“Soooo.... How was your night? I have to say, you were perfect on stage. You fall into subspace so beautifully. If you are up to it, maybe one night we can try...” Her voice trails off as a pair of arms wrap around my waist. I can smell his cologne. It feels like it is seeping into my pores, making me gag. I used to love his scent, but now it makes me feel like I can’t breathe.
“Good morning, Odette. What were you girls talking about?” He asks. Resting his head on my shoulder and kissing my neck. “Also, good morning to you, little one. Did you enjoy your night with your friends?” He squeezes my hip a bit too hard, and I jump.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Blackmore. You’re here early.” Odette sneers at Theo. I don’t think she likes him, which is weird. I thought everyone here loved him; at least, that’s how he made it seem.
“I’m here to collect my money and my girl.” He comes to my side and returns his hand to my waist, gripping my hip again. Odette glances back and forth between us.
“Your girl? So, you were the one who entered her in the auction last night.” She is tapping her nails on the counter, clearly agitated.
“Of course. She needed a punishment for some shit she has been trying to pull behind my back, and I figure this way I make some money from it too.” He is acting proud of himself for doing this. Fucking pig.
“Hmm, I see.” Odette locks eyes with me. I am silently pleading with her that she will drop it. I don’t want him to get angrier and then turn his anger on me. “Well, Tim is in the office; he should be able to get you your cut if you go see him. If you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to get Cass... I mean Miss Miller’s things from her locker, then she can catch up to you.”
“No, I’ll wait. Just hurry up. We don’t have all day.” He leans on the counter, watching Odette, tracking her every move. “You made me a lot of money, little one. Maybe I can start hosting my own private auction.” His laugh is evil and mocking.
“I highly advise you never to do that, Theo.” He cringes as she spits his name like poison on her tongue. “Outside the confines of this regulated club, what you would be doing is considered prostitution, or even worse, human trafficking.”
“Oh lighten up, Odette. It was a fucking joke. Just get her shit so we can go.” He is getting pissed.
She goes around the corner, out of sight, and Theo turns toward me. His gaze rakes over my body, clearly displeased that his bruises on my jaw are showing through my smeared makeup. It's not my fault you are an abusive cuck, I want to say. He goes to cup my face, but I fear he is going to hurt me, so I cower away. This pisses him off more, and he grabs my wrist, yanking me over to him.
Odette comes back around the corner with my bag in her hands. Thank God she came when she did because I have a feeling Theo was about to get even rougher with me.
“Better catch Tim before he leaves. He has breakfast plans.” She shoots Theo a nasty look, and he scoffs as he turns around and drags me behind him. “Goodbye, Miss Miller, see you again soon.” I can’t even look back at her; my emotions would betray me, and I would probably start crying out of embarrassment. She can tell something isn’t right, but what can she do? Actually, what would she even want to do? She owns this enormous nightclub; one measly patron who is in a bit too physical of a relationship probably doesn’t mean a thing to her. She probably sees more forceful Dom’s here all the time.
While in Mr. Sniders' office, Theo commands me to stand by the door silently while he talks with Tim. Tim glanced at his phone shortly after we walked in and then looked at me carefully. I wonder if Odette texted him something. I was getting fidgety and nervous, so I decided to rummage in my purse to find my phone. I reach in to find a piece of white ripped paper. Turning it, I see a small note and a number.
-Call if you need me. O-
Odette? She must have slipped this in there when she was around the corner. I can’t let Theo see it; he will freak the fuck out. I quickly type the number into my notes on my phone before shutting it off, then crumple and toss the paper to the floor. Stepping on it to hide it from Theo. The men finish chatting about finances, and Mr. Snider gives Theo a check. They shake hands, and we are sent on our way.
I reluctantly follow him outside. Honestly, I’m terrified. I need to stay strong to protect Lucian. Theo did promise not to hit me again. I won’t hold my breath, though. Judging by the way he is looking at me right now, he is pissed. After we both get seated in the front seat of his car, he turns back toward me.
“I already have your laptop and basic necessities at my home. You will be staying with me now. Call your work and tell themyou are quitting. No notice.” He takes off speeding out of the parking lot.
“What? You can’t do that. What will I do for a job then?”
“Cassandra, what don’t you get? You are mine, and I take care of what’s mine. You won’t need to work another day of your life. You won’t cook or clean. You will just enjoy your life with me.” He puts his hand on my bare thigh, my body shudders from the touch.
He thinks it's because I am enjoying his touch, so he moves his hand higher up my thigh. I close my eyes and try to focus on anything else, breathing slowly to calm my racing heart. I feel like I am going to have a panic attack.
“If I stay, will you promise not to hurt Lucian?” I ask quietly.
“If you stay and behave, I won’t touch him.” He smirks. He is lying.
“I’ll stay. I promise I will behave, but I want your word that no harm will come to Lucian. No random beatings, break-ins, or something that looks like an accident. I want you to stay far away from him.” I can do this. I have to believe that he will get bored of me soon enough.
“Fine, you really want to cross your T’s and dot your I’s, don’t you, little one? Fine, I promise to stay far, far away from your precious Lucian. Happy?” He says, turning a bit too tight, flinging me practically across the center console onto him.
“Ok, thank you.” He shoots me a glare and grips hard on my thigh, digging his fingertips into me. “Sorry. Thank you, Sir.”
“Good girl. Now, let’s get you settled in your new home.” His anger seems to have subsided. Thankfully. “So, how do you like your new collar?” He grazes the leather around my neck.
“It’s... different. I didn’t know we would have those roles in our agreement.”
“You mean our relationship? That’s what this is, Cassie—a relationship. You are my submissive, my girlfriend, and, if I want, my pet. Understood.”
