The Decimation of Mae (The Blue Butterfly) Read online

  I caught the roll of Lola’s lips as she tried to hide her amusement. Master tipped his head calling for my attention silently. I lifted my eyes to him. He shook his head slightly as his eyes narrowed into a fierce glare.

  I narrowed my eyes back. “Can you lip read?” I mouthed wondering how the hell he had heard me. He smirked at me when I blobbed my tongue at him.

  Demi caught the action and I cursed myself. She glared at me, her eyes suspicious as she flicked her gaze between Master and me.

  “Charles,” Master spoke when he leaned towards the obese geriatric. “Your subject is Lola, on the left. Mae, whom you have your attention on, is currently under the order of Tony.”

  Master gestured a hand towards who I presumed to be Tony. His short black hair was all I could see as he sat with his back to me in the large high-backed chair.

  “That she is.” Tony spoke without looking at me. “I’m afraid you’ll need a more… substantial backer if you wish to challenge me for her, Charles.”

  Something crawled over me when I caught Tony’s accent. It sounded familiar. I frowned and tipped my head to catch more of his dialogue but he didn’t speak again. Master frowned at me, his own head slightly cocked when he observed my peculiar reaction.

  Lola and I were pretty much ignored for the rest of the meal. I couldn’t stop the hatred curling in my gut as I witnessed an hour of Demi touching Master. She played up to him the whole time, stroking him constantly, laughing at everything he said, attempting to feed him food from her own plate as if they were on a fucking date.

  Stupid fucking nauseating bitch.

  My reaction to her puzzled me as much as it angered me. If I had ever felt jealousy before I would have given this feeling a name, but as I hadn’t, I couldn’t recognise what it was.

  After-meal drinks were delivered by a couple of staff and the party shifted to the sofas. I tried to catch a glimpse of Tony; however he chose to take a seat in a dark corner, but I felt his eyes on me the whole time. I couldn’t shift the feeling that something was ‘off’ about him. Even during their meal, although his back had been to me, his attention had very much been on me. It was a strange feeling, like he was sensing me instead of looking at me.

  Conversation was heavy and heated between the guests, alcohol making them louder and boisterous. Lola glanced at me when the other older man whom I had heard addressed as David started to tell the whole room very loudly how he liked to take his conquests. His sick and twisted preference didn’t seem to shock the other individuals, only myself and Lola. He spoke of numerous torturous devices that he liked to attach his lovers to; clamps, chains, furniture with specific torture mechanisms attached to it. One so appalling, I nearly choked on the vomit that rushed up from my stomach.

  My legs were becoming numb as the familiar throb started in my head. Dizziness accompanied the usual dull headache and at one point Lola’s hand shot out to steady me when I wobbled precariously on my plastic plinth. “Are you okay?” she whispered.

  “No, are you?”

  She shook her head from side to side only marginally so as to not alert the others’ attention. “Mae, Charles frightens me.”

  The fear in her voice tightened my chest. Her pretty blue eyes were dull and full of horror as she watched the guests become more and more abandoned. My heart ached for her. She was to become a slave, and whereas I had the comfort of death to steal me away from what was to come, Lola didn’t and tears pricked my eyes for her.

  “Honestly, Lola, I’d swap you honey, but my date needs it to be a little more rough.”

  She squinted at me, shaking her head with confusion. “Rough?”

  “Mmm, seems he wants to fuck me to death… literally.”

  He mouth dropped open as she stared at me. “What? My God, no.”

  I shrugged. “Don’t worry. I’m dying anyway but I’ll admit, I was hoping to go out a little more… nicely.”

  “Oh my God, Mae. We need to get out of here.”

  Her wide eyes snapped around the room as if looking for an escape route. I grabbed at her hand, attempting to calm her down. She was going to get herself into deep trouble if she carried on. She was wired, running on adrenaline as terror morphed into instinct and the need to run.

  “Lola, calm down, love. I’m doing what I can but you need to calm down. Master Robert is one sick crazy bastard and if he…”

  “Is there a problem over there?” Demi cut in loudly.

