I was dimly aware of being held by a pair of strong arms while in the back of a moving vehicle. I hovered on the edge of consciousness throughout the journey.

“Are we taking the helicopter, Boss?” T asked the person holding me.

“I don’t think Tal should be moved again. Just drive,” Izzy replied. I exhaled in relief. My friend had me. I was safe. The next thing I knew was the feeling of being carried. I grunted as my body became aware of movement. Every slight jar made me grind my teeth is agony. I couldn’t help but whimper.

“I’m sorry, Tal. I’ll try to be more careful,” Adam’s gentle voice soothed me a little bit. I tried to open my eyes, but the swelling on my face made it difficult. Merely taking a breath was an effort. “I’m taking you to your room. A doctor and nurse are waiting to examine you. Then we’ll clean you up, and let you rest, ok?” I grunted. “You’re safe here. G & T will watch over you. Even so, Jason has arranged an extra security detail for the property. Plus, Rob and Liam will be back tonight.”

I was perturbed at being back at the Manor, but even in my distressed state, I acknowledged it really was the best place to contain security. I hoped everyone else had left. The thought that they could be at peril due to me was as debilitating as my physical injuries.

“Boys?” I croaked.

“Don’t worry, Izzy moved them to his mum’s. It’s a bit crowded there, but Valerie and Jack are enjoying fussing over them.”

I was relieved, especially knowing Bastien was safely away from me. Adam turned his head to speak to someone, but I was unable to make out his words through the haze of my pain.

We finally arrived at my room, where Sanjay was waiting to supervise the medical visit. His calm demeanour and caring manner was certainly less stressful than Jason’s highly-strung approach. I loved Jase, but he could be a little too dramatic to cope with. Adam cautiously lowered me to the mattress. The cool sheets and soft pillow was a welcome balm to my tortured body. I wanted to sleep forever.

“Tally.”

I sniffed. I always hated Izzy using my childhood nickname until now. Now he could call me what he wanted. I dragged my eyelids upwards. His concerned expression greeted me. “Dr Hodges is going to examine you. He’s the Greenall family practitioner. Is that ok?” I nodded and immediately regretted it as a bolt of fiery pain shot through my head. I hissed as Izzy drew his brows together. “Tal, mate; I’m so sorry.”

I couldn’t understand what Izzy was apologising for. It was my own stupid renegade self that had gotten me kidnapped. “Not. Your. Fault,” I sputtered through cracked and painful lips.

“I’ll explain later, but I suspect Hayley may have been bribed by Doron, or even Tolya. She gave you up, I’m certain of it.”

“How, though?” I struggled to understand. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Rob is having a word.” Izzy smirked. “Off the record, but she doesn’t need to know that. We’ll get to the bottom of this, never you fear.”

I grunted. I was beyond caring. I was giving up work as a broker as soon as I was back to full health. I had enough money to live on for a while, and I would sell my car to prolong my sabbatical if necessary. The world could carry on turning, but I would be getting off for however long it took me to get over this traumatic episode. Perhaps I’d go travelling.

“My parents…” I croaked.

“No need to worry about anything, I’ll speak to them.”

I closed my eyes, grateful to Izzy for taking care of everything for me. Which reminded me.

“Bastien?”

Sanjay approached the bed. I peered around the room, but Izzy and Adam had already left. “He’s fine. I spoke with him and he’s relieved to know you are ok.” Tears leaked out of the corners of my eyes. “Mr Roth, please don’t stress now. Mr Woolf has all the control. He just wants you to focus on your recovery.” Sanjay gently laid a warm hand on my arm. “I’ll leave you with the doctor. As soon as he has finished, I will help you to get cleaned up.”

Dr Hodges gave me a thorough exam. He declared me severely traumatised physically, but with no lasting injuries. My cheek bone wasn’t broken as I suspected, but he thought it could be fractured and encouraged me to be extremely careful. If it didn’t heal on its own, he recommended I consult with a maxillo facial surgeon. Until the swelling subsided it would be difficult to assess accurately.

