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Lisa Ch. 09a

By: JadenL



Terror gripped Jessica.

"Funky chicken no sauce." Jessica said urgently into her phone. She repeated it a few times before shoving her phone back in her pocket and pulling her gun from her purse. 

"Get in the car and run Jessica." Mark ordered, "Go!"

"You too. Get in the car." Jessica said, "We can both go... Mark!" she screamed not seeing the man with the stick until it was too late. He came up behind Mark and hit him across the back. Jessica shot the man with the stick. A head shot. She wasn't planning on leaving any of these people alive. She killed two more before the world went dark.

"Where are they?" the growl was accompanied by a foul odor and a stinging slap.

Jessica opened her eyes to find the most terrifying face shoved into hers. She had no doubt that it was Earl. Blinking she realized that they were still in the driveway. Someone was holding her up. Panic grew as she realized that she couldn't move. Her muscles couldn't move.

She heard Mark growl, "Get away from her!" His voice didn't sound right. From the corner of her eye she saw Mark, face bloodied, held between two men. A third man hit him with his gun.

"We looked everywhere! Where are the fuckers?" Earl demanded and when he waved is hand before her she realized why she couldn't move. He'd stunned her. He had a Taser just like hers.

Jessica had to concentrate really hard to get her lips to work but she finally managed to say, "Gone. For good."

"Really." Earl said pressing his face closer, after sniffing her he slowly and deliberately ran his tongue up her cheek. "And why would they leave something as delicious as you behind?"

"He said she was married to five of them." Another man said.

"He did..." Earl agreed, "So, why did your husbands leave you behind?"

Jessica's heart raced, almost as fast as her brain. She had to get Earl and his men away from the house. Her men would be there any moment, who knew when the others would return from the pond. Nothing good would come from that. While Earl and his men were around, no one was safe. She had to convince them that she and Mark were alone. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. If this didn't get Earl out of here, she didn't know what would.

"Not married yet." Jessica managed to mutter, "Called wedding off."

"What are you doing Jess?" Mark demanded earning him another bash from the gun.

"Really?" Earl asked. "And why would five men call off a wedding with a sweet innocent thing like you?"

Jessica flinched. Try as she did she couldn't help but be terrified of Earl. As the Taser wore off and she could see more clearly she became fully convinced that she was eye to eye with the devil. His skin was pasty colored, his lips were overly wet, like he was perpetually drooling, and blue. His tongue kept flicking out from between the slimy lips and yellow teeth. And his eyes were a dull grey. They made her shiver as they roamed her face, and lower. Returning to her face, his eyes suddenly showed signs of life. 

"But of course. You can't be more than eighteen..." Earl muttered. Jessica's skin crawled. "Never used before... were you too scared?" Earl asked grasping her tit.

"She's no virgin." Mark said through a jaw that was likely dislocated. "She's married to five men, she's twenty-one years old. She's not what you're looking for."

Earl's eyes intensified as he slid his hands behind the waistband of Jessica's pants and stroked the fine hair left on her pussy lips from the bikini wax.

"Smooth." Earl breathed.

Jessica forced herself to nod. "Not married. Men left, everyone left."

"What's he to you?" Earl asked tilting his head at Mark.

"Friend." Jessica said.

"He said she can't lie." Another man said.

"Get the cars. We'll get the truth one way or another."

"What have you done?" Mark demanded when he and she were forced into a car.

"I'm sorry." Jessica said.

"Don't touch her!" Mark yelled and threw himself at Earl when Earl reached over the back seat and ripped her shirt open. Earl punched Mark until he was unconscious.

"A friend... really?" Earl said to Jessica. "We'll see... oh." He added after opening Jessica's bra, "Nice tits." Jessica shuddered when he laughed.

The car ride didn't take long which surprised Jessica. She and Mark were dragged into a room with a mattress on the floor, a chair, and an assortment of items that Jessica's mind tried not to consider. Knives, hooks, handcuffs, sticks, were spread out on a table. In the middle of the room, not on the mattress, but on the hard cement floor, was a person. Naked, bloodied, hogtied. On elbows and knees, butt in the air. And despite the metal bar lodged in the person's mouth the person was emitting a low, continuous moan.

Earl moved over to the person and yanked their head up by the hair. 

"Is that her?" he demanded. 

"Stan?" Jessica gasped when the person opened their eyes and stared at her. 

"Is that her?" Earl repeated and when Stan still didn't reply Earl reached between Stan's legs and started turning something. It took Jessica a moment to realize that Stan's cock and scrotum were almost black. A rope was tied around them and whatever Earl was doing seemed to tighten the rope. Mark must have noticed it too because he suddenly groaned. Tears came to Jessica's eyes when Stan started screaming. He screamed for a long time before nodding his head.

"She says she's not married. And a virgin." Earl said. Stan's eyes flew open and stared at Jessica, shaking his head as fast as he could.

"I guess there's only one way to find out." Earl said standing, "But we'll try a few other ways first, just for fun." He nodded at someone behind Jessica. Several hands grabbed her and as hard as she fought she still ended up naked on a chair, legs spread and tied to the chair handles.

"No! No!" Mark yelled.

"Oh yes, you may want to watch this." Earl said and nodded to someone else who brought Mark over to kneel right in front of Jessica, eye level to her crotch. Mark rolled his eyes, doing his best to look anywhere but directly at her pussy.

Earl knelt beside Mark, in front of Jessica. He shook a cigarette out of a package.

"I quit smoking a while ago." Earl said, and he lit the cigarette. "So lucky you, these are all for you." He said to Jessica.

"Don't..." Mark begged.

"Are you married?" Earl asked.

"No." Jessica said and watched in horror as Earl moved the cigarette to the inside of her leg, almost at her crotch. She tried to pull back but couldn't and when the cigarette touched her flesh she tried not to scream but failed almost instantly. When Earl finally removed the cigarette Jessica heard Mark sobbing. Through a steady stream of tears she could see Mark watching her, tears soaking his face.

"Are you a virgin?" Earl asked. He repeated the question several times before Jessica nodded her head. This time Jessica couldn't control her scream at all.

This went on for fifteen minutes. Jessica had a trail of cigarette burns on both inner thighs. There were a few minutes of peace when someone called Earl out. 

"Bring it in here." Earl said, and then he was back lighting another cigarette. "Get a good angle. Let's try this again. Are you married?"

Jessica and Mark locked eyes for a second. Then Jessica closed her eyes and said, "No." And despite the fact that her throat was already raw from screaming she let out a blood curdling scream as the lit cigarette pressed into her flesh.

"Maybe we should move to a more sensitive area." Earl said shoving his fingers into Jessica's pussy. Jessica bucked.

"You coward!" Mark yelled and tried to knock him over, "You fucking coward. Why don't you pick on someone your own fucking size!"

"Interesting suggestion." Earl said, nodded at someone and before Jessica had time to register what was happening Mark was stripped naked, held down on his stomach and Earl was busy ramming a large steel rod in Mark's asshole. The only noise that came close to rivaling Mark's screams were Jessica's. 

"No! No!" she screamed, "Take me, take me! I'm a virgin. I'm eighteen, honest... stop!" she screamed but when Earl pulled the rod out covered in blood and two men forced Mark onto his knees, holding him while Earl rammed the rod in again, Jessica threw up. And she didn't stop. She couldn't turn her head properly so she began choking on the vomit.

"Clear her mouth." Earl yelled and one of the men who'd been holding Mark came and yanked her head to the side, tilting the chair so Jessica was able to expel the bile. 

"Stop it!" Earl yelled when Jessica kept vomiting, "I said stop it!" he grabbed her by the chin and righting the chair he shook her face. But Jessica couldn't stop. The vomit kept coming. Earl back handed her, knocking the chair over. Jessica dry heaved, cried and spat blood out of her mouth all at the same time. Earl's henchmen righted her chair.

"Let's stop the bullshit. That sack of shit," Earl said pointing at Stan, "showed up here a few days ago with a story about a bitch that fucked him over and that bitch is you! I know you have five husbands who fuck you five ways to Sunday. I know you have a clan full of people who would bend ass over backwards to help you, and I know you have what belongs to me... Daryl's boys. So let's have their location and then get on with the real fun. You may be no virgin but you scream like one. That'll do just fine!"

Earl lit another cigarette. "Where are they?"

It was the screaming. It dawned on her that Earl really liked that. Maybe if she didn't scream he'd lose interest.

"Bring that over here." He said to a third man, "That's right, where the view's real good." The man moved closer to Earl and held a cell phone over Earl's shoulder, pointed down at her. More videos. They were posting more videos.

"Where are they cunt?" he demanded.

Fear welled up inside her. Fear of the pain but mostly the fear that she'd break under it and endanger those she loved. The only way she could be sure she wouldn't break was to not admit anything. The further she stayed from the truth, the safer her men, the others, and the boys were.

"Playing dumb are you?" Earl demanded and pressed the cigarette into her outer pussy lip. Jessica clamped her lips shut and tried not to scream but it only lasted a moment.

"Let's try again, where are they?"

Despite the pain and the fear Jessica suddenly felt a jolt of anger. This sicko hurt so many people. He ruined people's lives on a whim. If he wanted to hurt her, kill her, she'd make him do it on her terms. Jessica tried to look him in the eye with an air of defiance but she couldn't maintain the contact. Instead she looked at the ceiling above his head and said, "Who?".

Earl pressed the cigarette on an existing burn and Jessica bucked and screamed. For a moment Jessica saw stars. The room went black for a second, but then she was back. Screaming.

"What the fuck?" Earl said looking behind him. "Well, well." He said turning back to Jessica, "Seems your friend can't stand your screaming much. He's trying to make his way over here to stop me. What do you say we give him a little motivation. I'll have a real treat for him when he finally gets here."

Earl pressed the cigarette into the outer pussy lip on the other side. Again Jessica tried not to scream but couldn't hold out for more than a second or two.

"You still want to play smart with me?" Earl demanded. "Where is your clan? Your husbands, your family, Daryl's kin? Where can we find them?"

"I'm alone." Jessica said, "I have no one. No husbands, no family, no friends. There's no one to find."

Jessica screamed. Over and over as Earl pressed the cigarette into places all over her pussy, her legs.

"He's made it, finally." Earl said standing. "It seems you have one friend. He's come to your rescue with the very rod he had shoved up his ass. Nothing turns me on more than a man with a rod in hand. Get him up." He said to a man who had been walking beside Mark as he'd dragged himself toward Jessica and Earl. Another man came around and the two lifted Mark up, bent him over. Earl opened his pants pulled his cock out, went behind Mark, pried his butt cheeks open, and rammed into his asshole. 

Mark screamed, Jessica screamed, Earl thrust. "Oh yeah." Earl moaned, "Oh yeah. Now this is a nice virgin asshole. Even after that rod he's nice and tight." With a sigh Earl pulled out. The men dropped Mark. 

Zipping his pants Earl said, "Now we can talk."

Jessica thought he was talking to her but he walked past her. As far as she could tell he walked out of the room. Looking around Jessica found the room empty except for her, Mark and Stan.

"Mark, I'm so sorry. So, so sorry..." Jessica cried.

Mark moaned on the ground.

Suddenly the door opened. She heard footsteps and steeled herself for more pain. Instead there were a few sharp tugs on her restraints and her legs dropped off the arm rests. A tug on the handcuffs and her hands were free.

"Boss said to leave it up there." One of the men said. Another man walked over to a shelf Jessica hadn't noticed earlier, fidgeted with something and then left. As soon as Jessica heard the door close she inched herself forward on the chair until she slid off the chair and dropped hard on her butt on the floor. 

Pain from the burns brought added tears to her eyes. Despite that she crawled over to Mark.

"Mark... Mark..." she repeated, stroking his head. Mark opened his eyes and looked at her. "I'm sorry."

"Don't..." Mark groaned as he tried to turn over.

"Are you okay?"

Mark tried again but it hurt so much he froze, crying.

She cradled his head and cried too. All she wanted to do was stop his pain. And suddenly she realized that she could.

"Hold on, just a minute..." Jessica said laying his head down onto the floor gently.

"Where are you going?" Mark asked, worry distracting him from his pain.

"I'll be right back..." Jessica crawled over to where her clothing had been thrown. Rifling through her pant pockets the first thing she found was her cell phone. Opening the phone she found that the battery was almost dead, but she had service. It didn't matter though... she had no one to call. No one she wanted coming to this horrible place. She closed it, put it back in her pocket and while her fingers dipped into the next pocket she wondered absent mindedly about why Earl and his men couldn't have left her gun or Taser in her pants. Something useful. But then her fingers found what they were looking for. It wasn't as satisfying as a gun or Taser but at least it was useful. 

Grasping the pill she crawled to where Mark's clothing had been thrown and rifled through it also, finding his pill.

She returned to find Mark holding his head up, watching her.

"Do... Do you want this?" Jessica asked holding the pill up for Mark to see. She started crying again while Mark looked at the pill. She didn't want him to suffer but she didn't want him to die. As he raised his eyes and locked them with hers she wondered if she could possibly be any more selfish.

"Are you going to take yours?" he asked.

Jessica looked down at her pill. She wondered if Mark would refuse his pill if he thought she wasn't going to take hers. Would that be a good thing or a bad thing? Maybe he had some misguided belief that he had to protect her and would stay alive, suffering, just to fulfill it.

"And don't try to lie." He added. With a half laugh, half groan he rolled onto his back. "You're so bad at lying that I can tell when you're just thinking about it."

Jessica reached out and wiped beads of sweat from his forehead.

"I can't Mark. I'm just too chicken."

"Good." Mark said, "Then I'm not taking mine either. I don't go, till you go because in case you can't tell by the fantastic job I've done so far, I'm here to protect you."

They laughed at the same time. The beginnings of hysteria made the laughter sound contrived. 

"And for the record," Mark said when Jessica nodded and closed the pills in her hand, "it's harder to stay alive and suffer." Mark said.

Stan sobbed reminding Mark and Jessica that they weren't alone.

Jessica looked down at her hand.

Mark nodded when she looked back at him. Jessica crawled over to Stan who looked half dead.

"Stan. Do you want a cyanide pill?" Jessica asked. Stan's eyes popped open and he nodded short, quick, desperate nods. Jessica placed the pill in Stan's mouth. It took a lot of effort for him to swallow it but when he did his eyes rolled and he began to convulse. Moments later his mouth foamed and after several violent shakes, he stopped moving, his eyes frozen open wide. Jessica closed his eyes and crawled back to Mark.

"That didn't look like a pleasant way to go." Jessica said.

"I'm glad we didn't take them." Mark agreed prompting another round of laughter, this time far more hysterical than the last. 

A sound in the hallway startled both of them. "Knives..." Jessica said, "There was a table with knives on it." She crawled to the table and slowly, painfully, made herself stand. But they were gone. Everything on the table was gone. Being in the standing position made her nudity more apparent to her. She went back to her clothes and with a great deal of pain, pulled them on. 

"They took the knives away." Jessica said returning to Mark. She lifted his shirt. "Do you think you can get your clothes on?"

"Sure." Mark said and after managing to sit he started pulling his shirt on. But the pants were a different story. Jessica had to help him by pulling, tugging and shimming his pants up his legs and up to his waist.

Suddenly the door opened and one of Earl's men came in. Jessica reached for the rod that still lay on the floor nearby and clutching it positioned herself between Mark and the man.

"I'm supposed to be protecting you remember?" Mark hissed as the man drew nearer. When he saw Jessica holding the rod he chuckled pulled out a Taser and shot Jessica with it. 

Jessica fell to the ground, shaking. She wondered vaguely whether it was possible to become immune to Tasers because she didn't feel nearly as out of it this time. Mark scrambled to pick up the pipe that Jessica had dropped, and the man Tasered him too. 

The man found the whole thing very funny until he noticed Stan.

"Son of a bitch..." he muttered as he went to look Stan over. 

Jessica was getting sensation back much more quickly than before and was just sitting up when the man came back grabbed Mark by the hair, lifted his head and pointed a gun at it.

"Don't need this one neither I guess." He muttered.

"No!" Jessica yelled and shoved her way between the gun and Mark, shielding him with her body. "You have to kill me to kill him."

"Get the fuck out of the way." The man growled and pushed Jessica to the floor, lifting the gun to Mark's head again.

"Wait!" Jessica said, "I'll do anything you want if you don't kill him."

"Okay." The man said, "Suck my dick." Jessica crawled over to the man, got on her knees and started undoing his pants but by then Mark had gotten over the Tasering and pushed Jessica out of the way.

"I'll do it." He said and continued opening the man's pants.

"Naw." The man said shoving Mark away, "I want her to do it. Get over here cunt before I kill your little girlfriend..."

Jessica had just pulled the man's cock out of his pants when the door opened.

"Clay you dumb shit." Another one of Earl's men said, "We need them both alive."

"I'm just getting my dick sucked Jory, give me a minute."

"That ain't the deal Clay. Put your dick in your pants and get out here."

Clay grasped Jessica's chin in his hand and squeezed, "Don't worry baby doll, you'll get your chance later. Count on it."

When Clay left the room Mark looked at Jessica and said "Thanks." Before collapsing in relief.

Jessica crawled to Mark. He rolled toward her, onto his side. Jessica sat next to him, flopped against him and draped her arms around him protectively. Fatigue over took them both and they fell to sleep.


Lisa Ch. 09a



They were both jarred awake when they were pulled apart. Darkness enveloped Jessica and she realized a bag had been placed over her head.

When two pairs of hands lifted her she fought as hard as she could she. She could hear Mark yelling, scuffling and then flesh hitting flesh.

"Leave him alone!" she yelled, struggling until she was slammed into a chair, the wind knocked out of her.

"She's a hell cat alright." Earl muttered and then he was in her face. Jessica could tell by the horrid smell. Jessica slammed her head forward as hard as she could and was rewarded with the satisfying crunch of a nose breaking. A blow hit her on the right side of her face causing stars to pop and twinkle before her eyes.

"You fucking bitch!" Earl swore and hit her again.

Around her she heard shuffling and some grunting.

"Alright, alright, hold your horses pretty boy." Earl said and suddenly the bag was gone and Jessica was blinking in the light. Something moved in front of her, close to her but it took a moment for her eyes to focus and when they did Jessica couldn't fathom what she was seeing. Right in front of her, close enough to kiss, was Angus. His eyes bore into hers. At first desperate, then searching, then relieved. Resolve settled into his expression. It wasn't until Jessica heard the sound of peeling tape that she realized that Angus' mouth had been taped. Someone had ripped it off.

"I love you Jess, always remember that." Angus said.

"I love you..." she replied as terror threatened to explode into a scream.

"Over the bench!" Earl ordered. To Jessica's horror, when Angus stepped away from her he was naked. Completely naked. As if in some sort of living nightmare he walked over to a bench that had been brought into the room and lay over it, his butt pushed up into the air toward Earl.

"Your hands." Earl said and Angus spread his arms in front of him planting his hands firmly on the floor. Jessica looked from Angus' prone body to Earl, to Mark still lying on the ground. She was speechless, terrified, numb. When Earl went up to Angus and parted his butt cheeks Angus didn't move. Jessica's eyes finally made it back to Angus' face and found him watching her. His eyes looked sad but he tried to smile. Jessica's mouth kept opening and closing but nothing was coming out. Worry readjusted Angus' expression, "Don't worry Jess. What goes around comes around. I guess it's about time for me." Then over his shoulder to Earl he said, "You're not supposed to hurt her anymore."

"I'm not." Earl replied.

"That includes not making her watch this." Angus growled. 

"Take her away." Earl ordered.

As she was hoisted off the chair Jessica finally found her voice.

"No!" she screamed. "No! No! No! Not him, please, not him. Take me! Take me!" she shrieked even when she was lugged out of the room, down the hall, thrown into another room and Tasered. 

It took a few minutes for Jessica to move again. And then it took her several more minutes to realize that Angus had been real, not a dream or hallucination. A bone chilling scream filled the room and looking around Jessica saw a TV on the wall and on the TV was Angus. Horrible things were happening to him, but he wasn't fighting. Jessica couldn't understand. Earl was ramming into Angus' ass and Angus screamed in agony, his hands flailed around aimlessly, but he didn't fight.

When the thrusting ended Earl pulled out of Angus. Circling him, Earl looked Angus over. "Do you know how I chose you as the one?" Earl asked. "How I picked you over the other four?" Angus didn't answer, unable to. Sobs stealing his voice. Whoever was running the video camera was making sure to shoot from all angles. The camera zoomed in on Angus' face. It was red, a vein standing out on his forehead, all veins in his neck straining as he fought to control his urge to run away. His urge to fight. 

"I picked you..." Earl said moving back toward Angus' butt. Suddenly there was more than one camera. One stayed focussed on Angus' face, the other followed Earl to Angus' butt. "Because you're so obviously heterosexual. You, least of all, would want to get fucked up the ass by a man." Earl continued while bringing his hands to Angus' butt cheeks and caressing them. In the other camera Angus' face went rigid. All the muscles in his body contracted, battling to not react. "Only one thing would make you submit to something like this." Earl continued, sliding his finger between Angus' butt cheeks, "Let's see how much you love her." Earl said and shoved his finger in Angus' asshole.

"No..." Jessica whispered, crawling closer to the TV. The camera on Angus' face zoomed in, he turned red, face strained and shaking as he fought to stay still. The other camera zoomed in on his asshole and Earl's finger ramming into it hard.

"Time for fun of a different kind." Earl said. He stepped back said, "Suck my dick."

Angus slowly got up. He was bleeding from his rectum and it was clear that he was in severe pain, tears were streaming down his face. And then inexplicably he looked straight at the camera. Sniffling he asked the camera,

"How is she?"

There was a pause and then Riley's equally broken voice choked out, "Okay. Jess is okay."

"You heard him. The bitch is fine. Now get over here and suck my dick."

"No!" Jessica yelled, getting to her feet too quickly. Stars flashed before her eyes. "I'm not okay!" Jessica shouted. When her vision cleared she looked around the room, "Stop!" she yelled in high pitched shriek as Angus crawled over to Earl, steadied himself and took Earl's cock in his mouth.

"Son of a bitch!" Earl screamed when Angus gagged, pulled his mouth back quickly and vomited.

Jessica watched in mute horror, another scream building within her.

"That'll cost you your front teeth." Earl said. "And if you scrape my dick again you'll lose the rest."

Earl picked up a hammer and moved to Angus. Two of Earl's men each took one of Angus' arms.

"No, the deal was you don't fight. No matter what I do over the course of the next twelve hours you don't fight and the bitch goes."

Angus nodded. Earl's men let go of Angus. Angus inclined his face up to Earl, hands hanging at his sides. When Earl brought down the hammer Jessica shrieked. Angus made a sound Jessica had never heard before. It was so pain filled, so desperate. Angus' hands came up automatically in self defense and Jessica could see him battle to keep the down, away from Earl.

"Again." Earl said. Angus hesitated a moment but then he turned his face up to Earl again. This time when the hammer came down Jessica lost control. She pulled her hair, clawed her face, screamed, cried, threw herself at the wall, tried pulling the door open, tried kicking it down. And as much as she wanted to look away, she couldn't. She watched Angus give Earl and all his friends blow jobs. Each time confirming with Riley first that she was okay. Then they all took turns mounting him. Then he had to give blow jobs while being mounted. Electrodes were used on his genitals, items were shoved into him. It seemed to go on forever. And the whole time he never fought. 

Just when Jessica thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. She had slid against the wall, lifeless, only able to manage moans rather than shrieks when Earl pulled Mark over to the bench. He ordered Angus to lay over the bench again. When he did, Earl ordered Mark to rape him. And then they switched, and then they had to suck each other off, give each other hand jobs, service Earl and his men together. 

Through it all Jessica shrieked and pounded the floor with her fists. She tried the door over and over. Tried kicking it in. Everything to no avail.

Just as Jessica contemplated taking the cyanide pill, unable to watch Angus and Mark suffer any more, gunshots rang out. Jessica automatically looked at the TV terrified that Angus or Mark were dead. Or, terrified that they weren't dead. Whatever they wanted, dead or alive, she wished it for them. But Angus and Mark were definitely alive. Still staring at the TV Jessica jumped when the door opened, Riley, Sean and Caleb walked in and Tasered Earl and his men. Jessica rubbed her eyes. Riley, Sean and Caleb went to Angus and Mark and Caleb started looking them over.

The door in her room suddenly swung open, pieces of wood flying around. Scott, Josh and Jim came in, gun nozzles scanning the room. 

Jessica started crying, growing hysterical when the three of them converged on her, talking to her gently, petting her head, arms, back. 

"Shhh Jess, shhh," Jim kept saying, "It's okay now... you're safe."

"Hurry Doc." Josh said and Jessica saw Doc coming toward her, Leah at his side.

"Lass." Doc said and crouched beside her.

"Oh my God." Leah said and slowly lowered herself into a crouch beside the Doctor. 

"Jess..." was all she could say.

"What is it Jess?" Scott asked when Jessica suddenly bolted up and grabbed his arm.

"Angus and Mark." Jessica said, her voice nothing but a whisper, robbed of all volume by her screams, "Doc, you have to help Angus and Mark."

"I will Lass, I will." Doc reassured her.

"No, now Doc, you have to help them now!" 

"Jess..." Scott tried to sooth her but she didn't' want to be soothed. She wanted Angus and Mark fixed. A prick like a mosquito bite distracted her and she saw Doc take a needle out of her arm.

"Just relax Lass, everything will be just fine."

From the door Jessica saw Riley, Sean, Caleb and Chris come in.

"Motherfucker..." Riley swore and moved to Jessica. Sean, Caleb and Chris stared at her as they walked closer.

