Текст книги "Traded"
Автор книги: Rebecca Brooke
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T R A D E D
rebecca brooke
Copyright © 2015 by Rebecca Brooke
Cover Design by Sommer Stein of Perfect Pear Creative
Editing by Ryn Hughes of Delphi Rose
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.
All rights reserved.
DEDICATION
To anyone who has ever thought that they can’t do better. You can. Don’t be afraid to go after your dreams.
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails.
~ Elizabeth Edwards
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Other Books
About the Author
CHAPTER 1
Elena
“What the fuck you looking at?”
The acid in his voice made me drop my eyes to the floor.
I should have made something else for dinner.
“I’m sorry, would you like me to make you something else?” I said, my voice barely above a whisper so I didn’t hurt his ears.
“No,” he snapped. “Since you can’t make a decent dinner, I’m going to skip to dessert. Hurry up and get your ass in the bedroom so I don’t miss the game.”
Afraid to disappoint him again, I jumped from the table and began unbuttoning my top as I made my way down the hall. The bedroom was dark, with only minimal light coming from the kitchen and the hall—exactly the way Dominic preferred. He said it was the only way he could enjoy himself. If he had to look at me it ruined his fantasies of having a gorgeous woman beneath him. He also didn’t appreciate me talking or touching him.
Letting my uniform dress and underwear drop to the floor, I took my normal position on the bed—lying on my back, arms at my side, legs spread as wide as they could go—and waited for Dominic to join me. After a few minutes he came through the door, shedding his clothes on the way. He grabbed the lube off the table next to the bed and gave himself a few quick strokes before climbing on top of me. With one painful thrust he entered me and I bit the inside of my cheek to hide my wince. Anything to help him enjoy the experience.
Over and over he thrust into me, groaning the closer he came to reaching his climax. Grunting, he pulsed inside and pulled out, letting his come dribble down my legs and onto the sheets before he rolled off me, picked up his boxers and pulled them on.
“I need to go watch the game. Make sure you wash the sheets before bed.” And out of the room he went.
Taking deep breaths, I tried to hold back the tears, all the while reminding myself that Dominic took care of me. He was the man of the house. I had to do everything in my power to keep him happy. I couldn’t afford, physically or emotionally, to lose him. Once I had myself under control, I stood, wiping myself with the sheets and looking for something to throw on to start the laundry. Folded neatly on the table at the end of the bed was a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Pulling on the clothes, I stripped the bed and walked back down the hall as the sounds of the baseball game flowed into the kitchen from the living room.
I didn’t want to disturb him by doing the dishes, so I quietly grabbed the laundry detergent and keys to the basement and left the apartment. The sheets would take about half an hour, enough time to get a quick shower and get back. Starting the machine, I went back upstairs. Dominic was standing in the kitchen, in front of the fridge.
“How many times do I need to tell you that no one wants to see your pasty white legs? Put on a pair of pants, for all of our sakes.” Shaking his head, he grabbed a beer and went back to the game.
“I forgot, I’m sorry. I’ll change after my shower.”
The minute he left the room, I sprinted to the bathroom, shutting the door and leaning against it, my body sliding to the floor. My eyes burned. If I just followed his directions then there would be no reason to get upset when he said things to me. I wiped furiously at my face and pulled myself off the floor, showering in record time.
Remembering what Dominic said, I put on a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt to head back down to the laundry, throwing the sheets in the dryer, then coming back upstairs to clean up the kitchen. Collecting the plates of chicken, I carried them to the trashcan and began scraping them off.
“Would you keep it down in there? I’m trying to hear the TV,” Dominic yelled. “Can’t do anything quiet, can you?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so loud. I’ll do my best to be quieter.”
I finished cleaning up, tiptoeing around, trying to make as little noise as possible. I’d just finished when the timer I’d set for the sheets went off and I hurried down to the basement. There was very little time left in the game. Dominic would want to go right to bed when it finished. He worked long hours and deserved to get as much sleep as he could. His job provided for us.
As quickly as I could, I made the bed. Cheering sounds reached me in the bedroom and I knew that meant the game was over. My hands shook waiting for Dominic to come in the bedroom. Would he approve of the job I’d done? Quietly, I sat on the end of the bed and waited for him, wanting to make sure there wasn’t anything else I could do for him before he went to sleep.
Dominic walked through the door, his eyes zeroing in on the bed. “The sheets are wrinkled. You’ll need to iron them tomorrow. Right now, I’m too tired.”
My heart sank. I’d tried so hard to get it right that time. Standing, I stepped toward the door and nodded. “I’ll take care of it as soon as I get home from work,” I said, my voice shaky.
