“It’s your own fault you didn’t take the time I afforded you to wash and dress,” Leon snapped.
“With what,” Elena shouted back, uncaring of who heard her shrill cries of his many faults. Let them know how he planned to use his Omega now. “None of my things are here, and you made very clear that I cannot return to the hotel to retrieve them. What am I to dress in exactly? Shall I go about in your shirts like some cheap?—”
“Don’t you dare finish that,” Leon said, crouching before her. He slapped away her hands as he felt around her shoulder, grunting as she whimpered and flinched away from his probing fingers. “Your things were brought here, delivered to my men byyour beloved guard. They should have made their way to my room.”
“No one came in there,” Elena murmured, cradling her abused arm against her chest.
Leon heaved a sigh, disgruntled and furious even as he eased his arm behind Elena to pull her up to her feet with some care. Gentle with her now as he kept an arm at her back, lending his other arm to steady her as she limped along the long hall.
“Stay here,” he said after depositing her back into the bedroom, closing the door firmly behind him.
He returned just a few moments later, her suitcase and overnight bag in hand. If she didn’t know the man better, she’d swear he was blushing as he settled both on the long bench at the footboard. His color was just high from shouting at her so much, from being so angry, she reasoned as she inched her way closer to pry the zipper open on her bags.
She trusted Jamie to have remembered to pack everything. He had even tucked the little jewelry box containing the pieces they’d yet to sell in there. Jamie was a good man and a steadfast guard, no matter what Leon said.
“Well,” Leon said, reminding her of his presence as she picked at her clothing.
“What?” Elena glanced at him sideways, edging further away from his menacing presence as he stood straight and took a single step towards her.
“Are you going to dress for dinner, or do I have to, what was it you said? Parade you in front of my people like this?”
“All right,” Elena murmured, plucking a fresh blouse and a pair of pants free of her suitcase, only to have both snatched out of her hands.
Leon muttered something to himself, dragging her bag closer to him to inspect its contents. His lips flattened into a thin line as he surveyed her meager possessions, but he finallydecided on a slim fitted skirt and airy blouse and held them out to her.
“You’ll wear these.”
“That’s hardly dinner attire.”
“It’s better than that,” he said with a nod at her choice where he’d balled them up on the bed.
Taking a steadying breath, Elena took the clothes from Leon and started towards the two doors. One had to be a bathroom and would give her a modicum of privacy.
“You will change where you stand, Omega,” Leon said, voice turned dangerous and dark.
Elena crashed to a halt, shoulders hunching against that tone. A shiver of fear worked down her spine, goosebumps breaking out all along her arms. She felt his heat long before his presence engulfed her, his arm coming around her to tug at the placket of her top.
Giving a single nod of understanding, Elena knew she couldn’t waylay him forever. He’d take what he wanted at some point. She could wish he’d let her heal some, but it seemed that wasn’t to be. There’d be no dinner, either. It’d all been a ruse to get her in this precarious position.
Setting aside the bundle of clothing, trembling fingers undid the buttons with mechanical practice. She didn’t put on a show for him as her hands went to the waist of her long skirt, undoing the buttons there before letting it fall free of her hips.
He dragged a breath in through his nose as he saw her lower half. Elena shrugged free of her blouse but didn’t have the courage to turn back to him. Crouching low, she gathered the items and held them tight to her chest as he made a vicious sound low in his throat.
“I, um… Where should I put…?” Elena remained in her defensive huddle, too afraid to rise. Too disgusted with herself for not fighting back. It would only make it worse though.
“Why didn’t you tell me,” Leon said, voice a hoarse croak ashe came at her in a rush. His hand shook as he ghosted his fingers over the deep welts and bruises littering her back.
Elena shook her head. Brows drawing low, she wondered what he’d expected. He’d put them there, after all. He should know what he’d done to her. She cringed as he traced the length of her spine, falling forward to her knees with her head bowed low enough she almost kissed the thick rug beneath her.
Gods, he’d do it here on the floor like an animal.
“Put on something comfortable,” he said, awkward as he stepped away from her. “I’m calling a doctor.”
“What for,” Elena asked as she dared to look over her shoulder at him.
“For that,” Leon said, loud and incensed as his hand took in the mottled damage of her back and arms.
“There’s nothing they can do about that,” she murmured. Suddenly she was self-conscious, arms wrapping around her chest and sex to shield them from his view despite the underwear she still wore.