The doctor left me with anti-biotics, pain killers, and dressings for my open wounds. Once the nurse had cleaned them up, Sanjay would then take over in the coming days. Apparently, since he’d begun working at Izzy’s club, attending a first aid course was a required part of his training. He also left me some balm to apply to the welts. Evidently, Izzy had told him about my injuries so he knew to bring the right medications.

“Thank you,” I told him once he had finished explaining how to help myself heal. He had performed an anal exam which resulted in him finding the area highly inflamed and swollen, but thankfully no tears or fissures. With difficulty, I assured him I hadn’t been raped, but had suffered some abuse from the dildo used.

“I suggest you refrain from anal penetration or arse play for at least a couple of weeks, Mr Roth.”

“Oh my God.” I blushed furiously. I’d suffered through some pretty humiliating moments in the past few hours, but undeniably, hearing those words leave Dr Hodges’ mouth, made me squirm from head to toe. He was the epitome of a middle-aged family GP probably more accustomed to dishing out anti-biotics for the flu and administering MMR injections to local babies rather than having to attend to someone like me; a victim of abduction and sexual abuse. My breath hitched at the label I’d just used to describe myself. A black cloud of despair engulfed me as I fought to swallow down a sob.

The doctor’s face softened. He clasped my ankle, which was strangely comforting, and thoughtful considering it was one of my only body parts not wounded. “I understand much more than you assume, Mr Roth. I haven’t always been in general practice. I worked the A&E department of a big London NHS hospital, so believe me when I say, I‘ve seen it all, and much worse. No need to be embarrassed. None of this is your fault.”

My goddamned eyes watered again. Everyone was being so nice, even though I still felt like I’d brought this on myself.

“What you need now is rest, and plenty of it. Let your friends take care of you. Make sure you eat and drink healthily and if you feel like a little exercise, then I would take advantage of the Greenall pool. Swimming is a gentle option to begin with.”

“Thank you, Dr Hodges,” I rasped. I felt myself losing control of what little composure I was able to muster. I began to tremble with the effort of not screaming. I felt like I wanted to crawl out of my own skin. He gave my leg a last squeeze before gathering his things together.

“Sanjay will bring you some water. Just small sips for now and light food tonight. You can eat and drink normally tomorrow, once your stomach settles from the meds.” Dr Hodges picked up his bag. “And Mr Roth, might I recommend you speak to a medical professional or a victim support counsellor, soonish.” I nodded once again. “Sanjay or Jason know how to reach me if you need me. Honestly, don’t hesitate.” I nodded again as I didn’t trust myself to speak without bursting into another round of tears.

Sanjay entered as the doctor left. He brought some soft looking fluffy towels and a bowl of soapy water. “I’m going to give you a bed bath, Tal. Can you sit up?” Sanjay gently helped me upright. The room swam and I swayed. “Hmm, maybe I should wait until morning.”

“No, please, I need to wash this grime off of me. Just help me to the bathroom,” I pleaded. I was desperate to be rid of the stench of my ordeal.

“You can’t bathe or shower by yourself, Tal, it’s not safe and you’re not stable enough. I’d come in with you, but I’m not strong enough to take your weight and wash you at the same time.” I swallowed and gave a dry cough. Sanjay handed me a glass of water with a straw and I sipped gratefully. “Would you allow me to call Liam to help?” My stomach rolled but I had no choice. I needed to be free of the filth that covered my flesh before I could even contemplate healing my mind. Liam was huge but I’d never felt threatened by him. In fact, the thought of his big, protective body actually brought me a strange sense of comfort. I croaked out an ‘ok’.

“I got you, mate.” Liam picked me up with ease. His enormous muscles were clearly not just for show. “I’m going to get us into the shower, ok? Just tell me if you’re not comfortable.” I was grateful that he was wearing swimming trunks, and not totally oblivious to all that creamy freckled skin with the fine dusting of red hair, that was now plastered to my grimy body. I cringed. Liam was stunningly attractive and I was nothing but a dirty, come covered, blood spattered wreck. “Get that look off of your face right now,” Liam gently berated me. “I’m a cop; don’t think I haven’t been in a whole lot worse situations.”

