Saving Suki (Horse Mountain Shifters Book 4) Read online

  Once the mask was in place, he took a moment to admire his creation, a huge grin showing his unusually large front teeth. “Perfect, but you need a tail. I’ll have to check online and order one of those butt plugs with one attached.”

  Suki backed away, crab walking in the opposite direction from him as her heart sunk while her blood boiled. “No…I’m not letting you.”

  “Don’t be rude, girl.” He grabbed the chain connected to the choker around her neck and yanked so hard she couldn’t breathe. Her eyes bulging, she stilled. “That’s better. Now present.”

  She shivered, panting as she struggled to figure out what he wanted from her. After a few more seconds, he tugged the chain but much lighter than before as if warning her.

  “I said present!” He pulled the chain a little more.

  “How?” She could hear the fear and exasperation in her voice.

  “Like a dog—on hands and knees.” She took the position as quickly as she could to avoid being choked again.

  “Good.” He petted her head. “Now sit.” Suki sat up on her knees. “That’s right. Now beg.”

  She stared at him through the mask’s eye slits, too frightened by the prospect of how far he might escalate his sick game to be embarrassed. His comment about the sex toy wore heavily on her mind as she burst into tears.

  “What the fuck?” He tugged the chain enough to cause discomfort but not enough to cut off all her air. “Dogs don’t cry.”

  She wept. “Are you going to rape me?”

  He tilted his head forward, staring at her through narrow half-open eyes beneath his knotted brows. He wrinkled his nose until his nostrils lifted so high the tip of his nose looked distorted, and his bottom lip curled under as his large, gapping frown showed most of his tongue while he appeared to wretch. “No way in hell would I defile my body with a filthy piece of shit like you.”

  A sense of relief took much of the sting out of his reaction. She huffed out a heavy breath, her tense body relaxing as she wiped her face with the back of her hands. I’m used to ignorant shits like you. Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you!

  She glanced at his face. He was glaring at her with disbelief. He rubbed his chin as he studied her face. “Ohhh, I understand…you got nervous about the plug.” He smirked but then looked off the side and scratched his head. “I’ve not worked out all the details about clothes and toiletries and such. I mean…dogs don’t wear clothes, and you need training, but I don’t want to be the one to brush your teeth or bathe you. I’d need surgical gloves that went straight up to my shoulders. I don’t know. It depends on how long you’re here—how long it takes him to break.”

  “Break, Master?”

  His head jerked toward her, his cold eyes widening as he laughed. “Oh, he’s gonna fall apart. It’s biological. I can’t wait.”

  A sick sensation swirled in Suki’s guts as if someone had mixed soda and pop rocks in her stomach, and a thick layer of disgust seemed to stick in her throat. “And then what happens?” His eyes narrowed and she realized her mistake. “Master.”

  “Too late.” He grabbed her ear and twisted.

  “Owww!” The pain spread from the area he touched down her neck. She gritted her teeth and clenched her jaw until he let go. She clapped her hand over the area, panting as she recovered from the sudden attack.

  His eyebrows lifted and his smile broadened as he gloated. “This is going to be fun.” He took a step back, tilting his head as his gaze ran up and down her body. “When you were young, I never suspected you’d get so fat.”

  Her face flushed. She loved her curves and wasn’t shy about her full figure, but being body-shamed to her face filled her with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. “There’s no accounting for taste.” As soon as the words slipped out from between her gritted teeth, she braced herself for his wrath.

  “I knew you were going to need a lot of training.” A close-lipped smile pushed his cheeks upward and lit up his eyes as he shook his head. Her heart sunk. He’s glad. I’ve handed him an excuse to be as rough as he’d like. Now he can rationalize his brutality even to himself.

  He yanked the choke chain before grabbing the stun gun from the holster and sending volts of electricity through her body. She tensed and fell while crying out. Helplessly, she stared up at him as his laughter mocked her.