Sean lifted a cell phone to his ear, said a few things and then lowered it. "We're secure." He said to the room, never once taking his eyes off of Jessica. "They're dead Jess." Sean said, bending to get closer, "Most of Earl's men, and after we spend some quality time with Earl and the three bastards who did this to you, none of those fuckers will be left. We took a vote in your absence and decided to pass on the bacon. I think you'll approve."

Jessica nodded as a warm tingly feeling started at her toes and ran up her body.

"I thought so." Sean said. 

Quinn ran in the room, sliding to a halt, Corey, Don, Rick and Abe joining him.

"Hey Jess." Quinn said but his voice seemed far away. The room seemed to tilt and Jessica suddenly felt very tired.

"Christ Jessica," Abe said.

"Call me when you're ready." Rick said and left the room.

"It's too bad Jess can't help. I think she'd appreciate the chance." Don said his voice sounded distant as sleep started to creep up on Jessica.

"I think Jessica's done enough, don't you?" Corey asked.

"With all that's happened, I don't think it'd be something she could stomach." Scott said. 

"We're ready." Sean said.

"It's okay." Doc said, "I'll take care of Jessica, Angus and Mark. You go make them suffer. And here, use this. It intensifies the pain. Give them each a syringe full every hour."

"'K Doc." Riley said.

"No wait. That might kill them too soon. Give them each half a syringe full every hour. And lad, I've given you a way to make every second count so make them."

"Love you Jess. See you when you wake up." Josh whispered. 

"Wait..." Jessica said, barely able to keep her eyes open, "the boys..."

"We left them with Justine, Amanda, Sara and a couple of Paul's men who Rick and Abe trust." Leah said, "I just called to tell them you're okay. They can't wait to have you home Jess. Get some rest now, okay?"

Jessica nodded and felt Riley, Jim, Josh and Scott kiss her forehead before she drifted off to sleep.

"Please Angus." Jessica said in a desperate voice. 

The men, Sean and the others shuffled into the room and stopped, surprised to see Jessica awake. Not only was she awake but she was curled around Angus' head as he lay on his side on the floor. Mark lay next to Angus and Jessica clutched his hand. She rocked back and forth, brushing her free hand through the hair on Angus' head over and over again. 

"You need some medication... for the pain. Please..." she said beginning to cry, "you don't need to suffer like this."

Doc stood watching them, syringe in hand. He threw a worried look at the men.

"Jess." Angus said sliding his arm up to cup the back of her head, "Don't cry. This isn't unbearable, I'll survive." His voice was slurred. A lack of front teeth and a sore jaw made it difficult for him to speak.

"Why are you doing this?" Jessica demanded, crying harder. 

Angus grimaced as he rolled onto his back.

"Jessica." He said grasping her head between his hands. "Look at me... look," he said in a gentle but firm voice. Jessica looked in his eyes, her eyes blurring as they filled with tears. "If you could live through this with no medication so can I."

Jessica did a double take and then shook her head.

"It's not the same thing." Jessica protested.

"No, you're right, it's not. I raped you repeatedly Jessica. Over and over, for a long time. I didn't give you any medication, not even an aspirin. What goes around comes around. I finally got what I deserved and now I have to live with the consequences without an easy way out."

"This is insane." Jessica cried.

"It's justice. And you won't change my mind so please stop trying."

"You can't do this!" Jessica wailed.

"Leave him alone Jess." Mark said squeezing her hand. He had medication but the expression on his face made it hard to tell. "You set the bar pretty high, give him a chance to try and meet it."

Jessica stared at Mark.

"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" Mark asked, "Of course not." He added when Jessica looked completely clueless.

"Doc..." Jessica said, looking up in desperation but when her eyes landed on the group of silent figures standing next to the doctor she almost screamed. She instinctively moved to shield Angus and Mark but when one of the figures crouched down, hands held out and said her name, she realized that the strangers where actually her men and the others which she now simply considered to be her family. The figure crouching next to her was Jim. Covered head to toe in blood. 

"You're bleeding!" Jessica gasped, reaching for Jim.

"No, we're fine." Jim said leaning slightly away from her, "We'll clean up... you don't want it on you Jess, trust me."

"What happened?" she asked looking them over. 

"We took care of a little business." Riley said. There was something in his tone that made Jessica look more closely at him. Despite the blood covering it, there was an expression on his face that Jessica had seen before. Years ago, during the attack on her family. It was tempered because when he looked at her it was clear that he loved her and the violence that it promised was not directed at her. 

Looking at the others Jessica realized that though she knew the fun loving, easy going side of her family, they were men of violence. Men and woman of violence, because Leah was there and looked just as dangerous as the men. Even the battle with Anthony hadn't brought this out in them. She was beginning to understand why Doc looked so worried.

"This is all that's left of Earl and his... assistants." Sean said raising his hand and looking at the blood covering it, "And a shitload of tiny pieces. You want to talk about justice," Sean said, "this is justice."

"Shit yeah." Corey said, "Those bastards paid for everything they've ever done and then some. There was a lot of pain. The slow, long lasting kind. We made sure of it." Corey ended, looking at Jessica with meaning. 

"But it won't fix anything." Scott said. "It won't make anything better."

Silence fell. In that silence Jessica had several realizations. The first was that her family had tortured to death Earl and his right hand men. She found her stomach surprising calm about it despite the fact that it must have been a gruesome thing to do. The amount of blood drenching them made it easy to imagine what was done and yet it did not bother her. 

The second realization was that the events that happened here changed her family members forever. They'd be forever scarred by it. Angus and Mark, physically violated, the rest of them, morally violated. 

The third realization was that she'd done this to them. All of it. They wouldn't be where they were now had she listened to them and let them kill Stan. That's what made her stomach heave.

"I'm so sorry." She said wrapping her arms around herself, doubling over when her stomach spasmed, turning on itself when there was nothing available to expel. "I'm so sorry," She repeated over and over again.

"Jess, stop." Josh said kneeling in front of her and grabbing her by her arms, giving up on keeping her blood free. "Look at me Jess, look at me..." Josh said maneuvering himself into her line of sight. "We should have cleaned up before we came here. You shouldn't have to see all this blood but we thought...we thought you'd be sedated."

"Stan." Jessica said looking up at Josh, new tears in her eyes. "Stan led Earl to us." She glanced around at the others. "If we'd killed him like you said things might have been different."

"Wait a minute." Sean said. "Jessica, are you saying that you think all of this is your fault?"

Jessica nodded, unable to look at Sean, unable to look at anyone 

"Unfuckingbelievable." Sean said. "This is seriously fucked up shit." He added. He sounded angry and exasperated. Jessica kept looking at the floor, nodding slightly. Sean looked at Riley, "How do you stand this? You said she'd fall on a sword Riley but you didn't mention it would be bigger than the Empire fucking State building. You have to fix it. Now."

"Jess, Earl would have found us no matter what." Riley began. "That was expected, a given. What wasn't a given, what should not have happened, was how badly we fucked up."

Jessica looked at Riley in surprise. His voice was full of pain, his face the epitome of despair. 

"We had a flat," Jim said. "A motherfucking flat. If we'd insisted that you switch cars and come with us... If we'd changed the tire faster, or kept hitting redial and getting through to you or Mark so you would've waited... we should have been there Jess. None of this would have happened to you or Angus or Mark." 

"And do you know what I was doing when you called?" Leah asked, her voice cracking. 

"What we were doing..." Corey said.

"We were fucking. That's right. You'd just gone to meet a questionable stranger, called me, and I chose to finish getting off before checking my voicemail." Leah said, "Jesus Christ Jess, I'm so sorry. Angus, Mark... I'm so sorry!" and she crumbled into a heap on the floor, sobbing.

"And when we finally heard the message... we couldn't get back fast enough." Corey added.

"Not even with the motorcycles. We got home and you were gone, and that bastard was torturing you." Caleb said.

"You weren't supposed to come back." Jessica said. She looked around in a panic as everyone seemed to crumble. Everyone sank to their knees. They hung their heads, most were silently vibrating and to Jessica's horror she realized they were crying. "I said no sauce." She added trying to crawl forward but her legs wouldn't work. She didn't know where to crawl first. She reached out and took Jim and Josh's hands. The sounds escaping the crumpled forms was unbearable, their expressions heartbreaking. She had to make it stop. 

"If you'd come while Earl was there it would have been bad. There would have been a fight. You could have died. This was better. Much better. It only looks bad, really. It barely hurt. It was a walk in the park, comparatively speaking."

At first Jessica thought her slant on things was working. People stopped crying. But then she realized that they stopped moving too. They were frozen, staring at her, Mark and Angus included. Even Doc. 

"I know it was bad for Mark and Angus... and Stan." She added suddenly realizing that she wasn't the only one who suffered and kicking herself for undermining their pain. "It's true, that was bad." She nodded. But the silence continued and after a while Jessica noticed a shift in facial expressions. They looked angry.




Lisa Ch. 09a



"Jessica." Riley said through clenched teeth, "we saw everything."

"What?" Jessica gasped.

"We persuaded Paul to put us in touch with Earl. Before he negotiated with us he sent a video feed and we saw what he did to you. To Mark. He had to keep streaming video to us as part of the deal even after Angus got here." Riley said.

"Especially after I got here." Angus mumbled, "I had to know you were okay or I wouldn't co-operate."

"We know what you did for us." Chris said. 

"And it was no walk in the park." Scott added.

"Why would you lie about that?" Josh demanded. 

"She's still protecting us." Jim said quietly. 

"Well, stop it Jessica. Please." Rick said. "I want to know that you're telling me the truth because I can count on it, not because you can't lie worth shit. Okay?"

Jessica nodded.

"We'd better get cleaned up." Riley said. "We still have some work to do before we go home." 

Jim squeezed Jessica's hand, got up, kissed her on the top of the head and left. Everyone else followed Jim's lead. 

When they were gone Jessica turned back to Angus and Mark. Angus was as pale as a ghost, clearly suffering.

"Doc, please give him some medication." Jessica begged.

"I can't." Doc said obviously not happy about it. "I promised him I wouldn't. Angus has assured me that everything I saw done to him tonight, he did to you and worse. I guess we're in agreement that this is a small step toward making amends." 

"So, everyone saw it? The video?" Jessica asked quietly. She didn't know why but it embarrassed her. And when Angus and Mark groaned she realized that she wasn't the only one featured in the video. Her heart broke for Angus. Not only had his worst nightmares come true, but they came true in front of everyone he knew.

Doc nodded, "Except the kids. They heard it I'm sure, leaving the room wouldn't have prevented that, but they didn't see it."

"And if you saw it..." Jessica said to Doc, "then Paul..."

"Paul and many of his clan saw it. But it's probably a good thing." Doc said, "The video, probably more than any of the other tactics employed," Doc continued while giving Angus an accusatory look, "got Paul's co-operation."

"Tactics?" Jessica asked.

"We did some things we're not too proud of." Angus said, "But desperate times call for desperate measures."

"Yes, I'm sure that will comfort Stasia as she nurses her bruised neck." Doc said.

"Stasia?" Jessica gasped, "Angus you didn't..."

"No they didn't, but it was pretty close." Doc said. "Given what was at stake, I don't think I can blame them." He added and forced a smile at Jessica.

"Are you cold?" Angus asked when Jessica shivered against him.

"No." Jessica said, "It's this place. It's gross."

"Sorry Jess." Riley said, returning. "You were supposed to be four sheets to the wind for this. Doc, why isn't she sedated?" When Jessica turned to look at him and did a double take, Riley couldn't help but smile. "We didn't bring a change of clothes." 

"So you're going home in your underwear?" Doc asked.

"I'm sure as hell not wearing those assholes' clothes." Riley said.

"Same here." Don said coming in the room. Jessica couldn't help but laugh when she looked at him and Riley standing together, freshly scrubbed and with nothing on but underwear. 

The others started drifting into the room in the same attire as Riley and Don.

"We still have some clean-up to do Jess." Riley said, "And then we've gotta burn this place to the ground. You don't have to see anything if you let Doc put you to sleep."

"I'm okay Riley, honest." Jessica said.

"Same thing she told me earlier." Doc said.

"Jess..." Riley said.

"I don't really like being sedated." Jessica added, "It makes me feel weird. I'll just focus on something else that's all. Really." She said when Riley narrowed his eyes at her. 

"Why don't you keep Jess, Angus and Mark company Leah." Corey suggested, "I think you've done your fair share tonight too."

"Okay." Leah said crouching down in front of Jessica. She was studying Jessica's face while she spoke. "Jess, how'd you get those scratches on your face?" Leah raised her hand to gently touch her Jessica's face. "I don't remember seeing Earl or his men do that."

"They must have." Jessica said with a shrug, "But I don't remember."

"Those were self-inflicted." Doc said, "She has skin under her nail." He added when people looked at him with doubt. Jessica looked down at her nails and blanched.

"We must have missed it." Angus mumbled, "They didn't touch her after I got here. You saw that, right?" he asked Riley.

"Right." Riley agreed tilting Jessica's head up for a closer look.

"But Riley, didn't you hear me yelling at you? I didn't want Angus to let them do those things to him. I was yelling for you to tell him that." Jessica said, sliding onto her knees so she could lean into Riley's arms. She wanted so badly to bury her face in his chest, but Riley cradled her face, still studying the scratches. She wanted him to hold her, instead Riley's face froze.

"No you weren't. You were passed out on the floor. They'd Tasered you."

"No..." Jessica said confused by the fury suddenly evident on Riley's face. 

"Those bastards looped the video." Don growled. 

"You mean..." Riley began.

"Did they hurt you?" Scott demanded having moved next to Riley and grasping Jessica's arm.

"I never saw them again except on the TV." Jessica said nodding her head at the television that still displayed the empty room where Angus and Mark had been tortured.

"You saw everything..." Angus said in horror. 

Jessica nodded and started crying. She sank back down between Angus and Mark. 

"When they streamed the video to us they must have streamed it to this TV too." Quinn said.

"If you didn't see them again, who did that to your face?" Jim asked.

Jessica was sobbing, rocking back and forth while running her fingers through both Angus and Mark's hair, "You shouldn't have done that Angus. I said no sauce, no sauce. You were supposed to run." Jessica wailed and lowered her head against Angus', who was now crying too. 

"I told you, self-inflicted." Doc said moving toward Jessica with a syringe. "It's okay Jess." He added when she saw him coming with the syringe, "This won't put you to sleep, it'll just calm you down."

Jessica let him inject her and in a moment Jessica felt herself relax.

The injection relaxed her but it also gave her some clarity. As she looked around at Doc and the family she felt like she was watching them from a distance. Seeing them for the first time as an uninvolved observer. And what she saw brought the involved observer back in a flash. They were broken. They looked at her like they just wanted to curl up and die. She decided that she wouldn't let them. That was her mission and to accomplish it she had to keep herself together. 

Jessica closed her eyes and forced the tears from coming. Wiping her eyes and nose on her arm, finding it useless, she opted for her shirt. Satisfied that she was semi presentable she cleared her throat and looked up.

"Um. We should finish up here so we can go home. What can I help with?" Jessica asked trying to stand but grimacing when the burns on her legs and pussy protested the movement.

"Let me help you." Josh said coming behind Jessica and taking her by her arms lifting her to her feet.

"Isn't there something you can give her for that?" Scott asked Doc, "Pain killers?"

"Sure, but she won't take them."

"What?" Angus demanded.

"I tried to give her an injection just like I tried to give you one but she wouldn't take it."

"No Jessica!" her men said at practically the same time. 

"You have no choice, you take the medication!" Angus growled.

"Doc..." Scott said motioning him toward Jessica who was now firmly in Josh's embrace.

"Wait..." Jessica said limited to lifting her hands in a stop motion, unable to move anything or anywhere else. "I don't need the medication. I'm fine, just sore that's all. Honestly!" she said pressing back as far against Josh as she could get in an attempt to get away from Doc as he moved nearer with another syringe. "Besides it actually makes me feel worse. Doc, please, it makes me feel weird."

Doc hesitated and looked to Josh who shrugged. "Can you give her something else?" 

"Your standard pain killer, sure, but I doubt it'll do anything for her."

"You have to take that at least." Jim said.

"Okay."

"And I have some cream I can put on her face and her burns, that might help a little."

"Jess?" Scott asked.

Jessica nodded agreement.

"You're sure Jess?" Riley asked, "It's not going to make you feel weird or anything?"

Jessica looked at him, not sure if he was as angry as he sounded. But after a moment a slight smile slid on to his face. Jessica giggled, "Maybe a little." She said, "But not as weird as the medication."

Riley shook his head in disbelief but he didn't argue. 

"Thank you." Jessica said when Josh loosened his grip and Doc lowered the syringe. And she suddenly realized that this was the first time those words had left her mouth since her family had saved her and Mark. Stunned by the realization she fell back against Josh.

"Jess!" Josh said, catching her.

"Doc the medication!" Scott ordered.

"No, no..." Jessica looking up at Doc , "I'm fine. I just realized... I can't believe..." She looked around at everyone. "I haven't thanked you yet. Thank you." She said and made eye contact with each person one by one. "You sacrificed so much... too much." She added when she looking at Angus, "But I'm so grateful that you came for Mark and me. This should have been the first thing I said to you and I didn't. I'm sorry."

The room was quiet. A few looks were exchanged. Finally Riley nodded at Sean. Sean seemed tense as he stalked toward Jessica stopping inches from her. 

"You're welcome Jessica, and we appreciate your thanks but it's not necessary." Sean was staring at her with an intensity that scared her. She tried to look behind him, to Riley, Scott or Jim but Sean moved into her line of vision. "Your men can no longer deal with you the way they should... the tough has gone out of their love and quite frankly Jessica that's a problem. If anyone needs tough love it's you. Fortunately for them and you, the rest of us aren't quite that far gone on the tough part, so you're going to listen to me, and hear me. Really hear me. There was never any option. Not coming after you was not an option. But for some reason you don't know that. And Jess, 'No sauce'? Really? 'No sauce?'" Sean repeated. He seemed at a loss for what to say next. 

Finally he shook his head, "We couldn't understand how you could expect us to just leave you. Especially Riley, Scott, Jim, Josh and Angus, but I've figured it out. You think you're expendable. You think that you mean so little to us that we'll just accept that you're gone and move on with life. I can see how you may think that of us," he said indicating himself with his hand and cocked his head back to indicate the people behind him, "afterall we've been lame enough to not do a formal pledge with you. Do you know what a pledge is Jessica?" Sean asked . 

His intensity hadn't wavered so all Jessica could bring herself to do was shake her head. "It's a promise clan members give one another when they join a clan. Quinn did it when he joined. We'd pledged with Riley, Scott, Josh, Angus and Jim when we came of age in the clan. It's a lot like the oath you and your husbands took. And that's where I get confused. You have an oath with your husbands and yet you still consider yourself unimportant to them. Did you not listen to the words they were saying to you? I did. And nothing in the oath made leaving you to be tortured and killed an option. Or did you hear something else? Jessica?"

Jessica shook her head.

"So this is what I propose." Sean said, "If you'll have us. All of us, as your family, we want... scratch that, we need to make the pledge with you. We discussed it and we'd like to add some of your marriage oath to the pledge. And we want to go through it with you word for word so that you understand that 'no sauce' is not a viable solution. Do you understand what I am saying?"

Jessica nodded.

"Christ Sean." Corey muttered, "You have a funny way of telling someone you care about them."

"She'll be beating down the door to pledge with us alright." Caleb added.

"Jess, what my oaf of a brother is saying is that we'd love to pledge with you if you'll have us." Leah said, "And... you're welcome." 

"You should consider yourself lucky." Quinn said, "Their proposal to me wasn't nearly as passionate."

"Maybe this is too much right now." Jim said, "After all that's happened. Besides which, you're in your underwear Sean. That just weird."

Everyone laughed, breaking the tension.

Sean nodded and took a step back, "Sorry, this might've been more dignified in clothing."

"D'you think?" Abe asked.

"I'd love to take the pledge with you." Jessica said and she reached out and caught Sean's hand. "I um, I guess I've given the impression that I thought you didn't care or that you'd just abandon me. That's not at all what I thought. I just wanted you to be safe and that meant as far away from Earl as possible."

"But Jessica," Rick said, "What you're not getting is that you're not just some spare part to us. Some interchangeable piece that we can replace if you break or disappear. It's not okay for you to just throw yourself away like that."

Suddenly things made sense for Jessica. "I wasn't throwing myself away." Jessica said, "I guess my feelings for you weren't very clear." She added clearly surprised. "I thought you knew... you're all very special to me, you're my family and I love you. I would do anything for you because I want to protect you. Not because I think my life is insignificant." She looked at each of them, even Mark who despite the medication was painfully lucid. "The oath said it, didn't it?" Jessica asked Angus and then looked at everyone again. "I see what you mean about a pledge." Jessica said to Sean, "Things weren't as clear as they should have been between us. But you..." she said looking at Riley, Scott, Josh, Jim and Angus and shaking her head, "Didn't our oath make it clear? There's nothing I wouldn't do to keep you safe. Nothing."

"Jessica, I don't think you understand how hard it was." Riley said, "To watch... to hear you..."

"Trying to be brave." Scott finished for Riley. "You were so scared Jess, we could see it. But Jesus Christ Jessica, when you taunted Earl. Pretending to not know who he was asking about?"

"You... protecting Mark. Mark, protecting you..." Angus mumbled. "It was too much."

Jessica blinked at Riley and Scott, and the others.

"And then we thought you were going to take the cyanide pill..." Jim said so quietly and with so much emotion.

"It was like a living nightmare. Watching you with those pills." Sean said, "Terrified that you would take the pill, that Mark would. We were coming to get you..."

"I haven't felt that much horror in a really long time." Josh said. "First watching you get tortured... then we were afraid you'd die, right before our eyes."

"And who could blame you?" Caleb said, "All of that suffering. At least you ended Stan's..." 

"You saw all of that?" Jessica gasped.

"Earl brought the video camera in the room. We saw him torture you and Mark. He left it there even when they untied you from the chair. We saw everything." Corey said.

"Oh." Jessica said. 

"How you stopped them from killing Mark." Chris said.

"Putting yourself between the gun and Mark." Scott said.

"And what that asshole wanted in exchange for Mark's life." Riley said quietly. Angus groaned.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to be with another man, it seemed like the only option..." Jessica began.

"Don't Jess." Riley said, "We'd be complete assholes if we even considered being angry with you about that. You did what you had to in order to save Mark."

"And he tried to spare you..." Angus mumbled, looking at Mark. "You kept your promise Mark... I'll never forget that." 

"And what was with the cell phone?" Leah asked, "What was up with that? You could have called us." 

Jessica looked Leah and shook her head, "You were supposed to run. There was no point in calling."

No one looked happy about that statement.

"The point is. You don't have to explain what you'd do for us." Caleb said, "We saw it." 

Silence hung in the air. Sean studied Jessica for a long time. And so did everyone else. Finally Sean glanced around at Riley, Angus, Scott, Jim and Josh, and nodded. 

"There's only one thing left to say." Sean said looking back at Jessica. "Thank you. To you and Mark for protecting us." He said looking at Mark and then back at Jessica, "You said all the right things to get Earl to give up on looking for us and concentrating on you..." Sean's eyes darted to Riley and he cleared his throat. Jessica looked at Riley too and saw a mask of pain. Scott, Jim, Josh and Angus looked equally tortured, "that was really brave of you."

Angus groaned.

"You were terrified, but you did it anyway." Josh said pulling Jessica against him. "Thank you."

"And Mark. Thanks for trying to protect Jessica." Scott said. 

"I didn't do much." Mark said quietly.

"Yes you did." Angus mumbled, "You did everything you could and you paid for it. We'll always be in your debt."

Jessica crouched down and kissed Mark's forehead. "They're right Mark. Thank you."

Josh crouched down behind Jessica and clutched her to him. Riley, Scott, Jim and Angus looked like they were going to grab her and never let her go. And she wanted that. More than anything.

"Can we go home?" Jessica asked.

"Doc and I will take care of these three." Leah said, "You guys hurry up and do whatever you're going to do and we can get out of here."

It took a moment but everyone seemed to shake themselves off and one after the other planted a kiss on Jessica's head before heading for the door.

"Take your pain meds." Jim said coming over to kiss Jessica, "But don't drink the water." He added, "You'll have to swallow the pills dry."

"Take two." Doc said handing her a couple of pills. She had to work at it but finally swallowed them.

"Off with your pants." Leah said after Doc had finished putting cream on Jessica's face. 

Fifteen minutes later Jessica was sitting on the floor, back against the wall with Mark's head resting on one leg, Angus' on the other. Mark was in a medicinally induced sleep and Angus had finally succumbed to fatigue. Jessica stroked both of their heads. She was amazed at how much the cream Doc gave her helped. Her face, thighs, vagina, were only a minor discomfort. Doc insisted she take the tube and use it as needed.

"What happened with Stasia?" Jessica asked Leah. Doc had gone to the bathroom. "Is she okay?"

Leah nodded but she seemed uncertain.

"Is Paul going to be a problem?" Jessica asked.

"I don't know. But I think he may think twice about crossing your husbands."

"What do you mean?"

"When they got home and you weren't there... and they heard your voicemail. Jess, your phone didn't hang up for a long time. We heard everything that happened including part of the car ride."

"Oh."

"They went ballistic. I've never seen them like that before. Angus even shot the car. It's true." Leah added when Jessica looked disbelieving, "the tires, headlights, windows. I think he would have shot the gas tank too if they hadn't been in such a hurry to get to Paul's. Anyway, they threatened to kill Stasia but I don't think they had to. Paul was pretty freaked out by them. Jess, I think the boys were pretty traumatized too. Your men were pretty scary..."

"They weren't the only ones." Doc said returning. "The whole lot of you were out of control. You were snarling Leah. Sean, Corey, Chris, Caleb, Quinn, Don, Abe, Rick, and your men..." he added looking at Jessica, "looked like they'd rip us all apart. And they hadn't even seen the video yet. Leah's right about Stasia. Once they saw what was happening to you their anger went to a whole new level. No one was going to get in their way."




