Saving Addy (Hidden Series Book 2) Read online

  Saving Addy

  Saving Addy

  Hidden Series Book Two

  LM Terry

  Saving Addy

  Copyright © 2019 LM Terry

  Published by LM Terry

  All rights Reserved

  No part of this publication can be reproduced or transmitted in any form, either electronically or by mechanical means without prior written consent from the author. Brief quotes are permitted in the instance of reviews or critical articles. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only.

  This book is intended for readers 18 and older, due to adult content and language. This is a work of fiction. Any names, places, characters, events or incidents come from the author’s imagination and are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Dedication

  To all the souls who have been hurt and still manage to see the magic in life.

  Lovers and dreamers will always survive.

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Epilogue

  Magic

  And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.

  ~Ronald Dahl

  Preface

  Addy

  ◆◆◆

  They are close on my heals as I run through dark alleys. The acrid smell of rotting food burns my nose as I dodge trash barrels. My sneakers and the bottom of my jeans are heavy, sodden with dank water from puddles I have splashed through. The devil is chasing me…he will make me pay for what I have done.

  I tried making amends, but it didn’t matter. My father warned me as a child that no one could escape their fate. I tried to be good, really I did. I guess I am destined to spend the rest of my days paying for my sins.

  I shouldn’t have returned to Mexico. But, I wanted to make a difference in this world. That is all I ever wished for, to follow in father’s footsteps, to aid others. Eight years of hard work trying to turn my wrong into a right, but obviously it wasn’t enough. Shit, I am so dumb, why, why did I come back? I know why. For the people who needed my help.

  I round the corner trying to lose myself in a crowd outside a local bar and bump into a man bouncing off his large frame. He reaches out gripping both of my arms to steady me. I look up at the massive figure looming over, he smiles down at me. The tequila on his breath assaults me.

  “Please let me go, I need to go!” I say to the guy with urgency looking over my shoulder.

  The man does not relinquish his hold on me, instead he gazes over the top of my head. I study his face as he spots what has me running like a skitzy rabbit from a wolf. He will surely release me, let me run. Everyone here recognizes Javier’s men, and they all fear them.

  Evidently everyone but him.

  He wraps me up in the protective cocoon of his chest. I’m mesmerized as I watch his eyes grow dark. I brace myself as I hear the men shouting behind me. I prepare myself to be plucked out of his arms at any moment. I take a few deep breaths and close my eyes.

  Javier’s lackeys skid to a stop behind me. The crowd hushes, whispers follow. I tremble and latch on to the man’s shirt with my tiny fists willing my eyes to open. Everyone around has evaporated as if the magic of the moon has cast its glow down and transported them to the heavens.

  I peek up at the burly man holding me tight to his chest. He stares the men down, his gaze flicks from man to man, like a hawk scoping out prey. I turn my face slightly to the side and peer behind me. Javier’s men have halted and are now parting for him. Javier stalks out stopping a few feet in front. He cocks his head, narrowing his eyes at me with that trademark smirk and then lifts them to the man sheltering me.

  “Well, well, what do we have here?” Javier hums with that voice that sends lightning bolts of fear shooting down my spine.

  “What we have here, is me taking her.” The big guy nods downward, shaking me slightly in his arms.

  Javier laughs loudly pivoting to look at his men, they all hesitantly laugh. Most appear like they don’t find as much humor in the statement as he. “Oh really, and just where do you think you are taking her.”

  “Hmm, let’s see. How about I take her to Oliver Wright and you all can fuck off?” he growls above me.

  My heart stops for a long beat as I stare at the expression on Javier’s face. I swallow watching him reach into his pocket to pull out a cigar. He lights it then offers it to the man holding me. The big guy leans forward to take the smoldering gift. I grab him around the waist tightly hoping that he doesn’t dump me into Javier’s arms.

  He straightens and draws off it, inhaling deeply then lets the smoke roll out of his mouth. Like a thunderhead on the horizon I watch the transformation from innocent cloud to raging thunderstorm. My heart hammers in my chest, something is not right.

  “Please give my regards to Mr. Oliver and let him know that I may be interested, after the training period of course. This one…” he pauses and shakes his cigar at me, “has cost me a great deal, but I would be happy to incur further expense for the proper obedience.” Javier’s words cut through the fog billowing over my head. What is he saying? His cryptic statement has sent my brain scrambling to decipher.

  “And you are?” the large man inquires as plumes of smoke filter out of his nose and mouth.

  “Javier, Javier Galindo.” Javier flashes him a bright smile, bows and turns on a heel walking away. His men follow behind him.

