Chapter 2 HIS DEN

"Where are you taking me?" Aria's voice shattered the stillness in air at the back seat of the black Maybach. Her wrists were still bound, her ankles too. The ropes dug deeper into her skin, making it itchy and reddened. Her breath remained uneven as fear clawed its way through her lungs. Her question hung in the air, she swallowed softly as she watched the silhouette of her buyer, while he intentionally ignored her. She tried rubbing her ankles together as the itch got unbearable, she wondered why he didn't untie her.

Did he want to savor the fact he bought her for such amount, and was he going to show her off elsewhere? She caught his gaze for a split second at the rear view mirror, one of his hand gripped the leather steering wheel while the other relaxed on the gear. His face illuminated once in a while from the passing streetlights. Despite being his captive, she couldn't deny his looks. His demeanor was overwhelming, dangerous but yet he was the most handsome man she'd seen in a while. Soon, the tyres slowed as the Maybach rolled to a slow stop in front of a massive wrought iron gates. Her gaze rose slowly to watch the tall gates like it was some damn castle in Merlin, then it creaked open automatically. The car rolled in, for some minutes all they passed were perfectly trimmed trees, angel water fountains at each corner , almost like an estate. Then they got to a stone mansion that set against the dark skyline like a cathedral. Her stomach churned violently, she soon came to the realization that there was no running from here right now, or even ever. The car halted finally with a little jerk that made her slid off the seat for a split second, he then got down from the car and walked to her side of the door. "Come, little dove." She threw her gaze away from him, refusing to move from the seat. Suddenly, his hands shot out as he grabbed her by the arm out of the car, then slung her over his shoulder like a bag of cement. Her core throbbed as her breast hit his shoulders, all her hair came pouring down her face as she bounced softly while he took his steps. Then he set her down on the marble steps at the entrance, she staggered slightly but he held her in place. Without pressing the bell, the door shot open and a woman in her mid forties shoved her head out, her hair pulled into a tight silver bun while her emerald eyes gleamed brightly at their presence. "Welcome Master," she greeted with a polite nod, and excused herself from the entrance as he held her tightly and walked in. "Shall I prepare the west wing?" she asked, Aria's eyes scoured through the opulent view of the house, the chandeliers, the portraits that seemed like four people only could carry. The dining that was lit with like almost ten candles with variety of meals , and the tall open windows with the moonlight shining through the dark demeanor of the house. "Put her in the velvet room," He urged, her head snapped back to his command. "She's yours until I say otherwise. Feed her, give her a bath and don't let her out of your sight." He releases his grip on her, Aria's throat tightened as her stomach churned, he talks about her like she was some dog or cat. "As you wish, Master." The woman gave a small bow. Then she stepped forward, "I'm Doris, dear. Come along. You'll feel much better once you're clean." Aria looked back at him, his intense stare sent shivers through her. His hands pocketed into his suit pants, and he watched as Doris held her by the shoulder. She turned back and followed doris, her barefoot padded softly on the shiny marble floors of the hall way lit by two chandeliers. "I can bathe myself," Aria halted the moment they were nearing a king sized bathroom with scented candles lit around it. There was a hot tub the size of a hot spring, steaming with perfumed water. Scented oils wafted in the air, it almost didn't feel like she was a prisoner. Doris turned slowly, with a kind gaze. "Master Lucian prefers obedience." So that's his name? all she heard was the collector. "I'm not his fucking pet!" she snapped. Doris smiled softly, completed unfazed by her defiance. Her hands clamped down on the ropes and she undid them softly, "You're not the first girl he's brought here, darling...but you're the only one he watches." Aria's jaw tightened, "what do you mean?" Doris lowered her gaze, untying the last knot. "There were others, pretty girls, wild ones. He kept them for days, weeks even. But none of them had eyes like yours, you're different." She picked up a sponge, and dipped it into the water. "You'll see." She turned, "Take the lingerie off. I'll help you into the bath." Aria's chest tightened even more, to think she wasn't the first. What happened to the others? How was she special, did he buy them too? was that his thing? "Tell me..." she stepped closer to Doris, "what happened to them." Doris's eyes shifted slightly, like she knew something but couldn't tell her. Instead she held her arm, taking the tiny arms of the lingerie off her shoulders "Come, let me bathe you..." "No, I can..." Aria was cut off the moment the bathroom door swung open. Then he walked in, his jacket was gone. His white shirt rolled to his elbows, tattoos inked almost completely on his forearms. "Leave us," He commanded. Doris gave a soft bow and left without another word, closing the door behind her. After hearing the click of the door, his gaze returned to her. Her hands instinctively flew to her breasts. He walked towards her, rolling his sleeves even higher. His forearms flexed the multiples veins that complimented his tattoos, "Get in,"