  Lola’s eyes widened even further in panic when she knew what would come from our disobedience.

  “Nope!” I answered, trying to bring the attention on myself. Lola wasn’t coping too well and any more emotion in her blood stream wouldn’t bode too well for her.

  Demi narrowed her eyes on me, but her lips twisted into a cruel smirk. “I would say it’s time to play gentlemen. Your subjects seem to be getting a little bored.”

  Charles stood up immediately, rubbing his hands together in delight as he grinned at Lola. She whimpered beside me. I loathed the sound; it stabbed at my insides.

  I stared at Demi, debating whether to jump off the bloody pedestal and knock the fucking bitch out. I had never hated anyone as much in my life.

  An idea formed in my head and I started to chuckle. “Demi.” Her eyes widened as I spoke, shocked at my stupid bravery. “I’d love to play. You’re right, I’m getting a little bored here. The only lady in the room, aside from Lola, and all you gentlemen choose to ignore me.”

  Master shot out of his chair. He was furious but I laughed even harder. “Bring it the fuck on!”

  Shock rendered him immobile for a moment as he gawped at me. Hilarity took over as I watched him freeze. “Come on,” I urged as I jumped down from the podium.

  “Mae, what the hell are you doing?” Lola hissed.

  I turned to look at her. “Getting the leery bastards away from you. Buckle up, baby, shit’s about to hit the fan.” She stared at me with as much shock as the rest of the room. “Fuck this,” I goaded. “I’ll start without you then.”

  I looked down at the front of my dress. The delicate lace neckline taunted me so I grabbed it and tore at it, ripping it into shreds until I stood before the room in half-bra and thongs, my feet still locked into my crippling red heels.

  Master shook his head as his face reddened. Master Robert charged towards me but everything slammed to a halt when Tony stepped out from the darkness.

  “Touch her and I will reverse every single bid I have made over the previous three years.”

  I didn’t focus on the rest of the room when everything whooshed towards me. My legs finally gave way and I sank to the floor when my eyes landed on the man who had bought me. He shook his head in warning as he walked towards me, his eyes telling me to keep quiet and pretend.

  Holy fucking shit!

  Chapter Eighteen

  ‘Guardian Angels come in many forms.’

  I stared at him. I couldn’t get anything to work. My heart was pounding as tears stung my eyes. “What…?”

  Tony ignored me and turned to Master. “I require time alone with my subject.”

  Master narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “I’m afraid…”

  “I am not interested in no, Daniel. I’m paying over six hundred thousand pounds for your stock, I think I am entitled to a God damned taster before you damage the goods, so to speak.”

  “I’m not sure Mae is experienced enough yet to submit to any sexual connection with you.”

  Tony laughed loudly. “And yet you still refuse my request.”

  “Daniel,” Master Robert warned sternly.

  “Fine.” Master held up his hands in defeat. “If you would care to follow me, Tony. I’ll provide you with a private room.”

  I still remained in a heap on the floor looking up at Tony in shock. “Get up!” he demanded. When I simply blinked at him he took a handful of my hair and yanked me upright. “Don’t fucking defy me, girl. You won’t like the consequences of your insolence.”

  The pai
n from his grip snapped me out of the daze controlling me. I winced when pain tore through the roots on my head. He dragged me after him, his large strides after Master wide and firm as he overpowered me. I tried to turn to Lola to make sure she was okay but Tony’s hold restricted any movement.

  We followed Master into a small room off the main hallway. He flicked on the lights then turned to Tony. “I’m afraid I can only grant you a few moments. I don’t need to remind you that she isn’t quite yet your possession.”

  Tony scoffed and quirked an eyebrow. “Well if you hurry the fuck up with the auction then she actually will be. May I remind you that it is only your inability to train your stock proficiently that is delaying the transaction?”

  Anger contorted Master’s face before he took a step towards Tony. “I can always withdraw the auction. You may be the highest bidder, Tony, but Mae is still in my guardianship until completion.”

