Water Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 2) (16 page)

“The female is mine,” Coal snarled.

“I was bringing her back!” Torrent shouted back, despite the pain of trying to talk.

Coal’s eyes were wild. He still wasn’t listening. Fuck! Torrent had to work hard to keep from retaliating.

You deserve it!

You hurt Candy.

He clenched his fists, wanting to stop Coal. Wanting to go after his female in the worst of ways but she wasn’t his. She didn’t want him. He was pathetic. He deserved to be hurt. If Coal incapacitated him, he wouldn’t be able to go after Candy. Even if he wanted to. She didn’t want him. He deserved everything that was coming his way.

The blow was sharp and so fucking hard that it almost put him on his ass. He both felt and heard his ribs snap. At least two. Fucking hurt! Must be three.

“Stop!” Julie shouted from somewhere in the distance.

“Wait,” Torrent growled as Coal advanced. He couldn’t see the human. If she tried to intervene she would be hurt.

“Coal. Stop it!” Julie shouted. She sounded far enough away. Thank fuck!

Torrent didn’t even see the punch coming. He heard his nose crush and blood gushed down his throat. He staggered but managed to keep his footing. He was the water king. He was damned if he was going down quickly or easily.

Maybe the fire prince had calmed down sufficiently.

“Mine,” Coal snarled. He didn’t sound any calmer.

Torrent’s eyes were almost swollen shut. Coal raised his bloodied fists and pommeled him. It didn’t even hurt anymore. Not a good sign.

He heard more bones crack and felt his blood streaming down his face and chest. Hot and thick. It splattered on his feet.

You deserve it!

Lights flashed in front of his eyes, which were squeezed shut. Damn, also not a good sign. He staggered and fell to his knees.

Julie screamed. At least, he thought she did. He felt like he was down a dark tunnel. Deep down. Far removed from everything. He felt woozy and unstable. He felt numb.

The screaming intensified. Yes, it was definitely screaming. There was a loud snapping noise. It rang through him. It banged around in his skull for what felt like an age but was probably only a split second. Then everything went black.

T
he dragon disappeared
into the sky. It moved so quickly that her mind almost couldn’t register it. If she hadn’t known to look for it as it left, she might not have seen it at all.

She walked to the front of her house and just stood on her porch for a few minutes, taking in her surroundings. Home. It didn’t feel like home. It didn’t matter, she wasn’t staying anyway. Candy pulled the wooden bench until it was in the right place. She climbed onto it. Using the tips of her fingers, she felt across the beam until her finger hit the key. Her spare. The one she had stuck up there almost three years ago when she’d moved out of her apartment and into this house. Just in case. Thank god she had.

She sighed with relief. Now all she had to do was grab her passport and identity document, pack a small bag and she’d be on her way. A shiver of fear ran up her spine. She reminded herself of how Ellis had just lain there on the floor. He’d looked broken. She didn’t want him to be dead but she hoped that he was still incapacitated. She prayed hard that she wouldn’t run into him. Not now, not ever again.

Please, no!

She took a couple of deep breaths. She was being silly. Ellis wasn’t waiting for her. The back of her neck prickled despite the pep talk she’d just given herself.

Candy inserted the key into the lock and quickly let herself in, locking the door behind her. She put her back up against the door. She was safe while she was inside.

Her house was quiet. It smelled musty. “Shit!” she said. Her voice the only thing that sounded in the house. Her plants were brown and limp and dead. On the up side, it didn’t feel like anyone had been in her space. She huffed out a breath.

Right, she needed to get packed and to get the hell out of this town. There was nothing left for her here. She felt a pang. If she left, Torrent wouldn’t know where to look for her.

Stop it!

He wasn’t coming for her. He was a huge asshole of epic proportions. Guys with egos like him didn’t ever admit to being wrong. They blamed the other person. They didn’t chase after anyone, nor did they apologize. It wasn’t going to happen. Even if it did… by some small miracle… there was no way she could ever forgive him. He’d hurt her too badly. Candy had spilled her guts to him and he’d really hurt her.

To think that he expected her to just jump into bed with him when he presented her with jewelry. She could see he was hurting and angry but it was no excuse. Sky had been wrong, he was never going to be able to get over her past. He was the biggest damned hypocrite alive. She wasn’t going to think about him again.

