Taming Amanda (Book 1) Jacob's Broken Mercenaries

Chapter 5

Amanda

Relief floods me as I take in the surrounding scene. There are no cages or men in lab coats. People are sitting around on furniture, sipping tea and reading? The only threatening air of the place is us. Everyone from the base is here. The tattoo covered guy, the easy-going guy who keeps to himself. Even the quiet woman who's skin is now black! her eyes glow yellow, she's frighteningly eerie. I look away, trying not to stare.

It seems I'm not the only one they've recruited. All johns captives are here except the big guy with the ugly-looking scar. There are a lot of unfamiliar faces, too. An older man, the one who was trying to calm Michael down. He has reddish brown hair and dark brown eyes that seem to see right through you. There's a man in the corner who's silent and watches everyone easily blending into the backdrop. His eyes are black, and they move abnormally. Two more attractive men sit on the couch conversing amongst themselves like no one is in the room.

I can't put my finger on it, but I get a very off vibe in here. It's like being in the eye of the storm, and you know everything outside of it is in utter chaos. That's how these people make me feel. Like they all have masks on to cover what lurks within. Austin's staring at her, the quiet one. Is he interested? Well, why not she's attractive enough in a boss sort of way. I watch their exchange, wishing I had heightened hearing instead of the ripoff I received.

"Amanda! Did you hear me?"

"What?" I say, snapping my head towards Katie. She gives me a suspicion look.

"I said what happened? What did he say?"

I have to really think to focus on her questions. Oh yeah, why we're here.

"He made me come."

Katie's eyes go wide, and I look at her questioningly.

"Wow, well that's good. I guess at least you're getting along... Michael doesn't like him that's for sure."

I finally get the meaning behind her look,

"Not that way, Katie! He took me here."

She breathes a sigh of relief, and I shake my head. Is that how she views me? Some hoe that hops on anything that comes my way?

"Sorry I didn't mean to assume. It's not like I think you're easy or anything. I just thought I saw a connection between you two."

I look away, embarrassed because it's not far from the truth, but only on my end. Sure, he had an erection, but it's not like he tried anything, and he knew I was excited. He could feel it.

"No, no connection, but he didn't hurt me or anything."

I can sense her study me, I keep my head down fiddling with my watch strap.

"Good, cause if he did. He'd have to answer to me."

A chuckle slips out, and I give her a small smile. Katie mimics my expression. I can tell the conversations not over. She's trying to draw conclusions.

"Please, could you all calm down and take a seat. I need to tell you why you're here."

I look over at the man with the dreamy, intense eyes. I think he's their leader or something.

"My name is Jacob, and I've brought you all here for your own protection -"

Murmurs arise between the guys, Katie gives Michael a look, and he pipes down, quieting the others.

"I'm extending an invitation to all of you to stay at our facility. You would each have a room and, more importantly, our protection."

"Protection from who exactly?"