He pulled the sheets back and crawled into bed. “Did you make my lunch yet?”
My eyes dropped to the floor. “Not yet. I wanted to make sure the sheets were ready when you came to bed.”
He turned on his side, his back to me.
“I’m going to do it right now, while you sleep.”
“Good. And none of that shit you tried to feed me for dinner.”
I watched him lying in bed, wishing that for once he wanted me with him. “No, of course not.”
Stepping out of the room, I shut out the lights and closed the door, moving quietly to the kitchen, giving him time to fall asleep before I went to bed, otherwise I would disturb him with all of my tossing and turning. I made him a sandwich for lunch and packed his cooler. That way, he could grab it on his way out the door in the morning and he wouldn’t be late to the office. I gave the room one last scan; satisfied everything had been done to Dominic’s standards.
The clock on the oven flashed. It was after eleven; he should be asleep. Flipping off the lights and TV, I snuck into the bedroom, silently changing into pajamas and setting the alarm on my phone for four in the morning. Slowly and carefully, I climbed into bed. Dominic should have already set his alarm for eight, but I would double-check it in the morning before I left for work. With the long days at the diner, then coming home to take care of the household, the eighteen hour days caught up to me quickly. Once my head hit the pillow, it didn’t take long for me to fall into a deep sleep.
It felt like I’d only just closed my eyes when the vibration of my phone pulled me from sleep. The sun hadn’t yet risen but if I didn’t get up right away, I’d be late getting into work and with so many customers coming in early, grabbing breakfast before their day started, I couldn’t afford to be late. Creeping out of bed so as not to wake up Dominic, I took a clean uniform from the closet and tiptoed, in the dark, to the bathroom, waiting until the door was closed to turn on the light.
I was dressed and ready to walk out the door in less than twenty minutes, which gave me a little more than ten minutes to walk to work. Thankfully, the diner was only a few blocks away and I could make it there in five on foot if I didn’t dawdle, so I used the extra time to double-check Dominic’s lunch and coffee.
When I was sure everything was ready, I grabbed my purse and stepped out the door.
The humidity had risen throughout the night, something I hadn’t noticed with the air conditioning on but now, even at this early hour, the heat felt almost overpowering. Fanning myself with my hand, I made the trip quickly and clocked in for the day.
“Morning, Elena,” Gretchen called from behind the counter.
“Morning. Let me put my purse in the back and I’ll be right there.”
She walked over to take an order and I stepped out to hang my purse on the hook in the back. Grabbing an apron and tying it around my waist, I loaded my notepad and pen into the front pocket, hurrying behind the counter.
“Who’s not taken care of yet?”
Gretchen pointed to the row of customers. “Everyone up here, but there’s a table in the back I think might be ready to order.”
We didn’t have a hostess to help us, and since we were the only two who did the early morning breakfast shift during the week, we took whatever tables needed help and split the tips down the middle. It was easier than figuring out who should take what table. Once I’d taken and entered the order from the back table, I went back to wait with Gretchen, who’d already served their drinks.
“Did you give him any money last night?”
I sighed. “No. Dominic stayed home last night.”
“Yeah and let me guess—treated you like shit the whole time,” she snapped.
Gretchen and I were never going to see eye to eye on this. It was an old argument. She didn’t understand that I needed Dominic. He loved me. My eyes began to blur. Turning my face away, I tried to hide the tears.
“Oh, Elena.” Gretchen dropped the empty cup and pulled me into a hug. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I wish you could see how wonderful you are, and that you deserve so much better than him.”
Stepping out of her embrace, I shook my head and wiped at my face. “No. He’s the only man who has ever, or will ever want me. I’m not pretty like you. I’m just so plain.”
Gretchen had long blonde hair and crystal green eyes, not to mention a new date every weekend. I’d had one boyfriend in high school, and I’d married him.
Her hands landed on my shoulders. “You’re not, but until you see that, you’re stuck with him. Please don’t give him any money to gamble again.”
I let the subject drop. It wasn’t worth the argument. I knew full well if Dominic asked me for money, I’d give it to him. What Gretchen didn’t realize was that with every suggestion, he was only trying to improve my appearance, or the way people looked at me. All of it was to help me. Dominic would never do anything to hurt me.
CHAPTER 2
Elena
After our disagreement, the shift went quickly; odd, considering it was my twelve-hour day. Gretchen apologized later, which I accepted, and at clock out time, I waved a quick good-bye on my way out of the door. She lifted her chin in response, knowing I couldn’t stop because I needed to get home and get dinner ready for Dominic. It wouldn’t do to have Dominic come home from work and be disappointed in me. Speed walking down the block, I made it home quickly, thankful I’d thought to marinate the chicken last night before I went to bed. Paired with a side dish and a vegetable, it made for the perfect dish, and would definitely be done in time.
