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Chapter Twenty-Five
Ariella
I expected to be tossed into a cellar or a basement, behind metal bars on a dingy surface that made me fear my life.
The electric collar pinched my skin. But the men who abducted us brought us inside a home, though it felt more like a fortress.
From the outside, it was heavily guarded, more so than even the last place we’d been taken. While the last prison had been a holding cell, literally keeping us until we reached our next destination, this prison was completely different.
The lights were dimmed as we entered. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust.
I followed the other girls, keeping close together as the men shoved us forward and through the long hallway and up the staircase.
A dark red carpet led a path up the stairs. My boots sank into the plush material.
Was Jaxson able to track us?
I had to believe that he would come for us, rescue us. It was only a matter of time before we got out of this mess.
A guard opened the door to the right, and we were all ushered inside before the door slammed behind us.
A woman in her mid-seventies stepped out of the shadows, dressed in a pink satin robe. “Come closer,” she said, gesturing for us to approach.
When we shuffled slowly, she dug out a small handheld device, the same black remote that the guard had used earlier to shock all of us.
She pressed down on the button, forcing a jolt of pain to sear my neck.
I was doubled over in pain.
Fire burned my skin as I shuddered and fell to my knees. My hands instinctively reached for the collar, but I couldn’t remove it.
“I’m Diamond, and remember, ladies, that I do not ask twice,” the woman said, a stern expression crossed her face.
Was that even her real name, Diamond?
Had she been one of us once in her life, or was she running the operation?
She held not an ounce of empathy.
We hurried closer, afraid to be zapped again by the madwoman with the remote.
“Very good,” Diamond said with a glint in her eye. “You will find this all will go by so quickly and painlessly if you follow my orders the first time.”
She paused for a moment and paced slowly, the window behind her. It held cast iron bars, locking us inside.
I imagined the door was locked behind us too. I didn’t try to make a break for freedom. It wasn’t going to come so easily, not with dozens of armed guards in and around the premises.
“Tonight, you girls will be the most fabulous and precious guests for the evening event. Like me, a diamond, you must shine, sparkle, and gleam. I expect each of you to bathe quickly. After which you will be dressed, and we will do your makeup and hair. Do I hear any objections?” she asked, revealing the black button in her palm.
No one spoke.
“Perfect. Do not be shy. You are the jewels of the evening and as such will be passed around to be examined, touched, and thoroughly inspected.”
My stomach flopped.
We weren’t jewels.
We were people.