Locked Together (In Chains) (10 page)

I’m so hot, sweat is trickling down my back and my forehead, it stings my eyes. The vent is still pumping out warm air, I’m struggling to breathe and the heat is making the crap on my hands smell worse, my hands are crushed up near my face and there’s no room to turn my head away. I heave and vomit fills my mouth, I grimace as I swallow it back down. I’ve gotta get out of here. My stomach heaves again and I choke as vomit spews over my hands and my clothes. Someone raps on the metal door. “Please, let me out,” I croak.

“Are you uncomfortable, slave?” It’s her and even without seeing her I know that bitch is smirking. “No one is going to let you out; you’ll be in there all night.” I hear her laugh. “I don’t understand why you’re so intent on being faithful to your little girlfriend, because you must know she isn’t going to stay faithful to you.” My heart feels like it’s trying to pound its way out of my chest. “Her and Jack, the guard, have gotten close haven’t they? Why would she want you when she can have him?” I swallow hard and then swallow again.
Savannah loves me, she does.
“Think about it, you’re just a slave, what sort of life can you give her? He has a job and respect. He can buy her gifts; take her out for meals or to the movies, things you can never do.” I close my eyes. I wish I could put my hands over my ears because I don’t want to hear what she has to say.
Savannah loves me; she won’t leave me, will she?
“He’s making her life better Kade, I hear he gives her food and cigarettes. What have you given her? Oh yeah, she has you to thank for being locked up in here, doesn’t she.” My throat is closing up and there’s a pain in my chest. “It is all your fault that she’s locked up in here and if you think she’s not going to resent that, then you’re a bigger fool than I thought you were. It’s only a matter of time before she kicks you to the kerb.” I hear her footsteps as she walks away. The cell is getting hotter and my nose is filled with the smell of crap and vomit.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Savannah

Dean has been taken somewhere else, it’s just Reece and I. “If you don’t like sleeping alone, I can give you a cuddle,” he’s sitting on the floor a few feet away. I don’t look at him; I slowly shake my head.

This is the second time she’s kept Kayden back and he didn’t do anything wrong. I don’t know what it is but there’s something about her I don’t like. “Reece, you said that Kayden used to have sex with one of the guards. Is it the guard that kept him back tonight?”

He comes over to sit next to me. “Yeah, that’s her, Bailey. She had sex with me as well but Kade was always her favourite, d’ya get what I’m saying.” He screws his face up. “What is it about him? Has he got a big dick or something?”

I ignore his comment.
Is that why she’s keeping Kayden back? Does she still like him? Does he like her? Have I got anything to worry about?
I think back to when she told him to stay behind, he wasn’t happy about it and I haven’t noticed him looking at her. I don’t think Kayden will cheat on me but I don’t trust her. “What’s this Bailey like?” I ask Reece.

A grin spreads across his face. “She’s so hot she’s practically on fire.”

I raise my eyebrow at him. “Seriously, Reece, I don’t care what she’s like in bed, what’s she like as a person?”

He frowns at me and shrugs. “I dunno. What do you mean?”

I sigh. “I mean, can she be nasty? What’s she like if she doesn’t get what she wants?”

He throws his head back and laughs. “For real, Savannah. I’d give her what she wants. What man wouldn’t.”

It’s pointless talking to him. I lie down and curl up on my side. I hear a shuffling noise and I feel Reece lie down behind me, I stiffen as his arm snakes around my waist. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“I figured you might want a cuddle being as Kade isn’t here to give you one.”

“Well you figured wrong,” I say as I grab his wrist and remove his arm from my body. “I’m tired and I’m in a bad mood, so leave me alone.” I hear him huff but thankfully he moves away. I hope Kayden is okay. I wish he was here with me. I wonder what she’s doing with him, or to him. I can’t think about this right now, I’ll drive myself mad. I should probably try and get some sleep; hopefully he’ll be back soon.

