Page 64 of Ferocious Nightmare

“Aww,” I ran a finger down his chest, leaning in to whisper, “not if I kill you first, Darth.”

“Leave her the fuck alone,” Nero barked at the guard. “And step away from her.”

I smirked as Darth’s lips clamped into a firm line, his nostrils flaring, as he took a step back. I considered messing with him a little bit more, but instead I walked away, continuing to wander the office towards the only interesting painting in the room.

The beauty of it was a contrast to the rest of the scattered paintings filling spaces along the white walls. It was of a weeping angel, with strong white and silver brush strokes. A red line slashed across her neck.

Nero stood, pacing his office and ranting into the phone.

His voice drew closer to me as I stared up at the painting. I wanted to move, to circle away from the disgusting man looming closer, but I was too entranced by the image in front of me.

He grew silent, even though I could still hear someone on the phone talking to him. He placed his hand onto the wall over my shoulder.

The line suddenly grew silent and I knew he'd hung up on whomever he was talking to. A cold chill raced down my back as he spoke, his breath washing over my shoulder, he was so close.

"I think I deserve a little taste of the goods before I purchase them."

“Do you?” I skirted my fingers over my pocket, reassured by Coulter’s knife. I never went anywhere without it now.

“Yes.” He nuzzled his face in my hair, and I froze in horror, staring at beautiful, drooping silver feathers.

“My Bratva blood is the only thing that matters." Calmly, I gripped the knife in my pocket, its cold edge digging into my fingers, “and you don't need a sample of that to know its value."

“An outlet, then.” His hand went to my hip, squeezing it. “Something to take my mind off all the shit dumped in my lap.”

“I’m not a wall socket.”

“So, no, then?”

“No.”

“You know, I don’t need your permission. I could easily take it.”

“If you want to keep your junk attached to the rest of your body, you do.”

You think I don’t see through you, little girl?” Reaching up, he wrapped fingers around my neck, squeezing it. “You think you can outsmart me? Make promises you don’t intend to keep.” His fingers dug in deeper. “You will never outmaneuver me. You will live the rest of your pitiful life on your back, and I will be the greatest King that has ever lived. No one, not my father or my own sons, will ever compare.” His breath heaved against my skin as he ran his nose up my neck. “And little girls like you will only ever bow at my feet.”

“I only bow to a man I respect.” Like Coulter. “And you’ve yet to earn that.”

He twisted his hand, grabbing me by my nape and pushed me forward, shoving my face into the painting. The angel wept over my head.

“I don’t need or want your respect. All I need is your cunt.” His hand went to my dress, yanking it up over my ass. I was wearing grey granny underwear, especially for him. He jerked it upwards, palming my skin.

Panic tightened my chest, making it hard to breathe. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Darth looming, a twisted evil glint in his eye, enjoying the show.

“You will fuck me, Aster. All it takes is a hold on the neck, enough to control, not enough to kill.” His teeth came down on the tip of my ear. “A little pain to sweeten the experience.”

Nero threaded my backside, his fingers sliding closer to the puckered hole, still covered by my underwear. The tips of my fingers pressing in to the painting, a growl left my mouth. “You will never touch me without my permission.” I sounded like a cornered animal.

He chuckled. “You are a magnificent creature, with just enough fire to infuse into the gene pool of my children.”

“Fuck you, Nero.”

“I plan on it.” He sneered, striking my bottom. “And then I’ll take this virgin ass as punishment for your backtalk.”

I heaved, the rage inside me overcoming all thought. I couldn’t move for fear I would break through the mold of my submission.

I needed to play my part, to be the marionette for just a little while longer.

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