Chapter 9

The Irish Girl....

This is not what I had expected when I had unlocked the red door and shoved it open.

Holy fuck.…!

More than a hundred girls, of different countries, complexion and race are kneeling down in the middle of the basement, restrained down with chains. About 50 men, dressed in that disgusting blood red army uniform are standing against the walls and keeping a tight supervision over the innocent girls.

Just like the others, their eyes are dead and hollow, faces stripped of any kind of emotion and their heart is as cold as ice. They are armed, all of them.

This has started to get out of hand now.

The number of girls is increasing, I thought I would find 15 but here are more than 100.

Shit!

“Why do you have so many girls?” I try my best to keep my voice leveled and indifferent despite the fury whirling inside my chest and threatening to drag in everyone around me.

You're doing this for him, you're doing this for a good cause.

I rein in my rage and take deep breaths. I can't lose control and mess up everything I've worked so hard for.

“Master Black, you're not the only one we do business with.” Balthazar speaks from behind me, his voice as cold and heavy as ever and I think he has lost the hint of terror in his voice.

Why? Isn't he scared of me anymore?

I think it over while moving my eyes around, taking in the uniformed army.

Ah! He thinks he's safe now that he's brought me down here, where he has got his men to save his ass.

He doesn't know that not even one of his men will be able to touch.

I don't bother to suppress my chuckle as I move inside for inspection.

“I am serious, Master Black.” He squeaks behind me, his voice hesitant. “I have other clients too.”

I know exactly who you deal with Balthazar. No need to remind me.

“When did I ever say you're joking?”

“You were chuckling…so I thought that…you didn't…I mean to say that…I thought you didn't believe me…”

“Something amusing crossed my mind and I chuckled. Am I not allowed to even chuckle lightly? You should loosen up your uptight rules.” I respond in a mocking voice to his broken explanation. “Some people might not like that. This behaviour can harm your business. Deeply.”

I turn around to face him and he swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.

Good. I think he has got the underlying warning in my tone.

That's right, Balthazar. You don't get away so easily when you offend someone like me.

“Your batch is ready, Monsieur. Let me show you the way.” He hastily moves on and I follow him silently, eyeing all of them with coldness and ill-interest.

I fucking hate this place.

I didn't want to come here but I didn't have any other choice.

And looking around, I think I made the right decision. Now I just have to figure out how to get all of these girls out of here. I know that they'll all be shipped off in a matter of time. I have to come up with a plan before he can do so with these girls.

“Are you going to ship these girls off?” I ask as he leads me to stand in front of the first row of girls, all looking scared and weak, vulnerable.

My fists clench tightly to my sides.

Calm down, Dammit, calm down!

You can't knock his teeth out, not yet or he might cancel the transaction.

“Yes, I have a deal with Master Tornado. He had asked for the rest of the girls.”

Master Tornado??

Is he talking about Mason?

“You mean, Mason Tornado from Turkey?”

“Oui… you know him, Monsieur?” Balthazar gives me a suspicious look and I nod. There's no use hiding such things.

“I've met him, once. In a gathering.” But that doesn't mean that I'll reveal everything.

An understanding look flashes in his eyes before it is replaced by indifference. But I know, he's bought it. He turns his focus back to the task at hand.

I shake off my amusement. This bastard thinks that Tornado is a really big deal. Idiot! He doesn't even know that Tornado works for me. After all, he's the one who sends the girls back from the rehab when I'm not available.

It's really hard not to laugh out loud in Balthazar's face. But somehow I manage to keep my face straight. My eyes flicker down to the girl kneeling in front of me, looking up at me with eyes which are filled with fear and trauma, her fragile body trembling violently. She fears me… and in a perverted way, I like that.

My amusement disappears.

Wow, only one look and I'm feeling so much sober now.

Ignoring my demons which are trying to tear out of the dark surfaces of my mind, I move to stand in the opposite corner of the basement, the uniformed men automatically shift away to make space for me and I watch silently while leaning against the wall as Balthazar brands them, one by one, with a red-hot iron stamp, making them mine.

This is going to be one of my regrets. I can't save them from getting their shoulders burned and marked forever. Their batch number, in which they are being sold, will always be itched onto their skin.

They have to sacrifice something for their freedom, even if it's in the form of a branding.

I wait patiently or I try to appear patient as he continues making those girls hiss and sob in burning pain. The silence is ominous, only interrupted by the girls screams and agony.