Lisa Ch. 09a



"Jess, the men heard and saw almost everything that happened to you. They saw you getting hurt but there was nothing they could do about it. I don't think they'll be the same again. And," Leah cleared her throat, "when Earl demanded that Angus come and let him rape him, Riley, Scott, Jim and Josh climbed over each other to go instead. And when Earl insisted on Angus the other men looked like they'd had their nuts cut off and handed to them. But Angus, he was happy. Really happy. And then he insisted we wait two hours before coming to help. He said that would lower Earl's guard. I guess it worked but it was horrible to watch. But, um, I guess you know that." Leah said.

Jessica felt tears coming but she blinked them away. She had to get them back again. Back to who they were before this because Jessica was afraid that if Leah was right, the expressions that her family wore after they killed Earl were going to be permanent.

"We're ready to torch the place." Scott said when everyone returned. "Come on Jess I'll give you a lift." He added after Sean and Riley helped Angus sit and Chris and Corey helped Mark up. Scott scooped Jessica up.

"We can carry you too." Riley said to Angus. Mark was too out of it to walk so Chris was lifting him under his arms, Corey his legs.

"I can walk." Angus said and began the slow and painful shuffle toward the exit.

"Riley, he has to take a rest or slow down." Jessica said when Angus had ignored her direct pleas. Angus' face was red and he was sweating but he kept a steady pace.

"We're not in a hurry Angus. Take your time... or we can carry you." Riley said.

"I never gave Jessica that option." Angus snarled and when he looked up at Jessica his face was twisted by pain, but guilt was the prominent emotion. "I made you walk, I raped you even when you felt like this. I even hung you from the fucking ceiling while you felt like this. The least I can do is walk."

"You weren't the only one." Riley said. "You didn't do those things by yourself."

"You weren't in the bedroom with me Riley. None of you were. In fact, if I recall correctly you all tried to stop me." Angus looked around at Riley, Jim, Josh and Scott.

"I gave the order Angus." Riley said.

"And I went above and beyond in following it." Angus mumbled back. "Just leave me alone okay. It's about time justice was served and I'm more than willing to serve it."

Jessica buried her face in Scott's neck unable to watch Angus suffer. She considered telling him that she forgave him... all the men, for everything. But she suspected that he'd think she only said it because she wanted to stop his self-punishment.

"We'll wait in the car." Scott said.

It took close to fifteen minutes for Angus to make it to the car. By then Jessica had been reduced to tears. As hard as she tried, she couldn't stop crying. Scott and Jim were in the backseat with her and she hid in them. Sliding down between them she pulled them as close to her as they could get.

Riley and Josh shuffled along with Angus. When they finally got to the car and the house was set ablaze Angus refused Scott and Jim's offers to go in another car so he could lie down in the backseat with Jessica. So Angus sat the whole way back to the house, between Scott and Jim, Jessica on Jim's lap, hugging Angus. Riley drove and Josh sat like a zombie next to him on the front seat. Luckily Jessica had been right and they weren't far from their house because Angus' labored breathing and Herculean attempts at not moaning had Jessica crying again. 

At the house Jessica wiped her tears and tried to look as normal as possible for the boys. But shuffling along with Angus didn't lend itself well to feeling fine and it reflected on her face. She could tell by the looks on Sara, Justine, and Amanda's faces. The boys were half asleep but one look at Angus and Jessica and they were instantly awake. 

"Shit." Terry hissed. Jessica was glad to see that the physiotherapists, Terry, Jay and Craig were the ones who'd come to watch the boys.

"You're back!" Nathan yelled before throwing himself on Jessica. Brett followed. The other boys crowded around.

"You did it!" Brett said turning to Angus and burying his face in Angus' stomach, wrapping his arms around him. "You did like you promised, you brought Jessie home."

Angus grimaced by pulled Brett closer and patted his head. While locking eyes with Jessica he said, "There was no other option."

Justine wrapped herself around Mark, and Jessica was glad to see that Chris had an arm on Mark's back steadying him. 

The other boys hugged or shook hands with the other adults, clearly elated, clearly in awe. Jessica and Leah exchanged a look. Leah had misread the boys when she thought they were scared of the men. Jessica was pretty sure that what the boys were afraid of was being left alone again. She shuddered when she realized that things could have easily ended that way.

"Are you cold Jess?" Riley asked when she shuddered again.

"No."

"Are you shaking because they made you scream?" Nathan asked looking up at Jessica. "They hurt you a lot." And he looked like he was going to cry.

"They hurt a lot of people Nathan," Jessica said, hugging him, "but they can't anymore. And tomorrow we'll celebrate that. But right now it's late and you should all be in bed."

A general protest erupted.

"You heard her." Caleb said, "It's two in the morning guys, come on."

"Say good night boys." Sara said, "and come to the kitchen for your meds, chop. Chop." Brett and Nathan gave Jessica another hug and turned to the kitchen. After a couple of steps Nathan turned and hugged Angus before running to the kitchen. 

Angus looked surprised. Jessica leaned against him, "Now you're someone else's hero too."

"I've gotta ask," Jay said, "What's with the underwear?"

"It's a long and messy story." Riley said, "You're better off now knowing the details, trust me."

"Do you want to get cleaned up?" Scott asked Jessica and Angus.

"In a minute." Angus said, "Right now I need to sit."

Soon Angus, Jessica and Mark were on the sofa. Jessica and Mark resting, Angus fidgeting and trying to find a comfortable position. Jessica wrapped herself around Angus and looked at him with ever growing concern.

"I can't believe Earl and his band of psychos are dead." Craig said.

"So that means Elsie can get some help now." Jessica said turning to Mark.

Mark nodded, "The clan can take care of her now."

"No Mark, I didn't mean the clan. I meant real help. She needs to go to a hospital."

"Jess." Jim said, shaking his head when she looked at him. His eyes shifted to Craig, Jay and Terry.

"Ah, looks like you're okay now. We'd better go." Terry said when silence resonated in the living room, Jessica casting glances at the three of them.

"Thanks for your help." Riley said.

"Not a problem. Take care Jessica, Angus, Mark." 

"I'll walk you out." Rick said. As soon as the door was closed Jessica turned back to Mark.

"She needs medical attention, rape crisis counselling, assisted living. She can't go on the way she has and the clan isn't equipped for that kind of help."

Mark stared at Jessica. 

"Listen." Jessica said when it was clear that Mark was not going to say anything. "Hardly anyone from the clan knows Elsie is even alive... oops, did I just ruin that?" she asked looking at the door.

"Terry, Jay and Craig have no idea who Elsie is." Rick said having returned, standing on the periphery of the living room. "I checked that out before they left. No clue."

"Good!" Jessica said clapping her hands. "So no one knows she even exists. There are a million private clinics around. They cost a lot. But I bet that the upside of being expensive is discretion. I don't think anyone would believe a word she said anyway, but even so, if we pay enough no one will say anything."

Jessica looked around when Mark continued to stare at her and no one said anything.

"I'll pay for it. I have money." She added.

"Jess, you're not going to pay for it." Riley said quietly, "We'll take care of it. I take it you'll want to visit these places yourself and find the suitable one?"

Jessica nodded. Initially happy that Riley seemed to understand what she wanted, his demeanor and tone had her studying him more closely. "I just want to make sure she ends up in the right place. I don't think there's any danger to visiting the sites, is there?"

Riley shook his head and forced a smile, "Of course not."

"Mark? Will you come with me?" Jessica asked.

Mark blinked and looked down at the hand Jessica had taken. Turning to Riley, and then looking at Scott, Jim, Josh and Angus he asked, "Do you ever get used to this?"

"Eventually." Jim said with a smile and a wink at Jessica.

"But you may want to do that pledge as soon as possible." Scott added, "So you can at least feel like you're working within some kind of boundaries."

"We'll do it tomorrow." Sean said.

Jessica looked around, "Are we still talking about Elsie?" 

"No, but you don't need to worry about it." Mark said, "Yes I will go with you to find a place for Elsie. And I'll pay for it."

Jessica beamed at Mark before throwing her arms around him and squeezing.

"We'll pay for it." Chris said, "The three of us. You, me and Justine. It's the right thing to do." He added when Mark looked at him in surprise.

A huge smile swallowed Jessica's face as she looked at Justine and Chris. It quickly disappeared when she turned back to Angus. He was pale and clammy, pain etched onto his face. She kissed his cheek and was about to beg him to take medication again when she remembered the names Elsie had given her and Mark.

"I also want to get this information to the police." Jessica said opening her cell phone she went to her contacts. "These are the names that Elsie gave us. Hopefully they can find the people that Earl sold. What's wrong?" Jessica asked when all men and Leah exchanged looks. 

"Nothing Jess." Riley said, "In fact I think you'll like this. We managed to get some very detailed information from Earl about the people he sold. I can guarantee that the police will find them."

"You did!" Jessica exclaimed. 

"Holy shit, really?" Mark asked.

"We can be persuasive when we want to be." Sean said. The men and other adults exchanged glances that made it clear that any doubt they may have had about that in the past was now forever obliterated. And it was clear to Jessica that they weren't just thinking about Earl and the information they got out of him. Everything from Abe and Rick turning on Stasia to Angus sacrificing himself for Jessica and Mark's safety were well relayed in the respect and loyalty held in the looks exchanged. Jessica's heart melted when she recognized the same qualities in the way her men and family looked at her. "We'll send the information to the police, first thing tomorrow."

"Thank you!" Jessica exclaimed.

"We should get you to bed." Leah said.

"In a few minutes." Angus mumbled.

"Jess, there's something you need to know." Riley said. "It's about Paul. During our attempt to get you back, when he thought Stasia was in danger..." Riley paused and glanced at Rick and Abe, "Paul offered us release from the clan. He asked us for help with one more job, something big he's working on. He didn't say when it would happen but he understood that we wouldn't wait long. He swore it would be in the next few months. We would have demanded immediate release but he still hadn't told us where Earl was keeping you and we were running out of time."

"What?" Jessica gasped.

"And we agreed." Riley said.

Jessica was speechless. She looked around the room.

"But, we have no intentions of honoring that." Jim said. "The only reason we agreed is to keep Paul happy. But it gives us an advantage. We'll know when he and pretty much everyone working for him will be busy. It would be a good time to run."

Jessica sighed in relief. 

"Okay." She nodded, felt herself starting to gnaw on her lip and looked up, "So we should start looking for homes for the animals."

"The animals..." Riley said.

Jessica nodded, "We can't take them with us. We have to find good homes for them. Especially Max, I don't want anyone to hurt him."

"That makes sense." Josh agreed.

"We have to go to bed." Riley said as Angus started to tilt on the sofa and Jessica suddenly couldn't keep her eyes open. "It seems we have a lot of work to do tomorrow." He added with a smile.

"Come on Jess." Jim said scooping her up, "Angus needs to be cleaned up before he comes to bed." 

"Good night." She said to everyone. "Will Angus be okay?" she whispered in Jim's ear, watching Riley and Scott helping Angus to his feet. 

"You were Jess so he will be too."

Jessica was asleep as soon as Jim lay down with her but when Riley, Scott and Josh came in, practically carrying Angus, she woke up.

Jessica pressed up again Angus. When he wrapped his arms around her and squeezed she relaxed into him. But she couldn't sleep, partially because he couldn't. Obviously in pain, his body was rigid against her.

"There's only one thing I want to do right now Jess." Angus grumbled when she started pleading with him to take medication. "But I don't know if you're up for it."

"Anything. Anything you want Angus, I'm up for it."

Angus nodded and bringing his hand to Jessica's tit he gently rolled her against Jim. A low growl escaped Angus as his hand slid from her tit down her stomach and between her legs. "Oh!" Jessica said surprised, and she spread her legs with only a moment of hesitation.

"Should we put more of that cream for the burns on your legs and pussy first?" Angus asked in a low growl. 

Jessica shook her head, "What Doc put on is still working, I'm okay."

"Good." Angus moaned. "Hold her legs." Angus said to Jim and Riley. "Wide so I don't rub against her burns."

Jessica felt Riley and Jim take her behind her knees and pull her legs as far apart as they could go.

"What I really want to do is eat you out." Angus said brushing his lips over hers, stroking her meat with his finger, intermittently dipping in into her hole. "but I'm not flexible enough for that right now."

"I'll sit on your face." Jessica whispered bringing her hands up to push on his chest, "Just lie down."

"You'll do no such thing." He said, "You'll do nothing at all." He added.

"Not even that." Scott said catching Jessica's hand as it moved toward Angus' cock.

"Your only job." Angus said brushing her lips again as he increased his strokes on her clitoris, "is to cum. Come on baby, cum." 

"Why won't you kiss me?" Jessica asked when Angus always looked like he was about to devour her lips but then at the last minute grazed them and moved to her cheek, her neck.

"I have no front teeth Jess."

"So?" Jessica asked lunging up to try and kiss him.

"Isn't that... gross?"

"No. You can never be gross Angus. Please kiss me. I need your tongue in my mou..." 

Angus devoured her. His tongue invaded her mouth, her throat. Jim pulled on her nipple and whispered, "Be a good girl and cum Jess." In her ear, "Cause after you do, after Angus is done, I'm going to eat you out. And I can't wait to taste your pussy... your wet, wet, pussy..."

Jessica came. Several times and then Angus was between her legs, in her, pounding her. Riley and Jim each grasped one of her shoulders and held her in place so that each thrust was deeper, fuller, harder. Scott slid his hand between her legs and rubbed her clit while Angus pumped and Jessica came again, several times.

When he finally came Angus collapsed on top of her kissing her cheek and neck.

"I love you Jess." He muttered.

He pushed up, looked at her and rolled to the side.

"Angus..." Jessica said worried by how pale he looked, how clammy he felt. But she didn't have time to do or say any more because Jim was between her legs, eating her, stroking her, prodding her. Angus grasped Jessica behind the knee and pulled her leg up and that was the last time Jessica had time to notice him. For the next hour the men took turns and despite Jessica's requests to pleasure them, Jessica wasn't allowed to move from her prone position.

When everyone was spent Jessica lay on Scott, melting against him. He fondled her ass, Jim and Josh stroking each of her legs, lying alongside each one. Riley lay next to her and Scott's heads and caressed her back. Angus was near their heads also, on the side that Jessica's face was turned and after a few minutes of just watching Jessica Angus brought his thumb to her cheek and gently caressed the scratch marks. His hand was shaking. Jessica looked up at him with concern.

"You weren't supposed to get hurt anymore." Angus said quietly, his eyes filled with emotion.

"It doesn't hurt Angus, honest. That cream is amazing." 

"Your legs and your pussy..." Angus added.

"All fine Angus..." Jessica replied but Angus shook his head. 

"None of it is fine baby."

"Angus, please take some medication." Jessica said in desperation. He was so pale, sweating profusely, she pushed up on Scott and looked around at the men for help when Angus shook his head. But none of the men said anything. "Please..." she tried again, sliding off of Scott and as close to Angus as she could get.

"It's late baby. Time to sleep." he said pulling her close. Jessica snuggled in to him fully intending to try and persuade him to take some medication. But with the warmth of his body, the feeling of safety that came with being wrapped in his strong arms, and orgasmic bliss, a sudden overwhelming fatigue overtook her. Jessica was asleep in moments, everyone else not long after. 

Jessica awoke just before the scream escaped her. She had no idea how long she slept but she was thankful that she woke herself before disturbing anyone else's sleep. She had nightmares again but these ones were so close to actual events that they were doubly terrifying. Angus being raped over and over, his teeth knocked out. Mark having the rod shoved into him, raped as well. The two of them forced to rape each other. It was too much.

After tossing and turning for a while Jessica decided that she had to get up. The men wouldn't like it but even Angus was asleep. She couldn't be the one to disturb them. Slipping some pajamas on she crept to the living room, turned on a light and settled onto the sofa with her calculus book. But her mind was on anything but math. Words kept coming to her. Words about love, commitment, sacrifice. She scratched them down on the same page that she'd put other words for the songs she wanted to write.

A noise from the hallway caught her attention.

Looking up she found Leah, Corey, Sean and Sara coming into the living room. She was surprised to see Caleb and Quinn standing behind the sofa looking over her shoulder.

"You're just too dedicated to your education." Caleb said.

Jessica shook her head, "I'm actually working on a song."

"Really?" Quinn asked. He and Caleb swung their legs over the back of the sofa, slid down on either side of Jessica and looked over her shoulder at her notebook.

"Nice and light I see." Caleb muttered.

Jessica shrugged and looked up as Leah, Corey, Sean and Sara pulled up chairs around the sofa. Corey took the notebook from Jessica and passed it to Sean. 

"It's the way I feel." She said when he and Sara read the song, passed it to Corey and Leah, and then looked up at her.

"We feel the same way." Leah said. "I think I'm going to like this song."

Sean handed the book back to her, "Having trouble sleeping?"

"So are we." Sara said when Jessica nodded.

"Oh." Jessica said, having an idea. She turned to a fresh page and wrote their names down the side of it. "What have you always wanted to do?" she asked looking around at them.

They looked back at her.





Lisa Ch. 09a



"Come on, there has to be something. If you died tomorrow, what would you regret not doing?"

"Having killed Earl sooner." Sean said, "Before so many people got hurt."

Jessica nodded. "That's a good one." She said, "But I was looking for something more fun... nice fun." She added when Sean looked at her like killing Earl had been a great hoot. "The kind of fun that makes you laugh and isn't psychologically scarring."

"Like eating twenty burgers in a row without puking?" Corey asked. 

"Closer." Jessica said, "But a bit harder to do. Something fun that you would love to do but think you can't for whatever reason."

"Like a bucket list?" Leah asked.

"What the hell is a bucket list?" Corey asked when Jessica nodded.

"Things you want to do before you die. Like, climbing Mount Everest, or going down the Nile." Leah said.

"Why do you need to know that?" Quinn asked, "Do you know something we don't?"

"Yes." Jessica said, "I know that at any time now we're going to run from the clan. From what I've heard, that's not so easy to do. I want us to do all the things we've wanted to do before that... just in case."

"Justine, Amanda and I have always dreamed of being fashion designers." Sara said. "We have notebooks full of designs."

"Excellent." Jessica said suddenly excited and scribbling something next to Sara's name. "Tomorrow you need to go get those notebooks. And whatever else you need to make your designs into clothing."

"You're kidding." Sara said, "We'd need a ton of equipment, material. Hours of labor. For what?"

Jessica beat the pen against her lips. Thinking.

"Jessica..." Corey said.

"For a fashion show. It's perfect!" Jessica said nearly jumping off the sofa with excitement. "You can have the show at the bar. I'm sure Stephen and Lilly will let you. You could sell your clothes and maybe some of the proceeds can go to help support their kids."

"Yeah, right." Sean said, laughing.

"You're serious!" Sara said.

"Very. Can I be one of your models?"

"Duh, yeah." Sara said and laughed. She bounced on her seat, clearly excited.

"What about you?" Jessica asked Leah.

"Mine is silly." Leah said, "and nearly impossible to do."

"What is it?" Jessica prompted.

"Yeah, what is it?" Corey said sliding his arm around Leah and rocking her.

"I've always wanted to go to Paris. I don't know why. I can't even speak French."

"It's romantic, that's why." Sara said in a dreamy voice.

Sean, Corey, Caleb and Quinn looked at Sara, Leah and Jessica, when all three sighed wistfully, like they were insane.

Jessica scribbled Paris next to Leah's name.

"Sean?" Jessica asked.

"I don't have anything." He said. 

"Everyone has something." Jessica said, "Maybe you just don't remember right now."

Corey, Caleb and Quinn shook their heads.

Jessica closed her book. "Just think about it, okay?" 

"Maybe you should try to sleep now." Sean said when Jessica fell back against the sofa and looked really tired.

"I can't, and I'll wake up the men if I go back to bed." Jessica looked at the door. "Do you want to go jam in the studio?"

"Sure." Corey said. Everyone agreed.

"I'll leave a note for the men." Jessica said tearing a page out of her book. She wrote, 'In studio' in huge letters and left the paper on the coffee table.

Forty five minutes later Jessica, Corey, Sean, Leah, Sara, Caleb and Quinn finished the last word of a song and fell against each other laughing.

"What the hell are you doing?" Riley demanded making everyone jump. Jessica and the others had arranged themselves on the sofa and chairs and had been so involved with one another and the songs they hadn't noticed the men come in. 

"Angus, why are you here?" Jessica asked, handing her guitar to Leah and running over into Angus' arms. He looked awful. Beyond awful. "Why aren't you in bed?" She reached up to feel his forehead but he pulled his head back.

"I could ask you the same thing." Angus grumbled, "What did we tell you about leaving in the middle of the night?"

"You need your sleep." Jessica said, "I would have kept you awake."

Angus looked around at Corey, Sean, Leah, Sara, Caleb and Quinn. He nodded but didn't look at all happy.

"I left you a note, on the coffee table..." Jessica said but her voice trailed off when Angus glared at her. 

"We should go back to bed." Riley said.

Jessica nodded and leaned in to Angus, pecking him on his lips. "You have a fever!" Jessica gasped when Angus' lips were hot and dry.

"I'm fine. Let's go, come on." Angus snapped and started toward the door dragging Jessica by her arm.

"Angus!" Jim said and moved to block their path.

"Out of the way Jim."

"So you're reliving Jessica's early days are you?" Jim demanded, "And which one of you is supposed to be the one suffering, you or her?"

That brought Angus up short.

"You never would have let Jessica talk to you like you just did to her, much less drag you around like you are doing to her. Eye contact, verbal responses, and most of all obedience. Those were the rules remember? You're breaking them Angus. If you're going to relive Jessica's hell at least do it properly."

Angus looked at Jessica clearly aghast with himself. "I'm sorry Jess. I'm so..." he shook his head. "It scared me when I woke up and you weren't there. For a minute I thought that bringing you home had been a dream. I never want to feel that scared again."

Jessica hugged Angus. "It doesn't help that you're delirious." Jessica said touching his forehead again. "Please let us give you some medicine."

Angus shook his head.

"We gave Jessica medication when she had a fever." Scott said, "Remember?"

Angus looked confused of a moment but then nodded. 

Everyone went back to the house. They watched in silence as Jessica fussed over Angus.

"You go ahead." He said when Jessica wanted to help him to the bedroom, "I'll get there eventually. Go Jess, please."

Jessica's face crumpled as she turned and headed down the hallway.

"You do know that you're hurting her don't you?" Leah demanded. "You're suffering on her behalf so she feels guilty, and on top of that, you're rude to her. If this is your idea of making things up to her you really suck at it."

"I didn't mean to hurt her." Angus said looking down the hallway. "I just need to do this and she keeps trying to make me feel better."

"Think about what you just said." Josh said, "And now think about who you're talking about. She's never going to let you suffer no matter how much you may deserve it!" Josh regretted the words as soon as he said them but Angus rebuffed any attempts at apology.

"You're right. The only way this will work is if you distract her for me. Keep her busy."

"There doesn't seem to be a shortage of ways to keep her busy." Sean said, "But I don't think she'll leave you."

"She will if she thinks I'm sleeping." Angus said, "We'll tell her I'm taking the medicine Doc left. I'll stay in the bedroom, she can think I'm recuperating."

"You want us to lie to her?" Riley asked. "Really? After all the shit we give her about honesty and trust?"

"You have to Riley." Angus said and sobbed. "You have no idea how much this hurts." He rambled, "I can't act like it doesn't around her and she'll be upset. Jesus Christ, I don't know how she stood it. This pain, and more of it heaped on over and over. But she did it so I have to too. It's justice..."

"Okay. But Angus, she's going to be mad at us. Really mad." Jim said.

"Let me tell her." Caleb said. "She can be mad at me for a while, I don't mind."

"Thanks." Angus said.

In the bedroom Jessica lay curled up on the mattress. The men arranged themselves around her.

Caleb had followed them in.

"Jess, Angus let me give him some medication. He'll be sleeping a lot for the next few days okay?"

Jessica nodded and wrapped herself around Angus.

"Thanks Caleb." She said.

It seemed like with that worry removed, Jessica fell into a deep sleep.

It was noon by the time Jessica woke up. Most everyone else was up. 

No sooner had Jessica sat down at the dining table then Sean was placing a piece of paper in front of her.

"Read this, out loud." He said.

Jessica looked at the paper and began to read, "We promise on our lives that we will be loyal, truthful, and devoted to one another for the rest of our lives. We will never leave one another, under any circumstance. We have nothing to fear from one another. Honesty is paramount and can be practiced without fear of violence or harm. We will be bound by blood and our unity can never, ever be broken. There is no one more important to us then this family. We will protect one another at all costs. To this we pledge."

Jessica looked up when she was done.

"We decided to make a whole new pledge that we would all take." Sean said. "So it's clear to everyone that 'no sauce' is never an option."

"That's Sean's subtle way of saying that he's happier than he's been in a long time." Leah said.

"A fucking long time." Corey added.

"A fucking long time." Leah agreed, "And that he loves this family. And us taking the pledge says that we do too."

"I do too." Jessica said.

"We're not scared anymore," Tom added, "Because of this family. We love it too." 

"Yeah!" The boys chanted in agreement. Nathan and Brett wrapping their arms around Jessica and hugging her. 

"Then let's do this." Sean said. 

Everyone stood in the living room, in a large circle that extended around the sofa. 

Looking around at her family, Jessica's couldn't help but get teary eyed. 

Jim slid his arm around her shoulder, and Angus had his arm around her other shoulder, Scott, holding him up on his other side. Riley and Josh stood next to Scott. They all looked as moved by the upcoming oath as Jessica felt.

"It is nice to have a family again." Riley said quietly. 

