Page 40 of Savage Warrior

“Not sorry enough. That was… that was…” I bite my tongue to hold in the tirade I was about to unleash. “Do you seriously have a death wish, girl? Because I don’t.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

I draw in a long, soothing breath. My heart rate steadies. I fight to rein in my temper. Looking up, I survey the damage. “You shot a hole in my boss’s ceiling.”

“Did I? Oh…”

I get to my feet, leaving her on the floor. I pace away, raking my fingers through my damp hair and seriously consider punching the wall. I might do it, if I was prepared to explain even more damage to Ethan. I decide I’m not and turn to regard her.

“That was foolish, and fucking dangerous,” I snarl.

“I know. I realise that now. I’m so sorry…” She scrambles up onto her knees. “It was just that—”

“Sorry?” I let out a hollow laugh. “Not quite yet, but I intend to make sure you are. And that you remember in future that actions have consequences.” I unbuckle my belt.

Arina’s eyes widen. She gets to her feet. “What do you mean?”

I draw the belt from the loops on my jeans and fold the strap in two. “Lie across the bed, Arina. Facedown.”

She shakes her head, mouthing the word ‘no’.

“Don’t make this worse,” I advise her.

“Please, you don’t need to do this. I apologised. I will never touch your gun again.”

“If I have to come and get you…” I warn.

“Don’t hurt me.” She’s weeping now. “I never meant to shoot you, not really.”

“I know you didn’t, and that’s another lesson you need to learn. Never take up a weapon unless you mean to use it. That’s how accidents happen. I won’t tolerate it, Arina. I said I’d keep you safe, and I will, even if it means keeping you safe from your own foolishness.”

“Please, ?tefan,” she sobs.

“Enough. Over the bed. Now.”

She creeps towards me. “Hit me if you must, but please, not with your belt…”

“That’s not your choice, girl.” I tip my chin at the mattress. “And for the record, I don’t hit women. A well-deserved spanking, though, now that’s different. Lie down and put your hands above your head.”

Wide-eyed, she seems rooted to the spot for several moments, until it dawns on her that she has no choice. She fucked up, and now she pays.

“H-how many…?” she whispers.

I swallow down the remainder of my temper. It wouldn’t do to administer a punishment like this while I’m still angry. This girl is fragile enough already. And now that her sudden flash of desperation-driven bravado is spent, she’s clearly terrified. Maybe I shouldn’t…

I steel my resolve. As I already told her, actions have consequences. And the consequences of Arina’s little moment of madness could have been devastating. This has to be done.

“Again, that will be my decision,” I snap.

Defeated, Arina positions herself as I instructed and looks up at me over her shoulder.

“Lift the hem of the shirt. Your bottom needs to be bare, or you won’t get the full benefit.”

She sobs even louder but does as she’s told.

Her bruises have all but faded now, and I really don’t want to leave her black and blue all over again. But some marks are inevitable, it is in the nature of a decent whipping. Oh, well.

I select my spot, the fleshiest part of her buttocks, and raise my arm.

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