Not ever!

It floored her how he could be so kind and loving and so cruel. Why had he done it? What had gone through his mind?

No!

She wasn’t thinking about this. It hurt too much. So much so that she struggled to breathe. A sob left her and she covered her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. It was done. She wasn’t about to cry. Torrent didn’t deserve her tears. Asshole.

She pushed off the door and walked to her bedroom. She needed to busy herself with packing. First things first, she opened the safe. It contained her documents and a diamond tennis bracelet that Charles had given to her. She wore it from time to time when she was with him. It hurt just looking at the piece of jewelry. It made her think of Torrent… the asshole. She put the bracelet back in the safe. If only she’d thought to leave some money in there.

Her bank cards and cash had been in her handbag when she was taken. The bag that was lying on the ground next to the car. The one she had dropped when Ellis had man-handled her.

She would need to walk into town. She could withdraw money inside the bank and catch the next bus out of town. She’d didn’t care where it was headed, as long as she was on it.

The walk into town was a good couple of miles. Best she pack light. She’d think about her future when she was far enough away and able to actually think straight.

Candy pulled out a wheely bag. It was more of an overnight bag but she folded her garments carefully and got three changes of clothes and her toiletry bag into it. She changed into jeans and a t-shirt, tying a sweater around her waist. Then she put on a pair of sneakers. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she grabbed the bag and left, locking the door behind her. She’d get ahold of her landlord and give notice. She’d have to organize for the rest of her things to be removed. Her head hurt.

Not thinking about this now!

One step at a time. Get to town. Withdraw money. Get out of town. Easy. She put one foot in front of the other. Everything was going to be just fine. Candy swallowed hard, trying not to cry. She didn’t need anyone in her life. She certainly didn’t need an asshole like… him. Not saying his name.

Torrent.

She pictured his blond hair, his pale eyes. She pictured his easy smile. Her body could still recall how good it felt being wrapped up in his arms. How safe she had felt. For the first time in her life she’d felt like someone really cared about her. If that was true, he would never have said those things. He would never have hurt her in that way.

She was so lost in her thoughts that she never heard the car approach.

She started when she heard his voice. “Get into the car, Candy.”

She didn’t have to look. She knew that voice almost as well as she knew her own. She recognized the convertible. Candy ignored him and kept on walking.

“Get in,” Ellis said, louder this time.

“Leave me alone.” She kept her eyes on the road ahead. That prickling sensation at the back of her neck. He was watching. How long had he been staked out outside her house?

“Stop being a child and get in the car.” He sounded irritated.

“Leave me the hell alone.” She glanced his way.

His jaw was set. His eyes hard. Damn! He wasn’t going to let her go.

“I don’t want anything to do with you. Please, Ellis.” She hated to beg but she didn’t feel like she had a choice. They were in public, a residential area. Surely he wouldn’t hurt her out here. “I told you that I want out. I meant it. Let me go.”

“You’re my best girl.” His voice had a mocking edge. “Why would I do a stupid thing like that? Get in the damn car.”

“No.” She picked up the pace. Maybe she should head down one of the drives. Too risky, she would cut off her escape route if no one was home.

Ellis huffed out a breath and slammed his hand against the steering wheel. She noticed that his other wrist was in a brace of some kind. “Get your fucking ass in the car.”

To hell with it. She dropped the bag and began to run, going in the opposite direction. Her key was still in her pocket. Maybe if she made it back to her house.

Her whole body shook from both the exertion and the fear that coursed through her. Ellis was a big guy. He was well muscled and he was a psycho. He didn’t give two shits about her. He would pump her full of drugs and not give it a second thought. Or he would find a way to coerce and threaten her into doing exactly what he wanted.

Her hand shook as she pushed the key into the lock.
Please. Please.
The hairs stood up on the back of her neck. She yanked the door open and closed it in his face. It was contorted in rage. She just turned the lock in time. Not even a split second to spare.

She sank to her knees. Tears coursed down her face.

Shards of glass flew in through the window and there was a loud crash and the sound of something else breaking. It took her a second or two to register that Ellis had thrown something through her window.

