Savage's

CHAPTER 5

*Gray*

I guessed something had happened to Daisy when she came back down the stairs. I just didn't know what. It wasn't until she passed out in the car, and then I knew for sure. I know my mom, and I know what she's capable of. I rushed Daisy back to my house, which was only fifteen minutes away.

I lived in the city, in a penthouse at the top of a large skyscraper. It was magnificent to be out of that mansion my parents call home, and in my own place. Although, with Daisy in the picture, something tells me I'll be seeing a lot more of them.

I parked my car in the garage, and carried Daisy gently in my arms. I took her to my bedroom, and laid her on the bed, where I would wait for a while for her to wake up. I knew her back was hurting, but couldn't see how, unless I removed her dress. I wasn't about to do anything like that, because that would steal away all of her trust. I want to gain her trust, not lose it.

Soon Daisy started to stir, and her groans grew louder and louder. I sat beside her, keeping my hands in arms' reach, just in case she happened to fall. Daisy turned and looked at me, her eyes wet with fresh tears. I could see fear and distress consuming her pupils, and I sighed. I've already lost her trust, thanks to my mother.

"What did she do to you?" I asked.

Instead of speaking, she pulled down the cotton shawl, turning around for me to look at her back. I saw a full whip lash across the top of her back, between her shoulder blades, and the tip of another one that poked out the top of her dress. I took a deep breath, as Daisy let the top part of her dress fall onto her hips. Five lashes total, each one deeper than the last.

I couldn't help but study the fresh untouched skin on her back too, as it looked as soft as the silk dress that clung to her waist. I knew she was baring her naked breasts, but no one was looking. She knew she was safe. Though, I wanted to look oh so badly... I stood up from the bed, and walked into the bathroom that was adjacent. I grabbed gauze, ointment, and a bowl of soapy warm water.

When I returned, Daisy was peeking over her shoulder at me, with a look of vulnerability. I sat behind her, and cleaned her wounds, while she whimpered and winced from the pain. I knew the soap would sting. I've felt what she is feeling, but it's better than an infection.

When it came to the last lash, Daisy damn near jumped out of her own skin, screaming in pain. I hushed her, and continued cleaning the crevice my mother created with her whip. Once all her wounds were clean, I applied the soothing ointment, as well as the gauze patches. Daisy was a wreck by the time we were finished. She had no energy left, and it showed. She fell to her side, still with her dress at her hips, and began sobbing uncontrollably.

I walked around to the front of her, and smiled when I noticed her arms covering her breasts perfectly. I knelt next to her, and pulled her dress straps back over her shoulder. As she stared at me with a puzzled expression.

"Get some rest, if you need anything, I'll be in the room next door," I offered, turning to walk away.

I smiled, before shutting the door behind me. I would leave her alone for now, let her rest, but I'll be checking on her soon. She'll need to eat, if she wants any energy, and it will be time to clean her wounds again.

In the meantime, I was behind on a lot of paperwork. I sat in the guestroom, and opened the laptop, resting it on my lap. I stared at the screen for at least fifteen minutes, thinking solely about Daisy, before I disciplined myself and forced myself to work. Time dragged on. After just an hour, I was already tired of waiting.

I couldn't wait to check on Daisy again... What the f**k is happening? I knew I was going to protect the woman they forced me to own, but I didn't know I would be obsessed with the thought of her! I can't get this girl out of my head.

I walked out of the spare bedroom, and into my bedroom, where Daisy was lying on her side with her eyes wide open. I slowly approached her, as her eyes were glued to me. Every move I made, her eyes followed, and I knew she was afraid of me.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, keeping my distance, just a few feet away from the bed.

"Not really..." She muttered, ducking her head, ashamed.

"You should try, I'll go make you something." I insisted, as I left the room.

I also had to get out of there, because all I wanted to do was wrap her up in my arms and kiss her pain away. I can't allow these feelings to grow, I have to stop myself now. Once she's healed she'll be nothing but another maid here.

I quickly threw together some scrambled eggs and toast, something bland for her sensitive stomach. When I entered the room again, she was sitting up in bed, much more coherent than before. She stared at me, and then at the tray of food in my hands, and squinted her eyes.

"Even if I say I didn't drug it, you probably won't believe me." I chuckled, morbidly, placing the tray across her lap.

"Who says I don't want to be drugged right now?" She sarcastically remarks, biting into the toast right away.

"May I?" I asked, pointing to the bed, and she nodded.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" She asked, her mouth full of food.

"Because I don't want to hurt you, or use you. Unlike many others you've encountered, I'm sure," I commented, realizing I shouldn't assume. "I'm sorry, I just assumed you came from an abusive home."

"You assumed correctly." She whispered.

"You're safe here," I assured her, holding eye contact, until she broke the connection.

"Why did you... buy me then?" She asked, pausing at the word 'buy'.

"I didn't, my parents did. It's a disgusting family tradition, one I couldn't avoid," I admitted through gritted teeth.

"I see..." She whispered, picking at her food. "But your mother said she would be checking in on us..."

"Thank you for the heads-up," I chuckled, "I will have to pretend to treat you poorly around her and the others, but please know it isn't by choice."

"Don't you think they'll figure it out?" She asked, tilting her head in wonder.

"Do you have a better idea?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"No..." She mumbled.

I started to walk out of the room, when I heard her sigh. I glanced at her, before disappearing from the room, and saw her staring at me with longing eyes. What did she want from me? I wish I could set her free, but I can't do that, not yet anyway. I know that look in any woman's eyes. I've seen it many times. Is she attracted to me? Oh boy... if she is, that would be fun-

Stop! Gray, you can't think like that, she is off limits. My parents would have a field day if I dated my slave, the woman they bought for me to use and torture... the way they 'used' their slaves, but I refuse to be like them. I refuse to follow their traditions of sadistic pleasure, because it isn't pleasuring to me. It's heartache. I don't want to hurt Daisy, or any woman for that matter.