"One that cares more about its members than annihilating the government." Angus muttered.

Jessica snuggled into Angus' embrace her heart aching when her other men grunted their agreement. 

"Let's begin." Sean said and the pledge was read out loud by everyone in unison. They pricked their fingers, even the boys, and mixed their blood by holding their cut fingers together.

"Technically we don't really need to do this." Jessica said to Leah and Corey, "I already have all of your blood. You're just getting yours back."

"It's the symbolism that matters." Leah said and kissed Jessica on both cheeks. 

Afterwards there seemed to be a different energy between people. Jessica was suddenly being petted by everyone. Everywhere she went someone had a hand on her. On her back, on her arm, on her head. She realized that she and the twins seemed to have become everyone's pets. But she didn't mind. 

"Let's go find that home for Elsie." Mark said to Jessica after she finally finished her breakfast.

"Mind if I tag along?" Abe asked. "In case Mark needs some meds..." Abe said by way of explanation when Jessica and Mark looked surprised. They agreed because Abe's explanation made sense, but Jessica sensed that the pledge somehow had a hand in it. She didn't know how or why exactly but the pledge seemed to have reversed some of the damage that she thought the whole Earl experience had caused her family. Even Rick, who was the most stand-offish person in the family was smiling at everyone, slapping shoulders, wrapping an arm around the shoulders of Jessica and the girls and giving affectionate squeezes. 

Jessica saw Angus to bed and then climbed into Mark's car with Abe and Mark.

"We'll start looking for homes for the animals." Riley said through the driver side window where Jessica sat between Mark and Abe on the front seat. "And don't worry." Riley added when Jessica looked panicked, "you'll get to approve all new owners."

Jessica, Mark and Abe visited over twenty homes in the area. They eventually found one that stood out over all the others. During the course of the day Jessica had explained the bucket list concept and wrote down that Mark wanted to surf in Hawaii and Abe was interested in scuba diving and investigating sunken ships. His dream ship was the Titanic but there was no way anyone would snorkel down that deep.

Mark had seemed fine during the day. A little slower than normal, but otherwise fine. But as they left the second visit to the home they liked, he suddenly seemed in pain.

"Are you okay?" Jessica asked in the car.

"Fine," he said but pulled a black bag, similar to Doc's, from the back seat.

"Let me." Abe said and opened the bag. In it was a syringe and some vials. 

Jessica watched Abe inject Mark.

"Is there more of that at home?" Jessica asked.

"What?" Abe asked.

"For Angus, is there more at home?"

"Oh, yeah, yeah." Abe said exchanging a look with Mark. "Doc gave us two bags. Don't worry."

Almost instantly Mark's face relaxed and he seemed okay again.

"We'd better go." Abe said "or the nursing staff will get to Elsie's before we do."

An hour filled with heart wrenching drama later, Elsie was safely deposited in the home. Jessica had insisted on female staff coming to take Elsie. And despite that, it had still been an ordeal. 

"I see why you wanted her in a home." Abe said as they drove home, "That place was a dive and she's right out of her tree."

"What the hell?" Mark asked when they walked in the front door of the house. Folding tables were set up everywhere, coat racks littered the living room, rolls of fabric everywhere. Sara and Justine were using a couple of big sewing machines on the new tables. Amanda was measuring cloth.

"Welcome to bucket list hell." Rick said. "Kidding." He added when Jessica pretended to be hurt. Unable to keep it up for long Jessica giggled and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Jessica, come here!" Amanda shouted when she noticed her. 

"Just a sec... Angus, are you going to sleep?" Jessica asked catching up with him in the hallway. He'd been on the sofa when they'd come in but he'd looked surprised then worried when Jessica looked at him. He'd gotten up and headed right for the hallway without even saying hello.

Angus nodded his head but he didn't stop, turn around or say anything.

"Wait," Jessica said and moved past him and into his path. "Angus!" she gasped. He looked awful. Pale, in pain, and clammy. "Did you have your medicine?" she asked reaching for his forehead but he dodged her hand.

"Yeah. Caleb just gave it to me."

"Just now?" Jessica asked confused, "I didn't see Caleb in there."

"Well, about ten minutes ago. I'm fine, really, I just have to go to the bathroom... if you don't mind..."

"Oh, okay." Jessica said, stepped aside and watched Angus shuffle into the bathroom and close the door. Something wasn't right. Jessica stood staring at the door. Eventually she moved to it and paused. She heard crying. Jessica pressed her ear to the door. In the bathroom Angus was crying. Jessica reached for the door handle but it wouldn't turn. The door was locked. She was about to call out to Angus when a thought came to her. She froze. The more she thought about it the more likely it seemed. Jessica moved to the bedroom and dialed Doc on her cellphone.

"Hey lass, how are you?" Doc greeted.

"Fine Doc, fine. Um, how many bags of medicine did you leave here?" she asked.

"Just the one. Why, do you need more..."

"Thanks Doc." Jessica said and hung up.

Angus was lying to her. They all were. Jessica went to the kitchen. When Amanda asked if she needed anything Jessica said she was getting a drink. To make it not a lie, Jessica had a mouthful of juice. Mark had put the bag back in the kitchen. As quickly as she could Jessica filled a syringe with the vial marked as a sedative and wrapped her hand around it.

Jessica went back to the bathroom door and knocked.

A muffled "what" came from inside.

"Angus, I'm going to come sleep with you okay?"

"No." he managed. It was muffled but Jessica could tell he was still crying. "I'll come out to the living room. Just go back. I'll be there soon."

Jessica contemplated waiting here for him and sticking him with the needle when he came out but he was too heavy. He'd fall and she wouldn't be able to hold him.

So Jessica went back out to the living room. She watched as Amanda, Justine and Sara's worked and was getting ready to go back to check on Angus when she noticed him coming down the hallway. 

She went to the sofa. By now most everyone was there. The boys were fooling around, Sara, Justine and Amanda were sewing, the other adults were seated around the sofa. Only Riley and Scott were still missing, probably still looking for new owners for the animals.

Jessica feigned interest in the game the twins were playing with some toy cars. She barely acknowledged Angus when he sat down next to her. And with no warning, and a lot of satisfaction Jessica turned and stuck the needle in Angus' arm, shooting the substance into him.

"Jessica! What did you..." was all Angus got out before slumping against Corey who sat next to him. Silence fell over the room.

"Did you just..." Don asked.

"Yes I did." Jessica said standing. She looked at Abe and Caleb, "He has a fever, can you bring it down? And for the next few days, until he's better, Angus is staying sedated. Okay?" She looked around at everyone. Jim and Josh were still gaping at Angus' motionless form. "Okay?" she prompted.

People started to nod.

"We didn't want you to worry about him." Jim said when Jessica couldn't hide her feeling of betrayal.

"I know." Jessica said not able to feel the anger that she somehow thought she should. 

"He's going to be pissed when he wakes up." Josh said.

"Yes, but he'll be healthy. That's all I care about." Jessica said. 

"Let's get him to bed." Abe said.

Jim and Josh took an arm each, Abe and Rick a leg each and carried him to the bedroom.

When Riley and Scott got home an hour later Abe was making dinner. Jessica and Leah were ooing over the designs that Sara, Justine and Amanda were working on, and the other men were out doing chores with the boys.

Riley and Scott kissed Jessica hello, said they had some possible homes to take her to the next day, and moved to the kitchen for a drink. 

"Jessica!" Riley said. Jessica turned to see Riley, Scott and Abe standing together in the kitchen. "Did you drug Angus?"

"Somebody had to." Jessica said going into the kitchen and into Riley's arms. 

"You should have seen her. It was like watching animal kingdom. Angus was like some poor unsuspecting animal just sitting there, clueless, and the next second bitten by a cobra he never saw coming." Abe said.

"You might want to be careful about making snake analogies with me..." Jessica said in a disgruntled tone.

"Really?" Abe said looking at her in surprise.

"Jess!" Riley said.

"I'm sorry Abe, I didn't mean it." Jessica said giving him a quick hug. "It's just that it kind of sucks being lied to... by everybody."

"Technically only one person lied to you Jess." Caleb said closing the door behind him. "And that was me. Everybody else just kept quiet."

"Hmph." Jessica said crossing her arms and stepping away from Riley and Scott, "I see." She said, "So when everyone else omits the truth it's 'keeping quiet' but when I do it it's a capital crime."

Abe, Caleb, Leah, Justine, Sara and Amanda stood looking between Jessica, Riley and Scott.

After a moment Riley nodded. "It seems to be the case." He said.

"Angus wants to make up for what he did to you." Scott said, "And he did a lot. Doesn't part of you want him to suffer a little? Just for a while?"

"Scott!" Jessica said her jaw dropping. She stared at him in complete disbelief. "How could you think such a thing?"

Scott lowered his head. "Maybe that's how I feel."

Now everyone was gaping at Scott. "I would never have wished this on him to begin with." Scott said looking at Jessica again, "But since he finds himself in this situation... I guess this makes me a monster. I'm sorry. I'll be with the horses."




Lisa Ch. 09b



... continued from chapter 9a

"Look, you can just sit here and watch the others parasail. It's like watching TV." Abe said when Jessica looked unhappy. 

"We'll keep you company." Leah said as she, Amanda, Justine and Sara came to join Jessica and Abe.

"Thanks." Jessica said. She tried to smile at the girls but she looked down at her hands instead, guilt sweeping over her again. She felt like she'd been talking behind their backs.

Abe looked at Jessica, surprised by her reaction. Looking at the girls he found them studying Jessica's lowered head. Leah nodded at Abe to indicate things were okay, and then motioned for him to feed Jessica.

"Josh sure doesn't like heights, does he?" Leah asked laying back onto the blanket beside Jessica and watching as he sailed into the air but looked really tense.

"No, he's terrified of them." Jessica said while chewing. "Um Abe, I'm really not hungry. My stomach is kind of upset." She added when Abe glared at her.

"Is this the stress induced stomach upset?" Amanda asked and smiled when Jessica flashed her eyes up at her in surprise. "We know Jessica, all about the conversations you've had with Caleb, Don and Quinn."

"We all know." Abe added when Jessica looked at him. "Especially the part where you don't think you have an eating disorder. Sorry," he added. He'd said it more sharply than he'd intended and Jessica shrank a little, "I didn't mean it to sound quite like that. What I meant was that we know that you don't feel like eating and when you're stressed you vomit. That could be part of an eating disorder you know ..."

"I guess." Jessica acknowledged and reluctantly took another bite of the sandwich that Abe held up for her.

"The question," Amanda said, "is why you feel stressed. You've been looking at us," she said indicating Sara, Leah, Justine and herself, "like you've hurt us somehow and don't know how to apologize. We're on vacation, you should be happy, relaxed."

"Jess?" Sara prompted when Jessica didn't look like she was going to respond.

"I guess I'm worried about you Amanda, and about Mark and Chris ..." she added flicking her eyes between Justine and Abe, "I know about that ... I'm not sure who else does ..."

"Just me." Justine said quickly and looked panicked for a moment.

Jessica nodded. "That's why I feel stressed." She said when Abe, Leah, Sara and Amanda looked between Justine and her with curiosity. "I feel like I know things that maybe I shouldn't and I haven't had time to talk to you about it. It feels awkward."

"Like you're the middle man?" Justine asked.

Jessica nodded.

"We're a family Jess. We don't have secrets from each other, remember?" Justine asked. "Whatever Mark and Chris tell you is okay with me. It's just like they don't mind me talking to you about them. So, don't be upset or stressed about it. Okay?"

"Okay." Jessica said.

When Abe, Leah, Sara and Amanda kept looking at Justine in anticipation she sighed. "Alright. Fine. It's my fantasy to see the two of them have sex. We were talking about fantasies last night and I made the mistake of telling them that and they freaked."

"Shit." Abe hissed.

"Mark and Chris?" Leah asked. "You know Chris will never do that ..."

"That's why it's called a fantasy." Justine said in a defensive tone. "I said it before I thought it through. I wish I hadn't, trust me."

"Did Mark tell you that he's not getting over the rape?" Jessica asked.

"Yes. And that's where I made my second mistake. I thought that since Scott helped you with sex, maybe Mark and Chris doing it would help Mark."

"Justine!" Leah exclaimed. "Chris is a homophobe. How would forcing him to have sex with Mark make anything better?"

"I know, I know." Justine said. "And you can stop looking at me like that." Justine snapped at Abe, "It was stupid. I was desperate, what can I say?"

"What can you say about what?" Chris asked. Jessica, Abe, and the girls looked up to find Chris, Mark, Caleb, Don, Quinn, Jim and Angus.

"About our ... situation." Justine said.

"Oh." Chris said and turned red. Mark paled.

"Situation?" Quinn asked and did a double take when Chris turned even redder.

"Why don't you have some lunch." Jessica said desperate to break the awkwardness and spare Chris the humiliation.

Chris smiled at Jessica, "Always trying to protect people, aren't you?"

"This isn't something we need to be talking about right now." Jessica said, "And it makes you uncomfortable ... you're turning red ..." she added when Chris raised an eyebrow.

"Kind of like you did when I let everyone listen to you have sex?" Chris asked. "I think I can handle a bit of humiliation Jess. Justine has a fantasy about Mark and I having sex." Chris said turning bright red and looking at his feet.

"I shouldn't have said anything ..." Justine muttered in despair.

"You were being honest." Jessica said when no one said anything. "That's what we're supposed to be. And you shouldn't be embarrassed about your fantasies but there are other ways to experience your fantasies without having to actually act them out."

"How's that?" Chris asked.

"Well, you can imagine them." Jessica said. "Someone's fantasy doesn't have to be acted on exactly."

"That's true." Mark said, relief evident in his voice.

"So, we've talked now." Leah said, "Are you less stressed? Can you look us in the eye again?" she asked Jessica, indicating the other girls and herself.

"Um., well there's still you Amanda. I'm worried about you. Starving and purging doesn't count as a diet regime. I really think you need to stop." Jessica said.

Amanda nodded. "Okay." She said. "And now that you have no more stress, you can eat, right?"

Jessica hesitated. She didn't believe for a second that Amanda would stop vomiting but she didn't feel this was the right time to pursue it. She'd find a better time to push the point. Eyeing the sandwich in Abe's hand with dread she said "It doesn't taste good."

"The sandwich?" Abe asked in surprise, "Why didn't you say so, I can give you something else."

"No." Jessica said, "Nothing tastes good. Everything tastes like sand."

"Maybe sand got in the food ..." Abe said.

"No. She means food in general." Angus said, "It's not tasting right for her. We're going to get Doc to check it out."

"In the meantime she has to eat something." Abe said.

"Agreed." Jim said lowering himself to the blanket, "Jess, can you eat it anyway? Just half the sandwich and that's it, okay?"

Jessica nodded. Angus sat behind Jessica on the blanket, and she leaned back against him. Everyone else made themselves comfortable on the blanket and ate.

Jim, Abe and Angus distracted Jessica by having her watch the other men and the boys sail through the sky so they managed to get the whole sandwich into her.

Soon the others came to eat, including the employees from the parasailing company. Now that they were all together and had time to observe, it was clear that if the parasailing employees hadn't believed Amanda about the polygamous relationships before, they did now.

Justine and Amanda went out of their way to emphasize that they were with each of their men and it earned them some looks that ranged from uncertain to disapproving.

Jessica just seemed to go with what felt natural to her. Not overdoing her displays of affection between herself and her men, but not avoiding or hiding them either. She received the same kinds of reactions as Justine and Amanda but they seemed more muted. If Jessica noticed the reactions she gave no indication of it. Amanda and Justine for their parts became more and more defiant, seeming to get angry about any indication that someone disapproved of their relationships.

After lunch they went back to the parasailing and the rest of the afternoon was spent parasailing or swimming. Justine and Amanda managed to reign in their hostility but they made every effort to flaunt their relationships. Despite this tension the day went by quickly and everyone had fun.

They made it back to the hotel in time for dinner and to get the boys to the club for the evening and by seven o'clock everyone had gone their separate ways again, this time Jessica and Riley were heading out together.

"Are you okay?" Jessica asked Riley when he kept staring at her as they walked.

"Better than okay." He said pulling her closer to him. "You know I'm impressed with how unembarrassed you are about our relationship. But don't you think that being openly polygamist will hurt your career plans?"

"If I decide to be President of the United States, or a supreme court judge, yes." Jessica said, "but lawyer, local or state judge or governor, no." 

"President of the United States ..." Riley said stopping and looking down at Jessica, "Do you want to be President of the United States?"

"Maybe someday when polygamy is legal." Jessica said.

"And if it's never legal?" 

"I don't want a job that won't let me be me." Jessica said. 

"Good." Riley said pulling her into his arms. "I wouldn't want you to resent the limitations that our marriage may put on you in regular society."

"Riley ..." Jessica said bringing her hand to his cheek. "I'll never resent our relationship. Please don't be sad." She added, running her thumb over his lips, tracing the slight frown they formed. 

Riley locked eyes with her and smiled, "If you're happy, I'm happy."

"Then we're both incredibly delirious with joy right now." Jessica said lifting onto her toes to bring her lips to his. 

"I don't know if delirious is a strong enough word for it." Riley said, pecking her lips several times before slipping his tongue into her mouth and locking his lips on hers.

"Jess ..." Riley said, resting his forehead on hers ... panting. "We'd better stop ... for now."

Jessica nodded. 

"So, I thought you may enjoy participating in a murder mystery at the castle." Riley said after clearing his throat and gaining some control. "It's a giant role playing game. We get parts to play and if we solve the mystery we get a prize."

"I read about that!" Jessica said clearly very excited. "Let's do it!" she said patting his chest with her hands.

Riley chuckled, "I love how excited you get about everything." He said and taking her hand he led her to the castle.

"Are you two here for your honeymoon?" one of the mystery facilitators asked when she handed Riley and Jessica the package with the information about their characters.

"Yes." Riley said.

"It's easy to tell, you look very much in love." She said. "I'm Virginia. You have fifteen minutes to read the information. All the guests are detectives in the game. The idea is to solve the mystery before the others. I'll come and get you when it's time to start." Virginia said pointing to a couple of oversized lounge chairs available for them to sit in.

"Detective ..." Riley commented as Jessica sank onto his lap and he pulled her close, holding the information booklet in front of both of them. "What I always wanted to be ..."

"You always wanted to be a dick?" Jessica asked and burst into laughter when Riley's eyes widened in shocked surprise.

"And where did you learn such language?" he demanded in mock anger.

"You forget that I love mystery novels." Jessica said kissing him. "I read about dicks all the time."

"Ah, that kind of dick. Gotcha." Riley said. "So then I can rely on you to win this game ... I'm not sure my dicking abilities fall into this particular category." Riley added with a wink causing Jessica to laugh again.

"I like your ... abilities ..." Jessica said, "but I'm pretty sure you'll be a big part of solving the case. Oh look, your name is Donald, and I'm Candice. Donald and Candice, not very imaginative."

"Candy ..." Riley said leaning back to better observe Jessica, "I can see you as a Candy. Especially if I picture you in your bikini on a surf board, chewing gum."

"Like what ev ..." Jessica said in a forced cheery, valley girl voice, and twirling her hair.

"Oh my God." Riley said laughing, "That's you alright."

Jessica swatted his chest and looked back at the booklet. "Come on Donny, we have work to do."

"We're at a political convention ..." Riley said reading the information, "is that foreshadowing or what, Madame President?"

"And there's going to be an assassination." Jessica read. "Do you think there will be a grassy knoll?"

"If there is then there'll be more than one gunman. This could be a tough case to crack." Riley said.

"Nothing is too tough for Candy and Donny ..." Jessica said.

"Donny ..." Riley said cringing. 

"I'll call you D, how's that?" Jessica asked.

"Better." Riley said.

"We're ready." Virginia said and led them to the game room.

Two hours later they'd narrowed the suspect down to two possibilities.

"I think we need to just pick one." Riley said after they reviewed the evidence for the thousandth time.

"Maybe ..." Jessica said watching Chuck, one of their suspects chatting with another of the detectives. "Chuck was the right hand man to Gerald, the victim, right?" Jessica asked as she watched Chuck's assistant come up and hand him a pen and paper. Chuck looked the paper over and signed it, and then turned back to chatting with the guests. "Talk about ironic." Jessica said bolting upright and grabbing the packet of information from the table in front of her and Riley.

"What is?" Riley asked watching her flip through the pages. 

"That is ..." she said pointing to a paragraph and handing the papers to Riley.

"The gunman was left handed." Riley said and looked at Jessica with a blank expression.

"Yup. And when we interviewed Chuck, what did he tell us?" 

"To get lost ..." Riley said.

"After that. When you strong armed him into answering our questions." Jessica said clearly still impressed with Riley's ability to get information out of the suspect.

"He said he loved Gerald like a father and would do anything for him." Riley said.

"And what did he say about being right or left handed?" Jessica asked.

"That he was right handed." Riley said.

"And what hand did Chuck just sign those papers with?" Jessica asked.

"Holy shit." Riley exclaimed, excitement playing across his face, "That lying bastard."

"Let's fill this in." Jessica said. The answer form requested the name of the killer, the reason you thought it was him and the reason he killed the victim. "So, we know who, and how to prove it ..." Jessica said, "but why did he kill him?"

"I know why ..." Riley said picking up the packet of information and flipping through the pages. "He said he loved Gerald like 'a father'. Gerald had an affair about thirty years ago. Remember? There was a child that was given up for adoption? What did Chuck say about his childhood? He'd grown up poor. Struggled through life, made something of himself. Remember that witnesses said that Chuck and Gerald fought a few days prior to Gerald's death? What if Chuck was Gerald's son. What if Gerald was less than happy to hear from him? After all, the affair had almost cost Gerald his marriage at the time. What would happen if the son from that affair suddenly showed up?"

"Amazing!" Jessica said staring at Riley, obviously impressed.

Riley kissed her, "Let's win this thing. I want to go somewhere where we can be alone for a while."

Jessica nodded, scribbled the motive on the sheet and handed it to Virginia.

"Congratulations to Candy and Donald, Sally and Jeff, Anita and Ralf." Virginia said twenty minutes later as Jessica and Riley stood with Virginia and two other couples at the front of the room. "We had several people determine that the killer was Chuck. Some had the correct motive and the wrong evidence, or the correct evidence and the wrong motive but these three couples got all three correctly. You've won a voucher for the jewellery store. You can go and pick an item for yourselves. Enjoy the rest of your stay." Virginia ended to a round of applause.

"Do you see anything that you like?" Riley asked fifteen minutes later as they browsed the jewellery store.

The voucher was for a certain price range but Riley said he'd pay the difference if there was something that Jessica really liked.

Jessica looped back to the items that fell in the price range of the voucher.

"I like that magnifying glass charm." Jessica said pointing at a small magnifying glass made out of gold.

"You don't have to stick to this price range Jess." Riley said looking at the magnifying glass.

"I know. But it reflects what we did together. Detectives use magnifying glasses. I want something that symbolizes that. Please?"

"Sure. Whatever you want." Riley said and minutes later they walked out of the jewellery story with the magnifying glass in Jessica's purse.

"Where to?" Jessica asked, hooking her arm with Riley's.

"Well, I booked the top of the Eiffel tower for us tonight."

"Really?" Jessica demanded. "I love it."

"Me too except I'm afraid I might not be able to keep my hands off of you when we're alone. We might end-up, you know ..."

"I don't want you to keep your hands off of me." Jessica said pressing against him, "I don't want to keep my hands off of you."

"Good." Riley grumbled. Holding hands they ran to the Eiffel Tower. 

"This is so beautiful." Jessica whispered, standing at the huge window in the top room and looking down on France. 

"You're so beautiful." Riley growled into her ear, his hot breath sending tingles down her spine. Jessica turned to face him and he pulled her against him, brought his lips down to hers. As they kissed Riley slid his hand under her shirt, under her bra, pulled her nipple. Jessica rubbed her hands on his chest, his abdomen, slid her hand down his pants and grasped his erect cock eliciting a moan from Riley. He hastily undid her pants, pulled them off, pushed her against the window, lifted one of her legs and stroked her clitoris while he kissed her. When Jessica came he lifted her up onto him, and she wrapped her legs around him. Slamming her back against the window he thrust into her, harder and faster until they both came.

Turning Riley carried her to the centre of the room where a picnic basket sat, a blanket on top of it. With one hand he spread the blanket as much as he could on the floor and lay Jessica down on it. Leaning back on his knees Riley looked at her, and then brought his hands to her tits. After teasing her nipples to erection and eliciting louder and louder moans from Jessica, he lowered his mouth to a nipple, licked, bit, pulled it, then the other while his fingers stroked Jessica's wet pussy causing Jessica to arch against him.

"Your mouth ..." she whispered, her hands resting on his head and pushing him toward her pussy, "Eat me out ... please ...oh my God, now, please ..." she said urgently, arching even more.

Frustratingly slowly Riley kissed his way from her tit to her soaking and aching pussy. As soon as his mouth made contact with it Jessica thrust her pussy up and pushed Riley's head down maximizing the contact, and she gyrated her hips.

"Oh my God, oh my God!!" she kept saying, getting louder and louder until she ended with an explosive scream. Riley licked her pussy as it convulsed and he licked until Jessica lay limp and her legs twitched before pulling her to him by her waist and plunging his cock into her. Jessica wrapped her arms and legs around him as he pumped into her and after a moment she moaned and urged, "Harder ... harder Riley, yes, like that, oh my God!" Riley thrust so hard he wondered if he was going to poke a hole into her cervix. Jessica pumped with him and soon she was screaming again while her pulsating pussy battered his cock causing him to growl, head back, at the top of his lungs. 

"Christ Jessica." Riley said collapsing on top of her, nipping her neck as she nipped his. "You make me so horny ... I feel like a fucking teenager."




Lisa Ch. 09b



"Ditto." Jessica murmured.