I’m jolted awake by the siren going off. It takes me a few minutes to realise that Kayden isn’t here; he didn’t come back last night. I don’t have time to worry about it as the guards arrive to unlock us. We’re taken to the laundry and I’m pleased to see that Jack is on duty. He smiles at me and as worried as I am I can’t help smiling back, it’s rare that I get to see a friendly face these days. “I don’t know about you,” he says to me, “but they’re forecasting a beautiful sunny day and I don’t want to spend all day in here.” He gestures around the room with his hand. “So, you’ll be working outside today, the outside of the laundry could do with a coat of paint.”

Reece and I follow him outside; the sun is starting to come up. It’s good to breathe some fresh air and I’m looking forward to feeling the warm sun on my skin. Jack unlocks the tool storage shed and hands Reece and I a paintbrush and two cans of white paint, we begin at opposite ends of the wall. Jack lights up a cigarette and watches us.

“So what do you do for fun, Jack, when you’re not working here?” It’s a funny thing, I never really did much when I had my freedom but now that I’ve lost it, I crave knowing about how others are spending their time. I can kind of imagine it’s me out in the world doing those things.

He chuckles. “Believe it or not, gardening. We like spending time with our Grandson and we like being alone together, snuggling up on the sofa watching TV. We’re simple people.”

I smile at him. “Simple is good, I was the same. What TV shows do you like to watch?”

“Dragon’s Den is one of our favourites. We enjoy seeing the inventions some of those people come up with.” He laughs to himself. “I’ve got a soft spot for that show, thanks to my Grandson. He’s saving up his pocket money for a bicycle and I guess he wanted to ask us if we needed any jobs doing that we’d be willing to pay him for. So he came in with a piece of cardboard under his arm and said ‘I come to you today, asking for…’ just like they do on the show.” I can see in my mind’s eye his little Grandson doing that, it’s the cutest thing ever and I bust up laughing. I turn my head and see Kayden standing next to a male guard. Jack heads over to the guard but I can’t hear what they’re saying because I’m focused on Kayden. He looks pale and exhausted, his scrubs are drenched, he looks like he took a shower fully clothed and there are stains down the front of his scrubs. He looks so sad.

He starts to sway, so I run over and throw my arms around him. “Ugh, you’re wet and cold.” I smile up at him. “Are you okay sweetheart? I’ve been worried about you.” He doesn’t answer me but his arms snake around me and he pulls me close. “Ahh Kayden, you’re crushing me, I can’t breathe.” He loosens his grip a little.

“I’m okay, sorry I’m wet, I had to take a shower.”

I hear Jack’s voice. “Slave, let her go and get to work.” Kayden actually growls, then squeezes me tighter; his face is pressed into my neck. “Slave,” Jack yells at Kayden.

Kayden laughs humourlessly. “What’s his deal, is he jealous?”

I see Jack reach for the fob on his belt. Oh no, he’s going to shock Kayden. “Jack,” I say desperately. Kayden’s head snaps up, he looks at me and then shoves me away, he scowls at me. I watch as he stomps over to the tool shed and picks up a paintbrush. He winces as he picks up a can of paint, is he hurt? I turn to Jack. “Please, can I speak to him for a few minutes, something is wrong.” Jack sighs but nods his head and I run across to Kayden.

I place my hand on his arm. “Kayden, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

He glares at me for a few minutes before replying. “Why? Do you care?”

“Of course I care, I love you,” I reply, frowning at him. What has got into him? “You look exhausted, is that why you’re so grumpy?” I ask him.

He gives a loud sigh. “I didn’t get any sleep and my back hurts, I think I pulled a muscle.”

I rub my hand over his back and then I walk over to Jack, he’s stubbing out his cigarette. “Jack, Kayden’s exhausted; please will you let him rest for a while?”

He slowly shakes his head. “No, he’ll be fine.”

“He might be, but I won’t. I’m going to be worried about him all day. Please Jack. Just this once, for me.”

He stares at me for the longest time. “Fine, he can rest for an hour but I expect him to make up for lost time.”

I throw my arms around him and give him a peck on the cheek. “Thank you.”

Kayden is staring at me but he quickly looks away when he sees I’ve noticed him. “Jack says you can sleep for a while,” I tell him.

“Well ain’t Jack the hero,” he mutters, avoiding my gaze.

