As Alena Thompson walked the stone steps that led to her in-law’s house, her heart was filled with a heavyweight. The echo of their laughter and joy making her feet feel like lead as she reached the large white door. Family,hisfamily, waited for her. Their plastered smiles masking their pity as they gazed upon her with judgmental eyes.


    It had been three years now since Alena’s husband, Fredrick, died. A shot to the heart left him on life support, and Alena eventually widowed. Though they were not married for longer than a year, Alena’s heart still wept at his loss, her mind filled with the vicious nightmares of the night of his murder, the smell of blood still fresh in her nostrils as she tossed and turned in her bed.


    As Alena stared at the golden knob, her mind flooded with memories of her late husband. From the moment he appeared in her life, he had all but stolen her heart, and what a battle that was. As she thought over the first day he showed up on her doorstep, with flowers in hand to pledge his devotion to her, a small smile formed on her lips. It was cheesy and painfully funny, but she wouldn’t have changed a thing. Chuckling at the endearing memory of his persistence, Alena allowed herself a moment to revel in her nostalgia.


    Even back then, Alena had to admit she had been quite the lucky gal at be desired by such an incredible man. Belonging to a high aristocratic family, he was one of the most eligible bachelors in Denver, running his own billion-dollar company, Fredrick was one who perservered and let his ambition speak for him. Though even with the money, the luxury, it never swayed his character, it was part of what made him so attractive to Alena.


    The two had met at a company event, she was just a secretary back then, conciendetally for his firm. Though the two had never crossed paths until that night. She had heard rumors of the handsome CEO, an older man in his late twenties. Fredrick was kind, intelligent, handsome, every woman’s dream. He had just finished a speech, charisma flowing from each word he uttered in that rich, velvety voice.


    Alena had a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne to thank for the fateful encounter. If her coworker Sharon hadn’t bumped into her in the woman’s drunken stupor, Alena never word have accidently dumped her entire glass into the lap of her boss. Alena had apologized profusely, so much so Fredrick simply gazed at her with an incrediculous expression, a small smile adorning his full lips.


    “What’s your name?”She could still remember the way his eyes lit up in the dazzling chandelier lights, the way his smile made her heart skip a beat.


    “Alena. Alena Thompson.”He wore that michevious grin that she had grown to love, it always told her he was up to no good. And he was always knew she’d forgive just about anything when he flashed those pretty blue eyes in her direction.


    “Well, Alena Thompson, how about you make it up to me by buying me another drink?”


    And just like that, the two would set out to go on not one, but six dates. Alena was head over heels and Fredrick’s feelings weren’t too far off. At Alena’s young age of eighteen, the two were married in the fall, their life was one filled with bliss and joy. That is, until that one fateful summer night. Alena could still hear the screams if she clenched her eyes tight enough. The damning echo of machinery beeping as his life slowly ticked away, all those sleepless nights she spent at his side.


    A loud bang followed by a man’s obnoxious chortling broke Alena from any further thoughts. Her cheeks wet with tears she’d been unaware she shed. Admittedly relieved by the distraction, Alena quickly cleared her throat, bringing herself back to the present. With a sniffle and a quick dab at her eyes, Alena mentally prepared herself for the reunion.


    With a heavy sigh, Alena opened the large door, the smell of roses and honey filling her lungs as smiles and cheerful greetings swarmed her. It was only when her beloved sister-in-law, Addison, pushed her way to the front that Alena was finally saved by the bombardment of questioning.


    “Alena! You finally made it!” With a cheeky grin and a grip on Alena’s wrist, Addison pulled her through the crowd of people. Her long platinum blonde hair swaying with the rhythm of her hips as she peeked over her shoulder at her crimson-haired sister. As per usual, Alena looked awful. Though she hid the lack of sleep behind makeup, it was clear to Addison’s trained eye that her dear sister-in-law was anythingbutwell.


    The two then nestled themselves into the far corner of the room, Alena sipping the glass of wine Addison handed her just moments before. Her violet eyes scanning the room with little enthusiasm as family young and old stopped by to ask her about this and that. Though it was always the same question. “Have you thought about remarrying?”And then as family does, they would exhaust Alena with the tedious task of gushing over a friend of a friend’s son that would bejust perfect for her.It took everything in her power to not groan outwardly after what seemed to be the hundredth time hearing it.


    “Can you believe this party?!” At the sound of Addison’s haughty voice, Alena did her best to repress an eye roll. No matter how hard she tried, Alena never found these parties enjoyable. All this just to show off another person’s wealth and rub it into the less fortunate. Addison, as lovely as she could be, was the worst of them all.