"You pretty much are a fucking teenager." Riley said with a laugh, pushing up on his elbows to look at her. Jessica kissed his lips. 

"Age has nothing to do with it." Jessica said, "Horniness isn't measured in physical years ..."

Riley lowered his lips to her tit again. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you're odd. Sexy as hell, but odd." He laughed when Jessica crossed her arms over her chest with a humph. Unfolding her arms from her chest, Riley kissed her tit again, "It's one of the things I love about you baby." Looking up at Jessica, Riley's eyes twinkled with amusement before he tilted his head toward the picnic basket, "I had the hotel send a basket with some food, and wine. And there's an audio guide that will tell us about all the landmarks that we can see from here ..." Riley said, "but I want to keep you naked Jess. No one will be coming up here with us and I want to watch you, touch you, fuck you at will."

"Okay." Jessica agreed in a breathy voice, unable to hide how excited she was by the idea.

Riley kissed her all over.

"Wine?" he asked finally rolling off of her and opening the basket.

"Please." She said sitting up and rocking onto her knees she kissed the tattoo on his arm, then moved to his back, kissed down his back, his butt cheeks.

"Jess ..." he muttered as she pushed him forward so that he was on his hands and knees. She reached between his legs, stroked his cock, fondled his testicles, and slid her hand up to join her other hand in parting his muscular butt cheeks. Jessica lowered her face between his cheeks and licked his asshole, slid her tongue in it. "Jesus ..." he panted. Jessica licked down his crack, put her head between his legs and took his balls in her mouth, one at a time. Riley's moaning became louder but when she pressed her thumb in his asshole he lurched forward.

"What are you doing?" Riley asked. 

"Trust me." She said and tried to press her thumb in again. And again he tried to move forward. Jessica got on her feet, circled her arm around Riley's waist and said, "Trust me Riley. You won't be sorry."

Jessica began inserting her thumb again. Riley went stalk still, but he didn't try to move away. He could have easily. But he waited, gasping in discomfort several times, but eventually Jessica was able to get her thumb in far enough and got a good rhythm going and in minutes Riley felt pleasure beginning to grow. He began to rock with it. Five minutes later he yelled, gasped, shook.

"Holy fuck." He panted turning around and pulling Jessica down on to the floor with him. 

"That was your g spot." She said running her hands over his chiselled chest, resting it over his heart, feeling it pound hard and fast.

"I heard about that from Scott and Angus. What a weird fucking feeling. Is it like that for you?" Riley asked.

Jessica nodded.

"Except you ejaculate and I don't." Riley said, "That's just strange ... cumming without ejaculating."

"Mhmm." Jessica said as she kissed his neck, his chest, his nipples. Riley slid his leg between hers and she began to rub against it with her pussy.

Riley ran his hand down the length of her body, cupped her butt cheek, kneaded, squeezed, and then he took her knee and rolled her onto her back, spreading her legs out and up. 

"Your turn." He breathed into her ear, nipped her earlobe, nipped her neck and rammed his fingers into her, pounding away at her g spot harder and faster. Jessica panted, moaned, begged, arched her body against his, pressing her tits hard against his chest before screaming and ejaculating. It took several minutes before Jessica calmed down and they lay together.

"I love it when you make a mess." Riley whispered in her ear.

"Did I at least get it on the blanket?" Jessica asked.

"Mostly." He said and chuckled when Jessica looked worried and tried to sit up. "Just kidding." He said kissing her cheek, nipping it, then her lips. "We didn't mess up the floor, promise."

Jessica relaxed, sighing in relief and then pressed harder against Riley.

"I love you." She said.

"I love you." Riley replied while grasping her tit. "How bout one more time." He said, "Before we take a short break for food, drink, and audio tour?"

"You promise it'll be short, right?" Jessica asked as Riley brought his mouth to her tit. "The break I mean, not the sex." Jessica added causing Riley to make a throaty chuckle.

"I promise ..." he said and kissed his way down her stomach only to find Jessica's legs and pussy lips spread wide for him as his mouth moved below her pelvis. "I love it when you're so wet ..." he mumbled as he lapped her up.

When Jessica came she immediately got up on her knees pushed Riley back and took his cock in her mouth but before he came he pushed her back. "Turn around." He said, "Put your ass up, that's it ..." he growled and taking her by her hips he slammed into her asshole cumming after several thrusts and then collapsing on top of her.

"Am I crushing you?" he asked.

"A little." Jessica squeaked. Rolling off of Jessica he pulled her to him. 

"Sorry." He said kissing her. 

"If I have to be crushed by something or someone I want it to be you." Jessica said.

Riley chuckled, "Well, I'm glad I could oblige. So listen, do you want to have that wine and some food and listen to the tour? Maybe we can get through some of it before I want to devour you again."

"Okay." Jessica agreed and sat up when Riley did. He passed her the glass of wine he'd poured.

"We have grapes, cheese, apple, some bread ..." Riley said.

"I'm okay with wine for now." Jessica said taking a sip and getting up.

"Not so fast ..." Riley said grabbing her ankle before she could walk away. "Five grapes, two pieces of cheese and a slice of bread. That's the going rate to see the tour."

Jessica nodded and sank back down to the floor. Riley fed her the food and Jessica tried to enjoy it but it all truly tasted bland. And her stomach threatened to turn itself inside out again. 

"You're turning green ..." Riley observed.

"I can't eat anymore ... sorry ..."

"You did okay." Riley said. "Come on." He added after standing and extending his hand to her. Pulling Jessica to her feet, he went to turn on the audio tour. There was a button by the door. Jessica moved to the window and looked out. 

Riley watched Jessica for a moment and got an instant erection. He decided to leave her alone so she could get something out of the tour but within thirty seconds or so Jessica was looking for him. And when she saw his erection she moved to him, dropped to her knees and took him in her mouth. Riley couldn't bring himself to stop her. Instead he placed his hands on her head and thrust into her mouth. When he finally came, he lowered himself to his knees, slid his hand between Jessica's legs and fingered her to orgasm.

"Let's try that again." Riley said against her lips. Jessica nodded and the two of them went to the window. Riley pulled Jessica against him and they made it through fifteen minutes of the tour before they had sex again. And it went that way for the rest of the tour. Finally a voice came on over the speaker warning that the tower was closing in fifteen minutes.

"Shit." Riley said suddenly sitting up from where he and Jessica lay together after their latest coupling. He reached for his cell phone. "It's one in the morning. I lost track of time ... sorry Jess."

"Don't be." Jessica said her head lolling to the side, "I love the way you lose track of time ..."

"The guys are going to kill me." Riley added, "I completely tired you out."

"It was the wine. I'll be fine when we get to the hotel." Jessica said, barely able to keep her eyes open.

Riley dressed Jessica and then himself. "Come on baby, I can carry you back. I'll get the hotel to come get the basket and blanket tomorrow."

"I ... can ... walk ..." Jessica said quietly, but as soon as Riley had her cradled in his arms she was asleep.

At the hotel Riley knocked on the hotel suite door.

"What happened?" Jim asked in alarm when he answered the door.

"A lot of sex. Sorry guys but I wore her out." Riley said carrying her to the bedroom the other men following him.

"I'm okay ..." Jessica mumbled when Riley lay her on the bed. 

"We'll get you in the morning." Josh said crawling onto the bed and lying beside Jessica.

"I lost track of time otherwise I would've brought her back earlier or at least called." Riley said, "Sorry."

"It's okay." Angus said, "That seems to be a common thing when it comes to being with Jessica." The men arranged themselves around her and fell to sleep.

Jessica bolted upright, cutting off a scream a moment before it escaped her. She climbed off the bed and went for a shower. Fifteen minutes later she was in her pajamas and opening the suite door to find Rick, Abe, Chris, Mark, Justine, Caleb, Don, Quinn and Amanda in the hallway.

Amanda and Justine looked pretty tired, "We made them promise to wake us up if they got up." Amanda explained. "We wanted a night with you too before we go home."

They headed to the room at the end of the hall. Mark got Jessica, Amanda and Justine a cooler each and the whiskey for the men. 

They turned the sofa and the chairs to face the window and opened the blinds so they could see the replica of France twinkling in the night.

Amanda, Caleb, Don and Quinn took the sofa, Justine sat on Mark's lap on a chair, Chris sat on the floor in front of them and leaned on the chair between Justine and Mark's legs. Rick, Abe and Jessica each sat in an oversized chair.

"By the way Jess," Justine said, "I was finally able to convince Mark and Chris that I don't really expect them to sleep together. We wanted you to know so you don't worry about it."

"Good." Jessica said and it was easy to see that Mark and Chris were far more relaxed than they had been earlier. "Thanks."

"I can't believe that tonight is our second last night here." Amanda said.

"Me neither." Jessica said, "It's gone so fast."

"What should we do?" Rick asked.

"We should play a game. I can go down and get the cards." Don said.

"We play cards any time at home." Abe said, "We should play something else. Something different."

"Like what?" Amanda asked.

"I don't know." Abe said with a shrug.

"Any ideas Jess?" Rick asked. Jessica looked between Rick and Abe and wondered how they met. She suspected that they wouldn't tell unless they had to and she knew exactly how to make them.

"We could play truth, dare, double dare, promise to repeat." Jessica said.

"Huh?" Caleb asked.

"Justine and Amanda, you must know this one." Jessica said looking at the girls but they seemed as oblivious as the men.

"One person offers the option of truth, dare, double dare, promise to repeat to another player. The person picks one and then the original person can ask a question that needs to be answered truthfully if the person picked truth, or they have to do something that they are dared to do ... they can pass on a dare but not a double dare, or they have to repeat something. Usually that's something really embarrassing, like having Quinn say, 'I wear women's underwear.'"

"This is a real game?" Justine asked.

"A famous game." Jessica said with a nod.

"You start then." Mark said to Jessica.

"Okay. Rick, truth, dare, double dare, promise to repeat?" Jessica asked.

"So I have to pick one?" Rick asked.

"Yes and once you do you can't pick it again until you've gone through the others."

"Okay." Rick said thinking, then he shrugged and said, "Truth. Why do you look so happy?" Rick demanded when Jessica straightened up, clearly excited.

"How did you and Abe meet?" Jessica asked.

Rick stared at her, "You set me up ..."

Jessica nodded and giggled.

"For someone who can't lie, you're pretty sneaky." Abe said, a bemused look on his face.

"Answer the question." Justine said, "I want to hear this too."

Rick looked like he wasn't thrilled about answering but then he just sighed and downed the rest of his whiskey. "Through mutual friends." He said. "We soon realized that we had the same mission in life, same goal. It made it obvious that we should be partners. Why are you looking at me like that?" he demanded when Jessica, Justine and Amanda stared at him in a dreamy way.

"So you knew right away?" Jessica asked with a sigh.

"Well, yeah ..." Rick said.

"That it was true love?" Amanda added.

"Rick is about as romantic as a rock." Abe cut in when Rick stumbled over his tongue trying to deny that love had anything to do with it. "But yes, it was true love." Abe said and looked really amused when Rick glared at him.

"You're their romantic hero right now," Quinn said to Rick with a laugh, "Enjoy it."

"So, is it my turn?" Rick demanded. "Abe, truth, dare, double dare, promise to repeat." He said it in a tense voice.

"Promise to repeat." Abe said, and had to repeat multiple times that he was an asshole.

And the game continued. At one point Justine had to go downstairs to get her make-up so they could put it on Don as part of a double dare. They laughed so hard while they did it that even Don had to laugh eventually.

Finally Jessica picked truth.

"What is your best memory of your family." Abe asked and suddenly everyone got quiet.

"What kind of a question is that?" Chris demanded.

"What's wrong with it?" Abe asked, "We all wish we could give Jessica her family back but we can't. The next best thing is her memory of them. Good memories are never a bad thing."

"But if you don't want to answer Jess, that's okay." Justine said, glaring at Abe.

"It's okay." Jessica said, "But I have so many great memories ... I don't know if I can pick just one."

"You and your family seemed to be really close." Caleb said, "That's a good memory I'd think. I don't think any of us really know what that's like."

"I'd say we're pretty close right now, as a family." Jessica said.

"That's true." Caleb agreed, "I meant with blood relatives."

"Your best memory?" Don prompted.

Jessica nodded. "We were close. Really close. My brothers were the best. We called ourselves the four muskateers. We made it kind of a club and our friends joined too. We went everywhere together. That was great. Probably my favourite memory."  

"The four muskateers. Roaming around, helping people." Rick said and he seemed to really like the idea.

Jessica looked at him and giggled, "I don't know that we helped a lot of people but we did roam around together. A lot."

"Knowing you Jess, and the story you told about that boy and the drugs, I'm sure that you helped people." Mark said. Rick flashed Mark a smile clearly happy that Mark was on the same page as him.

Jessica shrugged and looked down at the cooler bottle she was holding. "Not the same kind of helping that happened with Trex." She said quietly, "Besides, helping almost always seems to result in someone getting hurt. And not always the helper."

"That sounds like a story to be told." Don said.

Jessica shook her head. 

"Jess you know I'm going to ask about it the next time you get to truth so you may as well just tell us now." Amanda said.

Jessica sighed. "One of my brother's friends was really into motorbike racing. Like we were. Well, it seemed that he and I had a stronger affection for it than my brothers did. When my parents forbade my brothers and I to go to these illegal races, my brothers listened. But, um, Brandon and I, not so much."

"So you were sneaking out of your house with this Brandon guy to go motorbike racing ... without your brothers?" Justine demanded.

Jessica nodded.

"And how old were you?" Justine asked.

"Thirteen." Jessica said.

"Jesus Christ Jessica, what the hell were you thinking?" Caleb demanded.

Jessica shrugged. "It was fine. Brandon was with me and if for some reason he wasn't one of the other guys from our club was. And Stew, the track owner was really nice. Actually, everyone at the track was really nice. That's why I felt so bad when my parents shut it down."

"Your parents shut down the track?" Mark asked.

Jessica nodded, "It was illegal anyway. But they didn't want me going there."

"How did they find out that you were going?" Rick asked.

Jessica shrugged. "I told them."

"You told them." Rick repeated. "Just out of the blue you told them you were going?"

"No, of course not. If I had it my way they'd never have known ... sorry." She added when she received unimpressed glares from everyone. "It was omission more than lying." Jessica said.

"So what happened?" Rick urged.

"Brandon was having an inappropriate relationship with his teacher." Jessica said. "One night the teacher's husband was murdered. The next day the teacher conveniently told the police about the relationship and that she had no idea where Brandon was the night when her husband was stabbed to death."

"Shit. Really?" Quinn asked.

Jessica nodded. "If my brothers friends were an extension of our family at the kid level, the police and FBI were an extension of our family at my parents level. We knew them all. Really well. They were at our place all the time. Took me to the movies, for ice cream. They were great ..." Jessica's voice faded.

"Jess ..." Rick prompted after a minute of silence. 

"So, of course we knew Brandon was in trouble right away. The thing was that I knew where Brandon was the previous night. The whole night. We were together, racing. I told the police, my parents flipped. It cleared Brandon but my parents shut down the track. Luckily there were so many high quality riders in the club, Stew managed to go pro. I think that's part of the reason he was so quick to forgive me."

"You asked for forgiveness from the track owner?" Caleb demanded.

Jessica nodded. "I felt so bad. But he was really nice. He said he would have come forward when he heard of the charges if I hadn't. 'No good sending someone up the creek to protect something as stupid as racing' he'd said.

"And what happened to you?" Rick asked.

"Nothing really." Jessica said.

"Oh, come on." Justine said, "Do you expect us to believe that your parents let that slide?"

"They grounded me for a month." Jessica said.

"That was it?" Rick asked.

"No." she said in a small voice and suddenly sounded like she was going to cry.

"What else did they do?" Rick urged.

"Lay off Rick." Amanda said moving to kneel in front of Jessica and take her hands. "You don't have to tell us if it upset you so much." 

"Did your father whip you?" Chris asked and he looked like he was remembering a personal experience.

"No, not at all, my parents weren't like that." Jessica said. "They never hit any of any of us, ever."

"So what did they do?" Abe asked.

"I had a horse. He was just like Ebony. Big, beautiful, wild. My parents had let me keep him because I promised to be safe on him. Only ride when they were there. Have him trained properly. My parents said that they couldn't trust me to do that anymore, since I hadn't listened about the track. So they sold him." Jessica began to cry and Amanda threw her arms around her, Justine did the same from behind.

"They sold your horse." Chris stated. "I think I'd prefer the whipping. Somehow, it seems less mean."

"Did you ever see your horse again?" Justine asked when Jessica stopped crying and sniffled while she dried her eyes.

"No. It wasn't until a couple of years later that they'd buy me anything that wasn't one hundred years old and as slow as molasses." Jessica said. "And even then it wasn't the same as Star."

"Didn't your parents do anything to reward you for saving your friend?" Don asked, "They seem like the type that would be proud of that."

"They were proud of that." Jessica said. "And they praised me a lot for that, but they were really disappointed that I'd been sneaking out. And I'm not sure that I ever made that up to them ..." Jessica began crying again.




Lisa Ch. 09b



"Jess ..." Scott said and Jessica looked up in surprise. He was kneeling next to Amanda. 

Jessica threw herself into his arms, and any restraint that she'd had was gone. Tears soaked his shirt as he rubbed her back, kissed her head and murmured reassurances.

Jessica was suddenly aware of Riley, Angus, Jim and Josh around her too. At least one of them was also rubbing her back.

"What kind of game are you playing?" Riley demanded, "Are you wearing make-up?" he directed at Don.

Amanda explained the game.

"This was a double dare." Don said pointing at his face, "I couldn't get out of it."

"You look real pretty." Josh said with a laugh.

"Thanks." Don grumbled.

"Jessica was telling us about another time she helped someone." Rick said.

"We know." Angus said, "We came in when she started and didn't want to interrupt."

"We should get Jess to bed." Jim said when Jessica was unable to stop crying.

"Sorry Jess." Rick said when Scott scooped her into his arms. Rick kissed her head, "I didn't mean to upset you so much."

"It's ... okay ..." she managed to mumble out. Everyone kissed her good night and Scott carried her back to bed where the men arranged themselves around her.

"Go ahead and cry Jess." Scott said pulling her to him. "I guess we know one of the reasons Ebony was so important to you." He added.

Finally Jessica reigned in the tears and turned onto her back so she could get as much contact with all of the men at once as possible.

"Your parents were pretty tough." Josh said, rubbing her foot in his hands. "Selling your horse was pretty drastic."

"They had to be." Angus said locking eyes with Jessica when she looked at him, "Obviously they realized what they were dealing with ... someone with no boundaries, no sense of self-preservation, no obedience. Don't' start crying again Jess, I'm not saying that to be mean. It's just a fact. That's just you."

"And we love you." Riley said casting a look at Angus, "Everything about you, even those characteristics that make keeping you safe a challenge."

"Exactly." Angus added.

"It should be easy." Jim said stroking her leg. "Given how transparent you are. But it's impossible to know what you're going to do in any given situation. It makes it complicated."

Jessica sniffled. Angus and Riley had begun stroking her stomach, Scott her other leg. Scott and Jim were working their way higher on her legs while Riley and Angus worked their way lower on her abdomen. 

"Could we have sex now?" Jessica asked.

"Try to stop us." Scott asked moving his hand the last couple of inches to her pussy making Jessica arch, bringing her tits into Riley and Angus' waiting mouths. 

By the time they passed out an hour later Jessica's throat was raw from screaming. Jessica slept better than she had in a long time and it was almost eleven by the time she and the men woke up.

"The boys ..." Jessica said sitting up.

"Relax Jess. I'm sure someone took them to the club." Scott said, "But why don't we get cleaned up and then we can call down to make sure."

"I'll call." Josh said, "And I'll be there in a second."

"The boys made it to the club." Josh said climbing into the shower and taking Jessica's leg from Riley. Scott was busy eating Jessica out. "And Justine is going to pick them up at one. Everyone will be here for lunch around that time too."

"Thanks." Jessica panted just before screaming as pleasure overtook her.

"That give us two hours to play." Angus said. "Are you up for it?" he asked Jessica while cupping her tits.

"Yes ... please don't stop." She urged when Angus took a tit in her mouth, Josh brought his mouth to her pussy, Jim to her asshole. Riley fed his cock into her mouth and Jessica took Angus and Scott's cocks in each of her hands and stroked.

By the time the two hours were up they were all overly relaxed. They snoozed for fifteen minutes, got dressed, and waited for ten minutes in the hotel suite before there was a knock at the door.

Jessica stood looking out the window wrapped in Scott's arms. But when the door opened the boys charged her and Scott and the next two hours were filled with chaotic conversation, laughing, and eating. The boys were so full of amusing stories about their last morning at the club that Sean and Abe managed to shovel food into Jessica without the use of the TV as a distraction.

Eventually they all went shopping. 

"Would you put this painting up at home?" Jessica asked her men, pointing to a beautiful night scene of Paris.

"Of course." Scott said, "But don't forget we'll be leaving home soon. We can't be sure we'll be able to take it with us."

"I know. But until we leave, it can remind us of our trip." Jessica said.

"Buy it then." Riley agreed.

"I'm going to pay for this." Abe said holding up an Eiffle tower statue, "I'll go with you to pay."

"Okay." Jessica said. She and Abe moved to the cash while everyone else continued to look around.

"I'll pay for the painting." Abe said.

"You don't have to do that ..." Jessica said looking back at him and bumping into someone.

"Excuse me ... are you okay?" a man said, placing his hands on Jessica's shoulders and righting her.

Jessica looked up at a middle aged man. Handsome and in good shape, Jessica blinked at him. He had a movie star look to him that made him look familiar.

Jessica studied his face for a moment.

"Oh dear, you really have to watch where you're going." A woman appeared at his side. Also middle age, but gorgeous. She linked an arm with the man but put a hand on Jessica's arm, "Are you okay my love?" she asked.

Jessica looked between them certain that she had bumped into a pair of celebrities. She felt like she should be taking advantage of the situation but for the life of her she couldn't place them.

"I'm truly sorry." The man added looking up at Abe. He seemed to blanch. Jessica noticed the woman do the same. Jessica looked over her shoulder. Her heart dropped when she saw the expression on Abe's face. He was furious and it showed. He looked dangerous. Very dangerous.

"It's okay." Jessica said quickly turning back to the man and the woman, "It was an accident. Excuse us please." Jessica said, took Abe's hand and dragged him behind her past the man and woman.

"What is wrong with you?" Jessica demanded. 

"People should watch where they're going." Abe said looking back in the direction of the couple who for a moment returned the look and then hurried away.

"It was an accident." Jessica said. "Geez, what is it with you clan people? Were you raised in barns or something?"

Abe seemed to give his head a shake.

"Jess, if you had a chance to go back to your life. Right now. Would you take it?" Abe asked.

"What? No." Jessica said. 

"You wouldn't?" Abe asked. "You could do everything you've dreamed of. School, work ..."

"This is my life." Jessica said, "I'm happy with my new family."

"So you wouldn't even try?" Abe asked.

"If I could have both I would. But that's never going to happen." Jessica said and began walking toward the cashier again. Abe followed but didn't say anything else.

They paid for the their items and found everyone again and still Abe hadn't said anything else.

"Excuse me for a few minutes." Abe said as they all moved to the next store. "I'll be right back."

It was half an hour later when Abe returned and he still looked upset about that couple. Jessica tried to talk to him about it but he seemed to be avoiding her. She couldn't get a moment alone with him.

Eventually he seemed to relax and Jessica gave up on talking to him and concentrated on shopping with the boys.

By six they were back at the hotel eating dinner.

It seemed a somewhat solemn affair, everyone realizing that it was their last dinner at the resort.

They dropped the boys off at the club at seven and Scott took Jessica's hand as they said goodbye to everyone.

"Are you ready?" Scott asked as they walked down the street. 

"For what?" Jessica asked.

"To throw self-preservation out the window?" Scott asked and laughed when Jessica's face brightened. "I can't believe I'm going to do this." Scott added. "The guys will kill me if anything happens to you."

"What are we going to do!" Jessica demanded pulling on Scott's arm. 

Scott leaned in to her ear and whispered, "Jousting."

"Yes!" Jessica yelled, pumping her arm in the air. "I heard they had that here! Let's go, come on!" she demanded pulling on Scott's arm.

Scott laughed the whole way to the castle. Jessica was deliriously happy the whole way there. In the arena they spent an hour learning the art of jousting without a horse, another hour on a horse, and by the third hour they began the competition. They didn't knock people off as part of the competition. Instead they used paint to indicate who got closest to a hit to the heart. This seemed to disappoint Jessica but she got over it quickly and proceeded to skewer many of the competitor that she played against. Of course, the competitors were other guests many of whom barely knew how to ride a horse so it wasn't a surprise when Jessica and Scott won many of the competitions. When it was Jessica's turn to compete against Scott, she refused.

"Jess." Scott said riding over to her, "It's a game with paint. We're not going to hurt each other. Come on, it's fun."

"Doesn't it feel weird?" Jessica asked. "Playing against one another?"

"A little." Scott agreed. "If you really don't want to we can stop."

"I want to stop." Jessica said. So they forfeited their turn. But even with that, Jessica and Scott were one of two couples that had the highest scores, so they won.

The prize was a voucher for the jewelry store.

"I know what we should get." Jessica said pulling Scott by his hand to the store. "I saw it the other night when Riley and I got the magnifying glass."

"Whatever you want ..." Scott said, laughing as he followed her. "It's perfect." He added when Jessica marched them up to a display case and pointed at a charm in the shape of a knight on a horse, his lance pointed forward. It was made of gold and had some gems in it.

"It costs more than the amount of the voucher." Jessica said, disappointed.

"I'll pay the difference." Scott said and he did. 

"Do you make jewelry alterations here at all?" Jessica asked the sales man.