  Tony straightened his back and mirrored Master’s stance, taking a step towards his adversary. “I think your father may have something to say about a cancellation, Daniel. After all, this isn’t your transaction to revoke but his.” He tilted his head mockingly and smirked. “I would say your hands are rather tied.”

  Master’s wrath was choking in the small room, testosterone stifling the oxygen until it became difficult to breathe. He had no choice but to relent as he turned to me. “Mae.” I looked up at him from my kneeling position on the floor beside Tony, his fingers still twisted tightly in my hair. “You will behave impeccably. Do not fight or curse. Do you understand?”

  I didn’t miss the message in his words. “Yes, Master. I understand.”

  He gave me a worried glance before he turned back to Tony. “I trust you will be delivering Mae’s punishment for her belligerent behaviour.”

  Tony smiled slyly. “Yes, very much so. I’m quite looking forward to it.”

  Master’s face tightened as his teeth sank into his lower lip. “Then I put my faith in your self-control and trust you not to go too far. After all, you can’t film a slaughter if the main character is already dead.” I snapped my eyes to his when he repeated my words from earlier. He didn’t acknowledge me but fixed Tony with a stare before he left the room and closed the door behind him.

  I gasped when Tony hauled me upright and pushed me back against the wall. Fear and panic mixed with uncertainty and hope concocting a chaotic cocktail of emotion. I looked into his eyes but he sneered at me and brought his face closer to mine until his breath rushed over my ear.

  “Play along. We are being watched. I’m sorry to do this but I have to make it look as realistic as possible Mae.”

  I froze when his hand covered my breast and his fingers dug into my flesh viciously. “I…”

  “Sshhh. I gather you recognise me?”

  “Yes.” I shivered when he dipped his finger into my bra and ran the tip over my nipple. I noticed he moved slightly to the side giving our voyeurs a show. “I wasn’t sure if you would, it’s been nine years. We don’t have much time so I’m going to be as quick as I can.”

  I closed my eyes and remained frozen when he slid his hand down my body until he cupped my sex over my knickers. “Once again I apologise for touching you. The deal is almost done.” He ran his tongue down the length of my neck, perfecting his character. “But I’m afraid I can’t get you out until the auction is completed, until money is exchanged. I am trying like hell to hurry that procedure along for you but Daniel seems to be bringing forward excuse after excuse.”

  He turned me around so my back was to his front. I placed my palms on the wall to steady myself as he pushed into me and pressed his mouth once more to my ear. He started to grind against me as his fingers curled around the front of my throat. “Your father was the best partner I had, Mae. We’ve been watching this organisation for around five years and then suddenly your face appeared on their veiled auction site. Well, you can imagine my shock.”

  I nodded as he took my hands and held them tight behind my back in an awkward position, the strain on my shoulders painful. “Yes, but…”

  “Listen to me.” I nodded, allowing him to continue. “The trade is due to take place in five days. Can you hang on until then?”

  “Tony,” I whispered urgently. “You need to forget me and bid for Lola. Please. They’ll kill her when she loses the game. I’m dead anyway but you need to get her out of here.”

  “Don’t worry about Lola. She’ll be safe. We’ll get her out as soon as the money is transferred and they accept payment.”

  “But it will be too late by then. As soon as you win they will kill her. Please, Tony.”

  “Mae, I need you to trust me. Lola will be safe and these men will be going away for a very long time.”

  Something shifted in my belly, a sliver of worry as Master’s fate upset me. Why the hell I cared was beyond me but the thought of him going to prison left me feeling cold. “Tony, Daniel isn’t a bad person. His father is…”

  “What the hell, Mae? He’s done nothing but humiliate and beat you. He’s been involved in this venture for many years, feeding his greed with numerous auctions. You have no idea how sick and twisted he is. Don’t defend him.” He sighed and turned me round to face him. He kissed my cheek, little soft kisses until he worked his way back to my ear. “I believe you are suffering from Stockholm syndrome but there will be little time to give you any counselling.”

