“Looks to me like you did. You never let me give you hickeys.”
“You never tried.”
“I was holding back.”
“Why?”
“So I didn’t kill you,” he says matter-of-factly.
“What?”
“Ellie, Ellie, Ellie. Little gullible Ellie,” he recites.
I stare at him like he’s deranged. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Let me tell you a story.” Michael diverts, avoiding my question. “There was this boy who had a father whom he loved dearly. A man he looked up to and idolized. A man who wanted him to go to college and live a straight-laced life. But the boy wanted to be just like his father. Wanted money and power and women. So the father took the boy under his wing and groomed him. And when the boy was just old enough, and had proven himself just enough,” his voice elevates, “his father is killed in cold blood and his kingdom is destroyed. Do you know what that does to a child?”
I shake my head.
“It makes him want revenge.” His eyes widen rabidly.
“Revenge on who?”
“The man who killed my father. The man who is your Master.”
“I don’t have a Master,” I contest.
“Don’t lie to me, Ellie. I saw it with my own eyes. I was there that night. I watched as he toted you around like he owned you and the world. I fucked right in front of the two of you.”
My eyes widen as images of that night, the night of the party, flash in front of my eyes. Jett dressing me up. Kayne leading me around. The roped off section of the room where we watched one of his girls get taken on the same kind of table that was in my room. Taken by Michael?
“Why were you there?” I ask dubiously.
“It was a party. I was invited.” He shrugs.
“I don’t understand.” I shake my head.
Michael sighs and crouches down so we’re eye level.
“You know, I was actually jealous of him. You were so beautiful and raw and intoxicating. I wanted what he had. I wanted you.”
He leans forward and for a second I think he’s going to kiss me. I pull away.
“Skittish all of a sudden?” He unties my hands, and I rub my wrists once they’re free. “You always used to like it when I kissed you.”
“Tell me what the hell is going on.”
“I’m getting my revenge on the man who killed my father and the organization who destroyed my birthright.”
“Who is your father?” I erupt.
Michael grabs my hair and yanks my head back. My scalp stings. He looks down directly into my eyes, and any warmth or feeling is completely gone. Just void. It’s like I don’t even know this person in front of me.
“EL REY!” he screams, and I flinch, his grip still tight on my hair.
“I don’t know who that is!” I cry from the pain.
Michael looks at me like I’m insane. “I would honestly believe he has you brainwashed. You are an excellent actress.” I still don’t understand. “I saw him speak to you that night, Ellie. He yanked on your slave chain.”
