Page 87 of Marked

I bring the flogger down across her ass once more. The hardest of the lashes, and she bucks back, screaming again.

When I check on her, tears have ruined her make up. Dark lines from her mascara trail down her cheeks.

“You’ve never been so beautiful.” I fist her hair at the scalp and drag her head back, licking her neck from collar bone to chin before I kiss her so deeply, I almost forget we have an audience.

“Almost done. The next part is the hardest. Be my brave girl,” I tell her then shove her head away from me and cross the platform.

Jimmy notices me headed to him and leans toward me.

“Your girl looks worn out,” he laughs.

“She’s warmed up.” I look over my shoulder at her. She’s brought her feet back together and eased the strain on her wrists. There’s going to be bruising though.

“She’s well trained, like you said.” He tilts his head to look at her again. “Are you done with her?”

I laugh.

“No. She can take a lot more. But I’m not in the mood. She’s too complacent with me.” I narrow my eyes and lean closer. “You want a crack at her?”

His eyebrows shoot up. He’s a little kid being asked if he wants to live in the chocolate factory.

“I enjoy watching her get hurt as much as I love hurting her.” My stomach rolls. I may not make it through this lie without vomiting on this creature.

“You saw how I play,” he warns.

I nod.

“I did. That’s why I’m asking you. But.” I move closer to him. “I don’t like all the audience bullshit. In private. Just the three of us. You can do whatever the fuck you want, but she has to live. And no permanent scars on her face. She’s pretty and I don’t want that ruined.”

He eyes me for a second, mulling it over.

“Unless you’ve had your fun already tonight and aren’t in the mood?” I start to get back up, like I’m taking away the offer.

“No.” He touches my arm. “I’m definitely in the mood. I have a private suite, but it’s in the back. Get her. Let’s go have some fun.” He stands and flexes his fingers, like he’s just itching to get his hands on my girl.

“Are we done?” Harley asks softly as I take her down from the beam.

“Not yet, baby.” I hold onto her until she finds her footing. Pulling the tattered dress from her body, her entire body is exposed to the onlookers. “Almost done,” I encourage her. “Remember what I said earlier, no matter what you hear me say, know that I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

She nods.

My girl is tired.

It’s been a stressful night, and it’s about to get worse. Because I still don’t know how I’m going to get his ass out of this place without anyone seeing us.

My promise to Jeff about not taking anyone else out tonight other than Jimmy may have to be broken.

After I toss all the toys back into the bag, I put my hand out to her, a signal for her to come to me. And the perfect girl that she is, she slides her hand into mine, lacing our fingers together.

When we step off the platform, Jimmy grins down at her like he’s admiring the plate a chef just put in front of him.

“She really is pretty.” He lifts a finger to her chin.

Her fingers tighten around mine when he makes contact, but my girl remains strong.

My breath catches. The longer he stares at her, the more chances are he’ll recognize her.

Ten years is a long time, but fifty years could pass, and I’d recognize her.

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