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Carmelle - 3 rd February

T he door swung open, and I startled awake. A huge hulking figure stood in the doorway, and I opened my mouth to scream.

“Don’t,” Volcano whispered, and I closed it quickly. “Pack shit for the baby, and let’s move. We are on a short window.”

Unsure if this was another mind fuck, I got up and packed everything Sadie would require.

“I’ll carry that and Shannon. Bring Sadie and keep them fuckin’ quiet. If we get caught, we’re all dead,” Volcano announced.

“Okay,” I whispered.

Shannon looked at Volcano, and he gave her a lollipop to suck on. Her eyes widened, and she snatched it and shoved it into her mouth. To my utter shock, Volcano smiled slightly and winked. Shannon tucked her head into this hulking monster’s shoulder, and Volcano patted her back. What the fuck?

Volcano motioned for me to follow him. There were a few voices coming from the main room, but it wasn’t loud like usual. I guessed that meant it was very late at night. As we reached the bottom, Volcano beckoned me, and I crept behind him.

Silently, we walked along a corridor with doors in, and I assumed they were more bedrooms. Towards the end, Volcano opened one and shoved us in.

“Carmelle, I’ll be back for you. When you see me, open the window and crawl out,” he ordered.

I nodded in obedience.

Volcano disappeared, and we heard some noise. Minutes ticked past, and I began to panic, wondering if he’d got caught, when suddenly he tapped on the glass. I hauled the window open, wincing at the squeak and kept looking over my shoulder.

“Don’t worry, you’re in Nuts’s room, and he’s away. Pass me the bag, then Shannon and Sadie,” Volcano said in a low voice.

Still suspicious, I did as I was told and passed Shannon out. For a moment, terror swamped me in case Volcano ran off with her. But he didn’t. He placed Shannon on the ground, ordered her to stay there, and gave her another lollipop.

Then I handed him Sadie and her bag before he helped me out.

“Follow me,” Volcano demanded. He carried Shannon and the bag as I followed with Sadie. Volcano led us to a dirty truck and motioned us to get in the back.

“There’s a blanket. Lay on the floor and pull it over your head,” Volcano stated.

“Okay.” I wasn’t going to argue. If Volcano really was getting us out of here and not taking us to our death’s, I didn’t want to impede our escape.

The vehicle started up, and Volcano pulled away. Tightly, I held the girls as I prayed we’d get past whatever Volcano was worried about. The truck slowed and then stopped with the engine running.

“Open the gate,” Volcano snarled.

“Where you off to, brother?” someone asked.

“Since when do I explain myself to you?” Volcano demanded, and I heard the threat in his voice.

“Got orders—”

“Fuck them. I’m the president’s son. You don’t fuckin’ question me. Open the gate or choke on the bullet I’m about to put in your brain,” Volcano snapped.

There was a scuffling noise and a dragging sound before the truck started moving forward.

“Prick,” Volcano spat and then hit the accelerator.

Shaking, I didn’t know whether to sit up or not, so I stayed on the floor.

“Get up, Carmelle,” Volcano said.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked as I climbed onto the seat and picked the girls up.

“Because what you see ain’t always the truth. You’re family, I’m not gonna let anyone use you up or hurt you if I can prevent it. That incident with Fury finally pushed me over the edge. That shit set him off, and Fury had something nasty planned for you when a club arrived this weekend. I needed to get you safe. Fury won’t quit searching for you, so there’s only one place I can send you that he won’t attack,” Volcano said.

“Who’s Fury?”

“Wrath’s real club name is Fury. Never forget it,” Volcano replied.

“How sure are you he won’t attack this place?”

“Damn fuckin’ certain. Fury won’t want a war with a crime lord.”

“You’re sending me to the mafia?” I exclaimed in horror.

Volcano snorted. “No. To a crime lord. Romeo Santos runs shit in and around Rapid City. He’s got men, firepower, and is one of Fury’s main money-makers. Santos buys a lot of stuff from Venomous Fangs, so Fury wouldn’t want to piss him off. Santos may be a criminal, but he thinks himself as a classy one. He’ll keep you safe. Plus, you won’t be going alone. I’m sending somebody with you.”

“Who?” I demanded.

“Someone I trust. And somebody you can too,” Volcano said.

