Page 40 of The Councilor

I doubted my bank account had survived, my father telling me more than once he was responsible for everything about me. I’d misunderstood what that had meant.

The truth was he was just training me to realize he owned me and soon enough, the highest paying golden pathway to gaining more power would assume the role.

It was unlike me not to fight like a hellion, but I was drained. I was sad. He peppered my bottom, acting as if he was playing a musical instrument. The analogy was silly, but the drumming on of the slight thudding sound reminded me of a metronome. There was no way of knowing how long the round of discipline continued. I was lost in a haze, the ringing in my ears picking up in volume.

What continued to confuse me was the fact my pussy was still throbbing. I wanted to convince myself it was from his repulsive yet blissful act of feasting on me, but I knew better. My anger was ripe, my nerves frayed but the attraction remained.

He tossed the spoon away a few seconds later, exhaling in a ragged sound. Meanwhile, I couldn’t move, even pressing my face into the cool granite.

As he backed away, he patted my bottom like I had been a good girl. It was surreal, too much so. This wasn’t how a relationship was supposed to go.

When he placed his hands on either side of me, I bristled more out of anger than anything else. “I don’t want our time spent together to be like this.”

“What do you want?”Stop whispering. Stop. He’s a man. Not a god.

His sigh continued. “An equal partnership.”

Now it was easy to burst out laughing. “You expect me to believe that?”

“What I expect is that you’ll work with me, improving what we have while not fighting me every step of the way. Now, slide into your jeans. Allow me to show you to your room. However, keep in mind what I said earlier. The space is temporary.”

As I inhaled deeply, the scent of citrus and leather caught me off guard. The breath seized in my lungs. I’d just lost all my freedoms, every single one. Poof. They were gone.

I was numb as I pushed back from the island, still marveling in how beautiful it was. It was true that everything had been turned upside down.

My actions were perfunctory as I jerked my jeans into my hands. Now I was more embarrassed than before, fighting the heated blush as hard as I was the rage. I honestly had no clue how I managed to slide into them other than pure adrenaline. But itwas tough to button and zip. At least he was allowing me some space. I wasn’t certain how long that would last.

“Why can’t I stay in my apartment?” I asked when I turned around.

“I thought I explained that well enough. Because the danger will only increase every day. You need to remember that includes risking your roommates.”

“And my brother and sister?”

He appeared almost as if he cared. What a crock. “That’s your father’s responsibility, but if you’re questioning whether I’ll ensure your brother isn’t sent to the front lines, I will. That is a promise I can make to you.”

“My brother is a boy. He’s not like us.”

He brushed my hair from my face. “I’m not sure what that means other than he’s a true baby soul.”

“You understand.”

“Yeah, I do. Now, let’s get you settled. We’ll have dinner and talk.”

Talk. Did he really think I believed him that we’d be talking? Or maybe he didn’t understand that when I shut down, I pushed aside almost everything.

“I don’t have clothes. Please, allow me to return to my apartment. I swear to God I won’t try anything. I will do nothing more than grab a few of my things. You can be there or send whatever thugs you’d like.”

He thought about my request but looked away. “Fine, Raphaella. I will take you there but if you act badly in any way, I will beforced to place a lock on the outside of your bedroom door. Is that clear?”

“Yes. I’m not trying to give you trouble. I get what’s going on.”

The stern look on his face was almost paralyzing. “Then I’ll trust you. Don’t betray that trust, Raphaella. It’s not given easily and usually not a second time. I would hate for our entire relationship to be based on lies and misunderstandings, princess.”

“I got it.” The man was like a wolf, predatory in every action. “Please don’t call me princess. I’m not who you think I am.”

“Then prove it.”

His challenging three words added another level of irritation. I’d need to show him how capable I really was.

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