We all remove the silver covers taking in the beautiful smell of steak, veggies, and mash potatoes. And while I know this plate cost more than my existence, it's nice to see something I am familiar on how to eat. Mash potatoes are a guilty pleasure of mine, one that I've enjoyed one too many crying nights. It's a weird comfort to see something that I know will make me even slightly more at ease, "Are you both off work today?" Tyson breaks through the silence as I take in a large scoop.

Jessica snorts, "We called in with UTI's. So... basically?" I snap my head to her, and she nervously smiles continuing to explain, "I don't really know why I said that. Apologies." Her eyes go wide at the look of pure joy the men give her at the honesty.

Ares looks her over, Josh laughing, "We have a comforting presence about us, easy to tell the truth. Don't ever worry about being honest. I'm rather surprised that's what it took for you to get off work."

Tyson is crying laughing so hard, "Do they think you got them from each other? Because man would I pay to see that-" Ares hits the base of his fork on the table, the ring breaking through everyone's ears, especially the men, "Of course, sir. My apologies."

"Thank you, Tyson. Veronica, apologies for the abruptness of this meeting. I know it came short notice."

"Midnight, on my doorstep, in the pouring rain to be exact." I give him a smile, his cheek twitches. If I come off snotty maybe, he'll leave me alone. Being rude isn't something these men want. They want a submissive, giggling girl that spreads her legs when needed. The rich are simple.

Tyson decides to push his only two brain cells together, "You are really laying into him! I love you!"

"And I don't love you." I groan back, Tyson deflating at my rejection. If this wasn't so complicated, I could see myself being good friends with that idiot. He seems to have a friendlier appearance around him and chooses to live life a little lighter than his counterparts sitting at the table. It'd be hard to believe that he could do any job seriously, but it isn't for nothing that he's sitting across from me right now. He's successful, and that's enough to warrant a minor amount of respect.

"Thank you, Veronica." Ares growls to the table. Jessica and Josh stay quite taking a bite of their steaks. All of them seem to be rare, one thing that Jessica and I enjoy together. She's cutting into her steak while Ares continues to work through his plate. I guess waiting to be done eating is out the window, as he jumps right into business. Great job Tyson now we have talk.

"Ladies, we are here today to discuss the terms of an agreement. Jessica, this was supposed to be later for you, but since my darling invited you along, we arranged it to be sooner." Darling?

"An agreement? Let me state here and now, I don't agree." Jessica snaps looking around the table at all the men that have their eyes on her.

Josh lays his hand on her upper thigh, "It's not that kind of agreement."

She turns to me, "No." The grip on her thigh sends her into a freak out. Josh groans when she shoots from the chair backing away from the table with a knife in hand. I tilt my head back to the elevator and still don't see a way down, but whatever must be done will be. These men have the money to keep us hidden forever, and we're too poor for the New York police to care.

"Fuck. Come on." I grab the steak knife holding it out in front of me as I back from the table as well. Ares and Josh take their time throwing their napkins on the table and shifting their chairs back. It's concerning how little bother they have to us attempting to run. They seem to know without a doubt that we'll lose.

Josh holds his hands out to Jessica a calming face coming over him with genuine care coming over his eyes, "Jessica, it will be okay. This is for you."

"You aren't the one being kidnaped by the rich. I fucking hate the rich." She spits at his feet. Josh just sighs while Ares joins his side.

"This is a good thing I promise." He whispers, I feel her slouch against me her eyes rolling back in her head. The knife clatters to the floor with a repeating ring through the room. I can't let her hit the ground, and soon enough my knife is on the floor as well as I catch my friend keeping her close. The least I can do is keep them from touching her.

"You didn't!" I scream looking at the bite of steak she had eaten. They fucking drugged it. These psychos have decided us their prey, and by any means necessary they want to have us.

Ares laughs, a deep belly laugh, "It wasn't the steak dear. I can see those beautiful eyes putting the pieces together. I meant what I said that night. I won't be able to leave you. This is for more than just me, Veronica. I hope one day you'll see that."

Flipping my hand in front of me to look for signs. Tyson laughs this time, "And it wasn't the utensils. As businessman we've adapted to underhanded ways, you won't figure it out, but I appreciate the effort in trying."

"Sleep well, my precious mate." Ares whispers approaching me with focused steps.