    She was the type of woman who always had her nails perfectly manicured, her platinum blonde hair was touched up monthly, and of course, she kept up her figure by being completely vegan. While she chugged water and prattled on about the nutritionist values of her diet, Alena was indulging in Chinese food while watching Hallmark movies on repeat.


    “Well, you know how your mother is. Anything to show off the new hubby.” With a nod of her head, Addison sipped her drink in agreement, her blue eyes sparkling as she gazed at what had to be her fifth or sixth stepfather. Alena never spoke of it, but Addison had admitted to having many affairs with almost every man her mother married, excluding her biological father, of course. Addison wanted what others had and that included men.


    “Oh! That reminds me,” with a small smile on her lips and mischievous glint her eyes, Addison spoke in a secretive tone as she downed the rest of her gin and tonic.


    “I have a gift for you!” With a wink and a motion of her head, Addison made her way to the stairwell. With a groan and a large swig of her drink, Alena begrudgingly followed Addison’s footsteps. It wasn’t until Alena reached the top steps that she found Addison settled onto the pearl white balcony of the master bedroom. The sun’s warm light illuminated the tall trees that surrounded the beautiful home. The red and orange hues of the sunset painting the leaves with its array of color.


    Taking a few more steps into the large room, Alena met eyes with one of Addison’s many lovers, Ray, who stood quietly in the corner with a stoic expression.


    “Has he arrived?” With a curt nod from Ray, Addison smiled brightly, her eyes wide with excitement as she threw out jazz hands.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    “Excellent. Why don’t you fetch him then?” Only when the wordhimfilled Alena’s ears; did she finally speak up. Her annoyance at the push of her taking on a husband bursting at the seams as she stared hotly at the blonde matchmaker.


    “Addison, if this is another set-up...” Holding up a small hand, Addison cut Alena off with a fierce glare, her signature red lips set into a thin line. Before either woman was able to say another word, it was then that Ray returned, a strange man in tow behind him.


    The stranger was deeply tanned, his hair, skin, and clothes covered in dirt as he stood with his head hung low beside Ray. A mixture of confusion and concern fell over Alena’s beautiful features as her gaze flitted from the man to Addison.


    “Who is this?” Hearing Alena’s question, Addison smiled mischievously, her stiletto heels clicked with malice against the hardwood floor as she circled the grime-covered man. The scene reminded Alena of one of those nature documentaries, the predator toying with it''s prey. It made her skin crawl.


    Alena watched, mouth agape, unable to take her eyes away from them. With a well manicured hand, Addison jerked the stranger’s face to hers. The man held a stoic expression as a pair of green eyes met Alena''s. The smile Addison wore was one of pride as she spoke candidly.


    “You’ve heard of the Vineyard, haven’t you, Alena?” Rumors flooded Alena’s memory as she stared with disgust at her sister-in-law. Did she meanthevineyard?! From what Alena knew, it was a vile place that men and women, young and old, were sold like cattle to people of wealth. Though Alena had avoided such sinful behavior, she knew quite a few of her family indulged in such purchases. Addison included.


    “No. I don’t want any part of this!” With finality clear in her voice, Alena quickly made to leave the room and Addison’s offer behind. But she was stopped by Ray whose large frame blocked the doorway, making it impossible for Alena to escape. With a huff and a stomp of her foot, Alena fixated an intense glare in Addison’s direction.


    With a click of her tongue, Addison continued her predacious circling of the man who stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. The way his eyes were trained to the floor and his lips were formed into a soft pout, made Alena feel an immense sense of guilt. The urge to take him and give him a better life overwhelming as she watched Addison trail a long fingernail along the man’s collarbone.


    “You don’t understand, Alena. This is so much better than any other man you’d find...” Her red lips were practically at his ear as she fixed Alena with a sensual look.


    “This isproperty.”Addison’s voice practically purred as the word “property” fell from her lips. As Alena scrunched her nose in disgust, she had to swallow back the bile that threatened to spill from her throat.


    “Whatever you decide to call it, I don’t want anything to do with it!” Rage filled Alena’s voice as she glowered at her, her fists balled into tight fists as she resisted the urge to tell Addison exactly how she felt about such a repugnant thought. Owning somebody. Hah! What a joke. It was then that a deep, husky voice spoke through the tension, the sound startling Alena as she met eyes with the stranger.


    “I’m sorry to interrupt. But I have already been purchased. Am I not what you desire?” At the strange question shot her way, Alena felt her cheeks fill with an immense heat as she was pierced by his gaze. Her mouth flopping open like a fish as she struggled to find an answer. Addison, however, jumped at the opportunity to further convince Alena to take the man home. Her voice filled with feigned sadness as she gave Alena her best doe eyes.