What the hell…!

I rub my neck and for some inexplicable reason, my head turns to the door, just as I hear the soft sound of the knob getting twisted then the door creaks open.... and standing out there, is a pale and frail girl.

Everyone's eyes are drawn to her instantly.

Mine as well.

I observe the girl from a distance…. in a slow manner.

She's young, too young, younger than any of these girls. Her pale skin appears smooth and flawless, in complete contrast to the dark mane of her thick and lush hair.

I frown.

Has Balthazar started child trafficking too??

Her sweetheart face looks so innocent.... I have a sudden urge to corrupt that innocence and I'm taken aback by the intensity of my own desire to do so.

Get a grip, Black.

Her eyes are wild and fearful, incredibly wide in her small face as she takes in her surroundings. She looks at Balthazar with an edge in her fearful eyes. I can't see Balthazar's face but by the way he has gone completely still, I'm damn sure he wasn't expecting her.

Who is she?

“Miss. Danforth, what are you doing here? And how did you get out of my office?” Balthazar speaks in his heavy voice. His voice doesn't waver but I can tell it's getting harder for him to keep up with his cold attitude in front of this girl.

Is this the Irish girl he was talking about....?

The girl's eyes widen even more if possible as she appears to have understood that she's at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

“I—” She breaks off, clears her throat then tries again. “I was looking for you.”

She's blatantly lying.

“Looking for me or the exit door?” Balthazar calls out on her shit and she pales.

“I needed some water.”

Hmm.… she's tactical.

“Take her back to my office and get her a glass of water.” He orders and Roma, his right hand, steps out of the line and starts moving towards the girl.

Not so fast, Balthazar.

“Wait.” I command and pleasantly so, Roma halts in his way.

Upon hearing my voice, Balthazar's eyes flicker to me and the young girl follows his gaze to me. As soon as she sees me leaning against the wall and all the men standing at least 7 feet away from the corner I am occupying, her eyes widen with shock and surprise.

Wow…. Her eyes are really dark. Fascinating….

“What's the hurry? Won't you introduce me to your guest, Balthazar?” I throw a knowing look in Balthazar's direction before rotating my eyes back to the girl, who's now staring down at her knotted fingers.

Ah…. I like that. More than you'll ever know, chéri.

“She's not a guest, Monsieur. I didn't bring her up for show because she's not that important and neither is she for transaction. Roma, get her out of here.” Balthazar responds quickly, evading my question and trying his best to get the girl away from me.

What's so special about her….?

But before I can think, Roma starts moving again.

Oh, for fuck's sake!

“I said WAIT.”

Balthazar freezes.

“Roma, back to your place.” He immediately orders, sweat beads popping up on his forehead and glistening under the fluorescent lights. “Miss. Danforth, step inside and close the door behind you.”

There. That's better.

I smirk as I watch Roma moving back to his spot.

“But you said I can go.” The girl squeaks out, catching my attention and I watch her turning deathly pale in front of my eyes.

“No, no one is going anywhere. Please, close the door and come here.”

Wow… Are my ears ringing or did Balthazar really just request the girl? I don't think I've ever seen him sweating over a single girl.

She has to be that girl….

“No! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to disturb you! Please, I can find my way back. Let me go.” The girl's eyes go wide as she takes a tentative step back.

Hell yes! She's going to run away.

I'm more than ready to chase her down but before she can flee, the guard near the door moves to shut the door and locks it.

Dammit! I wanted to have some fun.

I glare at the guy who's now staring straight ahead. I'll make you pay, you just wait bastard….

I had such a good shot at some fun, I would have loved to see how far and fast she could go.

“Balthazar! Let me go.” The girl runs up to the door and starts twisting the knob in vain. “Please.”

“Come here, Miss. Danforth. No need to panic.” Balthazar moves towards her and she turns frantic, almost wild.

When he approaches her, he whispers something in an inaudible voice, out of my earshot, which makes the girl's eyes pop wider with alarm.

What is he telling her?

“What do you mean? What are you going to do with me!?” She searches his face for something. Balthazar just shakes his head and grabs her upper arm. The girl hisses through her teeth, her whole body turning rigid, defensive.

Is she hurt? Has Balthazar already hurt her?

I stifle a sudden urge to grab Balthazar by his throat and ask him what he has done to her…. Why has she winced?

But I restrain myself. Because I know that this kind of inquisition can turn pretty bloody, someone might end up dead.

