Page 49 of Vienna Bliss

“No.” Absolon’s voice was a pathetic imitation of Alexander’s infuriating one-word commands. “I will touch you how I want.”

“I belong to him,” Alena gasped. “I’m not allowed to let other men touch me.”

Absolon considered her, and then released her wrist. When he sat back he looked almost wistful. “What did he do to you, when you went away? I heard you threw a female fit because he wouldn’t marry you. The security system went off, and then he had to take you to correct your behavior.”

Marry her? The rumor mill among the staff was far more inventive than anyone had given them credit for, but now she had confirmation that the plan had worked. Absolon had no idea he was the reason she’d been here.

That felt like very cold comfort at the moment.

“Tell me. Tell me what he did to you.”

“My relationship with Mr. Wagner—”

He slapped her, a quick negligible cheek slap, but it shocked her. It had been a very long time since anyone had stuck her without it being part of a consensual relationship.

“That’s not what you call him, is it? I want to hear you say it.”

Alena licked her lip. There was no blood. He hadn’t hit her hard enough to do more than surprise and upset her.

“My relationship with my Master is private,” she said quietly. Her voice was shaking, but he wouldn’t know it was from rage. “I am not allowed to discuss it.”

Absolon’s sigh was satisfied. “How much is he selling you for?” Absolon cupped her cheek and turned her face to him. “I will buy you, now, before the gala.”

Alena lowered her eyes, stared at Absolon’s wrist. “I don’t know. It’s not about the money for him.”

“Of course not.” Absolon stroked her cheek and her skin crawled. “He’s showing you what you are worth. Reminding you not to try and manipulate a man when it is not your place to do so.”

Absolon stood and walked away. She stayed on her knees, waiting to hear the door open and close as he left.

Instead she heard the delicate sound of chain rattling.

She whirled around on her knees, but Absolon managed to snag one arm, and before she could yank free he snapped the cuff around her wrist. It was a plain metal handcuff, the kind used by law enforcement the world over.

But the pair of cuffs was attached to a long, thin chain that was looped around the post for the ornamental fire screen. The post itself was embedded in the stone of the fireplace, the screen swinging open and closed to allow access to the fire.

He’d prepared this. He’d planned it.

Alena looked up, shock being replaced by an entirely different kind of fear. Mortal fear. The fear that she might not just lose a game she was playing, but her life.

Absolon undid his belt.

Alena jumped to her feet and screamed.

Please, please let someone be close enough to hear me. At this time of day would any of the household staff be in this suite? She hadn’t seen which way they’d gone when they left the meeting room.

She ran towards the door, but Absolon grabbed the chain and pulled. Her arm was yanked back, her shoulder joint shrieking in pain. She lost her balance, twisting as she fell. Her bad knee popped and she hit the ground hard, the pain in her knee all she could focus on for several seconds.

When Absolon crouched beside her and forced his scarf into her mouth, she tried to scream again, even as she reached back and raked him with her nails. He looped the scarf around her head, a second pass of it forced between her teeth, and then he tied it at the back of her head.

Just like Alexander had done with her stocking. He was mimicking what he’d seen Alexander do.

That realization did absolutely nothing to help her in this moment.

Except that…he didn’t respect her. But he did respect Alexander.

Alena twisted around to face Absolon and then shook her head slowly as she reached up to touch the pearl choker. She and Alexander hadn’t talked about it, but every time she went to take a shower or bath she’d gone to him and lifted up her hair, asking without words for him to take it off. Afterwards she’d do the same and he’d silently put it back on her.

“I understand,” Absolon said gently. “And if I could buy you for myself, I would. But if it’s an auction I won’t be able to compete.” He started to touch her cheek, but stopped himself. “I won’t touch you again, but I want to…I want to know what it feels like.”