  He moved his lips over mine, hovering over me. “I’ll make sure your last days are as comfortable as they can be. I owe you that much. You deserve that much.” His eyes held mine, sadness carried in his soft expression. “I’m so sorry, Mae.”

  “That’s okay. I’m ready to be with my parents and Connie. They are more than ready to accept me back as well.”

  He swallowed as he ran his thumb over my cheekbone. “You are one strong woman. Your parents would be proud of you.”

  I answered him with a small smile.

  The door reopened and Tony shifted back from me. He turned towards Master with a smug grin. “She tastes exquisite and will be perfect for what we need. I’ll make the necessary arrangements for five days’ time. We don’t have much time to record before she dies so I’m relying on you to complete this damn transaction without any more hitches.”

  Master simply nodded, regarding Tony with slightly narrow eyes. “Five days will be sufficient time to finish her course.”

  “Good, because I won’t wait much longer. If she dies in the meantime then I’ll have to transfer the bids over to the other girl, but that would be a shame. Mae is simply perfect. Her looks and specifically her scar will drive our clientele wild. She already has that victim appearance, and vulnerability sells.”

  I gawped at him, only just holding myself back from hitting him when I realised he was playing a part. The way Master growled at him caused both Tony and me to stare in shock. Tony stepped backwards when Master stepped angrily towards him. “I suggest you leave before I annul this fucking deal, with or without my father’s consent.”

  “Master?’

  He blinked and looked at me then seemed to realise what he was doing and shook himself. “It is time for Mae to retire for the night. I’ll show you out, Tony.” He turned to me. “I’ll see you in your room shortly, Mae.”

  I nodded. “Of course, Master.” I hurried from the room commanding myself not to glance Tony’s way and ruin his cover.

  Excitement bubbled in my belly. I just hoped that Tony managed to get me out before it all went to hell. At least I was guaranteed to die by cancer instead of killed off in some freak bloody movie. I was concerned for Lola though. I had a bad feeling that as soon as the transaction took place that they would end her life. Although Tony had promised me he would help her, I wasn’t sure he would manage to save her in time.

  ~~~

  I was ready for him when he entered my room. I secured my gaze on a portion of the wall as I knelt in preparation. I sensed his fury as he slowly walked towards me. His thighs blocked my line of
sight and I forced myself not to drool over the way his trousers sheathed the thick muscles, the outline showing me how perfect his legs were.

  “Who is he?”

  My heart thundered wildly. I was sure he could smell the perspiration that broke out in droplets over my forehead. “My buyer.”

  I flinched when he dropped to his haunches in front of me. He was silent and I kept my eyes on his chest. “Don’t lie to me, lamb.”

  “I’m not, Master. You have been dealing with him, he’s purchasing me.” I lifted my eyes to his. “So he can torture me to death.”

  His jaw hardened as anger blazed in his eyes. I cried out when his hand circled my throat and he lifted me up, forcing me onto the bed. My back slapped the duvet, my body bouncing back up with the force of his throw.

  He was above me before I could blink, his huge body taking mine prisoner underneath him. “Don’t fucking lie to me!”

  “I’m not!” I shouted back, my throat straining under the tightness of his hold.

  “Is he a lover?”

  “What the hell? No!”

  “There’s something you’re not telling me, Mae. And believe me, if I find out for myself what is going on then you’ll regret ever fucking meeting me.”

  I scoffed. “I already fucking regret ever meeting you!”

  I braced for his hand to connect with my cheek but it didn’t. The only sound was both of our heavy breaths as we stared each other out and strived to control the hatred suffocating our emotions.

  I froze when his hand slid up the middle of my breastbone and circled my throat. “Tell me how you know him, lamb.” His tone was softer this time, the tightness in his throat echoing an emotion that, if I didn’t know him, would have sounded much like hurt.

  “I don’t know him.”

  “He was very intimate with you.”

  I couldn’t grasp what he was insinuating. Why he seemed to be more concerned if I’d had a relationship with him instead of anything else he could have posed a concern for. “I don’t understand what you want from me.”