"Please..." I beg him, but there isn't a single glance of remorse in his eyes. And for the second time in twenty-four hours, I pass out, only this time it was into the arms of Ares Gray.

"Good morning." His voice racks my brain awake from the deep slumber. Soft sheets, and even better smells surround me calming my mind. More drugs? Keep me docile?

"Holy fuck." I scream shooting from the bed to see Ares Gray delectably shirtless, tattoos covering his entire front standing over me. His hair is still messy, and beautiful from the shower. A smirk is directed at me, arms crossed over one another. I take a moment to watch a single bit of water travel down his chin and drip down his chest. No, stay strong. This isn't like those books you've read. I won't let his good looks and minor charms win me over.

"You have a cursing problem." He groans looking me over as I study him. Our eyes meet, a smirk coming across his face. He knows.

"And you have a kidnapping problem." My retort is nothing but defense against the horrid thing he'd caught me doing. I'd been checking his amazing body out, and now he has some false ego about how I might feel about him.

He laughs, shaking his head at me, "Only for you. Come on darling, it's time to get up. You are going to work with me."

"What?" Do you every formulate an intelligent sentence?

"As your mate, it is my job to get to know you and help you adjust. Going to work with me is a great first step. Come on." He reaches a handout as if I'm going to take it willingly, dropping it when he notes that I'm not responding how he wishes. Fear etches itself through my bones, my body reacting so horribly to the situation all at once that tears threaten to fall. The worst of the matter is the closer this man gets, the more clam I feel. A complete contradiction to the way I should be reacting.

"Mate?" Why does that sound familiar? Come on Veronica. Let's try to form a sentence together... one, two, fuck... I look down at myself and see a beautiful white silk pajama set covering my skin, my shoes and phone nowhere in sight, "Mr. Gray..."

"Ares darling." Another breathtaking smile. Calm down horn dog.

"Where are my clothes?" I grab at the pajamas tugging on the seams. This fabric is more expensive than my entire closet combined. Even the way it fits it too perfect. A disgusting way to flash money, I would've preferred to sleep in my uncomfortable clothes on the floor of a jail cell than this. He sits on the bed running his hand up my thigh. I freeze at the electric pleasure of his touch, my heart jumping out of my chest, core heating at the thought of him over me. A devilish look is sent my way, nostrils flaring. Something about him changed so suddenly, the gold flooding his gaze. Did he just smell me?

"I wasn't going to let you sleep in jeans. Now come on, your side of the closet has been filled to accommodate your size. Some of the servants of the house shopped for you. You have half an hour, or I'll change you myself." He gets off the bed, stretching his gorgeous body before walking into another side room I hadn't noticed. As soon as he closes the door, I make a bolt for it shaking at the bedroom nob in his large suit. I even take the chance to slam my hands begging for someone to help.

"Going somewhere beautiful?" Ares warm breath is against my neck, hands placed on either side of my head to keep he locked in one place. His knee goes between my thighs spreading my legs just enough that I wouldn't be able to slip away. However, his closeness has paralyzed me. He is much stronger than you and way more powerful.

"Just checking out the sturdiness of this door." I knock against it one more time for show, "And it gets a ten out of ten at hardest to break down." I've made a fool of myself already, this man has seen me unclothed, and now I'm trying to cut a joke to keep myself safe. I've mastered nothing but being an absolute weakness in this world.

"Mm. And you thought that was important to test why?" He gets closer to my neck, my body deceiving me to turn my neck more towards him for better access. Some part of me wants him to kiss me, trail his tongue down my body, maybe even chain me to his bed so I'm forever his victim of pleasure. I don't understand what's happening to me, or how, but his being controls me in more ways than James Volga ever did. I do know that it's only when he's close to me any other time, I can avoid part of the itch that scratches my brain.

"Just good knowledge to...um... have. Can you please put on clothes?" His nudity is felt at my back end. He must've been in his closet changing when I decided to scream my head off.

Ares brushes a light kiss on my neck laughing against my warm skin, "No matter where you try to run, Veronica, I will always find you." And with a whistle he was off walking back to finish getting ready. I slide down the door staring outside the window to get a better grasp on life, Jessica is here too with Josh, I need to find her. But how would I get out under the eyes of Ares?

"Twenty-minutes Veronica!" He calls out reminding me, I push myself off the ground and walk into the closet ready to accept defeat in this moment. I can't fight what I don't understand.