His expression grows serious. "Among other things. Vi, I want you to stay here today. Don't go anywhere without calling me first."
"Am I a prisoner now?" I ask, only half-joking.
"You're under my protection. There's a difference." He stands and starts pulling clothes from his dresser. "I'm going to have one of my brothers come by to check on you. Probably Cruel."
"I like Cruel."
Santiago pauses in his dressing to look at me with amusement. "Yeah, you two seemed to hit it off yesterday. Just remember he's dangerous, Vi. They all are. Don't let their charm fool you into thinking otherwise."
"Are you jealous?" I tease.
"Of Cruel? Nah. He's like a brother to me." Santiago pulls on a black t-shirt. "But I am possessive of what's mine."
The casual way he claims me should bother me, but instead it sends heat pooling low in my stomach. "And what am I, exactly?"
He crosses to me, leaning down to brace his hands on either side of my legs. "You're mine, Violet. In every way that matters."
Before I can respond, he's kissing me, deep and claiming. When he pulls back, I'm breathless.
"I need to go," he says, voice rough. "But tonight, when I get back, we're going to continue what we started."
"What if I get impatient waiting for you?" The words slip out before I can stop them, and Santiago's eyes darken.
"Then you wait anyway. Good girls don't touch what belongs to their Dom without permission."
The word 'Dom' makes my breath catch. "Is that what you are? My Dom?"
"If you want me to be."
I think about last night—the way it felt to give up control, to trust him completely, to experience pleasure like I never had before. "I do. I want that."
Santiago's smile is predatory. "Then you'll be a good girl and wait for me. No touching yourself while I'm gone. No bringing yourself pleasure without my permission. Understand?"
My face heats up, but I nod. "Yes, Sir."
"Good. Now, I'm going to shower and then I need to leave. Feel free to order whatever you want for breakfast. There's a list of delivery places on the fridge."
After Santiago leaves for his shower, I wander around his apartment, still wrapped in his sheet. It's strange being in his space without him, seeing his life laid out in the details he probably doesn't even notice. Law books stacked beside motorcycle magazines. Expensive whiskey next to protein powder. Two worlds existing side by side.
I'm examining a framed photo of him and Ashley at what looks like her law school graduation when my phone rings. Ashley's name flashes on the screen.
"Hey, Ash," I answer, hoping I sound normal.
"Oh good, you're awake. How are you doing? Santiago texted me this morning and said you were staying with him."
My stomach drops. "He told you?"
"Not everything. Just that Derek hurt you and you needed somewhere safe to stay. Vi, I'm so sorry. I should have been there."
"There's nothing you could have done. You were away for work."
"I should have insisted you press charges against Derek from the beginning. Should have seen the signs that he was escalating."
"Ash, stop. This isn't your fault." I sit down on Santiago's couch, pulling my knees up to my chest. "Besides, your brother is taking good care of me."
There's a pause. "Just how good of care is he taking of you?"
Heat rises in my cheeks. "What's that supposed to mean?"
