Page 68 of He Will Come for Me

There are rows of chairs and an aisle to get to the front where there’s a stage and podium. A black curtain hangs behind the stage with a large mask attached to it. The mask is red, and it looks just like mine and Phoenix’s. On each side of the stage, there are large bouquets of red and black roses. The windows that didn’t have curtains on them before but do now. I’m assuming to give the semblance of privacy.

“Who did all this?” I ask.

“Phillip handles all the logistics and planning and we hire people to make it happen.” His hand grazes my lower back as he leads me back into the hallway.

“I like the new chandeliers.” His lips twitch at the compliment, but he doesn’t respond. There’s a loud clang from the kitchen, making me jump. I rub my hand along my collarbone as I try to calm my racing heart and breathing. Phoenix wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his side.

“People will begin arriving in twenty minutes. We’ll greet each guest, then we’ll go into the ballroom and watch the auction. After that’s complete, we’ll go to the basement.” I ball my hands into fists, my red fingernails digging into my palms. He maneuvers me, so I’m facing him. He wraps both arms around me, pulling me even closer. “People will watch, but they won’t be in the same room as us. They will be at a window. On our side, it’s a mirror, so we won’t be able to see them.”

I sag slightly against Phoenix and press my forehead against his chest. He rubs his hands up and down my arms. “Will you still hide me?” I ask as I look up at him.

His fingertips trail up my arm to the column of my throat and back down. My whole body shivers at the contact, goosebumps breaking out over my arms. “I will. Contrary to what you might think about me, you are mine and I refuse to share. They might get glimpses, but over my dead body will they see any part of you I don’t want them to see.”

He leans down, so he’s closer to me. “And if anyone attempted to, I’d gouge their eyes out and kill them slowly, drawing out their pain.” He stands taller. “There are ten men that will not be here tonight because they crossed the boundaries I set the night I bought you.”

My stomach flutters and my mouth gapes open. “What do you mean? What did they do? What did you do?”

“I had a certain boundary where they weren’t allowed to get any closer than that spot. They crossed it, so they were quickly escorted out and held until I dropped you off at home and went back.” I try to think back. I don’t remember that happening. I don’t remember the boundary or the men crossing it.

“What did you do when you went back?” He looks down at me, squinting his eyes. Is he trying to decide if I can handle what he tells me?

“I cut their dicks off, slowly. Then I put it in their mouth and sewed their mouths shut. I left them for about an hour. When I returned, I covered their noses and let them choke on their own dicks if they hadn’t already done so.”

I drop my chin to my chest and gape at him. “That is…”

“Insane?” he asks.

“Brilliant.”

He tilts his head at me in surprise, his lips lifting in a small smile. “There’s hope for you after all, love.” He places my hand on his forearm and turns us so we’re facing the door.

“Don’t speak to anyone unless I give you permission.” I want to argue with this particular rule, but I don’t because I’m grateful I won’t have to hold a conversation with anyone.

“Are there any other rooms that have been decorated?” I ask, my stomach swooping at the slamming of car doors announcing the arrival of people.

“Yes, but we ran out of time, so I couldn’t show you. Next time.” There will be a next time. I don’t know how I feel about that. As upset as I am with Phoenix, he seems to mean what he says about protecting me the best he can.

“Take deep breaths, love. If you get overwhelmed, tap your wrist twice with your index finger and your middle finger. I’ll finish the conversation and escort you somewhere to help you calm down. If you feel like you’re going to have a panic attack and you can’t wait for me to finish a conversation, tap your wrist three times. I will have my eyes on you the entire night, so I promise I’ll see you.”

I grip his arm tighter. “Thank you,” I whisper. Another man in a blue mask opens the front door and the first guest walks through the door and down the main entrance toward us. Phoenix leans down, his lips touching my ear softly.

“You belong to me. You are mine. You are my first priority. I will make sure you’re safe. Always.” Before I can respond, the first couple is standing in front of us. The woman is wearing the gold mask, and the man is wearing a silver one. I frown and purse my lips. I was under the impression that only women were sold. I guess I was wrong. The way the man is looking at the woman, he obviously has feelings for her. Unless he’s a good actor.

“Ah, Phoenix, your pet looks absolutely breathtaking.” I scowl at being called his pet. He called me that before, but I thought it was an endearment. Phoenix rubs the back of his knuckles over my jaw. Tilting my head to look up at him, I’m slightly taken aback by the brightness in his eyes. He has the same look the man has.

“She is, isn’t she?” He leans down and kisses up my jaw to my ear. “Play along, pet,” he whispers so only I can hear. Is the whole night a show? I allow my instincts to take over as I rub my hand up his forearm, to his bicep, and cup the back of his neck. Turning my head slightly, my lips capture his in the briefest kiss. He flicks his tongue, wetting my upper lip just enough for me to want more before he pulls away.

He hasn’t kissed me since the day after our wedding. I hate a part of me wants more. The woman beams at me, but the man never looks in my direction. They walk toward the ballroom and we’re greeting the next couple. I didn’t have to speak to anyone, for that I’m grateful. But by the time the last couple walks into the ballroom, I’m beginning to believe the show Phoenix is putting on.

My thighs are slick with wetness because he instructed me not to wear anything under my dress. My palms are sweaty and my heart is beating as fast as a hummingbird’s wings. The ballroom doors close and I inhale a shaky breath. I have no idea what comes next, but my gut is telling me to trust Phoenix.

Phoenix grips the side of my neck and turns me to face him. “Are you wet for me, pet?” I swallow and rub my thighs together. The hand not gripping my neck trails from my shoulder to between my breasts, his fingers pushing the fabric aside as he grazes his fingertips over my nipple.

I gasp as the need in my core gets so strong it almost hurts. He smirks. “Open your mouth and stick your tongue out.” I obey immediately. He hums. “Such a good girl.” His hand trailsover my stomach to the split in my dress. I’m about to ask him what he’s doing when the grip on my neck tightens and he places his thumb against my tongue.

“Suck,” he orders as his lips trail from my shoulder to my collarbone and back again. I suck his thumb into my mouth at the same time his middle finger touches my clit. I moan around his thumb as he continues to lightly stroke my clit.

“So wet.” He bites down on my earlobe. “I knew I’d have you a weeping mess before the end of the night.” I suck in a breath through my nose. I want to beg him to add more pressure, but he continues to tease as I circle his thumb with my tongue. I’m about to pull off his thumb and beg when clapping erupts from the ballroom.

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