“You’re mad.”
I blink at him. Of all the things I thought he was going to say,thatwas not one of them.
“Yes,” I bite out, eyeing him uneasily, unsure exactly how far I can push him before he snaps. “I missed my studio time thisafternoon becauseyouordered me locked inside my apartment all day.”
He stares down at me, an unreadable expression on his face, but I make sure to hold eye contact. If I let him walk all over me now, there’s no telling where I’ll be in three weeks.
“When do you have to be at the studio?”
“Monday through Friday it varies, but usually I’m there all day, starting early. The weekends, I book extra studio time if I can get it.”
“Fine. Send me the full schedule and I’ll make the arrangements.”
I just stare at him, anger still thrumming in my veins, I still want to fight despite getting what I wanted.
He tries handing me the garment bag again. This time without a word.
I let it hang between us, chewing my bottom lip before reaching out to grab it with a roll of my eyes.
“Fine.”
42
THE SOVEREIGN
KOEN
Now
Briar’s been quiet the whole drive.
She’s wearing the dress—the one I bought her. And it’s a good thing I did. The outfit she’d come up with—a cut off band t-shirt, shorts, and black fishnet tights—while I enjoyed it, clothes like that won’t cut it at the club we’re going to.
The Sovereign is exclusive, catering only to the rich and powerful. And seeing as how she’s mine, I need her to look the part.
The black silk clings to her the way I knew it would. Simple, expensive, and tight—and short enough that it might as well be lingerie. The sight of her in it, knowing that I bought it for her… it’s all I can do not to drag her back into her bedroom and rip it off.
But we have places to be.
Briar fidgets in her seat, pressed up so close against the door that I’m glad I engaged the child-lock, because even if she doesn’t try to run again, she might just fall out.
She’s staring out the window. Her hands play anxiously along the hemline of her skirt, which is so indecently high, I think I might have an aneurysm if it creeps any further.
It’s what I wanted, I bought the fucking dress, but the thought of anyone else seeing her in it has me seeing red.
I should check on her, see if she’s okay, but every time I go to open my mouth, I can’t make the words come out. So instead, we sit in silence as I try, and fail, to keep my eyes off of her.
When we pull up to the club, Briar shifts in her seat, shooting anxious glances my way with nervous flicks of her eyes.
“What?” I clip out, looking up from my phone after I feel her gaze on me a third time.
“What’s the plan again?” she asks nervously.
“You do everything I say.”
“Oh, of course, how could I forget?” She rolls her eyes. “Excellent plan,boss.”
I clench my fist to keep from wrapping it around her throat.