Liam and Sanjay were amazing. The big man carried me into the shower and supported me the entire time, while Sanjay washed my face and upper body, taking care around my swollen nipples. I was only grateful they were still intact. He’d also stripped down to his briefs revealing the most delectable expanse of honey brown skin, but when he removed his turban to avoid it getting wet, it made me gasp. Even in my dazed mood I could appreciate his beautiful hair. I raised my hand to touch it, then caught myself and mumbled an apology. I felt the vibrations of Liam’s laughter through my body.

“Not another one!” he joked rolling his eyes. I frowned. “Rob is obsessed with Sanj’s hair. Every time he takes the turban off, Rob pretty much creams his pants.”

Sanjay huffed. “Do you always have to be so crude?” I noticed, however, that Sanjay was smiling and there was no sting to his tone. I could see their triad was perfect for the three of them. Liam cleared his throat and shifted, but not before I felt his half chub against my side. It made me happy to know that they were happy. In fact, I was getting emotional thinking about how in love they seemed, so much so that tears stung the backs of my eyes.

“Hey…” Liam leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the side of my head. “It’s ok to let go now. You’ve been through hell.” I shook my head fiercely. I was not weak. I would not succumb to the rising feelings of panic and fear that threatened to consume me. I was safe. I repeated these affirmations over and over in my head until they became a mantra. I would not let myself descend into a pit of despair when my friends were doing everything they could to reassure me.

Sanjay dropped to his knees and started to rub the soapy sponge up my legs. I began to tremble even as Liam’s arms grew tighter. The nearer Sanjay got to my groin, the harder I shook. He hesitated at the apex of my thighs as I began to whimper. My resolve failed at the first hurdle.

“Tal. I’ve got you mate.” Liam’s voice sounded so far away, despite my knowing he was holding me up. I was back in the basement. The faces of my captors had merged into one monstrous image, paralysing me with fear. I’d stopped breathing. “Tal!” Liam’s voice made me gasp. I was shocked back to the present and I flailed in Liam’s embrace. His strong arms steadied me. “Shush now, or we’ll slip,” he cooed in my ear. He muttered nonsense for as long as it took to calm me a little.

“Tal?” Sanjay’s voice was full of empathy and compassion. “I’m not going to harm you, but it’s a little messy down here. Can you bear it, while I clean you up?”

“I ccccan’t breathe,” I stammered into the steamy air. Liam leaned his face against the side of my head.

“Count out loud,” he urged me, softly. “One…”

“One,” I repeated shakily.

“Two,” he continued.

“Two…” I copied. By the time we had gotten to twenty my erratic breathing had levelled out and I was a bit more composed.

“That’s good, Tal. I’m going to begin. Spread your legs a little bit more, ok?”

Sanjay took the sponge and applied gentle strokes to my cock and balls. Strained noises escaped my throat and I squeezed my eyes shut trying to block out everything happening.

“Carry on counting, if it helps,” Liam suggested. But my mouth was clamped shut. I leaned my head back on his broad, solid chest and just prayed for this to be over. It wasn’t that Sanjay was hurting me, because his touch was gentle and respectful, but I was so done with feeling humiliated. And I needed to sleep so badly.

“Liam.” Sanjay’s voice held a hint of trepidation. I tensed. “I need you to turn Tal around.” I shuddered. I knew that meant Sanjay’s next targeted area was my arse. A sob escaped.

Liam carefully turned me around so my head was resting on his pecs. He gripped me around the shoulders and the waist to hold me upright. “Hey, hey. Come on now, you’re doing fantastically. Just think how much better you’ll feel devoid of those bastards’ DNA all over you.” It was true, but as much as I knew that physically they’d be gone; mentally, Tolya and Slav were very much present.

“Oh God.” I whimpered throughout the douche. I nuzzled Liam’s furry chest. “Ppplease stop.” I was in a lot of pain, but it was the flashbacks that were making me feel sick.

“Ok, we’re done.” Sanjay stood up to massage my shoulders. I slumped against Liam even more, but he never let me fall. The spray of the hot water was welcome and once I was deemed clean, Liam lifted me out of the shower to where Sanjay was waiting with a huge, fluffy white robe. I snuggled into it, grateful for the cover up it provided. “Just one more thing, then you can rest.” I groaned. “Come lie on the bed, so I can apply the balm to your wounds and dress them.”