Her mouth fell open. He was crazier than she had first thought. She jumped to her feet and ran for the bathroom. Maybe if she could lock herself in there. The window was too small for him to get in through. She screamed as she ran. Hopefully one of her neighbors would hear the commotion and call the police. She tripped over her own feet and almost fell. Candy staggered and pushed on.

She just got her hand on the doorknob when she was yanked back by her ponytail. She tried to scream but Ellis clamped a hand over her mouth. “You’ve been a bad girl.” He was breathing hard. “Hiring someone to take me out.” He shook his head. “Well, they did a bad job princess and you should’ve stayed lost. Did I ever mention that some of my clients have rape fetishes?”

She moaned, the sound smothered behind his fingers.

“They pay excellent money for girls willing to pretend. I wonder what they would be willing to put down for the real thing.” Ellis laughed and her blood ran cold.

T
orrent sat
upright and sucked in a breath. It hurt like a bitch. Coming back from the dead was a favorite past time of his… not! He pulled in some more air, being careful this time. His chest burned. Everything ached.

His nostrils flared as he picked up her scent. Candy. His female. His. It was her lingering scent on the sheets. She wasn’t here anymore. His female was gone.

No, not his. Not anymore. She never had been. Pain flooded him and he moaned. It was internal pain and it was way worse than anything physical he had ever felt.

Torrent slumped back into his blankets and pillows.

“I’m so glad you are awake.” It was Sky. The female hovered around him. She tucked in a sheet and poured a glass of water. “Drink this, my lord.”

Torrent growled from the pain as he turned over onto his side. “Leave me.” He didn’t want to see her or anyone else for that matter.

‘You need to drink and to eat. You also need to be eased, it will help the healing process. Shall I call Ocean? Another female?” She sounded angry. Her voice was hard and devoid of emotion.

“No,” he choked out. “Put the water on the table and go away. I don’t want to be disturbed.”

“Oh.” There was a tapping noise and he realized that it was her foot against the floor.
Tap, tap, tap
. “So you’re just going to lie there and wallow in self pity? Whatever you said, or did, to that female, it had to have been really terrible for her to have left.”

Torrent grumbled below his breath.

“She was so afraid to talk to you. I told her that you would accept her and forget her past. I was sure you would… never mind. I was clearly wrong.”

“Do you know then? Did she tell you?”

“No! It was between the two of you.” She began to walk away and then changed her mind and turned back. “She was ready to take the next step. That female loved you.”

“No, she didn’t,” he snarled. “She didn’t want me as a mate. That much was clear. No wonder I became angry. No one would blame me for my actions.”

“What did you do?” There was a rustling noise and when he turned around she had her arms folded.
Tap, tap, tap.
That damned foot again.

“Did you know that Candy sold her body to human males for money?” He immediately felt guilty for divulging something so personal. “If you ever mention this to another soul…”

Sky lifted a hand. “I’m Candy’s friend. That piece of information doesn’t change anything. I still like her and respect her. What difference does it make? We are highly sexual creatures. As long as she is faithful to you going forward, as long as she loves only you. So what if there are others in her past?”

“Money. She took money.” He sounded like an idiot.

Sky narrowed her eyes on him. “I’m sure she had her reasons.”

She did
! He didn’t say anything.

“So you are angry that she rutted other males?” Sky rolled her eyes and huffed out a breath. “Do you know how stupid that sounds? What about you? How many females have you bedded? Hundreds? Thousands?”

“Not thousands.” He choked out, looking down at the sheet.

“You’re jealous. It’s as simple as that. I hope you realize it. You were jealous and did something stupid.”

“I did not,” he mumbled. There was no conviction behind his words. It didn’t matter what Sky thought. “My reaction was completely justified.”

“I know you did something idiotic, because that human would never have left otherwise, she was too in love with your sorry ass to just up and leave.”

“I am your king.” He tried to sit up but everything hurt too much. “You will not address me in that way. I’m done listening to your bullshit.” He sucked in a deep breath. “Candy didn’t love me. She didn’t want me.”

