Thomas McGinley’s POV

This whole bidding ceremony had taken ages, ages that I could already be married to one of the finest looking women in all business area.

But then Pagano had found some excuses that they were still preparing my soon to be bride and she wasn’t completely ready.

He was a fool if he thought he could trick me, I knew something was going on, and I wouldn’t accept any more time that I lose. I paid a lot and I mean it a lot of money to have his daughter be my show-off bride, and I wanted what’s mine.

The ceremony was planned in 3 days, which was for my taste still too long. Though again excuses were made and I finally gave in. No longer than 3 days, that’s what I told Pagano or he could kiss my money goodbye.

The money I paid for the youngest Pagano daughter was safely on a bank account, where it would be transferred to Pagano as soon as the wedding was complete and the blonde Pagano was mine to do with as I pleased.

In those past days that I stayed at the mansion, I hadn’t seen her often, she was highly guarded and shut away most of the time. I was confused as if that was the traditional treatment from Pagano’s side of if it should fuel my fire in wanting her. I had to give Pagano that, I did want her and with each passing day, it was only getting stronger.

I had seen pictures, well presentations even of both girls during the auction, and while they were both beautiful Emery Jane had stuck with me right form the first picture. She was beautiful and innocent looking, she seemed like the perfect trophy to show around and lead on your arm at parties and when the doors closed I knew exactly what the little vixen would be getting.

I couldn’t wait to bury my fists in her blonde mane, tug her head back and make her beg for more, make her moan and groan just for me, if it was out of pleasure or pain I didn’t really care. I did enjoy some rougher play and I didn’t really care if Ms. Pagano soon to be Mrs. Ginley liked it too, she had to like it since I paid this hefty fee for her body.

“Mr. McGinley?” A voice sounded outside my guestroom door. I looked at myself in the mirror again, and righted my tie, let my hands glide over my perfectly styled hair and nodded at myself.

“Come in” I announced and one of the guards in uniforms stood at the opening of my door.

“Mr. Pagano wants me to bring you to the conference room, he and his daughter will soon follow for the discussion of the wedding ceremony you wanted and afterwards you and Ms. Pagano will have a dinner together.” The guard announced and I nodded, that sounded more to my liking.

I hadn’t gotten a chance to really meet and talk to my future wife, not that it mattered what she had to say, I at least had to make sure she was really as virtue and unharmed as I paid for her, if not Pagano would have some heavy losses on the money I planned for the virgin daughter of his.

“Thank you.” I nodded and followed out the door of behind the guard. I walked down the steps and went past three doors, Pagano’s mansion was impress to say the least. I wondered if he sold of more of his daughters already, to stay with the lifestyle he was living.

“Please take a seat, Mr. Pagano and his daughter will be there any second.” The guard announced and walked back towards the door, placing himself there and looking straight ahead.

I began to think Pagano was paranoid, so many guards, such heavy security systems, something had been going on here that he didn’t want to happen again, or that he didn’t want to be stolen from him, whatever that was.

About 5 minutes I waited at the big conference table until the door was opened from the outside, and a guard walked in before Pagano and his daughter followed. She didn’t look up, and I saw the way Pagano was clutching her wrist in his hand.

I let my eyes wander of her body, she was exquisite long blonde hair, straight nose, rosy cheeks and plump lips, she was thin, very thin, maybe a little too thin for my liking either, but I could still model her to the way I wanted.

I stood up as they came closer to the table “Mr. Pagano” I held my hand out, and he shook it a tense smile on his lips. “Ms. Pagano” I stepped closer to Emery and she didn’t look up, nor did she held up her hand to greet me, I stepped into her personal space, kissing both her cheeks near her lips, making her stiffen.

“It’s good to finally meet you, darling” I let my fingers run over her pale soft skin. She wanted to shriek away, but her father held her firm.

“Emery was very excited to be able to meet you and hear what is planned for the ceremony, right Emery?” Pagano announced pulling his daughter forward and pressing her in the chair next to mine.

Instead of answering she nodded silently. She was a quiet one, huh? That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I would get her to talk, one way or another…

“The ceremony, darling, is planned in three days. We will have the wedding here at the Pagano mansion, in the backyard to be exact. The priest is coming tomorrow, I will give him some hints together with your father to make it perfect for you. I decided on a dress, fitting your body index, it’s made directly for you from the best Italian designer. The decorations will be white roses, attending only a small group of people, but their will be of course a reporter to broadcast the ceremony, afterwards, I will take you to our new home.” I announced, letting my voice be soft and slow.

Emery didn’t look up once, or announce her liking or dislike of the information she gave me, just at the mentioning of taking her away she sunk a little slower in her chair.

“That sounds perfect, Mr. McGinley. Emery always wished for such a wedding. Aren’t you excited, Emery?” Pagano looked at his daughter who still didn’t react, his eyes narrowed to tiny slits and I waited for a reaction.

