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CHAPTER 3:  JETHRO

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AS SOON AS Jethro followed Jason into the hallway, two Guards fell in line behind them.  He could take the Guards.  It’d be easy, but then what?  There was no way he was joining Hugh and his group, not when his every breath screamed for revenge.  For every lash he took, he’d hurt Trinity somehow.  Not physically, he’d been raised to never hit a female, but he could hurt her in other ways.  The best option he had for capturing her and keeping her was to align with Jason.  So, he’d take his beating and then plan his vengeance.

They went through a side door and down a maze of back hallways to a private exit.  He followed Jason into a waiting carriage as the two Guards climbed on the top.

“Tonight, you’ll be my guest.  I’ll return you to the Council Building tomorrow morning,” said Jason.

They traveled in silence on the short trip to Jason’s house. 

At the door to his home, Jason paused, finger to his lips.  “My wife’s asleep and we don’t want to wake her.”  He winked.  “She’ll ruin our fun.”

He followed Jason into the house and up the stairs.  The place was beyond opulent.  Where the professor’s house was decorated with a quiet, expensive dignity, this house was all show.  If it were expensive and gaudy, it was there.  It was probably supposed to intimidate but instead it made him want to take a shower.  Everything here had a price.

He followed Jason into a large room to the right of the living room. By the desk and chairs it was the study.  The Guards took seats near the door, as Jason waved him toward the back of the room. 

“Had this place remodeled before we moved in.  I needed a little more privacy.”  Jason pulled a key from his pocket, moved a picture aside and opened a door that looked like part of the wall.

His instincts clamored, telling him to leave because this couldn’t be normal, even for the rich.  No one would need this kind of privacy for anything legal. 

“Come on.”  Jason grinned.  “Paradise waits.”

He’d come too far to back out now.  He didn’t need Jason as an enemy and the Supreme Almighty was nervous about whatever was back here.  The man stunk of fear and...arousal.  His dinner sat like a rock in his gut as he trailed after Jason into what was a suite of rooms.

A large, purple velvet couch took up most of one wall.  The carpet was white, lush and thick.  A fire burned, making the room almost hot.  To the right a large table filled with food and drink sat between two doors.  One of them opened and a female House Servant glided toward them.  She was young, really young like maybe thirteen or fourteen and she was wearing a nightgown—a transparent nightgown.  She stopped by Jason’s side and he ran his fat hand down her shoulder and over her breast.

“See,” he said, smiling.  “You can be assured I won’t punish you for having relations outside your class.”

Two other doors opened on the other side of the room and three more House Servants strolled into the living room.  They were all young—too young for what Jason had in mind, for what Jason had already done.  He should’ve stayed at the Council Building.  Waiting for his flogging was bad, but this was a nightmare and there was no escape.

“Get him a drink,” said Jason. 

One of the females poured two drinks, bringing him one and giving one to Jason.

Jason held up his glass.  “To a man’s proclivities.”  He patted her on the bottom and tossed back the liquor.  “I’m feeling generous tonight.  How about two for you and two for me?”

Two of the Servants came over to him and began running their hands down his chest and back.  One squeezed his butt and he stumbled forward.  “I...I...”

“Never been with two?”  Jason laughed.  “Trust me, you’ll love it.”  He walked to the counter and grabbed a bottle.  He handed it to one of the females by Jethro.  “Take him to your room.”  He winked at Jethro, but bent and spoke in her ear.  “I’ll expect a complete disclosure on his performance.”

Jethro let them drag him into a bedroom.  He was going to be sick.  They were too young.  He couldn’t do this, but if he didn’t Jason would retaliate.  This was Jason’s way of ensuring he’d never tell anyone.  After tonight, he’d belong to the Supreme Almighty.

One of the Servants started kissing his neck, her hands wandering to places they shouldn’t.  He grabbed her shoulders and held her away from him.  He smiled and said, “Tell Jason I’m not ready for two.” 

“Send Tee.”  She tipped her head at the other, shyer female.  “I promise.  I’m more fun.”