  My legs crumble beneath me with relief. The stranger’s strong hands scoop me up and whisk me aside to a dark car parked across the road in the shadows. A man hops out of the driver’s seat and quickly opens the back door for us. The big guy sets me on my feet gently pushing me into the car. As soon as I duck my head inside I come to my senses. What am I doing? I need to return to the others. How could I even consider getting into this vehicle?

  I stop halfway and drag myself back out of the car.

  “Thank you for your help, but really my friends are not that far away. I’ll be fine now, thank you again for your help,” I say struggling to control the tremor in my voice.

  “In,” my savior orders.

  He is my savior right?

  Right?

  “Wh…who are you?” I ask struggling to speak.

  “My name is Brian, but soon you will call me something much worse I am sure.” He runs his thumb over my bottom lip and I quickly suck it between my teeth, denying him access.

  Swallowing hard, I peer up at him, he smi
les and places his hand on the top of my head gently pushing me down into the car. I slowly shrink myself into a ball and roll into the backseat.

  Have I run from the flames only to jump into the fire? Time to pay up sweet Addy…time to pay up.

  Chapter One

  Addy

  ◆◆◆

  The first days of being Master Oliver’s captive was all I needed to realize that fate had finally caught up. I accepted it. I knew I was being punished for what I had done all those years ago. Well, I guess I didn’t accept it in the beginning. It didn’t take long to break me, sometimes I think I should have fought harder, others I think I should’ve acquiesced sooner.

  The man who kidnapped me was Master O’s best slave trainer. He had saved me from one demon only to deliver me to another. But, the day I laid my sword down at his feet propelled me further into the bowls of hell. It didn’t seem so. If I had known how things would end, I wouldn’t have set that blade down, I would have struck that fucking thing into my chest.

  He had been water boarding me because I refused to eat. At some point this little voice entered my head and told me that if I submitted he would save me. He would be my savior. That is how I’ve always seen him since bumping into him that first fateful day. I shouldn’t have listened. Maybe in a different life he would have been. This life, my life, it isn’t about being saved…it is only about being punished.

  Brian fell in love with me that day, the day I submitted to him. I kept my eyes trained on his as he cut off my oxygen. The wet cloth over my face was barely rising and falling. I remained calm with my head in his lap staring up into his dark eyes. I didn’t flinch. I didn’t cry. I didn’t fight. I laid perfectly still and allowed him to see into the depths of my soul as he held me on the edge of life and death. I saw something pass over his features and from that moment on he tried everything he could to keep me safe.

  We spent our days and nights together. He trained me during the daytime, hoping that his boss wouldn’t notice his feelings for me. He told me if Master O ever found out he would be angry. It was the nights I lived for. In the dark of my cell he would hold me, we would stay awake for hours just talking. We shared stories of our lives. I learned that he didn’t deserve to be in hell. He was there because of the sins of others…I was there for my own.

  Eventually, Master O discovered that Brian was coming to me and he sent me away. Master is the only person I’ve been allowed to speak to since then. He stripped me of everything, my name, my voice, my soul. No, that is not true. I kept my soul. I built a wall for it the day I came here. I spend my time making sure the bricks and mortar are secure. It’s not as easy as it sounds, I must keep one foot on the outside of the barricade so I can function. You know the basics…eat, sleep and shower. I can’t shut them out completely.

  It is most hard when Master Oliver visits. Most of the days I can hide on my side of the wall. Usually, my captors only come three times a day to bring me meals and once a week I am allowed out of the room to shower. But, when he comes it is more difficult. It is the only time I’m able to speak. I don’t want to communicate with him, he demands that I do so. It means I must listen to what he is saying so I maintain the proper responses. One foot in, one foot out. Kind of like when you sleep at night and keep one leg outside the covers…but only one. The rest of you remains covered to protect you from whatever lies awake in the dark.

  Yesterday was one of those days. During his visit he told me that Brian made an arrangement with him the day he sent me away. That was almost thirteen months ago. The deal would have allowed me to be with Brian. Hearing his name made a slight crack in my wall, I stepped out a little further than I normally would, and it didn’t end well for me. Unfortunately, Brian had betrayed him. Dread filled me as I realized that he was speaking as if he would end his life.

  He told me he sold me. I had become useless to him. He introduced me to the man who had purchased me, no introductions were needed, I could smell his sweet tobacco scent before I even raised my eyes. I tried to retreat behind my wall, but I couldn’t hide, that damn crack had formed so I was forced to endure, there was no hiding.

  Anyhow, I have been working tirelessly since then laying more bricks fortifying my fortress. Oliver is taking me to my new owner soon. I’m not sure my wall will hold him out. I hadn’t realized how many devils existed in this world. Hell must surely be empty.

  Now, the real penance begins.

  Chapter Two

  Addy

  ◆◆◆

  The day is here. How do I know? Because they came for me right after lunch, it is not part of my normal routine. They made me shower and prepare myself. Master Oliver must be here. I thought maybe he had forgotten me. He was supposed to come eight weeks ago. I am ready; my wall is as secure as it’s ever been. His delay gave me extra time to lay more bricks.