I leaned on Sanjay who escorted me back to the bed, while Liam dried off. I was sore all over, but the feeling of being clean again, at least on the outside, was an immense relief. Liam appeared, dressed in gym shorts and a vest, looking magnificent. His close cropped red hair was still a little wet, and his nipples peaked under the white shirt, giving him an altogether very fucking sexy look. In another world, my cock would already have perked up and taken notice. Now I just wanted to be left alone.

“I’ll leave Sanjay to it, Tal. Call if you need anything.” He pointed to the phone at the side of my bed. “Just dial 0 and it goes through to the kitchen phone. Someone will come and get me. I’ll be in the gym.” He threw me a gorgeous grin and left. I sighed. Sanjay chuckled.

“He has that effect on most people.” He didn’t seem jealous at all. “But it’s me and Rob that he comes home to, so it’s all good.” I smiled at his comment. It gave me hope.

Once Sanjay had nursed my wounds, including an excruciating five minutes of tending to my swollen pucker and channel, he left me on my stomach to rest. He delivered strict instructions for me to call immediately if anything was wrong, or if I needed anything, especially the loo. I shuddered remembering how Tolya had made me piss myself. No way was I calling for anyone to help me pee, even if I had to crawl to the bathroom on my hands and knees.

Sanjay drew the curtains and tucked me in to bed. With a kiss to my temple, he slid out of the room quietly, just as my eyes closed and blessed sleep claimed me.

Tolya sat at the end of my bed. I woke with a start as he yanked down the covers. “You can’t escape me, Faggot. I’m your worst nightmare.” He grabbed my cock and started pumping it hard. With his other hand, he squeezed my balls tightly. I jerked my head around frantically looking for Liam or Sanjay, but I was alone. “No one can hear you. This big old house has thick walls.” Tolya chuckled. It was an evil sound that made my skin crawl.

“Leave me alone!” I cried out, just as he shoved three dry, thick fingers into my arse. I screamed. I was terrified. He was supposed to have been in prison being interrogated by Rob, what was he doing at the Manor? Tolya was finger fucking me in earnest and it fucking killed. Slav appeared at the head of the bed. He fisted his thick cock with glee, leaking pre-come all over my face. I was trapped in hell once again with no way out this time. If they had gotten past all the security at Greenall Manor, then no one was coming to save me this time.

“Open your mouth, Jewboy,” Tolya hissed. I shook my head violently from side to side. His hand closed around my balls like a vice, making me scream. My mouth was open wide. Slav was coming at me with his cock like it was a weapon. I freaked and totally lost myself to the rising panic. I couldn’t breathe. I was going to die…

“Tal!” My name was a dull call from far away. I was barely aware of it through my terror. “Tal!” There it was again; more urgently this time. “TAL!” the voice screamed at me. I vaguely recognised it. “WAKE UP!” I was desperate to find my way out of the darkness. “Repondez moi, plus tard!” Was that French? “Come back to me…” Bastien? Bastien was here? Wait, no! My mind was in chaos, but I knew I had to save Bastien from the clutches of the Russians.

“You can’t have him. He’s mine!” I screamed. My eyes flew open in terror. A raven-haired beauty was on all fours hovering over me.

“Bastien?” I sobbed.

“Oui, mon amour,” he cooed. His eyes were shiny, like he’d been crying.

“We have to get out.” I thrashed under the covers, but he lay down on top of me preventing me from getting up out of bed.

“It was just a dream, Tal.” He held my wrists above my head. “You are safe. No one is coming.”

“A dream?” I was so confused. Bastien nodded. “You’re here at the Manor?” He nodded. “We’re safe?” He nodded again. The tension drained from my body. Bastien bent his face as if to kiss me, but drew back quickly as if he wasn’t sure it was appropriate. I lifted my head to chase his lips and he relaxed. As soon as I felt his soft mouth on mine, I knew he was telling me the truth; I was home.

“Go back to sleep. I will lie beside you. You need to rest.” He rolled off of me and set about fluffing my pillows and straightening my covers. I watched wearily as he fussed over me. I wanted to tell him so many things, but I was exhausted. Fatigue overwhelmed me once again and I slept more peacefully this time, knowing he was there, watching over me.