I was deliriously hot and comfortable, possibly the most comfortable I had ever been in my life. Whatever bed I was laying on had to be made for kings, or I was so use to mattress so thin you could feel the springs, that anything would have seemed better. The only thing making this from being perfect was the thumping headache I seemed to be sporting. Of course, I was well aware of the reason why, years of abuse can make one accustomed to waking up in pain.

The fact that I was no longer at my shit of box apartment that I call – called - home, had me not wanting to wake up and face reality. Knowing full well that as soon as I do, I'll have to face the nine males that kidnapped me. Why they took me and kept me was anyone's guess, but if they thought I was going to make it easy on them, well they have another thing coming.

Groaning in frustration and maybe a little pain, I pulled the blankets up and over my head, thinking it was way to early to be dealing or even thinking about this shit.

"You're finally awake?" Someone asks from within the room.

"No. Just groaning in my sleep." I mumble back, freaking out a bit because the voice was definitely not male, but female.

I hate females. If I were a dog, my hackles would definitely be up.

"And talking to it seems."

"Yep. I'm one of those people who answer you in their sleep."

The woman laughed and I could hear her walking over to me and rips the blanket back. I curl up into a ball covering my face with my hands.

"Come on missy, there waiting for you to wake up. They're not patient people."

I had to laugh at that and rolled away facing the opposite direction. "Not sure if your aware or not, but I'm a hostage remember. It's not in a hostage job title to make their life easier. Now, if you're taking me to the nearest exit then by all means, I'll gladly get up."

"I'll take you, but you won't exactly get very far." I sat up so fast that I saw stars for a moment, and had to reclose my eyes.

"You'll seriously take me to the exit?" Hope, such a glorious thing to have.

"Like I said. I'll show you every exit in this place but there is no way for you to escape. They have ten guard dogs surrounding the property that all come with there very own person. Then if you manage to get past that and make it to the fence that surrounds the whole property, which is over a hundred acres by the way, you will be faced with a ten foot electrified fence."

And despair wins everybody. Fucking hope, it kills me every time. "So what your saying is I'm pretty much screwed right?"

"Yep." She says happily popping the 'p'.

I grab the blanket and then pull it back over my head collapsing back. "Then goodnight."

"Please Miss, it's my job to make sure you get up. You'll get me in trouble." She didn't really sound that worried so I didn't bother moving.

"And that's my problem because?"

"When you become my problems, they also become your as well. Trust me, you don't want them coming up here to get you." God, bitch alert.

"Seriously what are they going to do? Kidnap me? Knock me out? Been there done that. Nothing they do will phase me, so let them try."

"Why are you not scared? Most people are crying or at least trying to escape by now." She actually sounded curious so I answered honestly.

"One, it takes a lot more than this to scare me. Two, what's to cry about, apart from the headache, I'm actually quite comfortable right now and three, don't worry, I'll be trying that escape thing later on. I'm not really in a rush right now."

"Your one weird girl. I wonder what they were thinking taking someone as difficult as you."

"And who are you exactly to them?"

"Anything they want me to be." I didn't miss the underlying comment in that and I knew exactly what she meant. From cooking, to cleaning to a happy ending. She even sounded proud of it.

She was exactly what my stepmother always called me, a whore. Not that I'm judging... Ok, maybe a little but seriously? That is not something to be proud of.

"So, pretty much a glorified slave. You know slavery died out in 1862 right? It's not something to be proud of."

"I am not a slave you insignificant girl." She spat venomously at me. I could almost feel the heat coming of her she sounded so angry. I had to bite the pillow to stop laughing.

"You know what slave, you can go away now. You're starting to irritate me."

"Fine then you stupid bitch, they can deal with you." With that I could hear her stomp out and slam the door behind her.

Laughing to myself I climbed out of bed and had a good look around the room, which by the way was massive. The bed was large, most likely a king, there was a large couch resting under two large windows that opened outwards. There was a desk, a vanity table with a large mirror, and two single doors and one double door. I was guessing one was the exit and the others must be a bathroom and last a closet.

I headed towards the closet first to see if there were any clothes in there, which there were, a lot, and grabbed the most comfortable thing to wear. A pair of tights and a long loose top that ended mid thigh. There were even bras and underwear in there.

I checked everything and realized that everything was in her size... coincidence, I think not. There was so many clothes in there she could have worn a different outfit for a year and probably still have enough for the next year. Who were these people and how did they manage to get all this in such a small amount of time.

If I ever managed to escape from here, I was sure as hell going to be taking a few of these with me. After all, they are the reason I will no longer have a home, knowing full well that all of my belongings, everything I owned will be sitting on the street, up for grabs for all to take.

But, that is something to worry about later; right now I need a shower. A hot one.

Once in the bathroom, I see that not only had they supplied me with clothes, but also with shampoo and condition, body wash, even a pink towels and wash cloth. I'm really starting to think that I'll never be leaving here especially if they have gone to all this trouble in supplying a years worth of product.

Shrugging to myself I strip out of my clothes and take the hottest shower I could have without giving myself three-degree burn. After showering, dressing and shoving my hair back in a messy bun without brushing it, I head to my exit, hoping that I'll eventually find someone that could give me answers.

Left or right? Both directions left the same results... an empty hallway with no answers in sight. Scrunching my nose up in frustration I decided to just head right, fortunately I was saved by making a decision when the sound of footsteps sounded heading my way. I closed my door and waited against it, crossing my arms and resting my thumping head against the door.

"Why are you causing my staff problems?"