He had to sell this.  His eyes wandered slowly over Tee as he tried to ignore her almost naked body, focusing on her face.  She had long, straight black hair and smooth skin.  Her large, green eyes were downcast.  “I like them sweet and innocent.”  He dropped his hold on the bolder Servant and yanked Tee to his side.

“Suit yourself.”  The other Sevant left in a slight huff. 

He let go of Tee and locked the door.  He turned to the young Servant, hoping he wasn’t making a huge mistake.  “Listen,” he whispered.  “Can I trust you not to tell anyone?”

She nodded, staring at him with unease.

“I don’t want to do anything tonight.  Okay?”

“Really?”  Her eyes brightened, but suspicion still lurked in their green depths. 

“I swear.  But Ja...”

She grabbed his hand, pulling him to the bed.  He locked his legs, stopping their progress.  Shit, how’d she go from shy to aggressive in one second?

“Come on.  They’ll be listening.”  Tee glanced at the door.

“Then we need to be quiet.”  He sighed in relief.  He wasn’t going to have to fight her off. 

“No.  We need to make noise.  Mating noise.”

“You’re right.”  He wasn’t thinking straight.  This wasn’t what he’d expected when he’d left with Jason.  “Promise you won’t tell anyone that we didn’t...”

She shook her head and crawled onto the bed.  She started bouncing and moaning.  His lips curled in distaste as his face heated.  She shouldn’t even know what sex sounded like.  Jason should be punished for this.

After several minutes of noise, she cried out and dropped onto the bed.  “Now, we can sleep.”  She patted the spot next to her.  “You should undress.  They’ll come inside without knocking.”

“I locked the door.”

She rolled her eyes.  “They have keys and”—she pointed across the room—“there are other doors.” 

It was another hidden-panel door. 

“I’ll lock—”

“No.”  She grabbed his hand.  “They’ll be suspicious if that door is locked too.”  Her big eyes pleaded up at him.  “Please.  I’ll get in trouble.”  She dropped his hand and her fingers found the buttons of his shirt.  He stumbled away from her almost falling over his own feet.  She giggled and he frowned, but he took off his shoes and shirt and moved toward the bed. 

“You should remove your pants.”  She reached for his zipper.

He shoved her hands away.  He wasn’t going to lie naked next to a kid.  “I was too eager.”  He undid his button and flopped down on the bed. 

She giggled again.  “Males are never that eager with me.  The other girls have talked about it though.”  Her small hand entangled with his.  “Thank you.”

He turned to look at her.  Her hair looked like it’d be as soft as silk.  Her large eyes with black lashes took up most of her tiny face except for her lush, red lips.  She was exceptionally beautiful and would be an exquisite adult female one day.  “How did you...the first...How did this happen to you?”

She shrugged.  “Like it happens to all of us.  I was sold to Jason.” 

He stared at the ceiling.  She should be home with her parents not servicing some fat politician.  This isn’t how the Almightys should treat the other classes.  They were supposed to take care of them, not abuse them.  “Who sold you?”

“The Chapman.”

“Who?”  He turned toward her again.

“He’s an Almighty.  Male.  Some call him the Procurer.  He finds what customers want and sells it.”

“How many of you?”  He leaned up on his elbow. 

“A lot.  The rich Almightys always want something or someone.”  She frowned a bit.  “Some like us young, like Jason.  When we get too old he finds another home for us.”

His eyes darted to the door.  It’d only take a moment to kill him. 

“Don’t be mad.”  She touched his face.  “Jason’s not a bad master and he finds good homes for us when we’re too old for him.”

“They shouldn’t do this to you.”

“It’s not so bad.  Sleep now.”  She took his hand again and gave it a slight squeeze. 

He lay back down, her hand tucked in his.  There were noises from the other room, but in here the only sound was her steady breathing.  She’d fallen asleep but he wasn’t so lucky.  This had to stop, but what could he do?  She shifted, snuggling up to him.  He put his arm around her, pulling her close.  Tonight she was safe, but not tomorrow. Araldo only knew who else Jason brought here for entertainment.  He brushed a lock of her dark hair from her face.  Maybe, he could convince Jason to let him have her.  It wouldn’t help the others but at least he could save this one.