“Vivas bajo mi techo, obedeces mis reglas. Comprende?”
You live under my roof, you obey my rules. Understand?
Javier sneers, staring me down. “I obey no one.”
This is an all-around dicey situation. One wrong move or one wrong word and I could fuck everything up. All the years of hard work and money spent. All the sacrifices and all the lies, good for nothing.
But at the moment I just don’t give a fuck. All I know is if Javier ever lays a hand on Ellie again, the whole compound is going to go up in smoke. “It doesn’t look like you have much of a choice at the moment.” I twist the knife deeper.
Javier’s mouth curves up into a taut deranged smile, despite the compromising position I have him in. “You amuse me, amigo.”
“Glad to know I’m good for something.”
“You’re good for many things,” he says cryptically.
“Stay away from what’s mine,” I warn one last time, then shove myself away him. I cut Spice loose, she’s bound and gagged and has been whimpering the whole time. Javier tied her up so tightly to the four poster bed she’s suspended over the mattress. Her wrists are rubbed raw from the abrasive rope and there’s hot red wax drizzled all over her body. Both of her nipples are completely covered. It looks like the poor girl is bleeding to death. She scrambles up once she’s free and rushes out of the room. Fear and relief are both evident in her eyes. She doesn’t even bother to remove the ball gag stretching her mouth. My heart lurches. If I hadn’t walked in, who knows what else he might have done.
“You cut my fish loose.”
“Your gaming privileges have been revoked. No more playtime for you. You’ve had your fun.” The words feel like battery acid burning my tongue. Ellie’s horrified face flashes in front of me. It’s an image that has been permanently branded into my brain.
“I don’t like boundaries, amigo.”
“I don’t like you,” I spit.
I leave Javier’s room after that, praying to almighty God I didn’t just destroy everything I’ve worked the last six years for. I don’t stop walking until I reach the gym. I lift my hands, not even bothering with gloves, and pound away, seeing Javier’s face every time my fist connects with the punching bag.
I WAKE UP ON Abare mattress.
The sheets and comforter are still on the floor and I am back on my leash. My legs hurt, and so does my core. I think this kind of pain is something I’ll need to get used to. I handed myself over last night. My obedience, my submission, and my body. I am officially Kayne’s. Officially owned.
I huddle into a ball and shiver, but not because I’m cold. Because I’m numb. The image of evil black eyes haunt me. What if Kayne hadn’t come in when he did? What if ... I push the crippling, abominable thought away. There’s no point in what-ifs. That’s what my mother always says. I miss my family terribly. Just the thought of them fragments my pain and loneliness further. I can’t imagine what they’re going through—not knowing where I am, if I’m dead or alive.
What would they think if they found out I was owned?
I fight back the tears, put my loved ones in a box, and shove it into the darkest depths of my mind. I need to be strong, and missing my family makes me weak. Makes me vulnerable. I have to survive.
I try not to think. I try not to feel. I’m alone, and my existence is abhorrent.
I concentrate solely on something small. The need to pee. I hope Jett comes soon.
I look around my prison cell and idle thoughts take over. Is this where I’ll live forever? Will I ever be able to go outside again? Will I always be a dog chained to the bed? A sexual object, to use as he pleases. Before I’m sucked into a rabbit hole of despair, the door opens. I jump to my knees, never knowing if it’s Kayne or not. And now that I officially belong to him, I have to act accordingly. A little piece of my hope dies.
“Heel, it’s just me.” I relax my body and lift my head. Tears streaming down my face.
“Don’t cry.” Jett embraces me. “It’s going to be okay. How do you feel?” he asks as he unlocks the chain from my new collar. There’s no fun, lighthearted banter today.
“Numb, abused. Confused.”
“I could kill that shithead for laying a finger on you.”
“Kayne or the other guy?” I sniff.
Jett’s lip twitches. “Nice to know you haven’t lost your sense of humor.”
“Someone told me I need to be strong.” I look up at him drained of life.
He hugs me. “You’re rising to the occasion.”
