Page 11 of Red

Blissful silence flooded the room. With his overpowering presence gone, she could find peace for the moment.

But what would come in the morning?

Chapter 4

“Where’s the girl?” Ian jogged down the steps into the workout room where Erik had finished his run and was getting ready to go a few rounds with the heavy bag. After the night he’d had, he needed the outlet.

“She’s in my room.” Erik finished wrapping his hand.

“Abbante was here last night. What happened?” Ian demanded, stepping in front of the heavy bag.

Erik dropped his hands to his sides and glared down his younger brother. Ian’s jaw set, he wasn’t backing off.

“She broke a window and cut herself. That’s what happened. Now move.” Erik jerked his head.

Ian stepped aside but continued his interrogation. “Why isn’t she in her own room? Why is she in yours?”

Erik connected with the bag. “Because she broke the fucking window in hers.” He swung again, hooking it with his left hand.

“What did you do to her?”

Erik stepped away from the bag, ready to use his brother’s face instead. “Nothing. I put her to bed.” After making it clear who held the power.

Forcing her to strip had been meant to put her in her place, embarrass her. She’d been anything but humiliated. She covered her fear with anger, the emotion ruled her. He could see it in her eyes, the ship fighting the storm. But she would sink if she didn’t start using her head.

She’d pushed and pushed him until he had to unleash all of the possible horrors that could be awaiting her. It had made his insides knot to spew such disgusting options, but he needed her to get under control.

“This is the last one, Erik.” Ian demanded.

Erik set his jaw. “One, you don’t fucking give me orders. Two, sheisthe last one. After her, we’re done with the fucking list.”

“You still have to—”

“I know what I have to do. I’ll get to that once I have Melinda settled.”

“I want to check on her.” Ian squared off with him.

“No.” Erik turned back to the punching bag. He hadn’t given her any clothing yet, and no fucking way his brother or anyone else was putting their eyes on her.

“Why not?”

“When I’m done here, I’ll bring her down. You can see for yourself she’s unharmed.” Erik hit the bag. “I should fucking flatten you for even suggesting it.”

“What about her grandmother?”

Erik continued his routine despite his brother’s interference. “What about her?”

“She thinks her granddaughter is going to be sold off into slavery or something.”

“Ian.” Erik grabbed the bag, stopping it from swinging. “Go away. If you say one more fucking word, I’m using you instead of this.” He tapped the heavy bag.

Ian’s eyes narrowed into aggravated slits. “I fucking hate this.”

“I’m not enjoying myself, either, little brother, now go find something productive to do. Maybe start exploring some real estate options for once this is finished.” Erik turned away from Ian and returned to his workout, ending the conversation.

He worked out his aggression. His annoyance at being questioned. His frustration of having slept next to a naked woman who clung to the edge of the bed like he was going to pounce on her any second.

The image of her stripping out of her clothes, standing with fire burning in her eyes, played on a loop in his mind as he continued his routine. She’d been all spit and fire, but when he’d stripped away her clothes, it was like he’d taken away a bit of her armor. Was she vulnerable because of her nudity, or because she’d been obeying him?

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