  “Stay right there.” He licked his bottom lip before walking into the bathroom. A few seconds later, he returned with a balled-up washcloth. After unsnapping the snout portion of the mask, exposing a round hole for her nose and mouth, he pinched her nose between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to open her mouth. He shoved the cloth as far back toward her throat as he could without choking her. He reached behind him and pulled something out of his back pocket. When he brought the object into view, Suki realized, it was a thin, rolled-up magazine or comic book right before he swatted her nose.

  She chewed on the washcloth as he administered three additional annoying and degrading but not painful smacks to the same place. She glared up at him through half-open eyes.

  “There. Now lie on your back.”

  Die. Have a heart attack and die. In her mind, she continued to wish death on him in many different ways as she rolled over, bending her knees while exposing her tummy and holding her hands like paws in a show of submission.

  He smiled, nodding. “Good, girl. Now roll over.”

  Suki complied with his demeaning commands, accepting his pets on the head after she performed each trick to his satisfaction. She closed her eyes, retreating to a place inside of herself he couldn’t touch. She tried to forget where she was and focus her mind on the afternoon she’d spent in the cave with Malcolm, but a nagging concern the violence would escalate sooner rather than later kept her trapped in the moment. No, I can’t disassociate. I have to stay alert. I can’t give up, even for a minute, or he’ll kill me.

  He removed the gag and refastening the mask. “Okay, I guess you’ve learned not to defy me. Stand up.” She pushed up on her hands and knees before moving to her feet. “Follow me.” He led her to the bathroom. “Drop ‘em and sit on the toilet.”

  “Master?”

  “I won’t have you wetting the floor. It’s your last chance for the evening. Pee.” Suki slipped her underwear and pants down and sat on the seat but couldn’t go. She hung her head, covering her private area with her hands. In general, shifters didn’t mind nudity. Removing clothing before transforming to run in a group was a fact of life, but after the undignified way she’d been treated, she didn’t want him to see more of her body.

  He waited a few seconds and sighed before he turned on the faucet. He turned his back and leaned against the door jam. After a few seconds, she managed to urinate. “Finished?”

  “No, please wait, Master.” She wiped before flushing and then covered her bottom as fast as she could. “Okay.”

  “Done?”

  “Yes, Master.”

  “Alright, but eventually, you will need to do more. You’re my dog. You have to go in front of me. If you refuse, I’ll buy an enema.” Suki’s stomach churned. As a nurse, she was no stranger to bodily functions, but she always did her best to protect her patients’ dignity. Ollie would be looking to destroy hers. She didn’t even use the bathroom in front of her family members. This creep was determined to break her down until she was nothing but a lower lifeform. “You can wash your hands, but then back on your hands and knees.

  She clenched her stomach and the muscles in her arms and neck tensed as she repressed her fight-or-flight response. Ollie was far too muscular and mean to take on physically. If she was going to escape with her life, she’d need to be patient and smart. “Yes, Master.”

  After squirting liquid soap in her palm, she lathered and rinsed her hands before turning off the water. “Stop stalling.” He grabbed her arm and yanked her out into the den before directing her to the dog bed and pushing her down. She repeated the three turns before curling up in a ball.

  Ollie moved into the cent
er of the floor. He removed his shirt before lied down. After completing three sets of twenty sit-ups, he rolled over and began doing push-ups. He didn’t seem to be paying any attention to her, but she stayed still to avoid his wrath, using the time to think. At some point, he’d go to sleep, and she’d be locked in the kennel. Her face still hurt where he slapped her. She’d likely have a bruise.

  She glanced around the room again, trying to find anything else she could have hidden in the kennel for later use. Maybe part of the gaming system or the television cable, but I’d have to take it apart. If he hadn’t taken my car to avoid my being reported missing earlier, I’d be totally screwed. She slowly stretched out her arm, placing her hand on the outer edge of the Saint-Bernard-sized futon. Feeling along the side, she found the zipper for removing the cover and pursed her lips to make sure she didn’t smile. I’d have been able to use that to remove the zip ties, but it would have been a bitch to maneuver with my hands behind my back. At some point, his ass will go to work, and then I would have been able to strip the innards from the toilet tank to pick the lock on the collar around my neck but only if he didn’t lock me in the kennel while he was gone.