“Of course she did.” Sky gave him a small smile. “She told me so herself. She didn’t rut you
because
she loves you.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“She wanted things to be right between you first. She wanted to come clean about her past and she wanted you to accept her despite it. You couldn’t do that.”

“I was so angry. So upset. The thought of her with…” he cursed. “Dammit, maybe I was jealous. I’ve never been jealous. I’ve never experienced the emotion before. I…”

“You love her, my king. You need to make things right with her.”

He shook his head. He could remember the look in her eyes. He’d broken her heart. Acted like a complete asshole and had ruined everything. “It’s too late.”

She shook her head. “You will need to grovel long and hard but I’m sure that she will forgive you in the end.”

“How can you be so sure?” He could hear the anguish in his voice but it couldn’t be helped.

“Because she loves you.” Sky yelled, sounding frustrated. She smiled. “Don’t make me keep repeating myself, my lord.”

“You’re right.” A huge load lifted off of him. Even if it took years. He didn’t care. He would win Candy back. He would make it up to her. Torrent moved into a sitting position. His head spun.

His neck hurt. Coal had snapped it, no doubt. His face blossomed with pain, as did his chest. The fire prince had done a number on him. That was for sure.
Little shit!
He was lucky Torrent hadn’t fought back.

Sky touched the side of his arm lightly. Pain blossomed there also. His flesh was still healing from the burns.

Torrent groaned.

“Lie back down.” Her voice was soothing.

“No! I need to fetch my female,” he growled.

“Coal sends his deepest regrets, he is sorry he did this to you. He publicly acknowledged that you allowed him to win and has already sent a male to fetch Candy. He said that it was the least he could do. He may have mentioned that Candy might feel sorry for you in your current state. It would be wise to allow him to bring her right away.”

The fire prince was lucky Torrent was a forgiving male. “Fine,” he said. Torrent could feel sweat bead on his brow. “Okay.” He fell back. “I’ll have some of that water now.” He needed to try and heal. After the beating he’d received, he probably looked grotesque. He didn’t want to scare Candy. Especially since she couldn’t handle the sight of blood. He needed to look banged up but not hideous.

It was important that he start thinking of ways to win her back. Candy had been right to call him an asshole. Sky and Julie were right on the money as well. Torrent would prove himself worthy. She would forgive him. She had to. He drank some of the water and then closed his eyes. The sooner he healed, the better.

* * *

H
er hands were bound
at the wrists.

“Your first client is on his way.” Ellis winked at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to change your mind? The good senator was most upset when he heard that you weren’t taking on any new clients after all. He offered more money.” He paused. “More than we’ll get from this pretend rape.”

“It won’t be pretend. I can’t believe you’re doing this.” Tears caused her throat to clog but she refused to let them fall. A guy like Ellis would get a kick out of seeing her upset.

“Believe it, baby. Do you really think I’d just let you walk away?” He walked to the other side of the room. “You’re a damned gold mine, Candy.” He snorted out a laugh. “Even your god given name is a hooker name for god sake.”

“I can’t help it my mom is a hippy.”

“I can’t help it you’re in such demand. By the way, Charles died.”

“What?” Her voice was laced with shock. “Don’t lie to me, Ellis.” Charles was her longest client. They had sex on occasion but he mainly just wanted to spend time with her. He’d cried the first time he had been intimate with her. The old guy still loved his wife. He spoke of her all the time. Charles was gone?

“How? When? You’re lying, Ellis.”

“I’m not lying. He died in his sleep. Someone called looking for you.” Ellis laughed. He looked more relaxed. Maybe she could negotiate with him. She didn’t believe that Ellis would really go through with this whole rape thing. He was just trying to scare her into doing what he wanted. “Looks like the old geyser left you something in his will.”

Candy bit down on her lip. Charles was a really sweet man. A gentleman. He and his late wife didn’t have any children. His wife, Beatrice, was unable to conceive. It didn’t change the way he felt about her. It did mean that he didn’t have anyone to leave his fortune to. Surely he didn’t leave it to her. That would be crazy. No way!

“We’re going to go to the lawyer’s office first thing in the morning. I knew you were going to make me a rich man.” He rubbed his hands together.

“You can’t be serious. I’m sure Charles didn’t leave me much.”

