**Darius's POV**
My jaw nearly drops in amusement as I watch through my laptop screen, my little kitten screaming like the maniac she is. Damn it, this girl loves to scream. She's a nightmare, yet I expected her to create a scene in my store. Yes, my store. Today, not a single regular person is there. Everyone in that store is going to teach Allison what it means to disobey me.
"Please help me! I've been taken! Call 911! Call the police...!" She begs a woman in the book aisle, carrying a fake baby. Her name is Thessa, and she is one of mine, taken from her parents at a young age. My family saved her from an abusive home. For twenty years, she's worked for us, protecting the other women who work for us and putting them in their place when they forget who's in charge. And today, she'll put Allison in hers.
My employee pulls her swaddled plastic baby to her chest, feigning terror at Allison's outburst. "Young lady, you'll wake my child," she mutters, fake fear in her gaze, giving Allison a sliver of hope. She even adds a touch of sympathy and worry as she glances over her shoulder. "What do you mean by you've been taken?"
At this point, I tell Zain to hold off in the other aisle. By the way, Zain doesn't know my plan for today. I didn't tell him because it doesn't concern him. Allison is my business, not his.
"Errm yes... I was. Last night from my home," Allison stammers, sounding confused. I'm sure she's thinking about the contract her father signed, the memory probably breaking her heart for the millionth time.
"And you're here buying stuff...?" Thessa asks with feigned uncertainty, shaking her head as she gestures to Allison's jacket, earning a smile of pride from me. This woman should be on a stage.
"No, no, no... I swear I didn't mean to steal this. They are making me do it. Please... God, please don't give me that look, just call the police. If I truly stole this, would I be asking you to call the police?" Allison pleads, almost going down on her knees in desperation, scanning the area for Zain. I'm sure she's wondering why he hasn't shown up yet. If she were smarter, she'd realize everything in that store is staged.
"Fine, I'll call 911, but you have to return that," my staff member says firmly, causing Allison to shake her head in resistance.
"I can't! The other man is there... He'll snatch me back..."
Thessa is trying not to laugh, and so am I. "Fine, come with me to the counter. I'm sure he won't attack a woman with a baby and a bunch of other innocent people. But take that out of your jacket. I don't mind paying for it."
The hope glistening in Allison's eyes fills me with brief regret, but only for a second, as I anticipate what comes next. At the counter, my staff member starts chatting with the other attendants.
"This lady needs help. She believes there are people after her life..."
"Errm, they actually took me last night. Can you please call the cops?" Allison adds uncomfortably, likely worried about Zain's absence. Why hasn't he found her yet?
One of my attendants picks up his phone to call my number. "Hello..." His voice rattles through my phone. I'm supposed to be 911.
"Hello, what's your emergency?" I ask in a high-pitched voice, knowing I'm on speaker.
Allison, who is now very attentive, squints in confusion. She turns to her right, then her left, looking for God knows what. Maybe she's starting to realize something is off.
"I errm... I think... Actually, I have... I have bad guys after me. I was taken last night and... They made me come to the store. To steal... I mean, I'm not a thief..." She tries to explain, but the words come out all wrong.
"You're not a thief? Ma'am, are you sure about that?" I tease, the words slipping out like honey, a crooked smile playing on my lips.
"Sorry, what?" She asks, her face wrinkled in confusion. 911 wouldn't ask if she was sure she's not a thief. She should know something's up by now unless she's really that naive and has never called 911 in her life. No problems, no 911.
"Ma'am, where's your location?" I switch back to my act, not bothering to repeat my earlier words, knowing it could end the game too soon. I want to play with her as long as possible.
"Ermm... Where's this place?" She whispers to her companions. They give her the address in hushed tones. "Princess World. Pumpkin Road."
"How stupid are you?" I drop the act, irritation seeping into my voice. It annoys me that she's this naïve.
"Darius?" My name on her lips grates on my ears. She detests my existence; I can feel it. From my laptop screen, I can see how annoyed she is, glaring at my staff with equal hatred. "You all work for him," she states in disgust.
For some reason, I'm glad she now knows her place. "Come to the car. We're going somewhere."
Zain immediately pulls her from the store, out the double glass doors, and toward my direction. She's not even fighting back, yet I can see she's still defiant from the stony expression on her face.
I'm taking her somewhere—our madhouse. It's a place of torture, reserved for our enemies, those who deserve punishment. I want her to be convinced of my capability.
As soon as she gets into the car and into the passenger seat, she sighs deeply, leaving me to wonder what's on her mind when I expect her to rain curses on me or question me about our destination.
"A dollar for your thoughts..."
She casts a murderous glance at me. "I don't remember that expression being modified."
I shrug, starting the ignition. "I can do whatever I like. How was your night?"
She laughs, a bitter laugh. "It was amazing, thank you."
The sarcasm is almost hilarious, except I'm trying my best not to laugh.
"How have you lived twenty years of your life behind closed doors? I hear you're a reader, the smut kind, a dark romance kinda girl. Do you dream of a man from your fantasies...?"
Her face flushes red, but she ignores my question, keeping her eyes fixed on the road instead. After a few minutes of silence, she sighs. "Where are we headed?"
Finally, her curiosity has been piqued.
"It's a surprise."
Her forehead creases in suspicion, then, for some reason, she relaxes into the seat, her eyelids looking heavier than usual. She probably barely slept last night, likely cried all night. And I caused it. Why the hell does that bite me in the gut?
In a few minutes, her breathing becomes steady and deep, her eyelids now closed, her body limp in the seat. I've never seen someone sleep so peacefully and beautifully. Maybe Dora, but there's something different about Allison. She's like a pet tiger asleep, exhausted and hopeless.
Maybe I should turn the car around, change our course. We could visit the madhouse later. I don't want her seeing our mess right after she wakes. She can see it next time. I'll take her to my club instead, my office to be precise. She needs her sleep, and she'll get it, especially since she won't be expecting what I have in store for her.
She'll be meeting my friends. I hate the idea, but I must find a use for her if I want to keep my reputation. If I want her father to realize the gravity of his decision, abandoning his daughter in my care.
So, I do turn the car around and head to my club. When we arrive, I still don't wake her. Instead, I carry her stealthily through the back doors, which only I have access to. She even starts snoring in my arms—the cutest snore ever. I frown, bringing myself back to the present. She's my prey, not my pet.
As soon as I place her on the couch, she purrs like a cat and shifts into a more comfortable position.
"Brother..." Zain's voice jolts me back to reality. He's always appearing where he's not invited. Why else is he in my office? He must have followed us from the store.
"Yes, Zain. What is it this time?" I answer sharply, slapping my palms against my thighs in frustration.
He points to Allison and shrugs. "I thought you were going to show her our torture house. Why did you bring her here instead?" I owe him no explanation, but for some reason, I feel the need to justify myself.
"My friends are coming..."
Those four words speak volumes. Zain's expression shifts from horror to pride. "You're going to let them fuck her, aren't you?"
Is there an expression for feeling like a hot iron has been pressed against your heart? Because that's exactly how his words affect me. I envision his words becoming reality—my stupid friends playing with my pet before me, treating her like a toy, doing whatever they please.
"Brother? You're pale... Are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" I snap. "Get Thessa... She'll need to prepare Allison in an hour." Thessa will take care of Allison. I'm sure of it.
Yet something tells me that tonight will be a very long night.