Page 6 of Owed to the Billionaire

I hadn't expected, though, this infuriating and thrilling attraction toward Michael…. An unsettling mix of annoyance and excitement that gnawed at my control.

The stakes were higher now, and the game infinitely more interesting.

“Your first task is straightforward,” I began, my voice calm and measured. “You will deliver a package to one of my contacts in the industrial district. The contents are none of your concern. Ensure it arrives without any complications. Am I clear?”

Ryan nodded, his face a mask of determination. I could see the fear beneath the surface, the uncertainty. Good. Fear was a powerful motivator.

“I don’t speak nods, Ryan. From now on, you are my employee, and you will respond with a ‘Yes, Sir’ or a ‘No, Sir’, although I highly recommend the first of the two.”

“Yes, Sir.” He corrected himself with a subtle sigh.

“You may go now. Carlo will give you all you need on your way out.” I dismissed Ryan with a wave, watching him leave with a certain hesitance.

“Sir….” He finally dared ask before he reached the door. “About what you said last night…. The punishment….”

Seeing his struggle, I decided to make it easier for him. “The ten straps to your brother?”

Ryan took a breath, trying to control himself. “Yes. You didn’t really mean that…, right?”

Jesus, this was priceless. All those concealed emotions brewing inside the boy’s pretty head….

“I always mean every word I say, Ryan.” I assured him calmly, watching both rage and fear in his blue eyes.

“If you even touch my brother-”

“Oh, I will touch your brother,” I cut him off sharply before I softened my voice. “But not today. Today, I will beat him.”

I could almost smell the bile rising in his mouth…. “I recommend you leave now Ryan. We wouldn’t want to add another ten to his punishment, now, would we?”

Ryan looked at me as if he could gouge my eyes out, yet he remained motionless. That’s it, boy…. Bite your tongue. “Go now.”

As he left, holding in his tears of frustration, I leaned back in my chair, a small smile playing at my lips. The first task I had assigned to him was merely a test, a way to measure his capabilities and willingness to follow orders. The real challenges were yet to come.

For Michael, however, the challenge was about to take place.

When I walked into his room, I found him asleep. His breathing was shallow, and his expression was not one of peace. He’d probably been crying.

I looked at his fragile, thin frame curled under the blanket, and instinctively reached my hand out, feeling the burning need to do things to that sweet body. My first impression was that of doing good things to it, but the foreign feeling made me uncomfortable, and I decided a beating would satisfy me just the same.

I unstrapped the leather crop from my belt, feeling at ease once more. Oh, yeah, this is more like it…. My cock agreed with a small twitch.

“Wake up, Michael.” I sat on the bed as he flinched, opening his gorgeous blue eyes with that adorable look of sleepy disorientation. The second his brain caught up with his body, he sprang up in fear.

“Relax, Michael. It’s just me.” I almost laugh at the little comfort my statement might have brought. Just me was probably the last person Michael wanted to see.

I offered him some water. His eyes lit up as he began to down it. “Easy, boy…. I don’t want you getting sick.”

“Thank you,” he breathed with relief, granting me a shy smile. I wished he wouldn’t; I could deal with tears, but smiles threw me off. They almost made me feel guilty for what was to come.

“I will get you some breakfast later and something to wear as well but, right now, I’m afraid I need you like this.”

“Like this?” He seemed confused.

“I need you naked so I can whip you and, preferably, on an empty stomach.” By the way his eyes widened, and the color drained from his face, I realized I’ve said that sentence out-loud.

Hmm, I should work a bit on my tact...

“Please, Mr. Salvatore-”

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