"We resize rings, yes." 

"Is there any way you could add charms to this necklace?" Jessica asked touching the heart that hung from her neck.

"I think so." The man replied.

"By tomorrow?" Jessica asked.

"I can put a rush on it."

Jessica pulled the heart shaped stone, magnifying glass, and car from her purse and placed them next to the knight on the horse. Undoing her necklace she handed it to the salesman, "How much will it cost?"

"That doesn't matter." Scott said pulling Jessica closer, "I'll pay or it."

"Thank you!" Jessica said kissing him.

"Come back tomorrow morning around 11, it should be ready." The salesman said.

"Now for the next part of our night." Scott said when he and Jessica left the store, "And again, the guys are going to kill me for this." 

"What is it?" Jessica asked, perplexed when Scott stopped in front of some lockers. He produced a key, opened a locker and pulled two canvass bags and two suit bags out of them.

"This is for you." He said handing one of the canvas and suit bag to her. "There's a wig, make-up and a dress in there." He said, "I have a wig, fake mustache and a suit."

"Are we going to the casino?" Jessica asked, "Please tell me we're going to the casino!" she said getting excited.

"How'd you figure that out?" Scott asked.

"What else do we need wigs for? And a fake mustache? Come on, let's go!" 

"Okay, okay ..." Scott said, laughing. They each went into the castle bathrooms and when they met in the hallway they barely recognized one another.

"That mustache actually looks good on you." Jessica said.

"Not one for facial hair I guess?" Scott asked.

"Not usually." She said sliding into his arms and stroking his mustache.

"Better not do that." Scott said, holding her at arms length and looking her up and down. "Or we'll never make it to the casino. I mean as much as I like you with that dress on I'd rather see you without it ... and that hair. Red suits you baby."

"Thank you." Jessica said with a smile.

"Just remember." Scott said as he hailed a cab, "No card games for you. Stick to games that are between you and a machine ... at least the machine can't see right through you." He added when they climbed in a cab and Jessica looked at him with a perplexed expression.

"Okay."

At the casino they had so much fun. Scott did well at the card games, Jessica won some money at the slot machines, and it was one in the morning when Scott slid onto a seat at the penny slots next to Jessica.

"Jess, the guys and I have a surprise for you. We want to role play with you. Now. Are you up for it?"

"Yes!" Jessica said excited. 

Scott chuckled, "I thought you'd like that. So two things. First, we have to pick a scenario. I thought of three possible ones. You could pick one of the three or come up with one yourself."

"Pick your favourite one." Jessica said, "And keep the other two as a surprise for next time."

"I don't have a favorite." Scott said, "I don't think I could choose so pick a number from one to three."

"Two." Jessica said. 

"Good choice." Scott said with a sultry cock of his brow, as he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed.

"Hey." Jim said, Scott hitting speaker on his phone, he held it between him and Jessica.

"Hi." Jessica said smiling up at Scott.

"Hi baby." Jim said, "We're all here. Where are you? It sounds busy."

"We're at the replica casino." Scott said and winked when Riley growled, "You're where?"

"The casino but don't worry we're wearing disguises. You won't even recognize Jess when you see her." Scott answered. There was silence at the other end of the phone but after a few moments Riley muttered, "I hope you're fucking right."

"I believe I have a pretty good track record." Scott said with a laugh. 

"So Jess picked scenario two. You guys know what to do, right?" Scott asked into the phone.

"We're all set." Jim replied. 

"Riley and I may need some sidebars." Angus said, "I'm not sure how good I'll be at this."

"It's okay." Jessica said, "It's just for fun. There is no right or wrong way to do it."

"K Jess ... we'll do our best." Riley added.

"I will too." Jessica replied.

"K, we're heading back to the hotel now. Taking a cab, we should be there in about fifteen minutes." Scott said and hung up the phone. Jessica grasped Scott's hand in both of hers as they waited for a cab. She was so excited she bounced with eagerness next to Scott for the whole cab ride back to the hotel. Even the cab driver, who had seemed anything but impressed to be working, was smiling by the end of the ride.

In the elevator Jessica pressed against Scott. She played with his mustache. "I wonder what that would look like after you ate me out."

"Probably like a drowned rat, but there's only one way to find out for sure." Scott said in a throaty voice. 

"Mmm, I can't wait." Jessica said as the elevator door opened on their floor. Scott guided her out of elevator but rather than go to their main hotel room, where Jessica had expected her men to be waiting for them, Scott turned right and went to the room at the end of the hall. 

At the door Scott gave Jessica a mischievous grin and said, "The rp starts now."

Jessica gasped as Scott pulled her in front of him suddenly, forcefully, and pulled her arms behind her back. Swinging the hotel door open Scott pushed Jessica inside the dimly lit room. Following her in, Scott tightened the grip on her arms, bruising her, as he kicked the door shut behind them.

Jessica looked around the room and gasped. With Scott propping her up, Jessica's mouth hung open and her mind was slow to comprehend what she saw. Amidst the flickering candle light of several dozen well placed candles, stood her men. Stock still. Wearing leather. Black, studded, chained, leather. They looked so dangerous. Sexually, and in every other way, they were terrifying. And Jessica loved it. And just as her mind began to come to terms with her men and what the sight of them was doing to her body, it turned its attention to the room and what the men had done to it. 

They had moved all of the furniture out of the way except for a large, heavy, and ornate desk. Behind it stood Jim. He held a large, spiked gavel in his hand as he stood statue still and stared at Jessica. On either side of him stood Riley, Josh and Angus. Along the walls of the room stood five torture devices. The same ones they'd seen at the museum. Jessica's mind went blank as her pussy exploded soaking her undies, her pants. It squeezed, hard, her clit quivering hard. Her tits suddenly felt too large for her bra as her hard nipples pressed against it ... goose bumps covered every surface of her body as the men gave a collective groan, cumming in their pants. 

Jessica moaned, whimpered, she wanted her clothes off, her men on her, in her. She wanted to feel those studs and leather on her skin ... ultimately their flesh on hers ... she wanted their cocks in every hole she had, stretching her, pounding her, filling her. As if reading her mind Josh stalked toward her and without a moment's hesitation he tore her shirt open, ripped her bra and pants off. In seconds Jessica was naked before them, and Jessica was certain he'd be in her but instead he moved back to his place next to Jim. Jessica whimpered with need. Back in his place Josh seemed be fighting the urge to return to her ... Jim, Riley and Angus strained toward her as if they too intended to take her. But much to Jessica's disappointment they stayed where they were, chests heaving from the effort. Scott pulled Jessica back against himself, hard and Jessica could feel his cock straining against his pants pressing into her ass cheeks. She was about to beg the men to take her when Jim slammed the gavel onto the desk three times. Each strike made a noise so loud that Jessica jumped, startled.

"Court is now in session." Jim's voice boomed. He locked his eyes on Jessica's "You stand accused of sexual witchcraft. We will hear evidence today of your sorcery and if found guilty, you will be given a suitable punishment. But before we begin I will advise you that should you need to stop at any time, you are to say 'mercy'. It will stop everything, immediately, do you understand?" Jim paused and in his regular voice he said, "Okay Jess ... if anything hurts too much, just say mercy and we'll stop."

Jessica nodded, "Okay." She said in a breathless whisper.

"Very well." Jim said resuming his deep, loud, voice and Jessica was impressed with how convincing he was as a judge. "I call as the first witness, the Mayor of our town, Mr. Joshua."

"Wait." Angus said, "Before we start ..." he stalked over to Jessica. Muscles rippling under the leather ... he looked so sexy ... they all did, Jessica felt like she was going to explode. "Great disguise babe," he said playing with a few strands of the hair from the wig, "But do you mind if we take it off? I want to fuck you when you look like you."

Jessica nodded and Angus pulled the wig off, the bobby pins in her hair, out, and fluffed up her hair. 

"Thanks baby." He growled. "Fuck you soon." He added and moved back to his spot leaving Jessica vibrating with need.

"Mr. Mayor." Jim prompted.

Josh took a step forward, locking his eyes on Jessica. "As the Mayor of this fine city my integrity is beyond reproach. You can imagine my surprise when I found myself drawn to the stockade quarters and to the accused in the middle of the night. Once there the accused, through her sexual witchery, made me find her pussy. With my fingers at first. Her spell had me fingering her very wet hole ... stretching it, preparing it. She made my cock hard and then she made me ..." Josh paused, covering his face with his hands and shook his head, very convincingly conveying embarrassment. 




Lisa Ch. 09b



"Mr. Mayor, what did the accused make you do?" Jim prompted.

Josh lowered his hands and locked his eyes on Jessica, "She made me take her pussy with my cock. She was so wet, so tight ... your honor, she made me cum in her."

"My apologies Mr. Mayor," Jim said, "but I am having a hard time visualizing the events in your testimony. Re-enact them."

"Yes your honor." Josh said and moved to one of the devices by the wall. He lifted it and brought it to the middle of the room. Jessica's pussy squeezed as she watched him place the stockade on the floor.

"We bought all of these devices." Scott whispered in her ear, his hot breath sending shivers of anticipation down her spine. "We each picked a favorite since you liked them all. The stockade was Josh's. You can pick one too baby, we'll buy it."

Jessica tilted her face into Scott, "Okay ... thank you, this is so hot."

"Mmm, it's going to get hotter." Scott said with a sexy laugh.

"The prisoner was in the stockade." Josh said, "Serving her sentence for some minor offense."

"Place her in the stockade." Jim said to Scott, who silently dragged Jessica to the wooden devise, forced her to bend over and locked her in by her head and hands. 

"Continue with your testimony Mr. Mayor." Jim said when Scott moved away and Jessica stood shuddering with anticipation in the middle of the room. 

"Thank you." Josh said from behind Jessica. Suddenly, without warning, he landed a stinging slap on Jessica's ass cheek, and then the other. 

"Oh!" Jessica gasped, feeling her ass cheeks turn pink and the sting from the slaps seemed to travel down to Jessica's pussy making it squeeze hard and into her pulsing pussy Josh rammed two fingers ... and Jessica came, squirting onto his hand.

"Oh fuck ..." Josh moaned, panting filled the room and Jessica's knees felt weak as she shuddered even harder with anticipation.

"Your honor," Scott said in a strangled voice. Jessica tried to see Scott, he stood just beside her but far back enough that she couldn't see him. She was so restricted by the stockade in fact that she suddenly realized how vulnerable she was. Had she really been serving a sentence naked and alone in a stockade, anyone could help themselves to her. Inexplicably that turned her on, a lot. It made the pit of her stomach ache with need.

"Yes Father?" Jim replied.

"As one of the highest ordained priests in the land, I too am a man of honor. And I can collaborate the Mayor's testimony about this young, sexy, witch and her enticing ways. I too was beckoned from my bed in the rectory, late at night. And she led me to her tight, pink, asshole. Making me part her sexy asscheeks, like this ..." Scott said and Jessica felt his hands prying her cheeks apart, "I was compelled to suck on her asshole. Your honor, look at that hole ... how can one resist that?" Jessica moaned, as she heard movement around her and she realized that the men had moved to stand around her, looking at her asshole. 

"That is a beautiful, pink, puckered hole." She heard Angus say in a low, guttural growl.

"And it tastes so good." Scott said, "It's so tight that it takes a lot of dedicated work to draw it out."

"Did she make you play with her clit Father?" Angus asked, his voice so throaty Jessica's pussy clenched. "As the foremost business man in this community, I was very surprised to be summoned to her in the middle of the night. She made me part her pussy lips, wide and suck her already swollen clit between my teeth, gnaw it, over and over, as she nearly drowned me in her juices making my face slide against her pink, quivering meat."

"Oh!!" Jessica screamed as her pussy convulsed and she came hard squirting all over the floor, the men cumming seconds later . They must have worked their cocks out of their pants because Jessica felt cum shoot onto her back and tits.

"She made me play with her clit." Riley said as he moved into her view. Locking eyes with her, Riley moved closer, his cock, covered in cum and hard again, vibrating as he brought it to her lips, tracing them with his head. The other men moved into view also and Jessica's breath caught. The leather outfits accentuated every rippling muscle in their bodies ... the leather crotch of their pants showing of their huge balls even as their cocks hung out. "As the head of police here in town, I am above reproach in my behaviour, but I somehow found myself with my cock in her mouth one night after eating her pussy out. It was like I was in a trance ... unable to resist fucking my cock deep in her throat. And when I came ... she ate it. All of it. Swallowed my cum as if it were milk."

Riley dipped the head of his cock between Jessica's lips and pulled out ... teasing her, and when Jessica tried to take more he pulled back. It was easy to see by his expression that denying her his cock took a lot of effort. His dark eyes flashing with need never left hers eliciting whimpers of frustration from Jessica.

"You won't tempt me again young witch..." Riley said in a husky voice. "Beware your Honor," he added, and Jessica could see Jim from the corner of her eye. His cock, hard and vibrating, stuck out from his leather pants and he was rubbing its tip. "She will lure you into her wickedness also and once you've been in her you have to go back. Over and over. It's an addiction," Riley continued in a low, hypnotic voice, his expression softening as he watched her, "the feel of her on you. Her taste ... it will take over your life."

In the flash Jessica could see the whole story. 

"Please sir," she whispered, eyes still locked on Riley's. "I beg of you, let me go. If you care about me at all, let me live a normal life."

"Care about you?" Riley asked as the other men moved closer and Jessica scanned their faces before returning to Riley's. They were curious and she could see a hint of uncertainty creeping onto Riley's expression. She nodded encouragement. Clearly the men had a storyline in mind. They could pause the game and compare ideas, Jessica and Scott had done that early on in their role plays. But they later advanced to the point of making it up as they went along and it was far more rewarding that way. For a moment she worried that she would shake Riley, Angus, Josh and Jim's already fragile confidence in their abilities to be creative but then Riley returned her nod and seemed back on track when he said, "How could I, Chief of police, upstanding citizen, care about a poor peasant girl, put in the stockade for stealing a loaf of bread. Using some dark powers to lure my distinguished colleagues and me to her at night to perform unspeakable acts?"

"I know you cared because you gave me pleasure." Jessica said, her voice shaking with need. She was so turned on. She shifted her eyes to Angus, "You all did. While the other men would come and take what they need never once caring about my satisfaction, you men began to take your time with me." She slid her eyes to Josh, "Stroking my clit." She looked to Scott, "Fingering me ... sucking my nipples, pinching and pulling ... making me squirt. That was the first time I was in the stockade two years ago. You never let me see who you were, so when I was released I was so nervous about every man I saw. Never knowing who had taken me. I'd tried to leave town and somehow I'd been accused of stealing and ended up back in the stockade." Jessica paused to catch her breath. She was so wet and horny, and the men were moaning, cocks vibrating in her face. "And you came to me again, telling me never to leave town. When I was released again you began taking me whenever you could catch me alone. Always coming up behind me, blindfolding me. And that was okay for a while. You would feed me, make sure I had clothing, a roof over my head. But you could never give me what I really wanted, a relationship. A husband. A family. And I understood that. You had always told me you would never give up your lives for me. But when I wanted to leave, start over somewhere, have a family of my own, I ended up here. Please," Jessica added, sweeping her eyes back to Riley, "Let me go." 

Jim cleared his throat. "Is this true gentlemen?" he asked.

"It was you too." Jessica said looking at Jim and catching her breath ... the studs on the crotch of his pants made his cock look even more appealing, if that was possible. His head oozed pre-cum and the veins in his cock seemed to bulge more. "I recognize your voice." She added when Jim looked taken aback. "You like to spank me as you take me from behind ..."

"You are a witch and you made me do those things." Jim replied.

"I'm not a witch." Jessica replied, "I'm an innocent girl who wants nothing more than to start a new life. Please let me go and I won't breathe a word of this to anyone. I promise."

"We can't." Scott jumped in. "Someone saw us with you in the square. We must protect our reputations ... there must be a trial."

"But if you can prove you are not a witch, you will be free to go. If not ... you will be in the stockades for the rest of your life. Understood?" Jim asked with a moan. Jessica shuddered, so close to cumming.

"How can I prove I'm not a witch?" she managed to ask.

"There are tests for that." Josh said and from the tone of his voice Jessica knew that the tests were going to be extreme. She couldn't see the other devices but she remembered that the ones she'd seen around the room were some of the most scary ones featured in the museum. 

"Tests?" Jessica whispered.

"Tests ..." Riley growled and moved alongside her where Jessica couldn't see him. Suddenly his fingers were parting her pussy lips. "Pussy torture tests." He added as he slammed three fingers into her, "A witch can escape the pain ... a normal peasant girl can't."

"Oh God!" Jessica exclaimed and came, soaking Riley's hand, her pussy squeezing his fingers hard.

"Fuck!" Angus growled as he joined Jim, Scott and Josh in spraying their cum all over Jessica's face. Moments later Riley exploded, covering Jessica's tits and belly with his cum. 

Jessica heard movement around her but she couldn't open her eyes. Cum caked her eyelids. She heard a scuffling sound and knew the men were moving something heavy around. Suddenly her hands and head were free and she was pulled upright by the neck. A huge, strong, hand gripped her neck and gave her a slight shake.

"Wipe your eyes." Josh commanded in her ear, "With your fingers ... and lick them clean."

Jessica did, and made sure to lick her fingers in the most suggestive manner she could. She was rewarded with Josh's low growl in her ear. When she could see again she saw that the men had dragged over a device that looked absolutely terrifying. It looked like a wide saw horse with two large stakes sticking out of it. The stakes were covered in bristles and to the front of the first stake there was what looked like a pin cushion with many tiny pins sticking out of it. Protruding from the back of the sawhorse was a post and from it protruded a metal pole with a tray resting at the end. Suddenly Jessica was lifted between Josh and Riley and carried to the device. Jim had lowered the body of the sawhorse, much to Jessica's relief, and she soon found herself straddling it as it lay at her feet. Angus pushed her back against the upright pole and Scott fastened a harness that Jessica hadn't noticed around her, effectively pinning her to the post.

"I love when your tits are covered in our cum." Josh said, giving her right tit a small slap. "That's what peasant girl tits are for ... covering in cum, and slapping." He added, slapping her tit again, only harder. He paused and examined Jessica's expression. "Baby," he said leaning in closer, "You're sure you're okay with this?"

Jessica nodded, "I am Josh, I promise I'll say mercy if I don't like something. Are you okay with it?"

"Maybe too okay with it." Josh said and caressed her right tit, now pink from his slaps, "There's rough and then there's rough. This may end-up being more than any of us expected."

Jessica looked around at the other men who seemed to be second guessing themselves also. 

"I want this. It's a game I want to play with you. And I like rough ... I trust you." Jessica said. "I know you're acting and I will be too. Anything that is real will be prefixed with mercy. Otherwise, it's acting."

"Okay." Josh said when the other men nodded agreement. "So," Josh said, back in character, "Are you prepared to admit that you are a witch?"

"No." Jessica replied and a chill ran down her spine when the expressions the men wore simultaneously shifted to dark, seductive, sadistic, delight.

"Very well." Jim said and nodded to Angus and Riley who ducked down behind Jessica. There was the sound of gears turning and the sawhorse as well as the tray above it rose up several inches closer to Jessica. Jessica shuddered as she realized that the tray had about a hundred tiny pins sticking out of it, tips up.

"This should be a little higher." Scott said and raised the tray until it was at Jessica's belly button height. "And these," he added, crouching near the stakes, "should be aligned with your holes ..." he paused as Angus pried Jessica's ass cheeks open. Scott moved the stake until he seemed satisfied with its location, and then with his one hand he spread Jessica's pussy lips wide open, and moved the other stake until it aligned with her pussy hole. He then moved the pin cushion closer to it. "Every time you refuse to admit you are a witch, we will raise these parts of the machine. Eventually these stakes with their rough and pointing bristles will be in your pussy and asshole. These pins will be pressed into the pink flesh of your pussy," he added running his fingers over the pins on the pin cushion, "and these pins will be pressed into the underside of your tits. The only way to avoid being skewered is to admit that you are a witch and that you seduced us into fucking you."

"Never ..." Jessica whispered.

"That deserves raising these two notches." Riley said and growled in anticipation as he and Angus raised the sawhorse and tit tray two more levels. Then added another. Jessica gasped. Suddenly the bristles at the tips of the stakes were pressed against her pussy lips and ass cheeks.

"You'll notice that we left your hands untied." Scott said, "And that's because you are expected to keep them behind your back at all times. No matter how painful things get, your hands are not to move forward to protect yourself. And conveniently, they are available to provide relief for us. It is stressful testifying against you." Scott added while sliding his hard, vibrating cock into Jessica's hand. Riley put his in her other hand. Jessica clutched them, moaning as she gave a short, fast flick of her wrists, twisting and stroking their cocks near their bases. She was so happy to be touching some part of them that she gasped with pleasure. It didn't take more than a few strokes before Riley and then Scott came. Their cocks were quickly replaced by Jim and Josh's. Jessica stroked them and then Angus and as Angus came Jim began lifting the stakes and tit tray higher. And he didn't stop. Jessica felt her ass cheeks spread apart by two strong hands and realized it was Riley, and suddenly the prickly bristles on the stake were entering her tight asshole and pussy. Throwing her head back, Jessica cried out as she came ... hard. Soaking the stake in her pussy. Jim kept raising them and soon the stakes were almost fully in her holes, the nails dug into her tits, and the pin cushion parted her lips as it pressed into her meat. Crouching next to her pussy Josh spread her lips and the pulled them down over the pin cushion, pressing them onto it and Jessica had a moment to realize that she was glad that neither the nails or the pins were real ... they were modified versions of themselves. Pointy enough to cause discomfort but not sharp enough to do real harm. And the men had lathered the bristles in lube. She may not have noticed in her pussy as much but she definitely did in her bum ... and then one of the men must have pressed a button because the stakes began pistoning into her, like the fuck machines had back at home. The pin cushion vibrated and suddenly she was cumming, screaming long and hard as the bristles rubbed against her cervix and clit. It wasn't until she sagged in post orgasmic bliss that she realized that the men had cum too, spraying her. 

But the men didn't take time to ride out their orgasms. Jessica found herself removed from the stakes and carried over to a large metal x that had materialized in the center of the room. It was upright and Jessica realized that this was 'the wheel'. Women were to be tied open on the x, hands and legs spread. But the men were altering things and Jessica found her arms tied to the top of the x and then her legs spread and raised, her ankles tied next to her hands. Her legs were pulled so far back that her pussy and ass were horizontal to the floor and open to the men. Jessica could see them. Riley and Jim pushed her knees flat against the arms of the x and tied them as well, making Jessica's pussy and ass into table top.

"Perfect." Scott said delivering a stinging slap to her pussy. Her lips were parted because her legs were and the slap landed on her soaking wet pink meat and clit. Jessica moaned as her pussy quivered. "Just what we've always wanted." Scott continued, sliding his thumb into her pussy and giving her gspot several hard, fast, jabs. "Our own human candle holder." And he chuckled when Jessica gasped and gave him a worried look.

"Maybe rather than the stockade we'll just mount you on the wall like this." Angus added, "Bent like a pretzel, pussy out, ass out, mouth ..." he said shoving his fingers into Jessica's mouth, "out. Tits," he added organizing her tits so they were fluffed out in between Jessica's legs, "Available ..." he continued with a growl, pinching her nipples, pulling and twisting them. 

"Oh!" Jessica screamed and came, a fountain of her juices spraying out of her pussy straight up into the air.

"Mmm ... our own water fountain." Josh add and opening his mouth wide he covered Jessica's pussy with it and slurped. Sealing his lips around her pussy lips, he sucked. Jessica felt her clit, her meat, her hole, getting suctioned into his mouth and she came again, screaming as Josh gulped down her juices.

"Holy ... fuck!" Jim exclaimed, the other men growled and Jessica felt their hot cum spraying her thighs and sides.

Josh lifted his head from Jessica's pussy and his face was glistening wet. Licking his lips he said, "You are delicious."

"She is." Scott agreed. "Best pussy I've ever had." He slid his fingers in Jessica's pussy, bent them and turned them inside her. Pulling them out, slick with her juices he smelled them, inhaling deeply before sliding them into Jessica's mouth. "Taste yourself." he said as Jessica sucked his fingers clean. "You taste good, don't you?" he asked when there was no more of her cum to clean from his fingers. Jessica nodded. 

"So good," Riley said lying his hand on Jessica's pussy and leaning in closer to her, "that we'd be crazy to let it go." Riley's voice was sinister and the way he stared at Jessica caused shivers to run down her spine. "No one saw us fucking you. And we know you're not a witch. But you, trying to leave, is unacceptable. This is your punishment. And when we're done, that will be your new home." Riley turned to point at a cage that stood tall and narrow by the wall. "There are access holes to your mouth, ass, pussy and tits. You will be available to us twenty-four seven." 

Jessica shuddered, her pussy squeezing. 

"That's right." Scott agreed. He was holding a candle in his hand and looked from it to Jessica as the fingers of his other hand spread her pussy lips wider, "And maybe we'll still put you out at night in the stockade for the other men in the village to use. And if you ever think of leaving again, remember what we'll do to you ..." Scott ended, a dark, hungry expression on his face as he locked eyes with Jessica and tilted the hand that held the candle. Jessica screamed as the hot wax landed on her clit. Head back, eyes closed, Jessica struggled to escape the heat. Scott righted the candle and as the severe heat began to fade Jessica worked to catch her breath, her clit vibrating under the wax. Her heart pounded, adrenaline rushed, and she was surprised by how much she liked the feeling. Opening her eyes Jessica saw the red, melted wax on her pussy, and something about it turned her on so much. A moan escaped her. Looking up at Scott she found him watching her with concern. Glancing at the other men she found them doing the same. But their cocks were rock hard and vibrating. So tantalizingly close to her but she couldn't reach out and touch them, suck them, or slide onto them. That frustration coupled with the pulsing of her clit made Jessica's pussy explode. The suddenness and intensity of it had Jessica's head back as she screamed uncontrollably, her body tensing, her pussy squirting.