Emery slowly lifted her eyes to meet her fathers “I-I c-cant w-wait.” She got out, the words stuttered and low. I had to have a word with Pagano if this was her normal behavior or just under the current event’s because if so, I would have to reduce the payment for her.

I opened my mouth to speak when Pagano’s phone started to ring. He held up a finger looked at the caller and a smile came over his face “Excuse me, I’ll be right back. It’s the fiancé of my older daughter.” With that he took the call and left me with my soon to be bride alone.

Brian’s POV

It was hard to stay awake, or better to stay conscious. My head lolled from one side to the other, I split the blood from my mouth and licked my swollen lip.

“Gates? You still there?” Shads voice sounded barely audible and I tried to open my eyes again.

“Barely” I coughed out more blood and tried to maneuver myself to my side, with every breathe I took my lung hurt worse, most be at least one broken rib, maybe two.

“Stay awake. You able to see Vee?” Shads voice grew a little stronger and I blinked my eyes open a couple of times.

I tried to make out Zack’s cell but everything was blurry in front of me.

“Vee? You there? You alive?” I coughed and heard a rustling beside me.

“Still standing” Zack’s voice sounded but strained with pain. “Well, sitting…” I heard a slumping sound and Zack must have slithered down the wall into a sitting position.

“Any luck?” Shads asked and I pulled the small knife from its hiding place, where I had gotten a grip on the boot of one of the guards, while the other was bashing my head in.

“Knife” I said and Shads coughed loudly “I got nothing and you Vee?”

“Just two broken fingers, that’s all I got” He winced when it snapped and he tried to push his fingers back in the right position. “Fucking hell…” He groaned out in pain.

“Shads, I don’t know how long we can take this… I mean, I rather die than tell them where the others are… but die isn’t that far from the page anymore.” Zack said and winced “We need to do something, or we will die in this rat hole…”

“I fucking know. But if we move too early, we are done. There won’t be a fucking second chance. We cannot risk it going wrong… And we don’t know about Christ and The Rev, let’s wait a day more, one night and day, can you make that?” Shads asked and I nodded, even though I didn’t feel it. “Sure thing” I said and a smirk formed on my lips “You giving up, Vee or what?” I added and heard a loud humph “Don’t be an ass, I just mean-”

“I know. One day and one night, if nothing changed, we will take our chances with what we have.” Shads announced and I looked up to him as he tried to sit up, while I had turned back to lie on my back.

“Rev and Christ better have a fucking plan, or we are dead by the end of the week.” Zack announced and I sighed “If we are going down, I will make sure to take as many of those fuckers with me as possible, so Emery and Jolie can get to fucking escape!” I growled hoping that Jolie had been able to hand over my note for Emery.

I just wished to see her again, to kiss her a final time. To tell her how much she came to mean to me, and that I would gladly die in this battle, if I knew she got out in one piece and live the life she finally deserved away from here…

The door opened and I almost groaned, it couldn’t be time… they have just left… I didn’t feel enough energy to even really lift my head and stare into the eyes of our tormentors.

“Matt?” A soft voice called but again I felt too weak.

“Matt?” Again the voice and it sounded so familiar, so soft and sweet but I knew it didn’t belong to the voice I wanted hear above all others, but it belonged to her sister.

Still I tried to rob closer to the bars, so I could see Jo, talk to her. Hope she had more information on Emery, hoped she was able to hand over my note, hoped that… maybe she had a note for me, a light in the darkness… just something.

“Jo?” Matt’s groan sounded and I heard him trying to get up. He wanted us to not make her and Emery feel worse about our conditions, but it was just so hard to keep the façade up. Especially when she came after a beating like the last one.

I heard Jo and Matt’s whispers but didn’t pay much attention, trying to gather some strength to sit up. I wanted to give them some privacy before I barged in and demanded answers.

“Please, Jer… Turn of the-” Jo’s plead sounded but was refused this time. “I can’t, Jolie. And we don’t have that much time, the shift change is in a few minutes. It’s too risky as it is now.” Her guard announced and I sighed.

“Oh Matt…” Jolie sounded so sad, so frustrated and again my mind wandered to Emery.

“Jo?” I coughed. “Did you… were you able to-” I started and soon Jolie’s small frame were in front of my cell.

“Yes, I did.” She gave me a weak smile “We don’t get to see us, they keep us apart. But I managed.” A sigh escaped my lips “Is she… okay?” I swallowed hoping for a good answer.

“Here” She threw a small piece of paper through the bars and I tried to catch it, even though it hurt my beaten and bleeding muscles.

“She is at a dinner with her..” She swallowed thickly, looking ill and pale “..her fiancé to speak about the upcoming wedding…” Jolie licked her lips and my stomach churned, no way.