“Yeah, I don’t trust anyone,” I replied.

“Understand this. There is only one person to trust in Santos’s empire. And that’s Sharp. He’ll die to keep you safe. Do not fuck with him, and you may yet come out of this alive,” Volcano warned.

“Can’t I go home?”

“Didn’t take you for stupid, Carmelle. Fury will search there first. Suck shit up because your life ain’t ever going to be the same,” Volcano snapped.

Following that remark, silence ensued. That statement didn’t invite a reply.

“I’m gonna pull in at a drive-in. Get the kids some food before taking you to Sharp. Any preferences?”

“Burgers are fine.”

Volcano nodded and pulled into a burger place. He placed the order and handed it over to me to feed Shannon. Damn, the meal was good, nothing like what we’d been eating for the last few months.

Volcano parked at a hotel and motioned me to get out. “Stay close,” he ordered, getting Sadie’s bag. I glanced at the building and then my clothing. Shit, I resembled a whore, and this place appeared in the higher bracket.

Volcano didn’t care less as we marched through the reception to the elevators.

The guy behind the desk stared at us suspiciously and began to come out when the doors opened. Volcano hit a floor button while staring at the receptionist, who backed away. The doors opened again, and Volcano stomped along the hallway to a door and knocked.

The door unlocked, and I was shocked to see the stranger. His eyes met mine, and he inclined his head.

Sharp

Sharp stayed in a hotel for the next few nights after that scene with Carmelle. He couldn’t get the look of Carmelle’s absolute terror out of his mind. He’d meant what he had said, and he was just getting into bed when somebody knocked. Sharp opened it and discovered Volcano and Carmelle with her kids.

“Get in!” Volcano ordered, shoving them in and handing Sharp a heavy bag.

“What the hell?” Sharp demanded.

“Fury’s got a club coming in this week. To celebrate them joining us, he was giving them Carmelle. Asshole planned to strap Carmelle down to a table and let them fuck her raw. Once they’d finished and if she was still alive, Fury planned to give her to his own men. Carmelle must leave tonight. Fury’s ranting. Michaelson’s done something to piss him right off, and Carmelle is going to pay for it,” Volcano explained.

Sharp blinked. This was the longest conversation Volcano had ever had with him.

“What’s your deal here?” Sharp demanded.

“I’ve been working to take Fury down. Got a story to tell you, but not now. Get Carmelle to safety. Once Fury knows she’s gone, there’s gonna be hell to pay,” Volcano said. He yanked his wallet out and handed Sharp a thousand dollars.

“Get them some decent clothing and keep them safe. Don’t let them come back. Hear me? If Fury gets his hands on them again, I’ll bury you.”

“You can fuckin’ try,” Sharp said, and Volcano snorted.

“I’d snap you in two.” Volcano looked across to Carmelle, who stood wide-eyed, staring at them. “Didn’t know they were gonna do your husband. Those involved will pay for that. Trust this man. He’ll see you safe. If you create a fuss and get cops involved, within twenty-four hours, Fury will have you and the kids again. Some of those cunts like baby girls. Stay with Sharp and keep your mouth shut until we make our move to take Fury down,” Volcano ordered.

“Okay,” Carmelle whispered.

Sharp wondered if she understood what ‘do your husband’ meant.

“Hey. I won’t let him get you,” Volcano promised, and Sharp was shocked at the softness in Volcano right then.

Carmelle nodded, and Volcano disappeared.

“You can’t go out in that. I’ve got some sweats; you’ll have to roll them up, and I’ll give you a tee. It will cover you better than those… clothes,” Sharp said, eyeing the low-cut tank and mini skirt. They were different from the ones she’d worn earlier.

“That’s fine,” Carmelle whispered.

“Go change in there, I’ll pack. We’re leaving now,” Sharp ordered as he picked his phone up.

He dialled Romeo and informed him he needed an emergency escape and to have the plane ready. For once, Romeo agreed and didn’t ask questions.

Sharp grabbed the bag and lifted the two kids up as Carmelle came out.

“Come on. Before Fury finds and kills us all,” Sharp stated, and they headed out .