    “It’s time to move on, Alena...” With the gentle approach one would give a skittish cat, Addison reached out for Alena’s small pale hand. Her tone soft and consoling as she took notice of the conflicting emotions that flitted through Alena’s violet eyes.


    “Fredrick would want you to be happy.” Unable to speak, or even fathom what was happening, Alena stood there dumbfounded. Her mind still unable to form words to deny or accept such a strange gift. Without another word, Addison shoved an envelope in Alena’s hands.


    “Ray, be a dear and give farm boy an escort to the car, won’t you?” With a soft grunt and a nod, Ray did as he was told leaving Addison and Alena alone once more. With a flick of her hair, Addison made to leave the room but not before throwing another sly glance in Alena’s direction.


    “Do enjoy your gift, Alena. After all, pleasure is its purpose.”


    <hr>


    As the strange man was brought away from the two women who still occupied the other room, his thoughts were filled with the events that led up to this moment. Though saying everything was a blur would be an understatement. He had no idea how he’d gotten here, hell, he didn’t even know whereherewas. But what he did know, was that he was finally free.


    Free of that damn place and the bastard who ran it. His entire life, all he knew was of that farm. Even from the smallest memories of childhood, it had always been those brick red walls and that cigar smoking bastard who had groomed his adolescence. But now he was finally rid of him, it had finally turned fruitful the day that strange blonde woman came to the farm and looked over her pickings.


    At the thought of the blonde, the image of the strange redheaded woman popped in his mind. The word beautiful didn’t quite fit her, for she far surpassed what he had imagined beauty was. Unlike the blonde, this woman was natural. Her hair fell in careless curves at her waist, her heart-shaped face pretty as a picture, and her body small yet still held the curves of a true woman.


    The moment her eyes had laid upon him, he felt immense shame at his ragged appearance. Even as he hung his head, he could still feel her heavy gaze on him. Though when she had heard of the blonde’s intentions, he had to admit he was shocked to find there were indeed aristocrats who detested the thought of owning a sex slave. His curiosity entirely piqued; the man dared to ask the large chocolate-colored man who escorted him out the building, about her.


    “Ah, that’s Alena Thompson, you were bought for her.” His deep voice chuckled as he spoke. Through small talk, the two men found that they both had come from similar backgrounds. Though Ray didn’t speak much on if his owner was a good one, the other man could only hope to have been bought for an owner who was kind enough to give him a bed.


    Seated in a large limo, the plush leather seats and smell of lavender filled his nostrils as Ray closed the door with a soft thud. Not more than a moment later, the door across from him opened and Alena plopped herself into the vehicle, a disappointed sigh escaping her lips as she brushed a long strand of hair from her face. With a shy gaze in the man’s direction, Alena did her best to appear anything but awkward as she played with the sleeve of her shirt.


    “Take me home, Jonathan.” The sound of Alena’s voice put a small smile on the man’s face as he listened to its pleasant sound. It was smooth, like honey. Sweet and delicate. Though as the car chugged along, only silence filled the space between the two. It was intimidating to be seated next to a woman of her beauty and wealth, what would a man lowly as he, have to say to someone like her?


    “What’s your name?” The question threw the man off guard as he glanced at Alena with a bewildered expression.


    “My... name?” Repeating the question back, the woman seemed even more puzzled than he as she stared at him with a blank expression.


    “Your name? What is it?” As it finally clicked, the man couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, which seemed to only further confuse his lovely companion.


    “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, it’s just...we don’t have names.” Pointing to the back of his neck, the man revealed the scarred markings that maimed his nape, there laid three numbers, six-four-five-seven.


    “We are branded, it’s how they keep track of us.” Alena’s expression fell as she gazed at the raised skin, her fingers itching to touch the scarred flesh but her fear keeping her from closing the distance between them. Brows furrowed, Alena spoke softly as her mind raced.


    “Well, that just won’t do.” With a slap of her thighs, Alena gazed at him with determination in her eyes. If it wasn’t for the fact they were in a moving car, she might have stood on her theoretical soapbox to declare her idea.


    “I will give you a name then!” With a small smile, Alena wore exaggerated thinking face as she gazed at the blur of trees that passed by.


    “How about... Quentin? How does that sound?” At the name, the man couldn’t help but smile ear to ear. He had never once thought of what he’d want for a name if he were given the choice, but for some odd reason, he knew this one fit perfectly.


    “I very much like that name. Thank you.” With a small shake of his head, he watched with disbelief as Alena beamed at him with joy before returning her gaze to the scenery beyond the glass windows. With a nervousness he was unused to, the man then began repeating the name in his head over and over before finally saying it allowed. A feeling of bliss washing over him.


    “Quentin.”