“No!” The girl screams and thrashes in his hold but he drags her along anyway. “Let me go you bastard!”

He drags her to the middle of the basement and tries to put her down on her knees but she keeps pulling her arm, this time succeeding in doing so, taking everyone by surprise.

Woah…. she's tough.

She pulls that hand back, I notice the keen way she loses her palm muscles for better effect and slaps Balthazar across his left cheek. The sound of the slap resonates around the space and Balthazar's face wipes to the side.

Ouch!

When the girl realises what she has just done, the furious look on her face transforms into one of the most scared looks.

Shit! What the hell is she thinking? Does she have a death wish?

I stare at the small but wild girl in bewilderment as she stumbles back while wiping her tears away, her body turning rigid. When my eyes flicker down to see Balthazar rubbing his cheek, slowly processing what has just happened, I can't help my smirk.

Damn…. no one has ever dared to even touch him and this girl has slapped him already!

“YOU FUCKING SLUT!” Balthazar growls at the girl. “How dare you!”

Oh oh…. The hell is going to break loose now.

My muscles bunch up to run and grab him before he can jump at the girl and strangle her. But I pause when something very unusual happens.

The girl starts flailing her frail limbs.

What the hell is she doing?

I stare in puzzlement as she continues slapping and kicking at Balthazar, her eyes squeezed shut and her movements haywire. At one point, her knees connect with his crotch and Balthazar falls back with a pained scream.

My eyes bug out. What!?

“Fucking Bitch! My balls, fuck!” Balthazar curses, while clutching his dick and howling out in pain.

I can't take it anymore.

I burst out laughing.

My eyes water up and my lungs explode as I fall into a fit of laughter.

I can't believe that a small innocent girl has knocked down a bull of a man. It's astonishing!

“Hilarious —” I'm cut off when another bubble of laughter bursts inside my lungs. I clutch my stomach and cave in, falling down on my knees. “Oh My God! I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life.”

I put my palms down on the floor and stare at it while trying to control myself. Dammit! Control yourself or you'll be in dipshit. I wait for a minute or so to get a grip on myself then pull back to lean on my heels. I wipe my watery eyes then get up to my feet. Okay…. I can do this. But when my eyes flicker back down to find Balthazar still rolling around the floor in agony, I lose it again.

I catch a glimpse of the girl, hiding behind her long, dark hair while trying to suppress her own amusement. A wicked smile tugs at my lips when an arousingly disturbing scene crosses my head….. in which I have a bundle of soft and fluffy feathers in my hand and I'm sliding it all over her flawless body, making her squirm in front of me. Her wrists are bound over her head and the only voice I can hear is of her fast breathing, the only thing I can smell is the scent of her arousal and the only thing I can see is her body laid out, completely naked, for me to feast on. Then I replace the feathers with a wicked whip and mark her as mine, lashing out at her with the whip that turns her pale skin rosy and sensitive to the touch. Screams and cries tear out of her throat as she begs for me to stop, over and over again. But I've gone too far to stop….

My pants suddenly feel like they are suffocating my cock, that has turned rock hard. Fuck!

I can't let those thoughts flash inside my head, it's too tempting.

I shake my head, vehemently.

Shit! I'm getting off the track again.

But looking at this girl, I realize that I have to get her out of here. I don't give a fuck about what kind of debt this little thing has to pay but I can't leave her behind with Balthazar. She's too young and looking at her deep blush, I can tell she ain't seen anything yet.

I let out a deep breath and compose myself. Okay, let's do this. Before I can change my mind, I start walking forward. I'll have to make some changes in my plan and I'm ready to do that if I can save one more life.

I walk towards the girl, giving her a wicked grin.

“You're a badass, Miss. Danforth.” I mumble in a low and deep voice.

A deep flush covers her cheeks, spreading down to her beautiful neck and I smile indulgently, pleased by her response. My conviction solidifies. Yes, I'm taking her with me and till the time being…. she'll be my ESCLAVE.

Moving past her, I kneel down in front of Balthazar which makes him stop moaning and rolling around. He stares up at me with fear in his eyes.

That's the only thing I want to see in your eyes, fucker.

My lips curl at the corners. My amusement is gone, replaced by a burning hatred which will soon turn Balthazar de Lucas into ashes.

“I want her.”

I watch as all the color drains down his face and I hear the Irish girl, standing behind, gasp in surprise.

“At any cost.”