Page 196 of Stand: Part One

I tried to hide my limp as I stepped out of the cage to put my gloves and wraps away, but Camaro immediately ran to my side to sniff and whine at me.

“Think she’s gonna be a problem, big girl?”

Camaro pressed her nose into my leg, her tongue hanging out of her mouth as she continued to whine at me.

“Yeah, I’ll have to figure out what to do about this one.”

48

Warnings

Sloane was a difficult character to decipher. She was quiet for the most part, not one for jokes or sarcasm, but she would converse when coaxed by me.

She was the straight shooting, robotic ice giant that I couldn’t quite crack. Sloane was respectful, polite, and even helpful at times, only too happy to provide me with whatever I needed.

Carla actually seemed annoyed by Sloane’s swift and innovative sufficiency, like she was putting her out of business or something. But when the two of them teamed up with their efforts, I found myself at complete odds.

Clive and Owen had never been this coordinated, this diligent in their duties. Clive and Owen acted like annoyingly protective older brothers in comparison to Sloane.

Even so, I still kind of missed those fuckheads.

It was interesting being surrounded by more women, an entire team of females tasked with my well-being. My personal, emotional, and security needs were all handled with a kind of sisterhood I had trouble adjusting to at first, irrationally afraid Darren might find some way to disapprove and take it all back.

But once I got used to it, it was cool for the first two weeks, but after a while, the constant reassurance I had to give them that I was fine and didn’t need anything was getting old. It was also hard to find time to be alone.

When I wasn’t with Sloane and Carla, I was getting fucked by Darren several times a day. I didn’t understand where he got the energy, but he was stealing all of mine until I was too depleted to even move. But on a day I was feeling particularly courageous, I finally asked Darren to let me see Katherine. The worst he could say was no. Again.

“Darren,” I said gently, adjusting my skirt as I watched him refasten his tie.

“What.”

I folded my lips into a thin line, suddenly unsure of myself due to his clipped tone. Softening my gaze, I released a slow breath. “Can I please see Katherine today?”

His eyes lifted to mine, hitting me with that deep intensity that always seemed to swallow me whole. Instead of answering me, he turned around to grab his suit jacket, slipping it over his shoulders and buttoning it at his waist. And then he finally glanced back up at me.

“I’ll talk to Daniel,” he said, and then walked out of the room.

My eyes stayed stuck on the door Darren had just shut behind him, his cum still leaking out of me and soaking into the sheets. I found myself stuck to the bed, puzzling over how things had changed since we got back to the estate.

My mind replayed much of our interactions, quickly recognizing his clear intent to reduce me to nothing more than the obedient fuck-doll I’d been in the basement.

Darren barely spoke to me, and any words he did speak were short and clipped. He spent more time fucking me than he ever had before, and ignored me almost entirely when he wasn’t. Was he overcompensating our time because he wouldn’t let me fight him anymore? Was my pussy the only thing left that actually entertained him now?

No. I shook my head at the thought. We’d already been through his era once before, and he came to hate it. This was just another phase, and it wouldn’t last forever.

Darren wanted me because I fought him, because I was the reoccurring challenge he never seemed to tire of, and I was sure he would miss the conflict. I just didn’t know how long it would be before he finally broke, but I had a strong feeling it had everything to do with Matt.

Once Darren finally eliminated him, I was sure he would lighten up again. But with Matt gone, my chances of escape diminished even more. And I really didn’t want to think about that right now.

With a sigh, I stood from the bed, cleaned myself up, and swapped the pearls with a fresh pair that wasn’t sticky with Darren’s cum. After changing into some workout clothes, I stepped through the bedroom door, pausing as I came face-to-face with Sloane standing in the hallway with Camaro. I glanced down the hallway, wondering if she had seen Darren pass by.

“Did Darren say anything to you when you passed him?”

Sloane’s brows furrowed with a confused suspicion. “He did not,” she answered as she stared down at me. “Did you expect him to?”

I shrugged and then shook my head. “I guess not.” Would she even tell me if he did?

“Come,” she said, gesturing to the stairs. “Let us go outside. It is a beautiful day.”