situation, but it is easier said than done. Comparing isn’t the right thing to do. There is always someone in a worse situation.
My freedom has been clipped, I am under the control of an abusive man, and no matter the luxury he tossed at me, I’ll always want more than this life.
Knowing I only have a little more time, I rub strawberry lotion into my skin and moisturize my face with a beautiful oil that leaves my flesh feeling silky. I drop the towel on the bathroom floor and then remember Kendrick doesn’t like a mess. I want to leave it there so badly, to really piss him off, but what little liberty he has given me, I want to keep it.
With a sigh, I bend over and hang the damp towel on the rod, then walk to the bedroom to see a light lavender cotton dress laying across the ruby colored-comforter. The material is soft, and the neckline plunges into a deep V with two strings to tighten the bosom.
A trophy.
Something that is meant to look good for someone to feel accomplished and reassured about themselves.
It is disgusting, but I play the part well.
I slip the dress over my head and then slip the sandals on my feet, a silver strap makes its way across the top of my foot. I walk over to the bathroom against and spray a bit of perfume, the kind Kendrick doesn’t necessarily love, but allows
It is my favorite perfume.
Sebastian couldn’t get enough of it. He would tell me I smelt like a field of wildflowers after a long steady rain, and it drove him crazy. Maybe that is why I wear it so often, for Sebastian, for something good to come out of this situation with Kendrick. If it is something as a comforting and simple as perfume, then so be it.
I run my hands down my front while I stare at myself in the long mirror hanging at the end of the bathroom, against the far wall. The mirror itself is framed in real gold, but what I see doesn’t make me feel as beautiful as the mirror appears to be.
Kendrick will get what he wants. My breasts are barely contained in this dress, and the dark circles of my areolas can be seen through the thin material.
“My sweet! Let’s go,” Kendrick calls for me from the bottom of the staircase.
And like the good pet I am, I answer his order for me and go to him, waiting for the treat of the farmer’s market to show what a good girl I’ve been.
Chapter Five
SEBASTIAN
I still feel like I got the life sucked out of me after a week of being back from the warehouse. At least I wasn’t fucking dead, that is a huge bonus. Jaxon is in bed, recovering from a broken arm, the same arm that he banged a rock against the ground to get my attention. He is badass. Heaven’s leg is broken in three spots, and he needs a blood transfusion with how much blood he lost from the wounds. Grayson’s side is healing. After yanking out the steel rod, it was a through and through, an easy stitch-and-go, according to Jaxon.
Owen is fine. Four stitches on the back of his head and he is still a stubborn ass. Maybe I had hoped the solid smack against the wall would knock some sense into him.
Nope.
And since we are the only two able to walk without passing out, we are on a grocery run together. Owen is just a joy to be around, really—a pure fucking joy.
“Get out of the way, asshole!” he yells out the window and gives the guy next to us the bird.
A poor old man who can barely see over the wheel. Jaxon would have his ass. “Do I need to drive? I’m tired of you yelling at everyone. You’re making my head hurt.” I rub my temples, wishing I would have had him come alone. The man is a damn menace and annoying.
“He was going ten under the speed limit. I don’t have time for that bullshit.”
“All we have his time. Do you know how long it is going to take for everyone to get back on their feet? Months, Owen. Months. And that old man wasn’t doing anything wrong. He was doing the best he could. Maybe you should start giving a shit about others around you instead of your inapt ability to always be a complete asshole!” I shout and slam my