  Movement caught her gaze, pulling her out of her hypothetical scenario. She turned her head to see Ollie put his shirt back on. He had bulked up and covered himself in self-tanner, but now that she remembered his pale, freckled skin and menacing round face, she couldn’t think of him any other way.

  He has to be a complete lunatic to hold a grudge toward Malcolm all this time to the point of stalking him. What am I thinking…of course he’s a nut, just look at what he did to me?

  “Stand up.” Suki rose to her feet without comment. He removed another zip tie from his front pants pocket. “Hands behind your back.”

  Shit. “Master, please tie them in front. It’s so uncomfortable.” She placed her arms together in front of her.

  He rolled his eyes. “Whatever, it’s not like you’ll be able to get out of the kennel.” He flashed a mocking smile but soon seemed disappointed by her lack of reaction. Anger flashed in his eyes as he fastened her wrists together much tighter than he had previously and roughly pulled her over to the dog crate before shoving her inside.

  Damn it. In the future, I’ll have to remember to feign shock even if I’ve already figured out his surprises. He fastened the padlock before turning off the lights and leaving the room.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dash’s gray couch provided lackluster softness in comparison to Suki’s soft curves. Nevertheless, Mal had holed up there since she had made it clear he could go fuck himself nearly two days ago. Did I come on too strong? Was it the ass fucking? She could have just told me to get off. He leaned forward, holding his head in his hands. Damn it! If I could just get her to talk to me…but now she’s turned off her phone.

  He perused the selection of snacks left open and strewn across the coffee table before reaching out to scoop a handful of sunflower seeds out of one of the bags. He slumped against the sofa’s arm as he crunched his snack between his teeth. He barely noticed the door opening and closing again until his best friend stood in front of him, scowling as he folded his arms across his chest.

  Dash stomped his foot. “It smells like ass and bitch in here, and guess who’s the bitch?” Mal lifted and dropped his shoulders before reaching for another handful of seeds. His buddy’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head as his eyebrows lifted and his jaw dropped. “You just gonna let me call you a bitch?”

  Mal shrugged again. “It’s what I am. I snatched up Suki’s pussy as soon as she’d let me and now, I’m all fucked in the head.”

  Dash’s mouth hung open, but he soon changed course, grimacing as he removed his gun holster and then hung it from a runged shelf before locking his gun in a digital safe. “Damn, you’re worse than I thought.” He sighed. “I hate to kick you when you’re down, but maybe that’s what your raggedy-ass needs ‘cause you stink so fucking bad.”

  “Huh?” Mal lifted his arm and sniffed at his pit before waving his friend off. “Man, that ain’t even that bad.”

  The werewolf's nostrils flared. “Are you fucking kiddin’ me? You think I’m worried about some armpit odor. Please. I. Am. A. Wolf. Shifter. I smelled your dirty, crusty, unwashed ass as I was getting out of my car. I can put up with you lazin’ around while I’m going to work. I can tolerate you sitting around with food stains on your pants.” He scrunched up his nose as he nodded toward the pizza grease on Mal’s gray gym pants.”

  Mal opened his mouth and began to argue but Dash held out his palm in front of Mal’s face while opening the pizza box on the table with his free hand. He looked at the contents before scoffing.

  “Who the hell binges on veggie pizza? Pathetic! Anyway…as I was saying, I can put up with your stupid shit, but I can’t tolerate you loungin’ up in here not washin’ your ass and wearin’ some repeat underwear.” He shook his head profusely while waving his arms back and forth in an X in front of his waist. “Naw, hell no!”

  The image of himself as a putrid, rotten egg popped in Mal’s mind before he rolled his eyes and threw a balled-up napkin at Dash. “Nobody but you with your special nose would ever even smell me and repeat underwear? No way.”

  Dash nearly busted his gut laughing. “You don’t have on repeat underwear?”

  Mal frowned. “No.” Since his friend was being such a dick, Mal didn’t feel guilty about lying.”

