Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Ily looked up my body, her fiercely intelligent gaze catching mine.
What do you think? She licked her lips.
I’d never been so thankful for the strange, eerie connection between us.
Not sure. I ran my thumb over her cheekbone.
Looking at Ben, Ily whispered, “Are you willing to help?”
“Of course. That’s why we’re here. We know you won’t trust us, but you need more Masters. And…” Ben shrugged. “We don’t just come on our own.”
“What do you mean?” I narrowed my eyes.
“We’re friendly with three guards.”
“What? How?”
Stewart winced. “I’m a smoker, you see. I loiter outside a lot, and when you loiter around guards, you inevitably start talking shit. ‘What’s it like working here? Do they enjoy their job?’ That kinda thing.” He sighed. “Turns out, they’re as much a prisoner as all the rest.”
“What are you saying?” I went deathly fucking still.
“They’re housed in barracks down Victor’s long driveway by his helipad. They have their own jewels that are kept separate. They also have care packages flown in. They have luxuries and are treated well but they can’t go online. They can’t visit family. The day they signed their contracts, Victor flew them here and refuses to let them leave. He keeps them obedient by reminding them that it’s better to be the one holding the gun than the one wearing the collar. Each one is mostly a millionaire with how much Vic pays them, but what good is money if you can’t spend it?”
“Why haven’t they revolted before now?”
“They haven’t dared. Money is far better than rape. But…a lot of them are sick of it. They came as young men who were only thinking about pussy and money, but they’re older now and wanting more.”
“You’re saying they’d be open to a coup?”
“The three I’m friendly with just want off this fucking island. So yes. If they could be assured we’d win, they’ll start hiding weapons around the place. There’s an armoury attached to the barracks. They have access to ammunition and a stack of other shit that would ensure success. Hopefully.”
My heart pounded.
I hated that the longer we talked, the more I wanted to believe them.
The more I needed to believe.
I hadn’t wanted to voice my fears, but the closer we crept toward December, the worse my panic grew. For all our plans, it would most likely be suicide.
The jewels were powerless. The cleaning staff mostly useless. The gardeners only less so with their spades and rakes. Even the knives that the kitchen staff gave us only worked if a Master didn’t electrify a jewel before they got close enough to stab.
We need guns.
We needed lots and lots of guns.
And these two bastards are offering them to us...
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I did my best to find that calm centre. I grounded myself. Sucked in a cleansing breath. Willed myself to spot any lies or traps.
Victor could’ve put them up to this.
He might be waiting to entrap me.
But…
What if their offer was real?
What if we had an actual fighting chance at doing this?
Ily broke through my thoughts, whispering to the girls, “Do you swear on the lives of every jewel in here that this is real? That you trust your Masters like I trust mine?”
Abby and Pen looked at each other and nodded. “We swear. You can trust them.”
“In that case…” Looking at me, she shrugged. “Your call.”
I studied the two couples.
I looked deep into their eyes and judged the flickerings of love I saw there.
And I made a decision.
One that I hoped wouldn’t kill us.
“Fine.”
Both men exhaled heavily. “Thank God.”
“On one condition.”
“Anything.” Ben nodded. “We’re not about to mess this up.”
“We don’t talk about this ever again. You don’t talk about this ever again. Tell the guards to leave weapons in as many places as possible and have them inform you of the locations, but that’s it. Do not do a damn thing to make Victor suspect. You’re aware as much as I am how smart and cunning he is.”
“Done.” Stewart balled his hands in Penelope’s hair. “Once the guns are in place, I’ll tell Pen, and she’ll tell the rest.”
“Good.”
“Pleasure doing business with you, gentlemen.” Ben grinned as if a weight had lifted off his shoulders. “And now for the finale.” His grin turned to a grimace, his hips jerked, his shoulders rolled. He faked the throes of an orgasm before tripping away from Abby and tucking himself away.
Without a word, he gave us all a look, snapped his fingers, and vanished into the dark with his jewel.
“Ho ho ho.” Stewart smiled, faking his own release before tapping Penelope on the head and shoving his unspent cock back home. “Let’s hope Santa doesn’t have us on his naughty list this Christmas.”
The night snatched him and his jewel as they disappeared into the maze.
I stood staring after them, hoping like fuck I’d made the right choice.