CHAPTER FIVE

I wake up again, later that day, and realize that Justin is lying prone on the bed next to me. I stare at him through wide eyes, and as if sensing my eyes upon him, he peeks an eye open to consider me. My mouth is dry, and my body is vaguely sore, but I somehow feel more satisfied than I have in ages. He sits up, stretching his arms over his head. I expect him to order me to the floor, but he seems content to simply rest beside me for the time being. He reaches out, caressing the tender spots on my thighs. I shiver, not in displeasure for once. He offers me a tentative smile, and I almost find it in me to return it. However, I can’t forget that this is the man who killed my family. I can’t forget that I’m his captive. I can’t forget that he had forced himself upon me… even though…

I shake off that thought, not allowing myself to consider that I had even... enjoyed our encounter. It had set a feeling alight within me, unlike any I had ever felt before. I can’t forgive this man for his wrongdoing just because of one instance of pleasure. I can’t voice those thoughts, however. I simply consider him through curious eyes, and he parts his lips as if to speak. Before he can give voice to his thoughts, however, we both hear the doorbell ring at the front of the house. He quirks a brow uncertainly, rising from the bed. I wait for his command, and he glances in my direction, grabbing the leash and clipping it back on. He does not tighten it around his wrist, instead he simply guides me out of the room with the slightest bit of slack for once. I fall into step beside him, and we make our way to the door. The idea of greeting his visitor without clothes is not a foreign one though I’ve yet to put it into practice.

We pause in front of the door, and he glances me over for a moment before exhaling a sigh and pulling the front door open. I recognize the man on the other side as one of the guards who had been in charge of me during the looting of my house. I swallow a protest as Justin welcomes him inside, knowing that my place has not changed. Justin may be showing me a bit more kindness, but that does not change what I am to him.

“Justin.” The guard greets, and Justin inclines his head slightly, not bothering with a verbal response. The guard turns to me, looking me up and down with a salacious smile. “Looks like you’ve been having a good time with her. Can’t wait for my turn.” He announces, and Justin seems to tense, if only slightly.

“Why are you here?” He finally verbalizes, and the guard looks at him with an uncertain smile.

“Well, we were expecting that you were about done with the girl, and--” The guard starts, and Justin chuckles darkly in response.

“Oh, I’m not done with her. Not just yet. We’ve only just begun.” Justin announces, and I can’t help the shiver that shoots up my spine. Though my situation with Justin is obviously not the best one, at least I was able to feel some semblance of pleasure at his hands. As reluctant as I am to admit it, he’s the only person who has ever lit such a fire inside me. The idea of being given to one of the other men of the Gillett family sinks like a rock in the pit of my stomach. “If that’s all…” Justin prompts, tugging me from my reverie both figuratively and literally as he grips my leash.

“Yeah… Justin, buddy, far be it from me to tell you how to do your job, but… I wouldn’t push my luck with this one. The Don said you could have the first run at the broad, you weren’t meant to keep her forever. The Don is not a very patient man.” The guard mutters, shuffling his feet. Justin’s eyes narrow dangerously, and there is a glint within them that I would be terrified of, if it were turned on me.

“The Don will receive her in due time. I’m not finished with her. Now, I must ask you to leave.” Justin growls gutturally, and the guard’s eyes widen in fear. I only belatedly realize how much respect the family has for the man I’m serving, though even I know that disobeying the Don’s wishes could only lead to trouble. I can’t find it within me to protest, however. If he’s willing to risk his head and hide to keep me longer, I’m not going to stop him. However…

As the guard slips out, and Justin angrily slams the door, I become aware of the truth of the situation. Soon, the time will come and Justin will have no choice but to give me away. I look at him, noting the tense posture, the angry twitch of his eye, and I can’t help fearing that he’ll change his mind and give me away at this very moment.

“Sir…” I begin, and he glances to me with narrowed eyes. “I don’t… I don’t want to leave.” I admit, as much as it pains me. It’s not entirely true-- I could think of a dozen places I would rather be than stuck in this home with him. However, it’s much better than the alternative that had been presented to me. His lips quirk in a smile, and for once it seems to be a sincere one. He strokes a hand through my hair, rubbing gently at my scalp.

“Don’t you worry, yet. It’ll be some time until I’m willing to let you go.” He says. There’s a small amount of comfort to it, but I know it is only so much within his hands. “Now. How about we forget about our unwelcome visitor and get back to our usual routine?” He murmurs, and for once, I don’t hate the words that spill forth from my lips.

“Yes sir.” I say easily, and he guides me deeper into the house once more. I’m not sure how things will change from here on out, or if they’ll change at all. The one thing I am one hundred percent certain of is the fact that I can not become comfortable here. The day will come, likely sooner than later, that Don Avery will demand I be turned over. Dread settles in the pit of my stomach, and I watch as Justin unclips the leash, looping it over the hook.

“For now… while you’re off the leash, you have free reign of the house unless I call upon you. If I call upon you, I expect you to find me immediately. Do you understand?” He rumbles. I’m more than vaguely aware of how shocked I look, and he shakes his head, slipping away into the depths of the home. “Don’t make me regret it.” He calls back.

“Yes sir…” I find myself whispering, giggling softly to myself as he slips away.