Jett pauses, looking at me funny. “And that’s bad because?”
“Because I liked it!” I hit the punching bag so hard my knuckles crunch. Fuck!
“Oh?” He studies me. I growl at him as I rip off my boxing gloves. “What has you conflicted? You’ve punished women before.”
“I’ve punished awillingsubmissive before. Ellie is different,” I clarify.
“She’s your slave. You treat her as such. She disobeyed. You delivered the consequences. That’s how it works. You knew this when you took her. Yes, she’s different, but that’s the harsh reality.”
“I don’t want to become the thing I’m fighting against.” I toss the gloves on the ground.
“You won’t,” Jett says simply. I’m glad one of us is convinced. “Warrior mindset, my friend. Ellie got caught in the crossfire and now you have to protect her by any means possible. Don’t overthink it. It will only drive you mad. Just remember, your hand may be firm, but Javier’s is deadly. And if you like it, so be it.” He shrugs. “Our business is stressful. Being with her is a release. Give her some time, she’ll come around.”
“You sure about that?” I respond skeptically as I unravel the tape from my hand.
“I am. I’ve been training girls a long time. Her biggest hang-up is perception. The taboo lifestyle. Break down the barriers of belief and she’ll be eating out of your hand.”
“I’m trying.” I drop my head, concentrating on the rivulets of sweat dripping down my chest.
“Keep it up. She’s strong, but you’re Master.”
“What if she ends up hating me in the end?” I look up at him with just my eyes.
“What if she ends up loving you?” he counters.
“I don’t for one second believe that will happen,” I scoff.
“You never know. People can surprise you. Ellie never saw you coming.”
“That’s because I’m trained to be invisible.”
“Well you’re not transparent anymore. Make her believe what she has to for now. It’s for her own good.”
I groan. “I’m definitely going to hell.”
“I’ll be right there with ya, brother. Wearing a hat and sunscreen.” He slaps me on the shoulder.
“You’re a pain in my ass, you know that?”
“Yup. Someone has to be.” Jett glances at his watch and grimaces. “Speaking of pains in the ass.”
“Javier?”
“Yes,” he seethes. “I don’t like the way he’s treating the girls. Especially Spice. He’s way too rough.”
“Warrior mindset, my friend,” I throw his words back at him.
Jett glares, then slugs me.
THE SUNLIGHT WAKES ME UP.
I’m still in the same position I was lying in when I fell asleep. On my side, hugging the pillow, chained to the bed.
My emotions feel like they’ve been put in a mixing glass and shaken up. I don’t know what to feel, so I choose nothing at all.
I hear the door click, but I don’t move. Kayne said I was supposed to kneel every time he came into the room.Well fuck him, my subconscious screams. My body, on the other hand, trembles knowing I’ll be subjected to punishment if I disobey.
“Morning, sweet thing.” I see Jett hovering over me in my peripheral vision.