Lisa Ch. 09b



"Fuck!" Josh yelled. And the next thing Jessica knew the wheel was lowered and Scott was straddling her, his cock slamming into her pussy, behind him she could see Josh and she felt him fucking into her ass. Angus pulled her head back by her hair and slammed his cock in her mouth, deep down her throat, and Jim and Riley slid their cocks into her tightly bound hands and fucked in and out as Jessica gripped their shafts. The room was filled with the sounds of moaning and Jessica thought she was going to explode out of her skin. As the men pounded into her harder they began making noises that had Jessica's pussy and ass squeezing her so hard it almost hurt and when Riley and Jim began slapping her tits, Jessica came undone. Screaming hard on Angus' cock her whole body convulsed and then the men came. Snarls filled the room and Jessica gasped as Jim and Riley's hands constricted on her tits, squeezing hard. Angus' hands, which held her head in a vice grip, squeezed so hard that Jessica wondered if her skull would crack. Scott's hands on her sides, Josh's on her ass, all bruising her. And she loved it ... as the men's cocks jerked and sprayed into and on her, Jessica came again. She screamed long and hard and her pussy, ass, mouth, hands milked the men's cocks so hard it was likely they'd be as bruised as she would. 

Neither Jessica or the men knew how long the screaming and cumming continued but eventually there was nothing but the sound of panting. Angus pulled out of her mouth and crouched by her head kissing her neck, cheek, lips.

"Fuck baby, sorry I fucked up the role play. We had a bunch more shit planned but I just needed to be in you." Josh said. He was still in her ass, caressing her cheeks with his hands, and he looked over Scott's shoulder. Jessica had lifted her head when Josh spoke so Scott leaned down to kiss her but he paused over her tits.

"Shit baby, Riley and Jim squeezed the shit out of your tits ... they're still blue." Scott said.

"God ... sorry Jess." Jim said, kneeling next to her now he kissed the tit nearest him gently, "I kinda lost control."

"Fucking understatement of the year." Riley added kissing the one nearest him, "Sorry baby."

"Don't be." Jessica said in a voice hoarse from screaming. "I loved it. You made me cum so hard ... thank you."

"I fucked the shit out of your throat baby, are you okay?" Angus asked caressing her neck.

Jessica nodded, "I think I just lost my voice from screaming."

"You screamed a lot," Scott agreed looking at her with appreciation, "The wax wasn't too much?"

"No," Jessica said shaking her head, "It was hot." Jessica giggled when Scott cocked an eyebrow at her double entendre. "It reminds me of the hot water game." 

"Good, we'll do it again then." Scott said with a smile. "I'd planned to completely cover your pussy in wax, wait for it to harden, and then peel it off with a knife ... there's something appealing about digging around in your pussy with something sharp." He added, his voice guttural again. "But I think this was good enough for the first time."

"You really like that idea." Angus commented when Jessica's breath caught and she shuddered with anticipation.

"God you're so fucking hot." Josh said when Jessica had nodded enthusiastically.

"Fuck yes." Jim said, grinning at Jessica.

"You guys are too." Jessica said, "You're great at role playing. I had no idea you had such great acting skills."

"I don't know about our acting skills, but it was fun baby. We have to do it again, but I think we've done enough for tonight. It's late, we should get you cleaned up and to bed." Riley said. 

Jessica nodded, "Can you show me the other devices first? Did you really buy them?"

"We can, and we did. We thought you may like them as a souvenir of our trip." Jim said as he and Riley worked to untie Jessica's hands and feet. 

"Oh, wow, I do. Thank you." Jessica said as Angus scooped Jessica into his arms.

"No baby, thank you for letting us use them on you. You're a lot of fun to play with." Angus said kissing Jessica when she gave him a flattered smile. "So this is the cage that Riley mentioned." Angus said carrying her over to the tall metal apparatus that stood by the far wall. 

"Not much room. Once you're in there you're pretty much held in place." Scott said. "Hole here for pussy access." He added sticking his hand in an opening in the bars. "One for your ass, and one for your mouth." He continued.

"And this is for rope play." Josh said standing next to what looked like a miniature crane. Angus brought her closer, and Jessica looked up at the crane perplexed with how it would work. "You hang from it." Josh said with a chuckle, "In a million different ways. Horizontally gives us the best access to all your holes. Rope tied tight around your tits, hands behind your back, suspended by your chest and ankles. Bent backwards, trussed up for our use." Josh said in a deep, aroused tone. "We can even hang you by your tits from it while we spank your sexy ass." 

Jessica imagined that, remembering the exhibits in the museum that illustrated similar uses for the device. 

"Fuck I can't wait to get our new house with a sex room. Set these fuckers up and play in there a lot." Riley said.

"God yes." Jessica agreed.

"When we do, we'll buy another one of your choosing." Angus said. "But right now we should wash our spunk off of you and get you to bed before we degenerate into another fuckfest."

"It's okay if we do." Jessica said.

"Baby, you can barely keep your eyes open." Riley said, "We told the others not to come up here tonight but just in case ..." Riley added draping a housecoat over Jessica.

"How are we going to take these things home?" Jessica asked as Angus carried her to the door.

"Riley and I'll clean up and take the devices to a storage facility. Don't worry baby, they'll be waiting for us and our new home." Angus said.

"Tonight?" Jessica asked with incredulity. Pushing up from Angus' chest Jessica looked between him and Riley.

"As soon as your asleep baby." Riley replied.

Jessica looked back at the devices. "Why don't we help you? It'll go faster with all of us helping."

"We'll be fine." Angus said continuing out of the room, down the hall and into their main hotel room.

"What time is it?" Jessica persisted, "It's late ... please let us help you."

"Josh and I will help." Jim said, "It's Scott's night with you anyway. How about he washes you up, puts you to bed, and the rest of us will take care of the toys."

"Sound fair?" Scott asked Jessica as Angus transferred her to him.

Jessica nodded as she snuggled into Scott's arms. She was surprised to find Scott shirtless. He had stripped down and Jessica sighed with contentment as she traced his muscles with her fingers. 

"Good distraction." Josh said with a chuckle and leaned in to kiss Jessica's forehead, "Good night baby. Can't wait to fuck you in the morning."

The other men kissed her too and disappeared into the hallway.

"Shame that cum can't be a fashion accessory." Scott murmured as he carried Jessica into the hot tub and lowered both of them into the hot water. "I love seeing you covered in it."

Jessica giggled and kissed Scott's chest before her head lolled back on its own. Struggling to keep her eyes open Jessica murmured, "I love being covered in it."

"Mmm ... you always will be baby." Scott added as he slid his hand along her stomach, between her legs, and cupped her pussy. "You really liked that wax on your pussy didn't you?" he asked slipping his finger between her lips and gently caressing her clit, "You really have no limits ... unfuckingbelievable."

Jessica fought to stay awake, "Did your other girlfriends have limits?" she asked in a groggy voice. Scott's finger stilled and Jessica whimpered her dissatisfaction, managing to rock her pussy on his hand.

"I didn't have girlfriends baby ... just fuck buddies." 

"Oh yeah ..." Jessica murmured, "Did they have limits? Oh nooo." Jessica complained as Scott's hand disappeared from her pussy entirely. 

"Jessica, look at me." Scott said his fingers cupped her chin and tilting her face toward him. Jessica struggled to open her eyes and when she did she found Scott looking at her intently. "I've never role played before you. Never. Never role played, never made love, never was in love, and never wanted anyone as much as I want you. You're my first in so many ways Jess, I want you to understand how unique you are in my life. I have been with many women in the past, that's true, but baby, none of it has been like anything with you. Do you understand?"

The seriousness of Scott's voice pulled Jessica out of her sleepy haze. 

"I do." She said bringing her hand to caress his cheek. Scott's eyes, so deep brown, and swimming with emotion mesmerized Jessica. "I love you Scott. With every fiber of my being, every part of me, I love you."

"I love you too." Scott said and brought his mouth to hers. He kissed her fully but gently. "Let's get you cleaned up. I'd love to fall to sleep after making love to you." 

Jessica nodded and they fell into silence as Scott washed Jessica. Her hair, every part of her body. Every touch of his strong fingers was an erotic pleasure and it only intensified when Scott laid her back on the bed all pink, warm and clean. Crawling over her, Scott lowered himself on Jessica, his mouth taking hers again while his cock slid into her pussy. Jessica wrapped her legs around him, tight, and they became one, their bodies moving together in silent waves that intensified as they both felt the strange orgasmic sensation growing. As it washed over them they clung together silently shaking and shuddering, sleep over taking them as their orgasms tapered off.

Jessica awoke with an orgasm. When she opened her eyes she found Scott and Jim holding her arms above her head and nipping and sucking her tits. Angus had his ass in her face, straddling her, eating her out. 

"Good morning." Riley said when she opened her eyes and backed over her face on his knees and slid his cock in her mouth. Josh was busy licking and prodding her asshole.

"We have about half an hour." Riley said when they'd all cum, "Before we need to pack and leave the room."

"So we have a lot to do to you in a really short period of time." Angus said.

"It'll go faster if you keep your hands to yourself till we say otherwise." Josh added, "Okay?"

Jessica nodded.

"Good." Riley said, "then get on your hand and knees."

Jessica did, and gasped when she was quickly invaded in every orifice. Angus wrapped his fingers around her tits and squeezed. 

"Who says we need elastics?" Angus muttered just as Jessica screamed with pleasure.

An hour later they had packed, eaten breakfast with the rest of the family and now everyone milled around in the lobby as Riley and Sean took care of the bill. Jessica and Scott had gone to the jewelry store to pick up the necklace. They'd done a great job of adding the charms to the necklace and Jessica couldn't stop running her fingers over them as they hung around her neck as she stood in the gift shop looking through postcards.

"Excuse me." A man's voice said. Jessica looked up to see the man and woman she'd bumped into the other day. "We just wanted to apologize again ... make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine, thank you." Jessica said. When the man and woman were silent, studying her, Jessica began to feel uncomfortable. She put the postcard that she'd been looking at away. "I really should go."

"That man you were with." The woman said, "Seemed very angry. He didn't hurt you at all?"

"Abe?" Jessica asked in surprise. "No. He'd never hurt me. Um, excuse me please, I really should go."

"I'm sorry. It's just that we feel like we know you somehow." The man said, "Have we met before?" 

Jessica looked at the man and the woman and suddenly an image flashed in her mind. This man, this woman, at her house. They were friends of her parents. She knew them alright.

"Um, excuse me." Jessica said and rushed out of the store. Looking around she saw the boys, the girls, Chris and Mark but no one else from her family.

"Hey Jess ... what's wrong?" Leah asked when Jessica linked arms with her.

"We have to go." Jessica said.

"What?" Leah asked.

"Now. We have to go now. Find Sean and the others, I'll tell Chris and Mark. We need to get on the bus and go. I'll explain later."

"Okay. I'll take the boys, meet you at the bus."

Jessica nodded, looked at the reception desk and felt panic growing when neither Riley or Sean were there. 

"Chris, where is everyone?" Jessica asked.

"Outside. Sean and Riley paid. They went out to load the bus. What's wrong?" Chris said.

"Jess?" Mark prompted when Jessica looked around the room with a terrified expression on her face.

She grabbed Chris' hand, Mark's hand and dragged them over to Justine.

"Let's go. Now. Are Rick and Abe outside too?"

"Everyone is." Chris said.

"Come on." Jessica said.

In the parking lot Riley, Angus, Scott, Jim and Josh were on their way back to the hotel, worry etched on their faces.

"What's going on Jess?" Riley asked.

"I'll tell you once we're driving. There's no time, please, let's go." Jessica said.

Jessica paced the aisle of the bus as Riley drove. She kept looking out the windows and it wasn't until they were on the highway with hardly another car in sight that Jessica dropped onto a seat and exhaled.

"Can you tell us now?" Riley asked, looking into the rear view mirror as he drove.

Jessica nodded. "It was Senators Bernard and Delia ... the man and the woman I bumped into." Jessica said to Abe. "They're friends of my family. I ran into them in the gift shop again and they thought they recognized me from somewhere ..."

"Wait, you bumped into someone?" Angus asked looking between Jessica and Abe.

"It's more like they bumped into her." Abe spat. "I knew that was suspicious. Damn it."

"When did this happen?" Sean asked.

"Yesterday at the store where Jess bought the painting." Abe said.

"And you didn't think to tell us about that?" Corey demanded.

"No ... I didn't. Sorry." Abe said.

"It's bad, right?" Jessica asked looking around at everyone, terror evident in her expression. "Do you think they called the police? Are they going to hurt you?" Jessica continued, grasping Angus and Jim's arms.

"Shhh, shhh." Jim said and pulled Jessica onto his lap. "Everything is okay. Shhh, relax, okay? Just breathe."

"Jess, did you get the feeling that the senators knew who you were? " Riley asked, "Or did they just find you looked familiar?"

"I don't know." Jessica said, "I guess they didn't know who I was or they probably wouldn't have let me go ... right?" she asked suddenly brightening and sitting up straighter on Jim's lap. "I mean, if they knew who I was, they would have stopped me. So they can't know ..."

Silence hung in the air as everyone evaluated Jessica's relief.

"Jess. You could have gone home." Josh finally said, speaking what everyone was thinking. "They would have taken you home..."

"I am going home." Jessica said but then she understood what Josh meant. "I could never, ever, do that." She said quietly and looked around at everyone. Even the boys looked burdened. "We have an oath." Jessica said looking at her men, "And a pledge." She added looking at everyone else. She felt tears come to her eyes, "I told you that I don't want to go back." She added looking around at her family but when they didn't look convinced she added, "You wouldn't abandon me would you? If your families came back?"

"I don't think any of us would consider it abandoning." Leah said reaching out to stroke Jessica's hair. "If you returned to your world."

"We know you love us." Justine answered, "And we love you. It must have been a surprise, to see friends of your family like that. No one would have blamed you if you'd gone with them."

"I don't ever want to leave you." Jessica said glancing around at her family, tears filling her eyes. "Ever." She repeated when she looked at Jim, Josh, Scott, Angus and Riley when he glanced in the rear view mirror. "I don't think I could live without you."

"I know what you mean." Riley said locking eyes with Jessica in the rear view mirror. "Come here."

Jessica made her way to the front and when she was standing next to Riley he wrapped his arm around her. Jessica hugged him back.

"You saved us again baby." Riley added with a wink. "When we get home I'll express my gratitude to you properly. Now go get some rest. You look really tired."

"I'm okay." Jessica said.

"Will one of you guys take Jess for a nap?" Riley called back.

"Come on babe." Angus said coming up and taking Jessica's hand. Jessica followed Angus to a seat at the back of the bus. Angus leaned his back on the side of the bus, put his legs up on the seat and pulled Jessica down so she was lying on him.

"I won't leave you." Jessica mumbled against his chest.

"I know babe. I know. Go to sleep now."

Jessica fell to sleep for an hour and then went to sit with the girls.

"We came up with a ton of designs for the dress we want you to wear to our wedding." Sara said, waving her notebook at Jessica, "We thought you could pick which one you like."

"Is that a new necklace?" Justine asked reaching to pick up the heart around Jessica's neck.

"Josh gave it to me." Jessica said, "And I each of these ..." Jessica said lifting the other items one by one, "are from each of my nights with the men. The jewelry shop put them on as charms for me." 

"That was a good idea." Leah said. "What do you have?"

Jessica walked through the charms beginning with the diamond that looked like a heart. The girls sighed dreamily when they looked at it. 

"I can't believe they all fit onto your necklace." Angus said. Jessica looked up in surprise. She hadn't realized that the audience exceeded the girls but it seemed like everyone was listening.

"They did a great job, and now I can keep reminders of the trip with me always." Jessica replied.

"This was quite a trip." Corey said.

"Busy." Sean agreed.

"And the weddings are next!" Jessica said, clapping her hands. 

"We have so much to do!" Sara agreed and the girls went into detailed planning. Jessica chose her dress from the sketch pads and spent a lot of time looking at the dresses the girls were making for themselves.

Finally they pulled into their driveway.

"I know it's not a resort." Jessica said standing with her men looking at the house. Scott and Josh each with an arm around her, all of them with a suitcase in hand. "But I missed it. It feels good to be home."

"Amen." Riley said, "And you know what? It's early and hot enough that we could go to the pond for a while."

That was met by a chorus of cheers.

They spent the rest of the day at the pond. When they came home Jessica and Scott hung the painting from Paris in the living room. That evening they had a bonfire and jammed late into the night.

When everyone went to bed the men went to the studio with Jessica.

"Do you have plans for tomorrow?" Riley asked Jessica as he slid his hand under her shirt, grasping her tits and pushed her back against Josh. 

Jessica nodded, "Visit Elsie ..." she gasped as Riley pulled her shirt off and took her tits, one at a time, into his mouth. Josh and Scott pulled her pants off, Josh sliding his fingers into her butt crack. Riley moved to the side, hitched up one of her legs and took her tit in his mouth again. Scott did the same with her other leg and tit. Jim knelt down and began licking and nipping her pussy, removing his mouth long enough for Angus to dip his fingers in her and then slide his fingers, covered with her juices into Jessica's mouth.

"Then we'll have to be aggressive in order to get you enough time to sleep." Riley said and came when he saw Angus slide newly wetted fingers into Jessica's mouth. The others came as well, including Jessica with a resounding scream. "I said I'd show you my appreciation when we got home." Riley whispered into Jessica's ear, "My appreciation of you. Well, it begins now ... I need you over the back of the couch."




Lisa Ch. 09b



Jessica nodded and tried to move to the sofa but she found herself hovering over the ground instead. Scott and Jim had a leg each, Josh and Angus an arm, and Riley shoved his fingers in and out of her mouth as they carried her to the sofa.

"On her back." Riley said and Jessica found herself laying over the back of the sofa on her back, her legs held wide open by Scott and Jim, her tits mauled by Josh as he slid his cock into her mouth, Angus was sliding his fingers into her asshole and Riley lowered his mouth to her pussy.

"Keep your hands behind your back." Josh said, "No matter what happens." And is if to prove the point he pinched her nipples, hard. Jessica stopped herself from bringing her hands up just as a huge orgasm rocked her.

"No time for leg twitching." Riley said stroking her sensitive clitoris and nipping her thighs when they twitched. "Come on baby, control your legs, and cum again." He said stroking her clit harder. Jessica gasped and twitched and worked hard to keep her hands behind her back as her asshole, tits and mouth were poked, prodded, and stretched beyond their means. And within minutes she was screaming in pleasure again.

The men had to carry Jessica back to the house, she was completely spent. 

"Let's see if she gets up in the middle of the night now ..." Angus muttered before falling to sleep.

Jessica slept until morning.

The next morning Sean and Abe barely had time to get food into Jessica before she was running out the door. Mark went with her so he could see the therapist if the therapist would see him.

Jessica visited with Elsie and Mark got an appointment but it would be an hour later, so Jessica left him at the home and went to town to get wedding gifts for the girls. 

"How'd it go?" Jessica asked Mark as they drove home.

"Good. Really good." Mark said. "I don't have to give any names or information about the specifics of what happened. I think Dr. Sanders will help a lot. How about you? What did you get for the girls?" Mark asked. 

"I had the pics that Scott took of each of the girls and their men blown up." Jessica said handing an envelope to Mark. "I got frames for them too. I want to get something else too but I need some ideas."

"These are great." Mark said looking through the pictures. "The girls will love them. As for more gifts I think this is enough. You've given us the best gift already ... happiness." 

Jessica smiled at Mark. "Thanks."

"So when do you plan to see the therapist?" Mark asked.

"Me?" Jessica asked in surprise.

"We did say we'd both get therapy."

"True. I don't know." Jessica said, "Maybe when we get away from the clan."

"Jess, you've been through a lot. You need to talk to someone about it." Mark said.

"I can talk to you." Jessica said in a super sweet voice and batted her eyelashes at Mark.

"I meant a trained professional." Mark said in exasperation, but he smiled despite himself. "You're cutesy antics may work on your men Jess but they sure as hell won't work on Abe and Sean. Don' t make me drag them into this."

"Okay, okay," Jessica said in mock fear, holding a hand up in surrender as she drove, "Pull out the big guns why don't you." 

"I'm serious."

"I am too. Okay, I'll make an appointment the next time we go see Elsie. Is that good enough?" Jessica asked feigning anger.

"Yup." Mark said with a laugh and a shake of the head, "Why do I feel like I just strong armed Bambie?"

"Bambie?" Jessica demanded slapping Mark's arm. "Did you just call me Bambie?"

"Just drive." Mark ordered, laughing as he dodged another swat.

"Fine Thumper." Jessica said with a humph as they pulled into their driveway. "I guess it's time to decorate the pond for the weddings." Jessica said noticing the strands of lights that the girls were on the lawn untangling. "Are you nervous?" she added when Mark gulped.

"I've never been married before, so yeah." Mark said, "And knowing Justine, Sara, Leah and Amanda, they'll plan something really out there. Something us guys won't even understand." 

Jessica laughed as she and Mark got out of the car.

"Thank God you're here." Leah said, "Mark, the men and boys are at the pond. They need your help landscaping for the wedding."

"Landscaping?" Mark asked and gave Jessica an 'I told you so' look.

"And Jess, if you can help with these lights real quick, we need your help inside picking patterns for the men's suits. We've decided to make them." Sara said, and Mark groaned.

Jessica couldn't help but laugh, "Going traditional, excellent." She added and laughed even harder when Mark groaned again.

"Do you have something against suits?" Justine asked Mark in a teasing way while going into his arms for a kiss.

"You looked superhot in a suit for dinner at the resort." Jessica said in her innocent voice, batting her eyelashes again, hardly able to contain her laughter.

"I can be superhot in a speedo." Mark said, "And it's way more comfortable."

"Speedo!" Justine exclaimed in mock disgust, swatting Mark on the chest.

"Okay, okay," Mark said raising his hands in surrender, "I'm just the groom, what do I know. I better go, I can hear the men calling me." He added cupping his hand to his ear and moving to the barn quickly as Jessica and the girls broke into a fit of giggling laughter. When they finally stopped laughing they spent fifteen minutes untangling the lights and then moved into the house. 

Justine, Sara and Amanda were at the sewing machines working on dresses while Jessica and Leah sat at the dining room table scouring over magazines and patterns of suits. 

"I know you don't want to use the suits the men wore for dinner." Jessica said eventually, "But there was something about the jacket of the suits my men wore that I liked and can't find in any of these magazines.

"Oh yeah?" Amanda asked moving from her sewing machine, "Be right back." She added heading down the hallway to the bathroom.

"They were nice." Justine agreed.

Leah shrugged, "Yeah but I don't remember them enough to see a difference between them and what we're looking at." She added pointing at the magazines before her and Jessica.

"The men have them in our room, I can get one if you want." Jessica offered. 

"Oh yeah, get it." Sara agreed so Jessica went to get one of the jackets and as she was passing the bathroom door she heard the sound of someone vomiting.

Trying the doorknob Jessica found it locked so she pounded on the door, "Amanda?" 

"Be right there." Amanda replied in a strained voice.

Jessica stared at the door and wondered if Quinn, Caleb or Don had called Doc. Moving to her room Jessica grabbed the suit jacket and then dialed Doc on her phone.

"Lass," Doc answered almost immediately, "All okay?"

"Hi Doc. Yes, fine. But, um, you offered to give me a physical once. Any chance you could do one for all of us? No one here has ever had one and there seems to be an eating disorder issue here ... plus I'm having trouble keeping food down."

"You're sick?" Doc asked.

"Not exactly." Jessica replied, "At least I don't think I am. But Amanda is. Doc, she vomits up her food on purpose, to lose weight."

"Right. No problem. There's nothing urgent at the moment correct? Because I will be busy over the next few days. I can come by next week."

"Busy?" Jessica asked as a chill ran down her spine. Doc usually wasn't busy unless Paul was.

"Oh no lass," Doc said getting the gist of what Jessica was thinking, "I've got some seminars to attend. Can never stop learning in the medical field." He added with a laugh.

"Oh, okay." Jessica replied trying to imagine the conversation between Paul and Doc when Doc asked to go to the seminars. "Have ... fun."

"Not likely." Doc said with a laugh, "See you next week."

"Thanks Doc."

Back in the living room the girls inspected the jacket Jessica brought out but Amanda wouldn't look Jessica in the eye. The girls finally agreed that the jacket was a certain style of cut and found the patterns that used it. With that narrowed down Leah and Jessica easily found a pattern that they liked and the other girls liked it as well.

"The guys are lucky they have these suits. We can get sizes from them, otherwise they'd be our pin cushions." Justine said with a laugh.

Jessica tried to laugh but she was concentrating on finding a way to bring up Amanda's latest vomiting incident. Finally she just blurted out, "I called Doc. Just now. He'll be here next week for our physicals." She locked eyes with Amanda as she spoke.

"Why can't you just let this drop?" Amanda demanded, "Puking up your food is working just great for you too. What's the big deal?"

"Amanda!" Jessica gasped, her jaw dropping. "I am not puking on purpose! I'm asking Doc to look me over to find out why I'm vomiting so I can stop. You're a beautiful woman, why are you doing this to yourself?"

"Yeah, right. Whatever." Amanda said.

"Manda, do you honestly think Jessica is lying about that?" Leah asked, "Really? Have you seen her play poker?"

Jessica flinched. At least being transparent had its uses.

"Fine." Amanda snapped and glared at Jessica, "If you say so. Why don't you just leave this alone. You don't have to fix everything Jessica, especially not things that are none of your business."

"You're really not thinking this through are you?" Leah demanded. 