  “Sorry, let me rephrase to make sure you understand. Are you wearing the same undergarment you were wearing yesterday?”

  “Man, fuck you with that condescending tone.”

  “Answer the question.”

  “I changed my boxer briefs.”

  Dash’s eyes widened as the corners of his lips turned upward. He opened his mouth and whooped loudly. “Oh, no you didn’t.” He patted his chest. “You expect me to believe you picked your mopey ass up off the couch, dug around in your bag for some undies…” He acted out what he was saying in an overly animated, highly annoying fashion. “And then took off them stank-ass pants you’ve been wearing since you dragged your pitiful ass here, removed your crust-filled shorts, put on the clean pair and then…then, you put the same dirty-ass pants back on?” As Dash spat out his embarrassing, sarcastic diatribe, the wolf shifter continued to mime the motions as if he were changing.

  Doubling down, Mal nodded. “Yep.”

  Dash’s head jerked back as he lifted an eyebrow. “Man, get your lyin’ ass up.” He grabbed Mal by his forearm and snatched him to his feet.

  “Mother fucker! Who said you could use your wolf strength on me?”

  “Ain’t done yet.” Dash bent his knees as he wrapped his arms around Mal’s waist and lifted him off his feet.”

  “Ain’t? Put me down, you damn hick!” Mal half-heartedly kicked but couldn’t seem to muster up the energy or the motivation to put up a fight.

  “Oh, Mr. Sophisticated, Mal, moved a whole hour away from the mountain and now he’s a man of the world.” Mal sulked as Dash toted him down the hallway and into the bathroom without breaking a sweat. “Get’ch’yo’ ass in there.” The shower door had been left open so Dash easily tossed Mal inside with his clothing still on. Before he could regain his footing, Dash turned on the water, grabbed the shampoo and slammed the door shut.

  “What the fuck. I’m getting all wet.”

  “That’s the idea.” Dash held the door shut, putting his shoulder against it while he squirted shampoo on Mal from over the top.

  “Damn it. Now my clothes are all soppy and uncomfortable. This is fucked up.” Mal pushed against the door, but as strong as he was, he knew Dash had a rare and special gift of being able to channel his wolf strength and senses even without shifting.

  “Whatever it takes to get you out of them. I wasn’t joking. You stink. It’s bad. My mama’s probably gagging every time she steps out the back door. Wash your ass.”

  “Your mama don’t have her wolf nose when she’s not shifted.” Mal pull
ed his shirt off over his head and tossed it over the door.”

  “Ugh!” Dash screamed as the dirty garment landed on his head.

  Mal chuckled as he pulled off his underwear and pants in one motion. “Serves you right.” He stepped out of the dirty clothes and aimed for his buddy again but this time, Dash managed to dodge the attack.

  “Missed me.” He lifted the shampoo bottle again before squirting another glop that landed on Mal’s forehead.

  “Hey!” He pushed the sudsy liquid back into his hair. “That could have gotten in my eye.”

  “Chance I was willing to take.”

  “Just give me the bottle. I’m showering now. I can wash by myself.”

  “Fair enough.” Dash handed the shampoo down to him before leaving him alone. Mal had to admit the warm water felt great, and wallowing in his misery for so long had been a bad idea. He needed to focus on finding a way to convince Suki to talk to him. He’d allowed her enough space. After he finished getting dressed, he’d drive over to the house and make a nuisance out of himself. If she wasn’t there, he’d try her folk’s farm even if it meant getting his ass kicked. I just wish I knew what I did wrong.

  As Mal was drying off, he heard Dash throwing a fit from the living room. “What the ever-loving fuck? Where’s my gun?”

  Mal rushed to his bag and threw on some clean sweats before hurrying to check out the situation. Dash was peeking out of his window through his blinds. Mal looked around the room, noticing Dash had cleaned up his junk food and placed several photos on the table. “What’s wrong?”

  “I smell humans!”

  Mal huffed. “So?”

  “So?” Dash looked over his shoulder at him, scrunching up his nose before returning his attention to the window. “Someone just pulled up in a whack-ass four-door sedan, and they stink.”