Sighing, I rub my head before looking over to see that one of the bank robbers was no longer dressed all in black, but a crisp white long-sleeved shirt, the top button undone to reveal the start of his collarbone and neat black slacks. His eyes are what held me from replying, they were wide, big and it was the first time I'd thought the term 'fire in his eyes' ever actually fit a face. He was absolutely gorgeous, and vaguely familiar, but from where I didn't know.

"What?" I ask finally snapping out of it.

"I want to know why you are causing my staff problems? They have no decision on what we do around here and don't deserve you belittling them in any way."

Was he serious? Standing straight she walked over to where he was standing placing her hands on hips. "I will do what ever the hell I want, when I want and if it means belittling the staff that service you all in any way and are happy to declare that, than I will think whatever the hell I want to about them. I owe you no allegiance, I owe you no respect, I owe you nothing. So don't come here demanding that I follow your stupid orders, because you know what you can do with that Sunshine? You can grab that idea and shove it up your overzealous ass." I was fuming by the end, all I wanted was to go home and start again.

He didn't say anything for a while; just staring down at her like she was crazy. Finally he made his move and grabbed her around her arm and started to pull her back the way he had come.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Kota would like a word with you." Well at least he answered my question.

"Who is Kota? Actually, who are you?"

"It's Dakota to you or Mr. Lee, and my name is Victor Morgan." I froze, pulling him to a stop.

"Victor Morgan as in the famous pianist?" I enquire slowly, praying that the answer is no.

"Yeah." He tilts his head frowning. "Not many young people know who I am, unless you're within the elite social circle." It was a statement, but I also knew he was asking a question; how did I know him?

Laughing, I continued walking talking to him over my shoulder. "Don't worry, there's nothing elite about me. I just stumbled across it one day and I liked it. Of course I was only fourteen then, haven't seen or heard of you since I was fifteen."

"Really? So what happened when you where fifteen, to stop you from listening to me perform?"

Sang Sorenson, the girl who fell in love with your music died on her birthday.

Of course I don't tell him that, how do you explain that between his family and mine, they destroyed everything, killing the young innocent girl I use to be.

"Life."

I stop at a massive spiraling staircase, huffing a breath before turning to smile at Victor. "Where to now Mr. Morgan?"

He rolls his eyes, before gesturing. "To Mr. Lee's office Miss Lewis."

We arrive at Dakota's office what seem like hours later, but were probably only five minutes. If I hadn't mentioned this already, its probably because I'm still in a daze on just how massive, monumental, titanic, colossal... ok, I think you get it. Its huge and expensive and ridicules – and kind of in love with it – and a maze... I think I got lost as soon as I left my room.

Victor knocks on his door before opening it, not even waiting for a response.

"Kota, Lexie's here to see you."

I peek around Victors shoulder to see a young man, with black-rimmed glasses and vibrant green eyes. My eyes go wide in shock, but I quickly mask it, not wanting them to know that I knew who he was, after all, I had seen him everyday up until my fifteenth birthday. Of course he wouldn't know me, or recognize me. Back then I had blonde chameleon hair and green eyes, now my hair is a chocolate brown with blue eyes, I barely even recognized myself.

He was my neighbor, but he never once spoke to me, he was always with his friends. If I believed correctly, there were nine of them all together. I couldn't believe that I hadn't put two and two together already.

I had always remembered spying on them, whishing for a life like they had had. They had always seemed more like brothers, a family than just friends, but I always knew that I was beneath them, that I didn't warrant their attention. I had gone to school with a few of them; you could probably call me a stalker or the crazy chick, because I had always loved watching them. They were so beautiful, so handsome and that Mr. Blackbourne, he had been perfect.

Unfortunately their attitude was anything but. Everyone who wasn't in their group was beneath them and the amount of females that I had heard that they had slept with... but never once holding a girlfriend.

"Hello, anybody home?" A hand waving in front of my face had me snapping back to the present, away from that dark era, a place that these guys have a way of making me remember.

"Yeah, sorry. You just reminded me of someone from my past." I give my head a good shake, pushing all of that to the back, trying to once again forget.

"Miss Lewis please have a seat, we have much to discuss."

Choosing to be cordial for now, I do as he says, crossing my legs. "Floors all yours Mr. Lee." I say with a wave of my hand.

His look is one not of amusement and the look he sends her way chilled her all the way down to the bone. "We have a few rules to go over why you stay here, follow the rules and we will leave you alone. Disobey the rules and the punishment will be sever."

"And what are these rules?" Trying not to show how nervous she was... is.

"You will work while you are here. Miss Richardson will give you your schedule, and any complaints or demands can go threw her. You are not a guest in this house so don't expect any special privileges. Do not speak to me or any of my brothers unless they speak or address you first. Miss Richardson will show you to your room and give you a tour of the house, and where you can and cannot go. Failure to follow any of this will result in some form of punishment, which will be determined once you actions have been weighed and measured." He pauses for a moment looking her over. "That is all." He does the wave thing at me that I had just done to him, but I don't move.

"Do you honestly think that I would make this easy on you? That I'm going to be all, 'Yes sir, three bags full sir'? That when you tell me to jump, I'll ask how high?" I lean forward uncrossing my legs and leaning my elbows on my knees, clasping my hands in front of me. "You see, they way I see this going, if for you to let me go, like right now and return me to my home. You want to know why? Because there is nothing you could do to me that hasn't been done to me already. I do not fear you, I do not fear your men, and I do not fear your retribution. I will refuse to work as your slave; whip me, cut of my fingers, do your worst, because I promise you this... I will never do as you ask, and I refuse to become another drone less slave who will spread her legs at the click of your fingers. You may as well kill me now."

I stand up and without a backwards glance walk out of the room.