I was just setting the table when Dominic walked through the door. “Fucking chicken, again,” he said, his tone cutting. “It better not taste like shit.”
He dumped his stuff by the door and sat down at the table. I cast a sideways glance, making a mental note to tidy it all away once I finished cleaning up from dinner. We ate in silence, Dominic spending the entire time on his phone. At least he liked it. He finished everything on his plate. Dropping his fork, he stood.
“Finally, something edible. Now that you’ve shown, after all this time, you can cook, make sure it all tastes good.”
He left the kitchen and I set to work. My goal was to make sure the kitchen was spotless by the time he came back out to watch TV and, hearing the squeak of the showerhead, I knew I had about ten minutes. In that time, I wiped off the table and loaded the dishwasher. Dominic came out dressed ready to go out. His dark brown hair was wet, making it match the color of his eyes. At five foot nine, he had about six inches on me. He watched me and for one small moment I hoped the points I’d earned at dinner were enough for him to take me with him.
“Where are your tips?”
Dropping my shoulders, I reached into the pocket of my uniform and pulled out the sixty dollars I’d earned, handing it over to him. Whether Gretchen liked it or not, we were married and whatever was mine was his.
He grabbed the money from my hand and counted it. “This is it? Jesus, you can’t even earn a decent amount delivering food to tables.” He shoved his phone and the money into his pocket. “It’ll have to do. Make sure my lunch is made for tomorrow.”
Without another word, he walked out the door. My throat burned in an attempt to hold back the tears. I did as he said and made his lunch, followed by a quick shower. Dominic was out, meaning I didn’t need to wait for him to fall asleep, so I went to bed early. Exhausted, I climbed under the sheets and let sleep take me.
The bed dipped down, letting me know that Dominic had made it home from his night out. A quick peek at the clock told me it was after three in the morning. I had about another hour before the alarm went off. I attempted to go back to sleep, but Dominic’s constant tossing and turning kept me awake. Eventually, the alarm sounded on my phone and I got up for the day.
Whether or not Dominic had gone to sleep or not, I didn’t know, but by the time I got home from my shift, he was gone. And I’d finished early. Gretchen was off for the day and I saw no reason to hang around and talk.
A few hours later, dinner was on the table and ready but Dominic still wasn’t home. I called his phone. No answer. Knowing it would be bad manners to start eating without him I waited. And waited.
Over an hour later, he showed up.
“Elena, where the fuck are you?” he yelled, slamming the front door.
“In the kitchen, waiting for you.” I didn’t want him to think I’d started without him, or done nothing all day. I sat stoically at the table, hoping he would notice how clean the living room was on his way through.
He came storming into the kitchen. “Go get changed into something . . . nicer. Not sure you have anything, but try. And pack an overnight bag.”
Excitement flooded my body to the point where my hands shook. Listening and following Dominic’s instructions had finally paid off. He was taking me out. Digging through my closet I found an older dress that would be perfect, no matter where we went. Who cared about dinner? I’d deal with the mess later.
I hurried to pack my bag, not giving him the chance to change his mind. When I stepped out in the hall, he raked me over with his eyes.
“I guess that’ll have to do. Let’s go.”
Taking my arm he led me out to the car.
“Where are we going?” I was practically bouncing in my seat with excitement.
“Don’t worry about it. You’ll see when we get there,” he snapped.
The almost imperceptible shaking of Dominic’s hands caught my attention. He was nervous, something I’d never seen from him—even when we’d woken up married after a long night in Vegas. How much had changed since then.
We pulled into the lot of the baseball stadium. Excitement tore through me. Baseball was Dominic’s favorite sport and the fact he invited me to come see the game with him meant so much.
“You brought me to a game.” It was hard to keep the glee from my tone but I tried. I didn’t want him to change his mind or regret his decision, thinking I couldn’t behave.
“Just shut your mouth and do as I say.” He got out of the car and waited at the front for me to get out. I opened the door. “Grab your bag.”
I wanted to ask what I needed an overnight bag for but I’d already upset him enough. Quietly, I climbed from the car and followed him to the Will Call, where he checked in and strode to the elevators. Gripping the handles of my bag, I walked quickly to keep up, following him as we made a right down a hall where there was no access to seating. In front of us were about ten doors.
The club box section? How had he afforded this?
