Page 74 of Their Cruel Love

“Mayonnaise…” He snorts. “I’m remembering that.”

“We can use wasabi on her pussy, next time?”

“Fuck no,” I mumble, complaining despite my smile.

Amusement also twists Marcus’ mouth. “Wait there. I think we deserve something like a bottle of wine. I’ll be back.” He slides away and off the bed, grabs his pants. “I’ll shower then go raid the kitchen for snacks and wine. Go have a swim, you two!”

“Good to know I have a butler to call on,” Razor says. “A cheese platter, please!”

“Up. Yours.” Without turning, Marcus erects a finger and keeps walking.

This is how we end up sitting on the bed, wet from a way-past-midnight swim, with cheeses and snacks, a bottle of champagne, and a bottle of Merlot to share among ourselves. The water stung when I dived in but was a beautiful reminder of the passion and sadism we’d shared.

I’m on Marcus’ lap, between his legs on the bed as I raise my first glass of bubbly Then I remember where I am, and that by now, I’ve normally woken from a nightmare.

“I might…I might just have water tonight.”

I need to be tough and sober here. Just this once, or twice, I will refrain from getting tipsy. I stare at the glass, revolve it, tasting the wine that hasn’t yet touched my tongue…then lean forward to set it firmly on the small table.

“There is another event tomorrow afternoon,” Marcus tells us while lightly walking his fingers over my upper back where the wire crossed me. “Let’s go look at the ruins in the morning. We can check out your theory about a ledge?”

We agree to do that, but the words Razor said have returned to haunt me.

Maybe they know we aren’t ever going to tell tales or leave the island.

“One last thing, tonight, Razor and I decided to add to the tag.” Marcus turns the collar on my neck and tugs, then unbuckles it, slips it off me.

I noticed them talking about something earlier, but I’d slipped into the pool again and couldn’t hear. What can they possibly add to it?

Razor puts down his glass and takes up the small knife that came with the cheese and snacks. He kneels and with the tag held in place on the table, scratches some new word on there. “We thought this advisable, considering.” He shows it to me, the tag sways and it takes me a few seconds to read it.

“Our Fucktoy. Oh my. It’s adorable and horrifying, all at once. I do love it but…please don’t ask me to wear it in public. Except here,” I add hastily. And even I’m wondering why theourmakes it worse.

“Horrifying?” Razor clears his throat while Marcus sounds like he choked on his champagne. “We need to do some attitude adjustment on you. Tomorrow?”

“Sure.” Marcus grasps my jaw and turns me to face him, while Razor buckles on the collar. “Maybe on top of that nice hill we aim to climb?”

Is he askingmeto okay it? I’m wondering what this adjustment will entail. As long as they don’t dangle me off the hill over a drop, I’m sure I can take it.

“What big eyes you have, miss.” From inches away, Marcus smiles that wicked smile. My toes scrunch into the ground.

I love how these two bounce off each other when we’re fooling around. How ironic that it’s here, on the Island of Doom, that this is happening. When we leave, I scoop up thecheese knife and then leave it in the pot that sits near the entry to the pool. It’s beneath the green leaves of a fat tropical plant, which I’d google if I had a phone. I feel safer having these men with me. I feel even better having hidden a few weapons, no matter how puny, around the resort.

29

Phoebe

How did I get to be here? It’s a question that pops up daily, hourly sometimes. My reasons seem thoroughly impossible. Until they aren’t.

A friend missing.

A maybe murder.

A place full of kinksters and film critics of the worst variety.

The wind whips my hair into my face. Marcus is prowling the ruins.

I turn in place, slowly.