Chapter 27
"Get up," Rana hissed at Olivia and banged on the cage with a spoon.
Staring bleary-eyed from between the bars, Livy saw the woman standing with a tray in her hands. Mishi stood behind her, wearing workout clothes and holding a bundle in her hands. The door opened, and Catori entered. Without a glance, she hurried to the treadmill and started her routine. At the door, Daan stood with his arms crossed, leering at her. Olivia shivered in revulsion.
Placing the tray on the floor in front of the cage, Rana turned and pulled the bundle from Mishi. "Go. Get started. She knows how to dress."
Mishi flashed Olivia a glance full of regret before joining Catori on the other side. Rana shoved the bundle of yellow cloth through the cell bars. "Eat, get dressed. Meester wants to see you immediately following your workout."
Olivia nodded forlornly and reached for the clothing. Rana stopped her with one firm grip on her wrist. "You think you are better than us. You think you can pretend to be a proper submissive. I know better," she hissed just loud enough for Olivia to hear. "I am First. I will always be First." She lifted her left hand and wiggled it at her. There was a strange looking rod on a cord tied to her wrist. "See this? It's a master key to this house. Only I have it because I'm First. Only I am trusted enough not to wear a collar and to be able to go where I like." She regarded the caged woman thoughtfully. "The Meester is so proud of you. 'Look how she has adapted. She is very clever and so beautiful. She learns quickly. Her passion will rival even yours, Rana.'" She mimicked in a deep voice. "Others have been brought here before you. Others who were just as beautiful, just as clever and adaptable. They all thought they could take my place. I got rid of them all. If you don't learn your place, I'll get rid of you as well, slut." She dropped Olivia's arm and stormed off.
Olivia couldn't have been more shocked if someone had just told her she won the lottery. There was such hatred, such venom spewing from Rana and she wasn't sure why. It sounded like the disturbed woman thought Olivia wanted to stay and even aspired to take the girl's place. Rana was just as deranged as De Jääger.
Daan walked over and nudged the tray with his toe. "Five minutes," he said in his thickly accented voice. "You have to exercise."
Nodding meekly, Olivia hurried to pull the tank top and shorts on, followed by socks and sneakers. There were no elastics for her hair, so she threw it back over her shoulder and reached for the bowl of oatmeal. Wolfing it down hungrily, she swallowed the fruit juice and shoved half a piece of toast into her mouth before Daan yanked the tray away. Producing a small key, he unlocked the cage, reached in and pulled her out. "Go," he commanded and pointed to the white board.
Two grueling hours later, Daan grabbed her arm and pulled her from the elliptical trainer she had been using. "Meester wants to see you now."
The two hurried through the halls, back to the wing that housed De Jääger's rooms. Unlike before, the normally empty hallways were filled with people hurrying about cleaning. She wrinkled her brow. Usually, there were only about six people on the island other than the four women, the two body guards and De Jääger. Something was going on.
After a brief knock on the door, Daan opened it and pushed her through. She stumbled slightly then righted herself. Her eyes widened to see he was not alone. Two other men sat in chairs facing De Jääger. At their feet, two beautiful women lounged, each wearing a collar complete with silver leashes held in the men's hands. Warning bells went off in her head. Oh shit.
"Garritt, this is your new pet?" The man who asked was pale with blue eyes and a shock of light blond hair. He was of a medium build and wore a suit of white linen, complete with highly polished white shoes. He looked like a ghost and Olivia would have laughed if she weren't so shocked. The woman currently wrapped around his leg wore an expensive evening gown of shimmering silk in tones of pale blue and white. Olivia blushed to see the garment was partially translucent and showed the woman's body.
"This is my Olivia. Stunning, even sweaty after a workout, is she not?"
The second man, tall, thin, and bald with only a ring of gray hair stood and turned. He wore a three piece business suit of black with a bright red tie. The eyes that bore into her were dark brown, making them look as if there were no irises. She shivered under that harsh gaze. He kicked the thigh of the woman at his feet, and she quickly scrambled back out of the way. He looked down at her and snapped his fingers. She obediently opened her full, pouty lips as he placed the leash in her mouth. She closed her lips and looked down at the floor. Disgust swirled through Olivia as the woman's face turned pink and her shoulders stiffened bravely. It was obvious she hated the manner in which she was being treated but was powerless to do anything about it.
Demon-eyes, as she called the second man, approached and scrutinized her. He narrowed his eyes as he gripped her chin roughly and turned her face one way and then the other. Letting her chin go, he grasped her right breast in his palm and squeezed painfully. Knowing he was looking for a reaction from her, she bit back her protest and stood her ground, dropping her gaze to the floor behind him.
He let her go and returned to the chair. Yanking the leash from the girl's mouth, he sighed.
"I don't know what it is about these American half-breeds that so intrigue you, Garritt," he began. His voice carried nothing but contempt. "I have told you to let me get you something more fitting your station. I could have a Russian or better yet, a Frenchie here by tomorrow. These Americans are too independent. You rely too much on the collar to keep control. Your pets should fear you. However, it should be because of who you are and not a device." He shook his head sadly. "I taught you better than this."
De Jääger chuckled. "Yes you did, Petr. Yet, the first thing you taught me was to listen to my instincts. It's true that Americans have a lot of fire and they are difficult to train but once broken, that fire inspires such passion. You saw how willful Catori was when I first procured her? She fought me at every turn and tried to escape on several occasions. But now, she has learned her lessons well and is as pliable as clay. All that fire and spirit serves me."
"I think this one is tres magnifique. Such beauty and spirit. I too like them to have a fire. It makes the tasting so much more délicieux," Ghost nodded approvingly. "Tell me, from whom did you acquire this enchantress?"
"Precious Treasures in San Diego. She cost me a good amount but worth it. You'll see tonight." De Jääger snapped his fingers, and the door opened admitting Daan. "Take her to her room. I expect her to be in the receiving room at eight tonight."
Just like that, she was dismissed. Daan ushered her out of the room and back to her own. As she entered, she noticed a garment bag hanging from a hook by her bed. He noticed it as well and explained.
"Your dress for tonight. The shoes and jewelry are in the box underneath. You have the remainder of the day off. You should rest and get ready for tonight. There is a basket of toiletries in the bathroom that you need to use. Bubble bath, deodorant, shampoo, perfume, lotion, and toothpaste. You will need to shave or wax everything from your neck down. Be meticulous and make sure you don't miss anything. There are pictures of acceptable hair styles and makeup, along with things to do them. If you are not pleasing, the Meester will not be happy. You do not want to embarrass him in front of the others. I will be back at 7:45."
The door closed and for the first time in days, she heard the click of a lock. Apparently, she would not be allowed to roam the house with guests in attendance. She sat on the bed and stared at the garment bag. How did her life become this monstrosity? Laying back, she closed her eyes and focused on how it was before. She thought of Jayden and Auntie, and instead of focusing on how hurt and confused they must be now, she imagined how happy they would be when she returned home with Bruiser. When her mind centered on the man who was her world, she smiled. She couldn't wait to see him again. This thought carried her through as she curled up on her side, hugging her pillow closely and fell into a deep sleep.