Survival

Hesmiled down at me—that shit-eating grin back in place.
“That and so much more,” he practically beamed, andI felt my stomach shrink in on itself. “Now, if you can behave,I’ll show you to your room. Can you?”
I thought my glare was fierce enough that he couldsee the “fuck off” clearly in my eyes. Did I want to behave? Whatthe fuck was I, a child?
“I won’t ask you again,” he growled, his free handstriking out and clutching my throat. I tried to fight against him,but for every second I didn’tanswer, his grip became tighter and tighter. “Jaden,” he warnedagain, more anger in his voice this time.
“Yes,” I finally choked out.
“Yes, what? What are you going to do?”
“Yes, I’ll behave.”
“Good girl,” he said and released my throat. Icoughed fiercely as I sucked in the air I had been denied, stillfighting against the hold he had on my arms. Would this never getold?

Chapter Three
TheRules
Still gripping one of my wrists, the owner releasedmy ankles, pulled me from the wall, and led me up the staircase. When we reached the top, he tugged medown one of the many hallways and stopped at the third door on theright. Opening the door, he pulled me inside and finally releasedhis grip.
Turning gradually, I looked around at what wasprobably now my bedroom and a sense of warmth slowly enveloped me.The colors of the room reminded me of fall, as the walls were warmreds, soft peaches, and pumpkin oranges. A bed was to my right andit was a beautiful four-poster canopy with a soft satiny dark redcomforter and tons of fluffy, frilly pillows. A whitedresser with a large mirror was set against the wall not too farfrom the bed and a white vintage-looking vanity sat in the rightcorner of the room between two windows.
Light cream colored drapes fell to the floor toaccommodate the tall windows that stretched from the floor toceiling, but the best window of all was the bay window with areading nook, decorated with more cushions and pillows that led outfrom the corner of the room. Sitting in another corner of the roomwas the comfiest-looking chaise I had ever seen. Cream colored andplush, it was beckoning me, promising me the best nap of my life,but that would have to wait. Behind me to my left was a ratherlarge white desk. Placed next to it was a small white bookshelf adjacent to the white wooden framedfireplace. Why was everything white?
I slowly walked around the room, trying tofamiliarize myself with it. Further down, directly opposite thebed, was another door I hoped ledto a private bathroom.
“What do you think?” he asked from behind me, general curiosity filling hisvoice.
“It’s beautiful.” I sighed, folding my arms acrossmy chest. It really was, but I still hated the fact I was there. Iturned back around to find him leaning against the wall,his hands in his pockets and the small hint of a smile on hislips.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said. “I had it decoratedespecially for you.”
Did he now …
“How long ago did you plan on purchasing me?” Iasked. It had only been a few hours since the auction. He waited afew moments, calculating his answer, and then finally spoke.
“If I’m beinghonest with myself … yesterday, but when I saw the way you foughtin the viewing room, there was no question about it. You weremine.”
“That was kind of the opposite effect I was goingfor.”
“Oh? And what were you going for?”
“I knew there wasn’t any hope for me, but I thoughtmaybe if I could show your clients how unsuccessful your methodswere at breaking slaves, they’d lose faith in your business.”
He laughed at that. “Nice try, but that would havenever worked. There are people out there with desires far moretwisted than mine are. Broken girl or not, they all selleventually. If anything, your little stunt just made them want youmore. You should be grateful I stepped in to rescue you.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. “And what about the restof the girls? Were they not as lucky as I was?” I suddenly fearedgreater for Kayla, wondering what kind of sadistic fuck hadpurchased her.
“Those girls are no longer your concern. They willacclimate to their new lives just as you will.”
“Assuming they live long enough,” I shot back.
“Again, not your concern.” He narrowed his eyes atme, that silent warning to drop the matter, but I wasn’t very goodat subtle hints.
“Well, tough shit; it is my concern. I care aboutthose girls because they aren’t just chattel to me as they are to you.” He stepped away from thewall during my little rant and began sauntering toward me, but Ididn’t care. I continued on, giving him exactly what I wanted himto hear. “And if you think I’m just going to forget about it, thenyou’re dead fucking wrong.”
He was only a foot away from me now, so tall andsolid like a brick wall. It was soeasy to be intimidated by him, but I refused to show it, standingmy ground and refusing to allow my feet to take a single stepbackward.
“If you’re so concerned, then maybe once their newowners are finally done with them, I’ll have them deliver to youwhat’s left of their bodies. Just to bring a little peace to yourmind,” he said, his voice smooth and venomous, chilling me to myvery core.
My stomach churned and dropped at the thought of asick and twisted individual abusing Kayla or any one of those poorgirls. I hated him for his cruel words.
“You’re such a cruel bastard,” I said indisgust.
“And don’t you ever forget it,” he shot backharshly.
I stared at him with so much hate in my eyes Ithought they would burst, but I wasn’t finished with him yet. Ineeded to move the subject along and get him to divulge moreinformation.
“If you’re so cruel, then why ‘rescue’ me?” I asked,bringing my hands up in quotations.
“Because of your fight, your strength, and your resilience. Your resistance doessomething to me I’ve never felt before. It’s strong and intense,and it has a hold on me greater than anything I’ve ever known. Icouldn’t ignore it