Page 35 of Savage Desires

"You thought being here is too good to be true. That maybe you were still in the cage. What happened?" I ask, but I have a good idea of what happened to her. If it's a recent punishment, it could've been my fault for interrupting the scene last week.

Fuck!

"After Madame came and got me that night, I was locked in the cage for five days."

"Five days?" I choke out, feeling both horrified that I was the catalyst for her punishment and deep-seated rage at the bitch who locked her in that cage. They will all pay for what they did to my Beauty.

She shrugs. "It could've been worse. Besides, I had you with me."

I want to ask more about that, but Gladys knocks on the door, shutting down our conversation.

"Good morning! I've brought breakfast. I didn't know what you would feel up to, so I stuck with basics."

I meet her halfway and take the tray. Gladys smiles at me and pats my arm. "Such a good man."

Willow watches our exchange quietly, a small smile ghosting her lips.

"How are you, dear?" Gladys asks her.

"Better."

"Do you need anything? I've got my daughter going to the store to gather supplies later. I wasn't expecting so many guests."

Willow frowns. "I'm sorry to be a burden. I don't need anything. You've already been too generous."

Gladys scoffs. "Child, you are no burden. I'm glad to offer a safe place for you to heal. My daughter will get the basics for all of you. Clothes, shoes, that sort of thing. Is there anything else you would like?"

She looks at Gladys like she grew two heads. "I don't need that much. I can't repay you."

The ever-patient Gladys pats Willow's leg. "Hon, there is nothing to repay. If it makes you feel any better, the money isn't mine. It comes from bastards like the ones that took you."

Willow's eyes widen with fear, and I hate it. "It's okay, beauty. When we take down trafficking rings, we destroy everything. Drain every account we can find, set fire to buildings, and eliminate the people in charge. We funnel that money into places like this. We use their own money to help the same women they stole to earn it."

"Oh…"

"See, hon, nothing to worry about. You're safe with us. We'll take care of you. We turn their dirty money into something good. With that in mind, is there anything you'd like?" Gladys asks.

She bites her lip like she's trying to keep from saying what she wants.

"Come on, beauty. Tell me what you want."

"Clothes and shoes and stuff are all I need… but I would really love a notebook and a pencil… If it's not too much trouble. It doesn't have to be fancy or anything. Or if you have one here already, even if it's partially used. Or just some paper and a pen…"

The longer Willow talks, downplaying what she wants, the deeper Gladys' frown gets. I know opening her home to women like Willow takes a toll on her. She loves doing it, but seeing someone worried about asking for something as simple as a notebook and pencil makes it hit home differently.

Not everyone is like that, though. Some women go crazy asking for their favorite snacks or hair products. One woman asked for a camera. She wanted to take pictures to prove she was free, like living it wasn't enough. She needed proof that she could see. It wasn't enough to be outside sitting on the grass, she needed a picture of her on the grass for it to sink in that it was really her life.

Everyone needs something different.

"Do you write?" Gladys asks.

Willow blushes. "I draw. Well, I used to… I might not be any good now. It's been a long time."

"Then we will get you that notebook and pencil," Gladys says with a smile. "You guys eat up before breakfast gets cold. The others are downstairs if you feel up to joining them later."

"Thank you," Willow says quietly.

When Gladys is gone, I arrange the tray on Willow's lap. Her stomach growls, making her blush.