Page 60 of Controlled

As I held her in position, I noticed the bright lights of New York just off to my periphery. “Now, you’re going to be a very good girl for me, perfect dancer. I won’t take anything less. If you so much as attempt to escape or try and ask for help from anyone, I will punish you in a way that you will never forget. I’m not a man to be fucked with. I think you’ve already made that determination, but just so we’re on the same page. Do I make myself clear?”

She shuddered in my hold, her long fingers gripping the armrests of the chair. “Yes.”

“That’s my good girl. Now, we’re going to have a fabulous night.”

Bella

Dressed like a princess.

Treated like a queen.

Wearing a half million dollars’ worth of jewelry.

The perfect gown.

The prettiest shoes.

The best-looking man in the entire Big Apple.

Guarded. Protected. Catered to. Fawned over. Photographed.

The night was exactly what every little girl’s fantasies were made of.

Only I continued to feel like nothing but a prisoner because that’s what I was. That’s what he’d made me.

Still, I had to admit that when we’d stepped out of the limousine only minutes before, seeing the number of paparazzi had created a little wave of excitement inside. A long time ago in what seemed like a different lifetime, the few times my mother had allowed me to be by her side at a movie premiere, she’d caused the same reaction.

Men hungering for her.

Women despising her.

Photographers capturing every moment.

As the crowd gathered more closely around us, I could tell the four men Creed had brought with him were growing irritated by the number of people vying for everything from a kiss to the perfect photograph of the new girl. Several women were attempting to hand Creed their phone numbers.

And their panties, for God’s sake.

What respectable woman did that kind of shit?

I had to admit, I was a smidgeon jealous, which surprised me even more than when he’d given me the gorgeous necklace. Creed wasn’t just a dangerous man. He was one of continuous surprise and intrigue.

His hand was firmly wrapped around mine, even more possessive than before as a more studious-looking reporter shoved his way through the crowd.

“Mr. Saint. Is it true that your family’s weaponry firm is about to sign a contract with the Pentagon that will be the largest private contract ever undertaken with a private company?” The reporter smiled at Creed and leered at me.

“Jake. As you might imagine,” Creed started. “I cannot confirm or deny as every negotiation is kept highly confidential. In this case, it’s a matter of national security.”

The cameras loved Creed. He sparkled as if he was used to being in the limelight. I had to admit I was also in awe of him, his continued prowess and confidence in front of the crowd and the cameras.

“Isn’t it also true that you’ve developed the most high-tech security equipment in the world?” the reporter pressed.

“Now that I can attest to.”

“Mr. Saint,” another reporter piped in. “Who is your lovely companion for the evening?”

The female reporter was none too happy that he was holding my hand so tightly. Even less so when he lifted it, bringing my knuckles to his lips. In front of everyone, he growled as he’d done before, kissing and licking my knuckles as if making love to me in private.

I’d be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t hot and wet, perhaps more so than before. His piercing gaze was locked onto mine, the man never blinking. And it was obvious to me what he was thinking and what the cameras had caught far too easily.

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