach turn in revulsion.
"Excuse me."
They ignored her as the conversation turned to something political. She reached out and grasped De Jääger's arm. Anger clouded his face, and he raised his hand, slamming it into her cheek with enough force to send her bouncing onto the chaise.
"Learn your place, Olivia. You are a possession, a chattel for my enjoyment. You will not speak to nor touch me unless I tell you to do so first. That is your first lesson."
The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth from where her teeth had sliced her bottom lip. The entire side of her face throbbed and pounded. She jumped back to her feet and glared at him. "Don't you ever lay a hand on me again."
She saw the second blow coming and ducked. Unfortunately, this one caught her on the side of her temple, and her eye felt as if it were exploding. She hissed as he stood over her, his face red with barely controlled rage. Taking out a handkerchief, he wiped his hands, and she saw spots of red. Her blood, if she wasn't mistaken. Turning her head to the side, she spat and grinned with satisfaction as a huge splatter of red marred the otherwise perfect cream of the expensive carpet.
"That's twice. I don't like for my property to talk back to me. This will go much easier, Olivia, if you will comply. I purchased you as an addition to my collection. I prefer my possessions to be docile and unmarked." He narrowed his eyes at her. "It would be a pity to pay $150,000 only to have to destroy you."
"Speaking of the fee," Jake interjected.
De Jääger nodded toward one of the men standing in the doorway, holding a small case. It was passed over to Jake, who grinned broadly. "Always a pleasure, Meester."
Olivia took advantage of the men's distraction. Slipping out of her shoes, she leaped to her feet and bolted out the door. She found herself in a small hallway that veered to the left. Without hesitation, she ran as fast as she could and emerged into a large circular room filled with plush chairs facing forward. Turning to the right, she sprinted around the perimeter. It only took moments before the second man caught her and held her in his arms.
Olivia wasn't about to take this lying down. Instead, she instinctually recalled her Army training and fought back. Drawing her head forward, she slammed it back into the guard's face as her elbow jabbed him in the rib and her foot came down on his instep.
Big mistake.
Blinding, agonizing pain blazed through her head, and she almost vomited. She had forgotten about the concussion from her abduction. As luck would have it, she managed to catch the man's chin right where her head was damaged. The resulting pain brought her to her knees. Crap, that hurt.
The thug picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. Her upside down position made the blood rush to her head, increasing her discomfort. Had she eaten anything since her abduction, he would be wearing it down his back. As it was, she dry heaved instead.
Olivia felt something heavy go around her ankles and realized she was being shackled. Balling her fist, she beat weakly on the back under her cheek. "Let me go," she shouted, but it only came out as a whisper. Good going, Olivia. You just made it easier for them to take you.
She must have blacked out because the next time she was aware of her surroundings, she was pressed tightly in an elevator with De Jääger and what she assumed were his two bodyguards. Jake had her in his arms and was talking to his client.
"If you want a box, I can have one brought up immediately," Jake spoke to the man next to him. "It's a part of the complimentary service for your patronage. As you requested, our corporate jet has been fueled and stocked with your favorites. It's waiting on a private runway."
Meester De Jääger's voice was loud in the tiny space. "No, I don't think a box will be necessary. She seems docile enough at the moment. I am not happy about the damage to the back of her head, though. I suggest you have your associates trained on the proper handling of merchandise. If she has a concussion, it will be days before I can start her training." He huffed indignantly as the doors opened. "I hope you remembered to include a decent vintage. The swill I had on the commercial flight in was barely palatable."
She felt cool, night air brush against her heated skin. She cracked one eye open. They appeared to be on the roof of a building. Without turning her head, she could make out a sea of lights spread out around. It was beautiful. Too bad she wouldn't see it again.
A loud noise drew Olivia's attention. Fifty or so feet away, a helicopter sat upon a helipad, blades whirling. The man who had caught her, sat in the pilot's seat, fiddling with the controls. She watched as the second man climbed in beside him. A door opened, and she was placed on the seat and buckled in. Looking over, she saw Meester De Jääger, the man who now owned her, adjusting his buckles. He placed a set of earphones on his head as the door slammed closed. The noise of the helicopter was too loud to make out what was being said between the occupants of the vehicle. However, the one thing she heard was a voice as it yelled her name.
"O-liv-i-a."