Carmelle

As Volcano explained what was happening to Sharp, the horror of what Fury had organised swept over me, and I sat down heavily on the bed. Sadie was in my arms, and Shannon crawled up next to me. Fury had really planned to do that to me, his own flesh and blood?

Sharp and Volcano kept talking, but my mind was trying to rid myself of the images those words had raised.

I shuddered and revulsion crawled up my skin. I swallowed bile as I felt sick to my stomach. For fuck’s sake, I was a suburban housewife. How the hell had this ever happened to me and my family? Stiffly, I got to my feet, needing to use the toilet, when Volcano looked at me. His next words turned me cold and stopped the nausea outright.

“Didn’t know they were gonna do your husband. Those involved will pay for that. Trust this man, Carmelle. He’ll see you safe. If you make a fuss and get cops involved, within twenty-four hours, Fury will have you and the kids again. And some of those cunts like baby girls, you hear me? Stay with Sharp and keep your mouth shut until we make our move to take Fury down,” Volcano ordered.

“Okay,” I whispered. I didn’t know what I agreed to. All I could hear was the words, ‘do your husband’. My mind closed down, and I refused to consider the fact Beau was dead. That was too much to handle. That was filed away for when I was stronger. Surely Volcano meant they beat Beau because there was no world without him in it.

Volcano shutting the door startled me, and I stared listlessly at Sharp. So, this was our new jailor. A heat hit my cheeks as I realised he’d seen what Fury had done to me two days ago.

Sympathy was evident in his eyes. I refused to acknowledge it and cocked my head as he spoke to me slowly and handed me some clothes.

Sharp pointed me to a bathroom, and I went inside and changed before coming back out. Sharp grabbed the bag, and, carrying my precious babies, he left the room with me on his heels. He headed down to the car park, where we all piled into another car.

Sharp drove confidently, and we headed straight to an airport. I was shocked when we boarded a private aircraft, and as we took to the air, I let it lull me to sleep. If we crashed, we crashed, who the hell cared?

Sharp

Romeo was cock-a-hoop when Sharp explained who Carmelle was. He began making plans to secure Carmelle, even as Sharp warned him she’d been severely traumatised. On landing, Sharp hurried them to his SUV, which had been parked at the airport for his return.

“Volcano gave me some money for you and the kids. We’re going to buy a couple of changes of clothes. Don’t try to alert anyone to your circumstances. Should you get free, Fury will capture you again. And there wouldn’t be another escape. Volcano risked a lot for your freedom, and this is what Fury did to him,” Sharp said.

Carmelle winced as she saw pictures of Volcano beat to hell.

“That’s his son,” Carmelle whispered.

Sharp caught her chin between his fingers and held Carmelle steady.

“Yeah. Consider what he’d do to you and those two babies. Stay with me, and don’t cause shit. If you do, you’re on your own, and Fury can have you,” Sharp stated.

Sharp loathed saying those words, but he didn’t need Carmelle going off on a tear and getting the cops involved. Naturally, Sharp could disappear, but Fury would get his hands on her and those kids again. That was unacceptable to Sharp. Carmelle was too valuable, and now she was his to protect.

Carmelle

I hated Sharp right then. How dare he threaten me, knowing what Fury and those monsters did? My breasts were still full of bruises from Fury squeezing them fit to burst. They were so sore I cried when I fed Sadie, but I had to because I couldn’t trust them to get her milk.

Hell, it hurt to sit down, and my thighs were a mass of contusions. Sharp threatening me caused me to withdraw even further into myself. I picked out some items for the girls and myself, clothing that covered me head to toe and with great relief, I bought some bras. Sharp paid, and then we were herded back into the car, and he drove us away.

As he drove through the streets, the sun was rising, and with it should have come hope. We were away from Fury and his band of maniacs, but I doubted we were safe. Sheesh, how could we be? We were being delivered to a crime lord. Therefore, it was no surprise when we passed through some gates and into the lush gardens of a private mansion. He pulled in a garage, and we climbed out of the car.

We walked into the house through a side door and headed into a cosy living room. Inside, a man stood, and I studied him carelessly. He was good-looking and wore a blue suit with a white shirt and blue tie. His hair was combed back, and I spotted an expensive watch on his wrist.

“This is Mr Santos,” Sharp said.

“Call me Romeo, Mrs Travers,” Romeo replied smoothly.

