Toby’s eyes drop back to his laptop.
“So, Dagon ordered you to kill people and display them in… creative ways,” Greyson says slowly, “and you did so?”
I lick my fork. “Yup. Do you want to continue this Q&A right now? Scarlett looks like she’s about to get sick.”
Scarlettdoeslook a little pale at all this talk. Greyson spins her around in his lap, glances over her face, and thins his lips at whatever he sees. He whispers something else in her ear—after a second, she stands and walks out of the dining hall with a quickened stride.
“What about the other two?” Greyson asks me, still not looking away from Scarlett.
“What about them?” I ask.
“Do you remember the other two Nighthawks you killed?” He presses.
I roll my eyes. “Why are we discussing this? I told you; I only remember the injuries sustained from a fight with one of them, I don’t particularlywantto remember anything else. Anyone I may have killed from this organization, I did so because those were my orders, and refusing my orders wasn’t an option. If anyone has a bone to pick with me over that, we can go a couple rounds in a fist fight. But, fair warning; I fightdirty,and I don’t lose.”
“Well…” Max slides a hand up my thigh. “You did lose to me.”
“If that’s what you want to tell yourself,” I say, even though he’s right. Ididlose to him, which infuriates me and makes me respect him all at the same time. I’m no easy opponent, and neither is he.
“We can talk details at another time,” Greyson says, pushing away his plate.
“Why?” I raise my eyebrows. “I won’t apologize, and I doubt I’ll remember any useful details. What does it matter?”
Greyson looks at Max. “Keep a close eye on this one.” With that, he stands and swiftly strides away, presumably going after Scarlett.
After what feels like an eternity, dinner ends, and Max takes me back to his apartment.
“Am I going to be punished now?” I ask snarkily, trying to glimpse the code he punches in to unlock the front door.
He casts an amused glance over his shoulder. “No. You weren’t nice, but you weren’t antagonistic, either. Therefore, you’ve done nothing to merit a punishment.”
“How relieving.”
“Yes, it is,” he agrees with a nod. “Now, go ahead and take a shower. I need to finish up something. When you’re done, kneel before the bed, naked. I’ll find you.”
Asshole. I don’t know what his obsession is with making me kneel, but I don’t appreciate it. Nevertheless, he has a day to save Alina; if he fails, I’ll find my way out of here.
If he succeeds, I might have to put up with this for therest of my life…
In either case, I don’t expect to live long. The only thing keeping me from self-destructing the last five years was Dagon’s threat over my sister. If that threat is neutralized, then I have no further cause to stay alive. I expect I’ll get myself killed sooner rather than later. I haven’t actually seen any realvalueto life since my head injury.
I do exactly as Max requested, giving myself a quick yet thorough wash before forcing myself to drop the towel and kneel before the bed. The hardwood floor is unforgiving against my knees, but I’ve endured far worse discomfort.
Max walks in not long after I’ve gotten into position. He releases a quiet hum of pleasure, and I hear his footsteps approaching me. He stops right behind me and strokes a hand over my hair, quietly emanating satisfaction.
“Good girl,” he murmurs. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Flame. It almost hurts to look at you.” He releases a soft sigh. “Up on the bed. Arms above your head, legs spread.”
I stand, feeling heat climb over my cheeks as I assume the position Max requested, body tense, jaw clenched. I don’t appreciate being reduced to a doll he can do whatever he wants to, but again… I’ve been through much worse. What Max has done to me is nothing compared to what Dagon’s done to me.
Max climbs onto the bed, kneeling beside me. “Are you still upset with me for denying you your orgasm?” he asks, sounding genuinely curious.
Yes,I’m annoyed with him, but I don’t exactly have much recourse at the moment. I shrug as much as my position will allow.
“I like denying you,” he murmurs. “But only because I know that builds into another, much stronger orgasm when done properly.” He cups my pussy, his grip firm, and I gasp. His thumb finds my clit with expert precision, and he doesn’t waste any time pressing down on it.
“Mm… someone’s already wet,” Max says. “Good. Soon, you’ll be turned on for me when I walk into the room. You’ll understand the pleasure that only I’m capable of giving you, and you’ll fucking love it.” He scoops up the wetness dripping out of me and smears it over my clit. “I’m not going to deny you now, baby. I want to see how fast you can come for me.” Two fingers lodge inside me, while his thumb works my clit. My hands instinctively come down from their position; Max grabs them and pins them above my head, tutting at me. “Ah-ah. You just lie here and take it, Flame. I didn’t say you could move.”
A quiet moan climbs out of me, and my back arches. Max takes that as all the invitation he needs to lean down and bite my nipple, hard enough that I squeal, and my pussy clenches his fingers like I want to snap them in half.