  When I hear the keys clang, I place my forehead on the cold wooden floor and stretch my arms out in front of me, palms down. I quickly jump behind my barrier, leaving only one foot out. The door opens, more than one set of footsteps enter my room. Oh no, it is hard to deal with two devils at once.

  “So, this was Wright’s girl?” a rich voice says above me.

  It’s not him. It’s not his voice. My pulse picks up a beat.

  “Yes. I am glad you contacted me. Oliver had secured a buyer for her. He was supposed to pick the slave up several weeks ago, but he didn’t show. I was just about to put her up on the next auction, I can’t keep feeding and sheltering her without making a profit.” This voice I recognize, he owns this place. He never speaks to me nor I to him…master doesn’t allow me to speak to anyone. But, I’ve heard him outside my door talking to the other girls. I’m not sure what is going on. I need to see Master O. He will tell me what to do. Where is he?

  “Hmm, what is her name?”

  The owner laughs. “She doesn’t have one, you can call her whatever you like.”

  “What do you mean she doesn’t have one?”

  “Oliver’s rules, no one speaks to her, and she speaks to no one. Don’t need a name for that type of relationship. Oliver had been paying me to care for her basic needs. My men bring her meals and take her down to shower, she knows what to do. But, I promise you she is a perfect slave, Oliver’s best trained her. Would you like to spend the evening with her before you make the purchase? Sit up girl, let our customer see your pretty little face.”

  I slowly drag myself up to my kneeling position keeping my eyes lowered to the floor. The man crouches down and grabs my chin gently raising it, encouraging me to meet his gaze. I peek out from behind my wall. He is frightening, his dark eyes pierce me. It’s as if he knows that I’m in here hiding. Where is Master O? What am I supposed to do? I haven’t taken directions from anyone besides my master for over a year. He will be angry knowing that these men are here in my room…touching me.

  “I don’t need to spend the evening with her, I’ll take her,” the deep-voiced man says. He doesn’t shift his eyes away from me and my heartbeat strums an uneven staccato.

  “Are you sure? Usually customers want to taste the product first. We have many rooms set up here, you will find our accommodations are top-notch. You and your slave are both welcome to stay.”

  The man runs his thumb over my cheek then twists his head speaking over his shoulder. “Anna, come meet our new friend.” He turns back keeping his hold on me, lulling me with the gentle strokes.

  A girl crawls forward and kneels beside him. He shifts his focus to her. My eyes drift to hers. Large sapphires stare at me. “What do you think, pet, should we bring her home with us?”

  “Yes, sir. She is lovely.”

  He grips my chin tightly forcing my gaze to his. Then he speaks to the owner as he stares deep into the world I have built for myself. “I will take her. We need to catch a plane so no need to entertain us this evening.” He pauses as if deep in thought, then a smile slowly unfolds on his face as he adds, “I think I’ll call her Addy.”

  My w
all crumbles, I tear my gaze away from his, struggling desperately to repair the damage.

  “Very well, shall we go down to my office and finalize the transaction?”

  “Yes, but first I would like you to find something for Addy to wear. My girls are for my eyes only.”

  “Of course, why don’t we leave them here while we have a drink. I will find someone to round her up something,” the owner says as he ushers the scary guy from my room.

  When the door closes, and the lock clicks the girl they left behind reaches out slowly and places her hand over mine. It distracts me momentarily from my repairs. She whispers, “it's okay. He will not hurt you.”

  I tug my hand away and continue my work. I don’t know who this man is, but he knows my name. Did Master O send him to test me? Or, did Javier hire him to collect me? It doesn’t matter. I need to protect myself…whoever this is, he is just another vessel in which to deliver the punishment for my sins.

  Chapter Three

  Addy

  ◆◆◆

  The sky is beautiful, it’s as if I stepped out from the gloom of inner earth into the garden of Eden. I pause absorbing the blue and fuchsia colors. The evening is chasing the sun away, turning it into a painting with brush strokes of an unworldly palette. I take in every spectrum. The breeze whispers along my skin, I shiver at the foreign feel. Why is God allowing me this glimpse? It is not meant for me. Is this just another form of punishment? A reminder of what life could have been.

  A warm palm on my back drags me out of my thoughts to my current situation. I notice that the scary man and girl are gone. The hand belongs to a new guy, he is gently urging me towards a building. I glance at it. It is a hotel. I thought we were getting on an airplane. The scary man told the owner of the club we had a plane to catch. My gaze returns to the sunset. I don’t want to go inside…each time I am taken into a building the outside world is stolen from me. It has been over a year since I have been allowed out.