Captive of Desire

Chapter 5

ARIA

The sound of gunshots tore me out of sleep and I scrambled off the bed.

My heart slammed against my ribs as I climbed onto the chair and peered through the small window. Outside, men dressed in black and gray sprinted in one direction, guns clutched tight in their hands. Shouting followed. Orders barked.

This wasn't panic, it felt like a routine.

The rattle of keys at the door snapped my attention back inside.

Masked man stepped in, his presence instantly shrinking the room. A gun was slung across his chest, heavy and familiar, like an extension of his body. My eyes drifted to his bare, muscular arms, they were inked with dark tattoos that curled and twisted along his skin. I wondered what they meant. If they meant anything at all.

I looked up at him, fear choking me.

For a second, our eyes met and something unreadable flickered in his gaze.

"Let's go," he said, nodding toward the door.

I didn't argue, I didn't think I could, so I forced my legs to move.

It had been three days since I was brought here. Three days locked away with nothing but my thoughts and terror for company.

He walked ahead of me, two other men following close behind. No escape. No space to breathe.

We stopped in front of a massive metal door. When it swung open, my breath caught.

The room was enormous.

In one corner stood rows of girls, so many of them. At least fifty. Maybe more. All lined up, shoulders hunched, eyes wide with fear. Some were crying. Some stared blankly ahead like their souls had already left their bodies.

In the opposite corner were men dressed in black and gray, rifles in hand, lounging like this was entertainment.

Masked man grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the line of girls. My heart raced as I spotted her, the girl from the van. She looked pale, hollow, like she hadn't slept or eaten. I slid in beside her. Her eyes flickered with relief when she saw me.

"What's happening?" I whispered, my voice barely there. "What are they going to do to us?"

"Shhh," someone hissed.

"He's coming," another girl whispered, panic cracking her voice.

"Who?" I asked, barely breathing. "Who's coming?"

"Byron," a girl behind me whimpered.

Laughter echoed from the men's corner as they chatted. Some of them smoked, watching us like animals in a cage. My eyes scanned the room until they landed on masked man again. He was staring straight at me now, arms folded. Another man stood beside him, talking quietly but he didn't seem to be paying attention. His eyes were fixated on me.

Then another door opened and three men stepped inside.

Two walked ahead while the third followed behind them and everything changed.

And suddenly the room fell silent.

He didn't rush. He didn't need to.

He walked like he owned the ground beneath his feet. His body was covered in tattoos, arms, neck, even a part of his face. His eyes were sharp, cruel, and amused.

"This," he said, voice smooth and loud, "is my favorite part of the day."

A few men chuckled.

"Fresh faces," he continued, spreading his arms. "Fear still untouched. Hope still alive."

He smiled. It was the kind that made my stomach drop.

"Welcome," he said. "You should feel honored. Not everyone gets this close."

Then he turned toward the men, his voice shifting, commanding.

"Keep your eyes open, men" he said, tone razor-sharp. "Rotate the guards. Ensure that no shipment goes unchecked, we're sending out three tonight,"

Three? three what?!

He walked along the line of girls, stopping occasionally to lift a chin, brush a shoulder, inhale a braid of hair as if fear were a scent meant for him alone.

When he reached my spot, my body betrayed me, I trembled and a tear streaked down my cheek.

God please!

I shut my eyes as his fingers brushed my skin.

"So soft," he murmured.

I felt so sick.

He moved on and I exhaled, I didn't even realize I was holding my breath.

Then he stopped again, this time in front of a blond girl, she shook in fear.

"This one," he said, pointing. "Bring her to me."

The room erupted.

"No! please!" the girl screamed, sobbing, clawing at the floor as two men dragged her forward. "Please, let me go!-"

Byron watched, entertained.

The girl was hauled away, her screams echoing long after she disappeared through the door.

Byron turned back to his men.

"Good work guys," he said, almost praising them. "Keep the rest in line. Control is earned, not given. And anyone touches my girls without permission?, remember what happens to them."

Then he turned toward us, eyes like knives.

"Behave," he said softly, almost kindly, "and maybe you'll last a little longer."

He turned to his men again. "Ace, you know what to do."

He walked out and the door slammed shut.

The man who I guessed was Ace smirked and clapped his hands.

“Alright ladies,” Ace and other men, including masked man started to make their way towards us.

Ace examined us and pointed at 2 girls, each girl he pointed at was grabbed and hurled away by the men, screaming on top of their lungs.

Ace stopped at me, he was going to pick me next but masked man stepped in.

"Not that one," he stated, his voice cold as ice.

"And why the hell not, Dante?," Ace retorted, clearly infuriated that masked man was interrupting.

Dante.

"She's new," masked man, whom I now knew was called Dante said.

"Ahh, fresh meat," Ace smirked "Fresh skin, beautiful eyes, perfect for-"

Dante interrupted. "Just pick someone else Ace, we don't have all day."

I was trembling from head to toe.

"Fine, there's plenty to choose from," Ace picked another girl. She screamed and cried as she was being hurled away.

Dante grabbed me gently by the arm. I stumbled along beside him, heart hammering in my chest. My legs felt like lead, my body still buzzing from fear.

The hall back to my cell seemed impossibly long. Each step echoed with the screams of the blonde girl, the laughter of the men, and Byron's calm, horrifying authority.

Finally, the door to my room swung open. Masked man shoved me inside. I fell onto the bed, burying my face in the pillow, shaking uncontrollably.

"What are they going to do to those girls?" I found my voice.

He paused at the door and looked at me.

"Trust me love, it's best if you didn't know," and then he left.