Page 22 of Vicious

And that’s it. Despite how big and terrible this feels, the implant insertion is over in under ten minutes.

“I didn’t pay a notorious mafia leader exorbitant amounts of money just to keep you locked up,” Chase says with a smile. “And I’ve never been one to keep my toys in their packaging.”

I glance at Savage, even though I know no help is coming from him, then look back at Chase. “Yippee,” I say flatly. I’ve never been a violent person, but I would love to punch the smile from his face.

Chase laughs. “Y’know, Hunter, maybe we should arrange a playdate between my girl and yours?—”

Yours. Of course this dick has his own plaything, taken out of its packaging so he can treat her like a sex toy as well.

“No,” Savage answers flatly. He packs up his bag and stands up. “I don’t need your girl to stress Stef out.”

“No stress! Stef can teach Ah-May the ropes, help her get adjusted to her new life, maybe socialize her a little…”

“I need socialization,” I interject. “Lots of socialization. In fact, I need so much socialization that I really shouldn’t be kept in a single room for the rest of my existence.” Despite the snark, I can’t quite hide the fear that comes with the idea of being trapped here until I die.

Savage tenses and turns to look at me, meeting my eyes. I don’t understand the sudden scrutiny, but his lips thin.

“Maybe,” he finally says. “But only under strict supervision. And if Stef wants to leave, we leave.”

“Oh, she gets a choice?” I ask, unable to keep the half-manic laugh from escaping. “So, what? Did she come to you willingly?”

Savage shakes his head. “Never mind. I don’t need your girl causing trouble.”

“Oops, you pissed him off, bratty May! Hunter can’t take a joke, especially not when it comes to his collared pet.” Chase sits down next to me and puts his hand on my shoulder, rubbing insistently. “I suppose you do need a bit more training first before I can let you play with the other pets.”

“This bratty pet will bite your hand off,” I mutter, trying to squirm free of his hold. The idea of training has something cold running down my spine, threatening to overtake me and turn me into the docile thing I know he wants me to become.

“Call me if anything seems to be off with the implant,” Savage says by the door. “I can see myself out.”

“Yeah. Don’t forget, drinks with Drake on Wednesday!” Chase calls as Savage leaves.

I narrow my eyes when I look at Chase, grabbing his wrist to try to force him to stop touching me. “Some friends you have,” I say. “Are they all as screwed up in the head as you are?”

“My best friends? Yep.” Chase moves to cup my breast and squeeze my nipple, making me bite my lip so I don’t let out a moan. “Like attracts like, and all that. The way you attracted me.”

“I didn’t do anything to attract you. In fact, I did everything I could to get you to leave me alone,” I say, still struggling to pull his wrist away from me. “You can’t fuck me yet,” I add after a pause. “So stop it.”

“I can’t come inside you yet,” Chase corrects with amusement. “I can do all manner of non-penetrative fucking. And I could whip you, too, without any risk of pregnancy at all!”

Another chill runs down my spine, and I shake my head vigorously. “No. You don’t want to do that.” Maybe if I say it loud enough, often enough… Ha. Yeah, right.

“I think I do. It’s all I was imagining while I was sitting at my boring lunch, talking to one of the most boring people I know.” Chase leans in closer and places his hand on my back. “I’ll be the first to mark this flesh, too.”

I shiver.

He smells nice. I’m reluctant to admit it, but he has good taste in cologne. He’s still using the same one he’d worn when I’d first met him, and it brings back so many visceral memories of his lips on mine, of the pain in my hand from where I’d cut myself on shattered glass?—

No. I’m not going to let myself be distracted by the positive parts of him. He’s a monster who bought a woman. What kind of man does that?

Chase pulls me off the bed, and I reluctantly follow. I could try to hide or resist, but it’s not like I have any leverage here. I do shiver, though, walking completely naked.

I stop when I reach the end of my chain, just short of the big X-shaped cross.

“You’re going to have to remove this,” I say, pointing at the collar.

Chase laughs. “Yeah. You can’t really reach the cross while chained.”

I lift my chin, waiting. “So take it off.”

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