Yeah, money just wafted off him.

“Mr Santos,” I said, and he smiled in delight at my small rebellion.

“You’ll soon call me Romeo. We’ll become great friends. Mr Sharp has filled me in on some of what has happened. I can only apologise. This is Maria, she’ll be your maid. If you need anything, and I greatly suspect you do, please tell her. Clearly, clothes are a consideration and toys for the little ones,” Romeo said as a pretty Mexican woman approached in a uniform.

“Welcome, ma’am,” Maria said.

“Follow me,” Romeo ordered, and Carmelle picked up the bags containing their new clothes as Sharp carried the girls. Quietly, I followed Romeo up some stairs and down several hallways. Romeo opened a door, and I walked into what was no doubt a suite of rooms.

“These will be yours. There’s a lounge, a bathroom and two bedrooms. The balcony doors open so you can sit outside and view the gardens,” Romeo said. “This is the suite phone. It goes through to Maria, and after ten o’clock at night, it’ll contact the night maid. The door here leads directly to a set of stairs which takes you into the garden. If you need food or drink, use the phone. Do not go wandering around the mansion.”

“Okay,” I muttered.

Sharp sent me several concerned looks, and I could tell he wanted to stay, but Romeo left and snapped his fingers at Sharp.

Sharp stiffened, and I sensed anger, but it mattered little to me. Before Sharp left, he leant close to me.

“You’ll be safe. I swear on my life,” Sharp murmured.

“Why would I trust you?” I whispered and flinched back .

Sharp reached out and steadied me.

“Because I’ll kill anyone who touches you. Make no mistake, Carmelle. You’re mine to protect. You don’t know me and have no reason to trust me. Shit, after what you’ve suffered, I don’t blame you. But nobody will harm you or the girls.” On those words, Sharp left and followed Romeo.

After Sharp was gone, I slumped and shook my head.

“I’ve swapped one prison for another,” I murmured.

“I’ll run a bath for you, ma’am. And order a snack for the children. Mealtimes are set. Breakfast is between seven and eight. Lunch is twelve to one, and afternoon tea is at four. Dinner is served at eight every evening. Snacks may be requested outside those times but not meals,” Maria stated and walked into the bathroom.

What the hell? I sat heavily on the sofa and stared at the large TV above the fireplace. At least we had one this time.

The water began to run, and I checked the girls. Sadie was snoring on the bed, and Shannon stood close by but didn’t move.

Maria came back and frowned.

“The little girl needs toys. I’ll speak to Mr Santos and arrange a delivery. What size clothing are they?” Maria asked.

I stared at Maria before beginning to laugh.

“Maria, I am not a guest. None of us are. We’re prisoners. Stop treating us otherwise,” I cried.

Maria pursed her lips. “For now, you are guests of Mr Santos. The staff understand that a bad man took you and Mr Santos is hiding you here, from him. Until I’m told differently, I’ll do what is needed to make you comfortable.”

That told me.

I shrugged and headed to the bathroom. I was drained and had no energy to argue. Robotically, I stripped out of the clothing I wore and jumped at Maria’s hissed breath.

“I’ll call for a doctor,” she murmured, her eyes looking at my black and blue breasts. Fury had caused some severe trauma. There were the other bruises, and I stood there as Maria’s gaze swept over my thighs and back.

“Epsom salts,” Maria said and poured a liberal amount into the bath.

She disappeared outside as I climbed in. I honestly didn’t feel any embarrassment. Tragically, I was numb to everything around me now. That allowed me to think because I didn’t have emotions to deal with. But even so, my thought process wasn’t clear. Logically, I understood I was in shock and was ignoring certain parts of reality. Nobody had the right to judge me. Not after the last… hell, what was the date?

“Maria?” I called.

“Yes?”

“What is the date, please?”

“Ma’am? You don’t know the date?” Maria asked, sounding a little astonished.

“No. I’ve no idea how long I was held for. ”

“It’s the fourth of February, Ma’am.”

“Is that all? I’ve been a captive four months? It feels like a year,” I whispered.

I didn’t know if Maria overheard me. Who cared if she did? Certainly not me. I wasn’t going to gussy this crap up. Even in this gilded cage, I was a prisoner.