“Jesus.” Hunter’s rough tone tells me he’s as horrified as I am, as I was.
“He forced it inside her, and her screams echoed through that small basement even though she was gagged. The sound stole my breath. I’d never heard such painful screeching before.” Shutting my eyes, I hope to shove the images from my mind, but nothing can. There’s no way I can ever rid myself of the memories.
“What about the woman? What was she doing there, torturing a child?”
“She stood by. Watched with her arms folded. The man . . .” I try to swallow the lump forming in my throat. “He violated her with it, and I guess the pain killed her.”
“Fuck.” Hunter’s hold on me tightens as he pulls me into his arms. I realize I’m crying when he swipes at my face. He plants a kiss on my head, holding me like a child. “We’ll get the fuckers. I swear to you, Sam, we’ll fuck them up so badly,” he murmurs in my ear.
I can’t move. The pain of remembering only seems to shatter me further. Hunter’s caring and consoling makes it difficult to stop crying, so I don’t. I allow all the pain I’ve hidden, held inside for so long, to finally break free.
Chapter 8
Archer
I’m sure I should feel something when they drag the broken and bleeding boy away, but I don’t. My common sense says I should sympathize, but my brain has shut down. I wipe the blood from the cane, fold it up, and place it back into its box. My back is hurting, but it isn’t the pain of a strain from my recent exertion. It’s a reminder of something I’ve forgotten. I cannot dwell on it though. I have a job to do. My task is to instill discipline into the pupils here at The Factory. We cannot have them floundering our rules in this manner. My name will become synonymous with command. They will fear the path I walk lest they tread wrong upon it. Where is all this coming from? I rub my temples where the last vestibules of a headache still linger. It’s still early, but my body feels off. I think I’ll return to my rooms for a while. The discipline can wait; I’ve sent a big enough warning for today.
My rooms are warm and welcoming when I enter, and my butler stands there ready to serve. I ask him for a coffee and retire for a shower. I throw my jacket onto the floor, somehow knowing it will be neatly hung back in my wardrobe when I’ve finished washing. My shirt is tossed toward what looks like a linen bin. It feels strange to have such luxuries in my life. Clean clothes feel alien to me. I’m not sure why though? So much feels strange at the moment. It’s like they have plucked me out of a previous life and stuck me in this one. It all feels familiar even though I know for certain it is new. It’s the oddest feeling in the world. I look at myself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. Yes, it’s definitely me. Who knows what is going on, but while I have my own personal butler, I’m not going to complain because something tells me this is the best I’ve ever had it.
“Do you take sugar?” A feminine voice has me spinning around.
The head of the company stands in front of me with a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. I step forward and take it from her. “Miss Ward, what can I do for you?”
“I wanted to see how the punishment went. Does the boy know not to try anything like that again?”
I snigger. “I doubt he’ll be trying anything for a while. Moving in anyway is not going to be high on his list of priorities for the next few days.”
“You’ve done well on your first task. I’m pleased.”
“You come here to offer me a reward?” I ask with profoundly evident sarcasm. Miss Ward looks fucking hot in her tight skirt that skims the curve of her J-Lo ass. Her blouse is open just enough to allow me to see the swell of her breasts. My cock grows hard within the tailored pants I’m wearing. She looks down at the tenting I have going on and licks her lips.
“Well, that wasn’t exactly why I came here, but it could be a perk to my job. Your easy enough on the eyes, and there have been enough rumors as to what a big boy you are. Mind you, it all depends on what you do with it.” She raises a playful eyebrow at me.
“Baby, you know I’m good to go whenever you are. See if you can keep up and all that.” I probably shouldn’t tease this woman, but I’ve always been a cocky asshole. The chase is as much a part of the fun as sticking my dick in the hole. But Miss Ward is my boss, and she seems the sort who likes to get her own way.