“I hate you,” she seethed, her entire body practically vibrating with rage.
I gnashed my teeth, cutting the inside of my cheek. “You are my wife,” I reminded her. “I promised I wouldn’t hurt you. I won’t have you flinching away from my touch.”
“I don’t want you to touch me,” she snapped, twisting in my grip.
Her suds-slicked skin slipped beneath my hands, and she whirled to face me. Water splashed onto the tile floor when she scooted away until her back hit the opposite end of the tub. She drew her knees up to her chest and hugged them tightly. Her thick, dark lashes were narrowed as she glowered at me.
“Your touch disgusts me,” she spat. “You’re a monster for what you just did to Luca and me.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, preventing myself from reaching for her. I was on edge, and I would never put a hand on her when I wasn’t fully in control of my emotions.
“You came several times,” I reminded her. “I made sure you enjoyed our game.”
“Our game?” She almost shrieked the words. “I had no part in what you made us do. How dare you call it a game? You debased me. And Luca?—”
“Don’t say his name,” I barked, rage flashing red over my vision. “He is nothing. He is no one. I’m your husband.”
“You’re sick.” She flung the accusation like a dagger, but she watched me warily, as though I was a rabid animal who might turn on her at any moment. “You’re a sick, sadistic bastard, and I hate you.”
I raked a hand through my hair and drew in a deep breath, centering myself. I’d pushed her hard today. Of course, I’d known that she wouldn’t take to my games immediately; she was too naïve and innocent for that. I didn’t like hearing that she loathed me, but her anger was understandable. She would grow accustomed to my darker needs in time, especially when she learned how much pleasure she could find in surrendering to me.
I hadn’t anticipated the spike of jealous rage at the sound of Luca’s name issuing from her lush lips. Yes, I’d ordered her take him in her mouth, but that had been to torment him, not to allow him to possess her in any way. Nora was mine and mine alone, no matter how I used her to torture my enemy.
“This is all for your own protection,” I explained as calmly as I could manage, keeping my arms tight against my chest. “I need Luca’s men to hold off the threat of the Russian Bratva. He will break, and they will pledge their loyalty to me. I’m strong enough to provide a safe life for you, Nora. I swear I’ll always protect you.”
“You’re the one I need to be protected from,” she said bitterly.
My jaw tightened, and I sucked in a breath through clenched teeth. “That’s not true. I’ll prove it to you in time.” I’d show her with my actions that I would defend her and provide for her. I could be patient until she came around.
She lifted her delicate chin, defiant. “If you want to prove that you’re not a monster, let Luca and me go.”
“Not happening,” I bit out. “For one, you are not my prisoner. You are my wife. And Luca isn’t going anywhere. He’s mine now.”
“The last time I tried to run away from you, you hunted me down and tied me up. Then you whipped me and locked me in a cage. And you say I’m not your prisoner?”
I huffed a frustrated sigh. She was being more difficult than I’d anticipated. While I liked her fire, I didn’t enjoy being needled.
“It’s not safe for you to leave. Like I said, the Russians are a threat. I won’t let you go anywhere outside of this fortified estate for now. I won’t let them to get to you.”
A small shiver raced over her delicate frame, the smallest sign of fear.
“Yes, they’re the ones you should be afraid of,” I approved. She needed to stop having notions about leaving me. “I’ll always protect you. And I’ll always ensure that you enjoy our games. You’ve liked them so far, haven’t you? Or did I not make you come hard enough?”
Her cheeks flamed, and her eyes glittered with pure malice.
She still hated me, but she knew the truth: I’d introduced her to more ecstasy than she’d known was possible.
I could work with that. My beautiful wife wouldn’t hate me forever. She would grow accustomed to my desires, and she would relish breaking Luca almost as much as I would.
My phone rang where I’d left it on the counter, distracting me. I surged out of the bath, grabbing a towel from the rack so I could answer the call.
“What?” I demanded, irritated at the interruption.
The guard gave me a panicked message, and anticipation coiled my muscles.
“Let him come,” I commanded with a sharp smile.
It was time to show Luca just how powerless he truly was.
