Taken

Chapter 13

"Armie. So good to see you!" Henry said looking up at the man. I continued to stare at Henry, unable and unwilling to look anywhere but him.

I could hear footsteps approaching as Armie made his way to Henry. They hugged then both turned to look at me.
I froze, staring at Henry's seat hoping to God that he would skip right by me.

"Armie, this is Anna. The contract has been fulfilled and she will be living with us now." Henry said, motioning to me. I felt tears begin to stream down my cheeks. Matt squeezed my thigh again. Armie walked over to me and stood beside me. Seemingly towering over me. He squatted down so that he was roughly more my height.

"Good evening Anna. It's lovely to meet you." I swallowed the lump that had risen in my throat and nodded my head. That was all that I could do, aside from continuing to stare at the spot Henry had been sitting. Armie watched me for a minute before standing back up and greeting the rest of the men. Armie took his place opposite me and picked up his cutlery and began eating.

Henry looked at me and lowered his head to whisper to me, "are you not hungry?"
I shook my head, gently pushing my chair back and standing up. Before I could even do anything, and without even realising that he had moved, Erik pushed me back down so that I was sitting in the chair.
"I'm not letting you leave this table until you've eaten the food." He aggressively whispered into my ear. Tears ran down my cheeks again as I slowly picked up the spoon. Erik's rough hands on my shoulders reminded me that he was still there and would remain there until I was done.
I glanced at Henry who nodded his head at me and began to eat his meal.

I shakily lifted the spoon to my lips. I could feel everyone watching me. I put the food in my mouth and began to chew. I could feel Erik's grip become more gentle. His hands ran from my shoulder to my neck, then back. His hands left my shoulders as I went in for a second spoonful. I watched out the corner of my eye as me made his way back over to where he had been sitting and resumed eating.

The men around the table engaged in conversation, but I was too heightened to even begin to follow what they were saying. Before too long everyone had finished their meal and was finishing their drinks. I gently moved my chair back and grabbed my bowl. Wincing when pain ran through my wrists and hands, making me hiss and send the bowl clattering back to the table.

I felt everyone's eyes on me, I shook my head and moved away. Moving towards my bedroom. As I was just about to reach the door I heard footsteps jogging up behind me. I stopped and turned around just as Matt caught up to me. He gently placed his hands on my waist and pushed me back, opening the door with one hand and moving me into the room. He closed the door behind him.

I looked up to him, he was so close. His left hand held the right side of my waist as his right hand came up and cupped my cheek in his hand. I looked down between us as he closed the space, spinning me around so that my back was against the door.

"I'm glad you're home." He whispered before he kissed me. I moved my head to the side and let out a jagged breath. Matt moved so that he was kissing down my neck and his hands grabbed my waist.

Suddenly, the knock at the door sent Matt pulling away from me. I watched as he was panting and readjusting his shirt before gently grabbing my forearm and pulling me to him.
"Come in." He said quickly wiping his mouth with his arm. I stared up at him for a second before turning my attention to the door.

Henry and Armie walked into the room. It felt as if my breathing stopped.
"Anna, Armie has played a significant part in getting you here." Henry said walking over to the sofa by the window and sitting down on it. I stared at him as he made himself comfortable.

"Armie has coordinated and orchestrated securing you, and your arrival with us. He has also penned the legalities regarding the contract your father entered into when he sold you."  I frowned and turned away, hating the 'when he sold you' comment. I was angry that I was treated like a possession rather than a human.
"I can assure you, he is nothing like Erik."
"If you stay on my good side." He joked. I turned to him and scowled. "Ill timed joke." I snapped at him. He smiled.
"I like when my women can fight." I froze.
"Your woman?" I questioned, squaring up to him. I paused, realising that my 5 foot 6 inches was nothing compared to his 6 foot 5inches.

"Yes. I know we said that we would be resting here for a few days without working. But unfortunately something has come up. We are going to London. Armie is going to be taking you to one of our houses. While you're there you need to act as a couple."

"No." I exclaimed. "I am not acting as if I'm in a relationship with someone I don't even know!" I yelled, turning to Henry.
"If I have to do this, I want you or Matt." I said, crossing my arms over my chest and staring at Henry defiantly. He shook his head.
"As much as hearing those words come out of your mouth makes me happy I have to say no. We are needed elsewhere. Armie is perfect for this job. I'm sorry Anna, but there is no room for discussion on this matter."

"Fuck you Henry. You 'buy me' and then think that you can control me and tell me what to do? Haha I don't think so. All the money in the world wouldn't make me do the shit that you tell me to do." I snapped. Behind me I heard the door open, I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand up.

Henry stood up and walked so that he was in front of me.
"Anna. There is no room for discussion on this matter. Your options are go to London and pretend that Armie is your partner or you'll be locked in your room the entire time." Without thinking I swung my fist into Henry's cheek. The millisecond it connected it felt like fire burnt up my hand and arm. I cried out and dropped to the ground cradling my hand.

I heard Matt step forward but he was stopped by Max. I looked up at Henry as tears ran down my cheeks. He cracked his jaw and looked down at me.
"I didn't want it to have to come to this." He said before he scooped me up and put me on the bed. I tried to sit up but he simply pushed me back down. Erik moved towards us.
"No!" I cried out, clawing at Henry, trying to get away from Erik. Henry quickly straddled my waist and held my forearms down above my head, carefully enough not to hurt my wrists.

"No Henry. Please. No!" I begged, watching as Erik removed the cap off the needle and walk over to me. I looked from Erik to Henry as he stared down at me. His face showed pure conflict in his actions.
"I'm sorry Anna. It's the only way." He said just as Erik pushed the needle into my arm. I sobbed and turned my head to the side, not realising that Armie was standing there. His expression was sad.

Erik pulled away and Henry held me down until everything went to black.