She wouldn’t be marrying some asshole who paid money to possess her, I wouldn’t let that happen.

“What the fuck-” I growled and heard Zack and Matt curse “This shit ain’t gonna happen. We gotta do something, this is not-” I raged, pushing to my feet staggering forward. “Send fucking Pagano here, I want to have a word with that son of a bitch. Emery won’t be forced to marry this guy! She doesn’t belong with anyone beside me!” I yelled hoping someone would hear me, hoping fucking Pagano would hear me.

“Fuck! Gates, calm down! We need to make a plan, this doesn’t work out so easy! Jo, fuck.. you better leave before someone comes down” Matt announced and Jo looked at me with pity and I could stop myself barely from grabbing onto the electric charged bars.

“I will be back.” Jo announced and I inched closer “Wait, do you have paper? I need to write her something back.”

“We need to hurry, Jolie!” Her guard announced and Jolie nodded “Here.” She handed me through the bars paper and a pen and I quickly unfolded Emery’s small note.

I can’t stand this any longer… I miss you. Knowing you are here, but still so far away.
I had a nightmare, I can’t forget…
It can’t end like that, I want the beach house with you, I want you… God, I need you.

I keep on thinking back to us in your small cabin on the beach, just the two of us, when everything was fine.. I want to go back with you… Don’t forget about me, Em

My heart was beating so fast, I wrote before my mind could really make up what I wanted to tell her.
I wanted her to be strong, wanted to tell her so much, but didn’t have much time.

The pen flew over the paper and I quickly folded it and handed it back to Jolie, and she was out of the door, before I could say a word…

I closed my eyes and thought of the beach cabin, just as Emery did. Of our time together, of the time that we would share there, because this couldn’t be it. This couldn’t be our end, I wouldn’t let it be!

Jolie’s POV
I was pacing my room and waited for Jeremy to show up again. It was lunch time and even though Everly was highly secured and guarded even more than me, we at least were granted some time to see each other during the eating time.

So this was the time I was looking forward to, I wanted to see my sister and later the night, I wanted to see Matt. I just hoped Jeremy would be able to get me to see Matt and the others again. They looked worse every time I was able to show up, and even though they tried not to show it to make me feel better, I could see the injuries worsen and soon their will and energy would leave them completely, or my father would finally get tired of the measures and would end it.

I shuddered at the thought, afraid of what could and would happen to them. I didn’t want to think of the worst, but my anxiety was skyrocketing the more I thought about it.

I knew Matt, Brian and Zack were strong, but my heart was breaking to see them behind bars, to see them bloody and broken. I knew Emery was dying to see Brian too, but sometimes I thought that it was better for her not to know what exactly was going on.

A knock sounded at my door and Jeremy entered shortly after, he looked even more exhausted and distanced as these past days.

“Are we ready to see Emery?” I asked trying to give him a small smile. I couldn’t blame Jeremy for what was going on in this house, he was already risking more than he should, and still I knew I had to keep on pushing him.

“Sorry, Jolie, but not today. Emery is being prepared for a meeting.” I frowned “Meeting? What meeting?” I crossed my arms over my chest eyeing Jeremy suspiciously.

“I am not allowed to talk about any details. I just wanted to inform you, that I will bring you food in about 30 minutes.” He turned to walk away again and I stepped forward, my hand shooting out to stop him.

“Jer, please.” I looked at him intensely and he sighed, closing the door again. “She will meet her fiancé today. They will talk about the details of the wedding ceremony held in only a couple of days. Jolie, I really cannot say much more. I will be back in 30 minutes with you food. And your father wants to talk to you afterwards, too.” With that an angry expression he stepped out of the door and locked it behind him again, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

After my lunch I sat in my room, the afternoon rolled by, and slowly the evening was coming. I heard some commotion in Emery’s room and sat down at the door adjoining our rooms.

“Em?” I whispered, hoping it was her that I heard.

Silence greeted me.

“Emery? Are you there?” I tried again and heard some footsteps coming closer.

“I don’t have much time” Her voice sounded small and sad, and I so wished that I could hug her, hold her and tell her everything would be fine.

“Are you alone?” I whispered back, afraid someone could hear us or would barge in.

“Yes, but Chris will be back soon.” She answered and I quickly shoved the note from Brian through the door.

“I was able to see them, but that’s all I could do. Stay strong, Em.” The note disappeared and Em sighed, and then voices grew louder and footsteps sounded and I quickly scrambled back to my feet hoping Emery was able to hide the note and that no one knew what we were doing when we had a little moment to ourselves.

“Thank you”

Then the door slammed shut and I was back to being alone and then Jeremy’s words were back in my head.

Emery would be meeting her fiancé today, my stomach churned, and I felt goosebumps rise on my skin. I never thought our father would really do this, never expected this to happen, but as it seemed, he would completely pull through, and Emery was the first to be sold off and it probably wouldn’t take long until it was my turn.