"And you're being rude!" Sara snapped, "If Jessica kept out of things us girls would all be back home, single, disrespected and miserable. What is wrong with you Amanda?"

Amanda nodded. "I'm sorry Jess. I do appreciate what you've done for us, but you didn't grow up in the clan. You can't possibly know what it's like."

"We grew up in the clan." Justine said, "And we're not puking up our food."

"But you're skinny. All of you are skinny." Amanda said and swung her eyes on Jessica, "Do you know what it's like to be a fat person in the clan? Have you seen any fat people in the clan? No. Because there aren't any. They all skinny up or wither away. You want to be invisible in the clan ... be fat."

"You're not fat!" Jessica exclaimed appalled that Amanda would feel she was and that the clan would create such an environment.

"I'm not now but I have to be very careful. And I used to be. As a girl." Amanda looked to Leah, Sara and Justine, "Remember? You three were always skinny as twigs and I was always fat. Fat and ignored." Amanda continued, swinging her eyes back to Jessica. "You know the guys ignored us when we were kids but when I was fat everyone ignored me. Even you." Amanda added, looking back at the girls.

"Oh, Amanda." Leah said in a voice filled with emotion, "I'm so sorry."

"Being ignored isn't as awful a thing as you may think it is Amanda." Justine said quietly, "There were some people I wished ignored me. I just assumed they did the same to everyone but I guess you were spared." 

"Spared?" Amanda demanded, "I don't think I'd call it that."

"What people?" Leah asked Justine.

"Kevin." Justine said and shuddered.

"He was such an asshole." Sara agreed.

"Um," Jessica said unable to stifle a shudder even though she had never met Kevin, "What did he do to you Justine?"

Justine shrugged, "Things."

"Like." Leah prompted.

"He'd touch me and make me touch him."

"Oh no!" Leah groaned.

"He said he was teaching me. Since I didn't have a brother to teach me, like you and Sara did." Justine said to Leah, "He said it was his duty."

"Oh ew!" Sara exclaimed, "Corey never, ever, ever, did that to me."

"Sean neither." Leah said. 

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Jessica asked.

"No one would have believed her." Leah said, "At least not anyone who would have the power to stop him. Kevin was being groomed to be the head of the clan. He could do no wrong."

"There was that." Justine agreed, "But Kevin told me he'd kill my parents if I told. He said no one would even know he did it, it would look like an accident."

"Oh my God what an asshole." Leah exclaimed.

Justine nodded, "He even proved it to me. Remember when my dad's legs got crushed under the car he was working on?" She asked looking at the girls.

"No!" Sara said.

"Yes." Justine said in a hushed voice. "He brought me out to watch. No one else was around, Dad was under the car, couldn't see ... Kevin said if I warned him he'd have the car come down on Dad's head instead of his legs ..." Justine continued, tears running down her cheeks now, "and then he flipped a lock on one of the car jacks holding the car up and the car fell ... it knocked the other jack out from under it ... Dad screamed so loud. I never forgot that. Never."

"Oh Justine!" Leah exclaimed tears running down her face. She pulled Justine into her arms and the other girls converged around them in a group hug. Jessica, Amanda and Sara were crying too.

"What's going on?" Jim's voice broke into the sniffles and sobs. 

"Jess?" Josh added.

"Justine?" Chris asked.

The girls looked toward the door in surprise. All of the men stood just inside it looking sweaty, dirty, and worried. As Quinn swung the door shut Jessica could hear the sounds of the boys playing shoot 'em up outside. Jessica moved into Josh's waiting arms and felt incredible comfort when he closed them tight around her. Justine's story created a knot in her stomach that threatened to expel any food she had in it. She took a moment to bury her face in Josh's chest and when she looked up she saw Chris pull Justine into his arms, Mark rubbing her back, Amanda move into Don's arms, Quinn and Caleb looking confused as they moved closer, Sara melt against Sean, Leah against Corey. Moments later her view was blocked by her men.

"Why are you all crying?" Riley asked in a bewildered tone, cupping Jessica's chin and turning her face toward him.

"The girls have to tell you, I can't." Jessica said between sniffles, "It has nothing to do with me."

"Leah?" Corey asked.

For the next ten minutes the girls reiterated the conversation they'd been having and at the end all of the men looked like they'd been kicked in the balls.

"That motherfucker!" Chris thundered.

"Fuck." Sean swore, "Shit. I think our mother knew." He added looking at Leah with a stunned expression. "Right after Glen's accident she made me and my dad swear that we wouldn't let Leah date anyone in the clan. She repeated it over and over almost every other day after that."

"That's why you wouldn't let me date?" Leah asked in astonishment. "Then I take back all the times I thought you were an asshole." She added and shrugged when Sean gave narrowed his eyes at her.

"I can't believe it." Riley murmured, "After Kevin's father disappeared Glen practically adopted him."

"Your parents did too." Angus added, "Took care of him like they did me."

"Well he had a funny way of showing his gratitude." Justine sobbed, "He wasn't the least bit sorry about breaking my dad's legs ... he smiled at me the whole time. And then he had the nerve to brag about it to Paul." Justine added.

"Paul?" Mark asked. "Paul who?" Mark continued grasping Justine's chin and lifting her tear soaked face from Chris' chest.

"Paul!" Justine said.

"That's impossible." Riley said, "Justine, that can't be right. You were what, twelve, when Glen had his accident? That was a good five or so years before we ever even heard of Paul."

Justine shook her head and managed to get her sobs under control, "I saw him."

"How?" Chris demanded.

"I was in the car. Kevin took me for 'a ride' as he often did." Justine said with contempt in her voice, "Paul pulled up alongside us on the road," Justine continued motioning her head toward the road, "And Kevin told him that my dad's legs snapped like twigs ... even laughed about it."

"What did Paul say?" Abe asked. He and Rick had been hanging back near the door and both looked as stunned as her men.

"Good." Justine said.

"That's all?" Abe asked.

Justine nodded. "Good, and he drove away."

"What does this mean?" Scott asked. He looked around the room, "Aside from the fact that Kevin isn't the person we thought he was. Why was he talking to Paul? Kevin would've only been nineteen, Paul, what, forty-five, forty-six? What possible reason would they have to know each other much less be meeting on side roads?"

"Only two ways to find out. Kevin is in prison ... not really accessible. That leaves Paul but I doubt we'd get the truth." Riley said.

"Give me that pain enhancing drug we used on Earl and a knife and I'll find out." Chris said in such a sinister voice that Jessica shivered. Josh pulled her closer and Jessica snuggled in to him. It was clear from the reactions around her that the connection between Kevin and Paul was significant and worrisome. And if something worried her family, especially her men, Jessica couldn't help but feel the seeds of fear begin to grow in the pit of her stomach. 

"Even you have to admit that there are some people and circumstances that warrant violence." Chris said to Jessica, misunderstanding her reaction.

All Jessica could do was nod. She wondered if she could ever again justifiably condemn violence. To do so after what she'd done and allowed, was beyond hypocritical. Dropping her forehead against Josh's chest she looked up when his strong fingers tilted her chin up. She managed a feeble smile in an attempt to make the worry in his eyes disappear but it didn't seem to work. Glancing at the other men she saw them watching her too. 

"Baby." Riley said the expression on his sedingt her from Josh's arms to his. She cupped his cheeks and looked up at him blinking back fresh tears.

"Are you okay?" she asked her voice laced with fear. Riley's skin was ashen, clammy. 

"Baby ... baby ... I'm okay. Shhh ... listen." Riley said. "Something is very, very wrong with this picture. Before my parents went to jail they insisted that there was a clan member destroying the clan from the inside. They warned me to be careful. I ignored their warning after ... after it seemed as though my mother was the insider. And then your Godfather ... you said that he believed someone inside the clan was having clan members arrested and then killing them off in prison. Now we find out that Kevin staged an accident and he was talking to Paul. Baby, we have to find out the truth."

"Riley ..." Jessica began but let her voice trail off. She had no idea what she wanted to say.

"We have to find out if everything that has happened over the past nine years could have been avoided. Our families jailed and killed, your family ..." Riley continued, "I know you'll say it's the past and it won't bring back any of the dead, but baby, Paul is still alive. Alive and planning something. Maybe we can stop further bloodshed. And I'm not suggesting any change to our plan for leaving the clan and getting immunity. We will turn Paul over to the police, as planned, but let's get some information out of him first." 

Silence fell as Riley and Jessica stood looking at one another.

Jessica nodded but she couldn't hide the sadness she felt at the fact that everyone in the room seemed to be missing the biggest point about the story. Both Justine and Amanda's parts. She understood why the men were focussing on Kevin and Paul and the mystery around their connection, but it seemed like that was all they were paying attention to.

"Don't look at him like that Jess." Chris said, "It wasn't his idea it was mine. I'm sorry I'm not the pacifist you'd like me to be but sometimes, as you well know, there are times when you have to check your conscience at the door and do what's unconscionable, but right."

"Yes. Of course." Jessica said quietly, "I agree, answers are required. I am completely on board."

"Really?" Angus asked, "Then why are you looking at Riley, and us, like we've completely disappointed you." 

"I am?" Jessica asked looking back at Riley with a bewildered expression on her face. 




Lisa Ch. 09b



"Yes." Jim said when Riley only stared back at her, "you are."

"I guess I am disappointed." Jessica said, "But not because you want to torture the truth out of Paul." 

This time Riley looked bewildered, "Why then?" 

Jessica shrugged and glanced around the room. "You've heard two very painful accounts from two girls in your clan and rather than pay any attention to that you all jump to the part about Glen's broken legs and Kevin and Paul knowing one another. No one seems to care that Justine and Sara suffered, that Justine still pukes to keep her weight down so no one ignores her, that Beth was likely telling the truth about Kevin raping her and she suffered incredibly pain being shunned by Angus and the clan, that Pam killed herself and no one knows why. Given what I've just heard I'd say it's very likely that something horrible happened to her and Josh what you did to her was awful, yes, but I really doubt that it alone contributed to her death. I guess I'm incredibly disappointed in the fact that despite how good you all are to me, you're still misogynists. And no," she added glancing around at the shocked expressions on her men's faces, "Being my Masters during sex, tying me up, hot wax, none of that stuff is what makes you misogynists. I like that too, I participate ... it's play. But when you can't take the vulnerability of women in your family seriously, there is a problem. And it's sad because despite what you've done in your lives, despite the people you've killed, you are, at your core, good men." She paused before extending her eye contact beyond her men to the others. "And on top of all of this, even the girls don't value themselves. It's a miracle they ever stood up to you Sean, way back when you tried to send them home." Jessica swung her eyes back to her men glancing between them. "I'm going to the studio. I could use an hour alone ... to think. Maybe find a way to get the drug from Doc because there is no way he's just going to give it to us. If you want to come too," she said looking around at her men, "that's okay, but I'd prefer some space." And with that Jessica weaved her way past everyone to the door. Outside she waved off the boy's requests for a game of shoot 'em up, and climbed up to the studio. Once inside she was surprised to see that her men hadn't followed her.

She grabbed her guitar and sank onto the sofa. Strumming it absentmindedly, Jessica was surprised by how affected she was by Amanda and Justine's revelations. She knew that the disappointment she felt was unfair. Every male in her family had come so far in the way they treated the females in the family. They were respectful, loving, kind. It only took her a few minutes to shake off the disappointment and turn her attention to the more complicated matter of Paul and the truth. Jessica gnawed her lip and tried to think of a way to get the serum from Doc and answers from Paul. She was roused from her thoughts by Jim saying her name. Looking up she found her men in a semi-circle before her.

"It's been an hour." Josh said and Jessica nodded. Standing she made room for Josh to sit on the sofa and she settled on his lap.

"I've got that." Jim said holding his hand out and nodding at her guitar. 

"Thanks." She said handing the guitar to Jim and snuggling back on Josh's lap. "I have a couple ideas about Doc and Paul." She said but her voice faded when she looked up at Scott, Riley and Angus who were still standing. She glanced back at Josh and then at Jim as he returned from putting her guitar away and sat next to her and Josh on the sofa. "I really did need to be alone. Thank you for letting me."

"You're welcome." Angus finally said when none of the men had responded and Jessica's eyes kept landing on him. He looked ashen, much like the others, but there was something else in his expression that gripped Jessica's heart. She had hurt their feelings, she could tell. But there was something more for Angus and it worried Jessica.

Jessica slid off of Josh's lap and went into Angus' arms, cupping his face in her hands. "I'm sorry that I mentioned Beth. I shouldn't have. I know you were hurt too ... badly. You felt betrayed and how could you know any differently ... please forgive me."

"Jess ..." Angus said and he shook his head when his voice cracked and his eyes, already rimmed red, seemed to water, "You never need to ask me for forgiveness. You could rip my heart out of my chest and tear it to pieces and you'd never have to ask for forgiveness. No, please Jess, let me talk." He added when Jessica was about to protest, "I've apologized to the girls. I will apologize to Beth ... a real, sincere apology. Not the half assed thing I did to get her to come and see you. And despite my desire to fuck and dominate you during sex, I will worship at your feet for all eternity. Even during sex if you'd like. Just tell me what I can do to stop being an asshole."

"No ..." Jessica said and sniffled as tears filled her eyes, "You're not an asshole ..."

"And now I've made you cry ... yes I am." Angus replied.

"No, you're not." Jessica countered and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face into his chest and hugging him as hard as she could. Angus wrapped his arms around her too, pressed his face into the side of her head and bear hugged her. They stood that way for a long time. The room was silent except for Jessica's sniffles so Jessica was surprised to see that Scott had got the Kleenex box and held out a couple of tissues to her.

"Thank you." Jessica sniffed. After blowing her nose she blinked up at Angus. "If you were an asshole Angus you wouldn't reflect on things. You would never admit you were wrong, and you wouldn't change. You've done all of those things, several times ... all of you have." She added looking around at the other men, none of whom looked any happier than Angus.

"Only after you point things out to us." Riley said.

"And I hardly think that counts." Jim added.

"We're sorry Jess." Scott said.

"It counts to me." Jessica said and moved into Scott's arms. She ran her hands over his chest. "You're only human. Humans need things pointed out to them."

Jessica was relieved when Scott nodded and said. "Human and male ... I think you may need to hit us over the head with it. Several times."

Jessica smiled when Scott's mouth shifted into a small lopsided grin.

"Sometimes violence is warranted." Jim added and the slight twinkle in his eye confirmed to Jessica that she had heard humor in his tone. Jessica pecked Scott on the lips before moving into Jim's arms.

"I'll be gentle." Jessica said, melting against Jim.

"Baby, your gentle carries a far bigger wallop than any hard I've ever experienced." Riley said, "I don't think I can handle much more of your gentle."

Jessica kissed Jim and moved to Riley. "You like it rough do you?" she asked in a playful tone and was relieved when Riley laughed. He shook his head as his eyes ran over her face.

"You don't do rough baby even when you should. It probably wouldn't hurt if you let us feel like shit for a while you know." Riley replied as he pulled her to him and cupped her ass in his hands. 

"Nah, that goes against my strict don't let my husbands suffer rule." Jessica countered.

"I'm not surprised." Josh said with a snort, "But Jess, babe, I think that may be one rule you should bend every once in a while."

"No." Jessica said kissing Riley and moving to Josh. "The penalty is very severe."

"Severe? Ahuh." Josh said with a laugh and full on smile. "Good luck getting any one of us to administer that." He added pulling her in for a kiss.

"It's a by-product of your suffering. You don't need to administer anything." Jessica said when the kiss ended. Josh still bent over her, his lips lightly brushing hers. Jessica ran her fingers over Josh's cheeks her eyes taking in his expression, clearly relieved to find him happy. But when her words sank in, Josh straightened in surprise.

"Fuck ... Jess." Scott exclaimed. "You know we never want to hurt you ..."

"Excellent." Jessica said with in a cheery voice, "Don't be sad and you'll have achieved your goal. And I know exactly how to make you happy ..." she added in a sweet voice, sliding her hand down to Josh's cock, rubbing it over his pants, doing the same to Scott.

"Yup, you do." Scott moaned moving closer to Jessica as she lifted onto her toes and kissed Jim.

"Take off your pants." She said to Jim, Riley and Angus.

"Fuck, I can't believe I'm going to say this." Riley groaned, "But fucky, fucky, happy time will have to wait. There's a bunch of unhappy people back at the house Jess. I think they want to apologize."

"Oh." Jessica said, dropping her hands from Josh and Scott in surprise and looking in the direction of the house, worry returning to her expression.

"Argh, I'll never get used to how you can switch directions so fast ... fuck." Scott grumbled and doubled over.

"Oh, sorry ... um, maybe I can get you off real quick?" Jessica said reaching for Scott's zipper.

"No, no, no, it's okay." Scott said grasping Jessica's hand and sliding his fingers between hers, "Let's go back to the house. We need to plan how we're going to get our hands on Paul. I'm glad you have some ideas cause I came up with squat."

"Um, are they mad at me?" Jessica asked nodding toward the house as she let herself be pulled along to the ladder by Scott, holding one of her hands, and Jim who had taken the other.

"I don't think so." Jim said, "I think they were more confused than anything ... we had to google 'misogynist'." He added with a laugh.

"But they want to talk to you." Riley said, "Abe fed the boys early so they're out playing again ... we won't be interrupted."

"Oh." Jessica said as they walked to the house. Jessica watched the boys run around and part of her felt like an interruption might be very welcome.

Angus led the way in the door and Jessica followed Scott in to find everyone waiting. They'd arranged the dining room chairs around the sofa and they were sitting when Jessica and the men came in.

"I made supper." Abe said when Jessica stopped in the middle of the room clutching Scott and Jim's hands. "It's keeping warm in the oven ... if you get hungry, it's ready."

Jessica nodded, "Thanks Abe." She said nervously and glanced around at her family. She was relieved to see that they looked serious but not furious and she was beginning to recognize that Sean's incredibly stern expression usually meant he felt misjudged. Abe and Rick sat off to the side a little and to Jessica's surprise looked ashamed of themselves which Jessica couldn't quite understand since they'd had no part in the girls' lives.

"Sit down Jessica." Sean said and indicated the sofa with the nod of his head. 

Jessica moved to the sofa and felt oddly relieved. As firm and commanding as Sean's tone had been Jessica was certain that he wasn't mad at her. And if he wasn't it was unlikely the others were. Jessica let Scott sit first and then wiggled onto his lap. Once she was settled Sean leaned forward and planted his elbows on his knees.

"Get enough time away from us?" he asked.

"I wasn't trying to get away from you ... " Jessica said looking around at everyone in earnest, "I just needed some time ... to think ..."

"Stop Jess, stop." Sean said holding his hand up, "It's okay, I know you wouldn't try to get away from us ... I just meant, did you get done what you needed to?"

"Oh ... yes. Thanks."

"K. Good. I'm curious to hear what you came up with, but first ... about what you said about the girls and us ..." 

"Wait." Amanda interrupted. She had been sitting on Caleb's lap, between Quinn and Don, holding their hands, but she slid onto her feet. "Before anyone says anything I have to apologize to you Jess. I was rude to you. Very rude. I should have known you only had my best interest at heart, and I'm sorry."

Jessica opened her mouth to respond but she found herself unable to speak. Instead she went to Amanda and hugged her. They hugged for a long time.

"Hey you two, save some for me." Leah said with a laugh and when Amanda and Jessica looked around they found Leah, Sara and Justine standing next to them, sniffling. They hugged and the sniffling subsided.

"Thank you for standing up for us." Sara said when they finally parted, "Somehow you always do and we really appreciate it." 

"It's just too bad that it always us men she needs to protect you from." Corey said and to Jessica's relief he looked more perplexed than angry. "I've never pretended to be a saint," he continued, "but I don't know how I turned out to be such a dick. No, don't say it Jess." He added when Jessica was about to protest. "Don't try to sugar coat this in the way you always do. Sometimes hard and blunt is a better way to deliver a message than subtle and gut wrenching. Not that I have a right to complain but just as an fyi, in case you're looking to make changes." He ended with a slight smile.

"Noted." Jessica said smiling back, "But I'm not sure how to do hard and blunt."

"Get some lessons from Abe." Rick interjected causing laughter around the room as Abe gave Rick a dirty look.

"All of this to say," Quinn jumped in, "that we'll try to do better with the girls, okay? And if you see us slipping up tell us. Years of being misog ... misogin ... whatever the fuck that was, don't just go away overnight."

"Deal." Jessica said with a smile.

"Now, for the plan." Don said looking at Jessica with anticipation while rubbing his hand together. 

"Not that I should be surprised at this point," Mark said with a wink, "but you really have a plan?"

"I do." Jessica said.

"Hey, do I get you back?" Scott asked from the sofa, holding his hand out to Jessica just as she and the girls looked like they'd be happy hugging through the whole conversation.

"Oh, yes, sorry." Jessica said giving each girl an extra hug before returning to Scott's lap and the girls to the laps of their men.

"So," Rick prompted, "The plan?"

"Right. To get Paul we lure him with something he apparently wants." Jessica said.

"And what's that?" Angus asked.

"Me." 

During the ensuing silence, Jessica looked around the room. With the exception of Scott's arms tightening around her, there was little reaction. Everyone seemed to be thinking, and casting glances at her men. Soon Jessica joined them. She couldn't decipher their expressions, they seemed to be incredibly neutral. 

"It seems like the most obvious and logical option." She finally said, the silence getting the best of her. 

"It does Jess." Jim said, "It'll work."

"I'm clinging to the term 'lure' in your suggestion." Riley finally said when another few minutes of silence ensued. "That implies that you'd never be in any real danger."

"I am too." Angus said, "Is that what you meant?"

Jessica nodded. "It's easy really." Jessica said, "You guys," she said glancing around at her men, "tell Paul that you don't want to wait for the job he wants you to do before releasing you from the clan. You want out now and you're willing to give me to him in exchange for your release from the clan. Maybe mention that I'd be a good bargaining chip with my Godfather or something like that. If he really wants me to replace Stasia then he should jump at the chance ... Right?" she asked when her men simply stared at her.

"First of all, I don't think Paul would believe for one second that we'd give you up." Angus said, "But even if he would, I could never pretend something like that. I'm sorry Jess. I just couldn't."

"Oh." Jessica said as her other men nodded their agreement and they looked hurt that Jessica would even suggest that they could. "I didn't think it through that well." Jessica said, her heart melting as she realized how upset they were. "I'm sorry." She said kissing Scott before moving through her men, pecking their lips and finally settling on Angus' lap, "I honestly didn't stop to consider what asking you to do something like that meant. I know you'd never give me away ... honest."

"So assuming we find a good story to get Paul to think he's getting you, then what?" Sean asked.

"Okay," Jessica said, "We still have a few vials of the drugs we were using for Angus when he was ... after Earl. We get Paul to a private meeting, stick him with the needle and tada, he's ours. As for the drug ... Doc is coming next week to give us physicals. If I can get you his bag would you recognize the drug?"

"Fuck yeah." Corey said.

"Okay. That's the plan. Of course once we're done with Paul we'll have to turn him and the rest of the clan in to the police."

"Right. We have a property that no one in the clan knows about." Sean said, "we can take Paul there in case his men come looking for him." 

"And why don't you let Rick and I arrange things with Paul." Abe said, "He'd be more likely to believe that we'd give you up Jess then your husbands. We can make it look like we're trying to get back in his good graces."

"So next week, after Doc comes for the physicals and we have the drugs you need," Jessica said, "Rick and Abe can suggest the 'deal' and we can get some answers from Paul. But, um, maybe we should wait until after the weddings. Torturing Paul would be a real downer ... to most of us." She added when Sean and Corey looked like it would be anything but.

"Weddings happen next weekend no matter what." Riley said, "Don't worry, we'll work around them." 

"Great." Sean said. "Now that everything is settled, can we eat?"

Dinner had come and gone. Jessica had eaten hardly anything but much to Amanda's chagrin and Jessica's pleasant surprise, Sean and Abe expanded their feeding effort to include the girls. Unfortunately Amanda was able to use it to her benefit and make Jessica the lowest common denominator. Once Jessica was unable to eat more Amanda stopped also. Both Sean and Abe voiced their frustrations but Jessica was rendered speechless. There was nothing she could say without eating more herself. So she'd slouched down in her chair and hoped Sean and Abe wouldn't decide to raise the feeding bar.

They'd spent the rest of the evening working on wedding preparations. Amanda, Sara and Justine sewing. The men, with the exception of Abe, and Leah and the boys were back at the pond continuing with landscaping and hanging the lights. Abe and Jessica hung out together doing what Abe found absolutely hilarious, and Jessica had to grudgingly agree was ironic. They huddled around the laptop scouring the internet for wedding recipes. Jessica had to repeatedly concur with Abe as he often and loudly pontificated on the fact that the one person most adverse to food in the family had been nominated to be his helper. So in addition to the fact that Jessica loved her men and loved to be with them, she was extra relieved when the night wound down and she found herself in the studio with them. 

She slid into Angus' arms and looked up at him in confusion when he chuckled. "What's wrong baby? You've been looking us over like we've sprouted horns or something." 

"It's just odd," Jessica said sliding her fingers into his short, wet, hair, "You all showered, and ..." she added lowering her hands to run over the dress shirt covering Angus' chest. Looking left and right she glanced at Riley, Jim, Josh and Scott who had equally wet hair and were dressed up equally formally. Dress shirts ... slacks. "You're so dressed up."

"And how is that odd?" Josh asked as Angus twirled Jessica into his arms.

"You don't usually shower and dress up when we come to the studio." Jessica said with a small shrug.

"True." Riley said taking her from Josh. "But we were all sweaty and dirty from working at the pond."

"Well, I like you all sweaty and dirty ..." Jessica said rocking her pelvis against Riley's and sliding her hands around to squeeze his ass.