At the next to last door, Dominic knocked and waited. The silence was heavy, and I got a feeling in my gut that told me this evening wasn’t going to turn out the way I’d thought. I chanced a glance at Dominic using just my eyes, careful to keep my head lowered to the floor. His skin was void of all color. It sounded a stupid thing to say, but it was true. More often than not, his cheeks were reddened from alcohol, so to see him like this made me even more nervous. His hands fidgeted at his sides, and he bounced up and down on the balls of his feet. There was a noise on the other side of the door and he froze. After a few seconds, the door swung open to reveal a guy you’d expect to see sitting outside a club checking IDs, bouncing the idiots who didn’t belong. His gray T-shirt was extremely tight, stretched across muscles so large I knew the guy either took steroids or lived in a gym.
“Don’t stand there and hold the door open. Come in or leave.”
My attention was drawn to a man, sitting alone in the middle of the room. I drew in a deep breath and my lungs burned. It was like the air in here was different – thinner. Goose bumps erupted all over my body, even though the temperature was no different. I told myself I was being silly, but I’d always had the innate ability to sense danger. It was something that had likely saved me a few times with Dominic. I was always able to tell when his mood was worse than normal, ensuring I was even more careful. And with the feeling that had made its way from burning lungs to the base of my spine and was currently wrapping around my chest, making it difficult to breathe, I knew without a doubt that the man was no saint.
Dominic pushed me from behind, forcing me into the room. I looked back at him but he said nothing to explain what was going on. He grabbed my arm and pulled me forward.
“I hope the bag she’s carrying means you brought my fucking money,” the guy in the chair said and for the first time, I got a good look at him. His hair was a deep honey blond, the thin black-framed glasses perched on his nose contrasting nicely with his green eyes; shrewd eyes, trained on my husband.
Dominic raised his hands. “Ashton, hear me out for a moment.”
“I’ll take that as a sign you don’t have the rest of my money yet,” the man drawled, his words slow and drawn out.
The hair on the back of my neck prickled and I felt a presence behind me. Taking a quick peek over my shoulder, I saw that the huge, scary guy from earlier now stood directly behind Dominic. His eyes were narrowed, his muscular arms crossed over his chest.
“Give him a chance to explain, Brock,” Ashton said, lifting a glass of amber liquid to his lips. “I don’t think the asshole is stupid enough to come here without my money and not have another plan. Did you, Dominic?”
“No . . . ah, no . . . of course not. I do have something to offer you.” Dominic’s voice shook with every word. My gut screamed at me that something was very wrong. I folded my hands behind my back; afraid Dominic would see and reprimand me.
What money could this guy possibly be talking about? I knew we had credit card debt, but exactly how much, I didn’t know. Dominic took care of all of the bills. Said he didn’t want me to make mistakes.
I stumbled as Dominic pushed me from behind, my shoes catching on the carpet beneath my feet. “I’ve brought a trade.”
Ashton laughed, but nothing about the sound felt friendly. “A trade? What could you possibly have to give me that I don’t already have, or can’t get with the money you owe me?”
“My wife.”
My head snapped in Dominic’s direction. I couldn’t have heard him right. There was no way he’d trade me. I might make a few mistakes here and there, but I was a good wife. I took care of all of his needs and desires—or at least I tried to. I wasn’t as skinny as he would like, or as pretty, but I tried to make up for it in other areas.
Ashton removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. “Your wife. Are you fucking kidding me?” He looked back up, replacing his glasses.
There I stood, in front of a man I had never met, watching my husband for guidance about what the heck was happening.
“Don’t be dense, Elena. Turn around so he can see you. This is a matter of life or death. You need to save me,” Dominic hissed.
Searching his eyes, I could see the fear, so I made a slow circle around, unsure of what else to do.
“What the fuck, Dominic? You come in here, owing me two hundred thousand dollars, and you want me to take your wife in lieu of payment?”
Two hundred thousand.
Everything in my stomach wanted to come back up. How were we ever going to pay back that kind of money? My chest constricted. It felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“Yes and no. I’m offering a trade.” He shoved me forward. “Elena will be yours to do with as you please for the next three months. After that my debt will be paid. Plus, I gave you fifty grand yesterday.”
“That’s splitting hairs and you fucking know it. Shit, that’s only a quarter of what you owe.”
“I know, but I have no way to get you the money. It would take me forever to pay you off. I figure this is easier and faster. She’s not very bright, but she’ll do anything you want her to in the bedroom. I have her trained. You don’t even have to take care of her. Get what you want and go to bed.”
The hot sting of tears burned my eyes. My husband, whom I tried to please above all others, wanted to trade me to pay off his debts. The rational part of me had a feeling that if I didn’t go along with it, something really bad would happen to Dominic. I alone had the power to stop it.
And I would.
