Vaas couldn't trust her. He wanted to, especially after such a display of loyalty. But there was one final test, one last way to be sure that this woman was as dedicated to him as she seemed.
He'd carried her to the mess hall, a large hut with picnic tables. He laid her down on one of the tables and tied her arms above her head.
Ashelin didn't speak. She didn't know what to say to him. She was shaking, from having shot a man, from almost being shot herself, and from the way Vaas looked down at her and brushed a stray lock of red hair from her face.
She couldn't read that look. What was he thinking?
He turned away and exited the mess hall, just as the first rays of sunlight were peeking up over the horizon. He hadn't missed her look of disappointment as he left, and was impressed she didn't call after him.
He pulled out his phone and texted Brock.
Brock was already watching the mess hall camera with interest. He'd heard the commotion a little while back, and rumour had it that Vaas' new pet had sprung the American brothers. One dead, one wounded, and the little Canadian bitch had been carried off by the pirate king himself.
He opened his phone to read Vaas' text and a grin broke out on his face. The rumour was true. And her punishment was going to be so, so sweet.
Ashelin tried to relax. This was the first time Vaas had set her up himself, but then he'd left. What was he waiting for? Was he leaving her to writhe with anticipation until his return? Because it was working.
She heard someone enter to her left and twisted her head around. She was disappointed to see it was the cameraman. Brock, she thought his name was. A few Pirates trickled in behind him, none of them Vaas.
"Well if it isn't the little Canadian bitch." Brock announced, circling her. Ashelin counted eight Pirates flanking him, and they spread out in a crescent around her. She tensed. What was going on?
"Didn't I tell you he'd get sick of you eventually?" One of them sneered, and her heart skipped a beat. This couldn't be happening. Vaas wouldn't just do this, he saw what she did, didn't he? He saved her life! Not for this.
"I don't think-" Her voice cracked.
"You don't get to think." Brock grinned. "You're ours now. Your daddy paid a lot of money for you, and we're going to keep milking him for it by showing off your weakness." He grinned, and a single tear slipped out of Ashelin's eye, betraying her fear. "Playtime is over, little whore."
"Don't." Was all she could say, and froze as he lifted Grant's red shirt over her hips. He slid them up over her breasts and she found her fight, starting to thrash.
Ashelin was vaguely aware of the hoots and hollers of the other Pirates as she kicked at Brock, a flurry of legs and desperation. He wrestled her down and pinned her, though strain showed on his face.
"VAAS!" She screamed, and Brock laughed.
"He doesn't want you anymore." He reached down to unzip his pants and she started struggling anew.
"VAAS!" Her voice was piercing, agonized, tears streaming from her eyes so hard her vision blurred. "Please!" This couldn't be happening. "VAAAAS!"
Brock suddenly grunted and Ashelin blinked. He had a knife sticking out of his shoulder, and he stared at it, dazed. She took the opportunity to kick him off of the table and he hit the floor with a curse and thud.
"What?!" The pirate king himself slammed his hands on either side of her head, and she looked up at him. "What is it, hermana?" His voice dropped with sarcasm, and the tears continued to flow.
"Please don't let them do this…" She sobbed, heart constricting.
"Why not?" His voice was calm and conversational, as if discussing the weather.
She blinked away fresh tears, focusing on his beautifully rugged face. "Because I'm yours." Her voice was hoarse with emotion. "I only want to be yours."