I don’t say a word, because he ordered me not to. He should really make up his mind. With a nudge at my side and his fingers tightening on my leash, he says, “Say hello, Pet.”
Or you will pay for it later.
I don’t miss the unspoken threat to his words.
“Hello, Pet,” I say, and I regret it instantly because his fingers twist my nipple painfully. I cry out and resist the urge to sulk.Why are we here?
“Such a willful little girl,” the bald man who’d spoken earlier—Colonel Pain, I think—chuckles as he sips his drink.
“Nothing that a good spanking won’t fix, I assure you. I’ve never seen a sub fight so hard and yet enjoy the stinging slap of my palm quite as much as my little Pet.”
They all laugh, jowls shaking, rotund bellies wobbling, as if my humiliation is funny. I set my jaw and try my best not to scream at the sick bastards before me.
“Excuse us. There’s someone I need to see,” Ares says, and tugs me forward. From out of nowhere one of the men grabs my ass as we pass. I shriek, and the entire room goes quiet.
Ares brings us to a stop, studying my face closely, assessing the situation. “What happened?”
I shake my head, unwilling to speak lest I be struck, or worse, put over his knee for the enjoyment of everyone here.
“Tell me now.”
“He grabbed me,” I whisper on a shaking breath. “Someone grabbed me.”
Ares’ gaze flashes with anger. “Who touched her?”
“I merely gave her a little squeeze.” The colonel’s ruddy face is as unapologetic as it is ugly.
“You touched my property?” One minute he’s beside me, and the next I’m alone. Ares stalks toward the huddle of men, all barely contained fury. He fists the other man’s collar and pulls him off his feet.
“It was just a little grab.”
“She is not yours to grab,” Ares mutters through his teeth.
“Is there a problem here, Master Muerte?” a loud, heavily accented voice booms. I can’t see the owner of it because of the bodies crowding around, but I see the white Stetson moving toward us.
“No problem.” Hermes seems to appear from out of nowhere and sidles up to his twin, speaking in a low hush. “Brother, let the colonel go.”
“The only violence I allow in my home,” the man in the Stetson drawls as he pushes through the gathering, “is directed at the slaves. But you already knew that, Master Muerte.”
“He knows. He’s just a little protective.” Hermes claps his brother on the shoulder, and Ares lets the colonel go. “This one is new, and very special.”
“I can see that. She is lovely,” Stetson says. I keep my gaze to the ground, but I feel his perusal of my body, and I silently thank Ares for ensuring that I’m covered. “I believe introductions are in order.”
“Texas, this is my Pet.” Ares enunciates the words “my” and “pet” perfectly, as if there could be any confusion about whom I belonged to.
Texas guffaws. “It’s a pleasure to meet Master Muerte’s Pet.” He pops the P in my name.
I don’t know what to do in this situation. Sir has forbidden me to speak to another, and I don’t want to disappoint him. I aim to please him in all things, at least while at this ranch, because the alternative is truly terrifying.
Ares answers for me. “She’s forbidden to speak to anyone. You’ll forgive her silence.”
The grin that stretches across Texas’ face is a jolly one. I realize I’m staring at the man when my gaze should be lowered. I blush, because his perusal of me is covetous, and hungry. “Of course she is. I tell you what, why don’t you show us just how special your new girl is?”
Ares clears his throat. “It’d be my pleasure.”
What?What does that mean? I snap my gaze to his. Dark brown eyes lock with mine, and I gape in horror.
“Well alright then.” Texas claps Ares on the back and turns, gesturing toward a set of great oak doors. “Join us, gentlemen. Pollyanna will show you the way.”