Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

When my skin was red, I dropped the washcloth to the floor. Grabbing the bottle of shampoo and lathering up my hair. His bath products probably cost as much as our groceries for the week. 

When I was done, I used the conditioner and combed my fingers through my wet hair as I rinsed it. I knew that I couldn’t stay here forever. Even though I wanted to, my stomach grumbled loudly and I knew that I’d need to get something to eat if I was going to make it through the rest of the day.

After I dried off, I picked up the clothing that Kaida had brought me. Frowning, as I realized that it wasn’t so much clothing as it was a plum-colored slip dress and panties that would barely cover my ass. I wished that there was more than the matching pair of panties. Then again there could have been none and I’d be trapped in a dress that didn’t cover much.

Slipping the soft brushed cotton over my head, I pushed my arms through the straps. Glad that it didn’t irritate my sore bottom and thighs. 

My frown deepened as I realized that this ‘dress’ didn’t cover much more than an oversized t-shirt would. The lace hem fell to the top of my bruised thighs.

Looking in the mirror, I twisted around, taking in the marks on my skin. Love bites were littered over my skin where anyone could see them. His fingerprints bruised into my thighs from when he had moved me as he’d wanted to. Gripping me harder when he’d fucked me. 

Closing my eyes, I let out a long sigh, I knew Cora knew what I’d done last night. What I would continue to do. There was no way to hide it after how she and Kaida had found me this morning. Not that I would hide it from her, I just didn’t want this to hurt my sister.

Picking my towel up from the ground, I hung it up on the chrome rack beside the shower next to a black plush towel that I knew must be his. A part of me wondered why he’d chosen to claim me? Was I just a person that he could use? I wasn’t special, if anything I was boring.

Shaking my head, I tried to let the thought go as I took a deep breath. Holding it for a moment before I let it go, moving to the door, I steeled myself. I needed to be strong for Cora. 

Twisting the doorknob, I stepped back into Lucian’s bedroom. Looking back to the bed, I noticed the sheets from last night had been stripped and thrown into a hamper. Fresh linens were already placed on the bed, the sheets and comforter pulled tightly and tucked in. Pillows stacked across the back metal headboard, I hadn’t noticed the loops in the metal last night. Now I could see them clearly, for what they were. This bed was made for Lucian to tie me up any way that he wanted.

Cora and Kaida sat on the leather couches in the sitting area. My sister laughed at something Kaida said. The other woman rested her hand on my sister’s knee. I didn’t like how she was talking to my sister, how Cora seemed to be enjoying her company. Cora looked over at me, her eyes going wide before she shifted her legs away from Kaida’s hand. A different, almost guilty smile took its place. She looked down at her clasped hands in her lap. 

“I was right about that color suiting you,” Kaida said. “I’ll have to bring you some more clothing later. Unless Lucian or one of his brothers decides to take you shopping.”

My throat tightened at the thought of going shopping with him and the things that he might want to put me in. I didn’t see someone like him taking me shopping. I very much doubted that it would be a fun trip. 

I didn’t understand why his brothers would want to take me shopping. If I was Lucian’s why would they need to? Unless it was some weird bonding moment? “Don’t look so down. He claimed you, I know that you don’t really understand it. That’s kind of a big deal.”

My stomach rumbled, saving me from having to say anything.

“I guess we should feed you or he’ll be breathing down my neck.” Kaida giggled, wiggling her eyebrows. “Not a bad way to wake up, from what I’ve heard.” 

She pushed herself up off the couch, holding out a hand to my sister. Cora slid her hand into Kaida’s, moving to stand beside the slim woman as she picked up the hamper. She led us to the thick metal door. Holding it open for my sister and me to pass. When we were all in the hallway, she sat the hamper down, pulling out a set of keys and locking the door. “Place his hamper outside and one of the thrall members will take it to the laundry. Lucian likes his privacy so when he gives you keys, make sure to lock up.”

“I’ll be getting keys?” 

“One day, I haven’t seen him give his room key to anyone else before. You seem different.” She turned, her heavy boots making her steps ring off the cement hallways. Cora’s steps clicking slightly from the wedge heels. My steps didn’t make much sound, but the cold seemed to creep into my bones, making my feet ache the further along we went. The smell of bacon and eggs pulling me forward made me forget about the pain, I could hear the low murmur of voices and I knew that we were close. 

“I’m sorry about you having to be barefoot,” Kaida said, leading us down another hallway. “Your feet are bigger than mine.”

“We wear the same size,” Cora said from beside Kaida. She looked back at me. Her cheeks heated up as she sputtered out her next words. “Kaida and I. She, I, we wear the same size. Not you and me… You know that though.”

As she trailed off, I realized that my sister liked the other girl. I didn’t know how I felt about that, not that she liked a girl. The fact that she liked one of the people who were keeping us captive. I stepped closer to Cora, “She didn’t- they didn’t?”