I reach for his hand. “Come on, over here.” I pull him across to a quiet spot behind the laundry where we’re out of sight of the other guards in the yard. I sit down and rest my back against the wall of the building. Kayden is still standing, gazing down at me. I pat my lap. “Lie down and rest your head on my lap sweetheart, get some sleep.”

He kneels down in front of me and cups my face in his hands. “I’m sorry I’m grumpy and I’m sorry I’ve ruined your life, I didn’t mean to.” I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. He lies down on the floor and nuzzles his face into my stomach. I trace little circles through his damp hair.

“You haven’t ruined my life Kayden, I’ve never been so happy as I am when I’m with you.” He’s already asleep; I don’t think he heard me. I’m sure he’ll feel better once he’s rested. There are red marks on his neck close to his shock collar, they look like burns.

I don’t know if Jack has forgotten about us or if he’s being kind, but he’s left us alone all day. Reece has painted all the building except for the spot I’m leaning against. I heard him muttering under his breath, calling Kayden and I lazy. I don’t blame him for being annoyed, but my priority is Kayden. He hasn’t stirred but I’ve enjoyed sitting here in the sunshine, listening to the bird song. I close my eyes and imagine I’m back at the farm.

I hear the sound of someone clearing their throat and I open my eyes to see Jack standing in front of me. “How would you like to spend the night with your brother?” he asks me. I’m pretty sure I’m staring at him in shock.

“Err, I’d love to but I don’t think they’ll let me.”

He crouches down in front of me. “There is a way. They let us borrow a slave, if we need any work done around the house. As far as the administration here is concerned, you’d be locked up at my house but I’ll let you stay with your brother.”

My mouth falls open. “You’d do that for me? Thank you.”

“I’m putting my trust in you, Savannah. I’m doing you a huge favour so don’t make me regret it. If you run, they will find you and you’ll see a different side to me.”

I shake my head. “I won’t run, I know you’re taking a risk doing this for me.”

“I’ll fill out the paperwork and you’ll leave with me when my shift is over.”

Reece is putting away the brushes and paint. I gently shake Kayden and whisper in his ear, his eyes slowly flutter open. I smile at him and bend to kiss him on his forehead. “It’s time to eat darling.”

He looks around and frowns. “Have I been asleep all day?” His voice sounds croaky.

“Are you thirsty sweetheart? You haven’t had anything to drink yet.” He nods his head. “We’re going to dinner now; you’ll get a drink then.” He’s just woke up and he’s still a little sleepy so I won’t mention yet that I won’t be here tonight, I’ll tell him once we’ve had dinner.

As we sit down to eat, I slip my hand into his. He looks at me and gives me a small smile, then squeezes my hand. We’re served some unappetising looking meat and potatoes but I’m hungry enough not to care anymore, food is food. I wolf it down and notice that Kayden has only eaten half of his, he usually eats faster than I do, I hope he isn’t ill. He pushes his half-finished meal across to me. “Are you feeling sick?” I ask him.

He smiles. “Nah I’m okay, I don’t want you to be hungry.” He gazes into my eyes and strokes his fingers softly along my cheek. “I love baby, you know that, right?”

I place my hand over his. “Of course I do.” I’m about to tell him I love him too and about my plans for tonight but I don’t get the chance because Jack is standing in the doorway, he calls out to me. I hold my finger up to ask him to give me a minute but he shakes his head and motions with his hand for me to join him. Kayden has a puzzled look on his face as I get up, I can’t leave him wondering where I am all night. “Kayden I-”

“Savannah, we leave now or not at all.” Jack shouts, sounding annoyed. I’ll have to go, this is the only chance I’ll get to spend some time with Simon and if I make Jack mad he may change his mind. When I reach the door I turn around, intending to blow Kayden a kiss but he’s standing at the other door and has his back to me. I follow Jack through to the reception. “Wait here while I sign some paperwork and then we’ll be on our way.”

I do as he says but I have to ask him something. “Will you please find a way to let Kayden know where I am? I didn’t get a chance to tell him.”

He rolls his eyes. “I’ll call the guard on duty and get her to let him know you’re with me.”