Ellis looked thoughtful. “I think he left it all to you. His tight piece of ass. If that’s the case, we’re getting hitched, baby.” He winked at her.

“What?” She looked at him in disbelief. “You’re crazy.”

“Crazy for you.” There was a knock at the door. “It’s show time, babe.” He opened the drawer and rummaged through it, pulling out some tape.

Shit! Maybe he did mean it or was this another ploy. Him taking it a step further. “Don’t do this, Ellis. If Charles left me anything…” She felt desperation set in. “I’ll give it to you. I don’t care about the money. I have enough.” She was breathing hard, trying not to lose it. “Just let me go, please.”

“There’s no such thing as enough money.” Ellis nodded, looking thoughtful. “I’ve made up my mind. I think I’m going to enjoy watching you get broken in… for me.” He winked at her. “My soon to be wife.”

“You’re crazy.” He was. She could see it in his eyes. Ellis was evil and not all there.

“Just so you know upfront, our marriage won’t be exclusive. I get to fuck other women and you are definitely going to fuck other guys.” By the bulge in his pants, she could see that he was hard. Not only evil and crazy, it turned out he was sick as well.

He pulled the tape and broke off a piece using his teeth. Then he kneeled beside her. Candy turned her head away, trying to avoid him but Ellis gripped her by the jaw with his good arm and slapped the tape over her mouth. He pushed down hard.

“Just remember,” he whispered against her ear. “The harder you fight, the more he’ll enjoy it. This guy is a freak.”

Pure terror gripped her. Her nostrils were wide as she struggled to breathe. She fought against her restraints until her hands felt raw.

Ellis opened the door. She heard him greet someone. Then footsteps. “She’s ready for you,” he said.

“Do you have a pair of scissors like I asked?” she heard the guy say.

“Yeah, but”—Ellis paused—“I’m not so sure…”

The stranger laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt her… I like to cut off their clothes.”

Oh god! This wasn’t happening.

“No hitting or biting.” Of course not. Ellis would hate to see one of his merchandise items broken.

The guy chuckled as they entered the bedroom. Candy was on the floor. The guy was really short, and skinny. His hair was thinning on the top. His whole look screamed nerd. His eyes widened as he spotted her. She read excitement in their depths.

“Shit!” He sighed. “Her eyes. Oh man!” He put a hand over his mouth. “Look at that fear. I could almost swear this was real.”

“You paid good money so you got my best.” Ellis leaned against the door and folded his legs across each other, looking so relaxed. “Oh, I need to give you this.” He threw the guy a bottle and she realized that it was lube. Then he handed the guy a string of condoms.

Candy felt ill.

“I know you’re going to be rough and I wouldn’t want you to tear or bruise her. You have to wear a condom. No glove no love.” He laughed at his own joke.

The guy nodded, looking enthusiastic. “Sure thing. I’ll use the lube and the condom. No problem.”

“One last thing.” Ellis smiled. “I’m staying… just to be sure.”

“What?” The guy didn’t look happy.

“I’m staying,” Ellis repeated. “I’m watching.”

The guy shook his head. “I don’t know if…”

“I can’t leave my best girl with you, like this.” He pointed up and down the length of her. “You wanted her tied up and gagged. No problem but I wouldn’t be able to hear her shout for help if you got a little rough. I need to stay and watch.”

Sick bastard! They were both sick but Ellis took the cake.

“You can pretend we’re a tag team or something.”

“I don’t like to share.” The guy sounded whiney.

There was a tic in Ellis’ jaw and for a second she thought he might throw the guy out.
Please, please
. Then he smiled. “I don’t want in on the action, I just want to watch. Forget I’m even here. I’ll give you a discount for the inconvenience.”

The nerdy guy seemed agreeable and they haggled over price. Candy swallowed hard, trying not to puke. Maybe if she peed herself. The guy put his beady eyes on her and she realized that nothing would deter him. In fact, if she fought him or peed herself, it would probably turn him on more.

“I like to play a bit with them first. I won’t hurt her though.” He picked up the scissors and tested them. The blades flashed as they opened and closed, making slicing noises.

“Knock yourself out.” Ellis took a seat. “Touch a hair on her head though and you will regret it.”