Until we were separated for good, until there was no way out of a brand new hell for both of us. Hadn’t we enough of this?! Weren’t we through enough already? How could our father do something like this?! How much time did I have left before the next announcement came, and how could we free Matt, Brian and Zack from the cell? There had to be a way… but… what could I do all alone?!

It was past seven when Jeremy returned and quietly shut the door behind him. “Your father wants you to dress up and I am to bring you to his office in 10 minutes” He announced, his eyes never meeting mine.

“Why? What is going on? And why dress up?” I asked, and even more questions were running through my head.

Jeremy sighed “Please just do as I say.” He turned and that was my cue to do what he had told me but I shook my head, stepping closer to him. “Jer, are you going to take me downstairs later?” I asked and I saw him closing his eyes.
“No” His clipped voice said there was no point in arguing but I had to try anyway.

“Jer, just for a couple of minutes… I need to-” I started again but Jer turned around so quickly he almost knocked me over. “I can’t you have a meeting with your father, it will take all evening. Get ready, Jolie. This is not a joke” He looked so serious and angry, even raged, but his eyes softened when he looked at me perplexed face.

“Jolie, please. Just get ready. We talk later, when… this… when it’s over” With that he turned and I sighed.

I grabbed a black dress and disappeared into the bathroom. I dressed and pulled my hair up in a high bun on my head. I put no makeup on, just some lip gloss and walked back out.

“I’m ready” I said but had no idea, for what I should be ready. Jeremy didn’t look at me again, he brought me down towards my father’s office room and told me to take a seat, then he moved outside, he seemed tense and even more so then on any other day.

The door opened a few minutes later and my father walked in. “Jolie, I have an announcement for you.” He walked around the desk and took a seat opposite of me.

“An announcement?” I looked at him with my brow’s raised and the sinister smile on his face told me I probably wouldn’t like the announcement he would make.

“Yes, I had a phone call today that concerned you. And I am happy to tell you that after your sister is having her wedding ceremony scheduled on only a few days, you will be meeting your coming fiancé this very evening” He grinned even more and I swallowed thickly, he didn’t just say my fiancé, did he?

“It’s a little short notice, but… we run a background check on him this very minute and he was very urgent and wanting to see you. So today is the day, both of my daughters meet their coming husbands” He continued without even waiting for me to say something.

He walked around the desk and pulled me up “I want you at your best behavior, Jolie. He is a very important man. And I don’t want any trouble from your side, do you understand?” He said harshly, grabbing my forearms and holding me an arm’s length from him.

“Daddy, please… I-I-” I shook my head and my father narrowed his eyes “Jolie, I can keep you on the short leash just as Emery. I could even schedule a double wedding if that is to your liking” His eyes were shooting daggers at me to refuse and of his words, and made me know I would regret them.

“Jeremy will bring you over to the study. I will come in a few moments with Mr. Simon’s. And I expect my daughter to be perfect, from the manners and the look. Understood?” His hands were nearly bruising and I couldn’t help but swallow and nod.

“Good.” He let go, opened the door and motioned for Jeremy to bring me away.

When my father was out of earshot I looked at Jeremy, who walked on my right side and waited for him to say something. He had to know what he lead me into, what had been going on, didn’t he?!

“Did you know this?” I whispered and Jeremy closed his eyes, and that way I knew the answer before he even had to say it.

“I heard a conversation on his phone.” He said with a pained expression. “Who is that guy?” I asked afraid of the answer.

“I don’t know much. He seemed to be the highest bidder… Anonymous until today. You father didn’t loose anytime. He did a full run background check, talked to him and scheduled the meeting for this evening. It’s not as clear as Emery’s deal,because it’s the first official meeting…” He trailed off and I sat down in the chair he was holding out to me.

“Your father will be coming in a couple of minutes… together with… him” Jeremy said, turned on his heels but before he stepped out I called for him “Jer? Can you… can you let Matt know I’m okay… if I am not able to come.” I whispered but instead of an answer, the door fell shut behind him and I had no idea where that left me.

When the door opened again, I heard my father’s voice. He laughed at something that the anonymous guy had said. My father stepped into the room and held the door wide, my heart was beating so fast I was afraid to faint. Who would be the guy my father planned to give me away to?!

“Mr. Simon, this is my daughter Jolie Pagano. Jolie, this is David Simon” When he stepped into the door, my heart stopped for a second. The name wasn’t familiar, but the person that stood in the doorway I had met before and the look that he threw towards me told me to not say a word. And then when he stepped forward, giving my cheek a kiss he whispered “Ssshhhh, it’s fine. We have a plan”

Notes

Sooo as I said I was working on the new Chapter, and here it is :D
Hope u like it!
Let us know what u think in the comments !!