Page 45 of Delivered to the Devil

Every moment of watching Kadri put his hands on her was like nails scraping along a board. Every fiber of my being ached to shove him away. Hold her hands, pull her close, whisper into her ear that I was there for her. Give her comfort while she hurt. But I kept away.Survival for her and me.That’s what I told myself. Really, I was only trying to save myself and my loyalty to Gabor. There’s no saving Rebecca, only easing her pain.

I hate myself for being a coward, scared of myself and my emotions for her. Scared that I’ll lose control and break Gabor’s trust in me. I’ve already disobeyed him too many times with this girl, bathing her when he told me not to and kissing her when she’s not mine to use. That’s why I pulled away. To stay loyal.

Gabor took me off the streets when I was fourteen—a broken kid trying to make my way in a dingy world. He taught me everything I know and made me into the man I am. He evensaved my life three times—when he first found me and twice along the way when I got too arrogant and eager. Often, I wondered why he bothered; he’d kill off any of his other men who acted rashly like that. But as the years passed, I’ve come to realize that he saw some of himself in me, because I see some of myself in him. The same cool control, the shrewd ability to manipulate, and the same calm confidence that has come with age. Much of it is because he taught me, but he couldn’t have if the potential hadn’t already been there. I know how he thinks and how he works like no one else does.

It's reckless of him, really; I could easily overthrow him and claim his criminal empire as mine. It wouldn’t run quite as smoothly without direct access to the parliament, but I have enough connections of my own to keep it going. But that’s not the reason I let Gabor stay on his throne, and he knows that too.It’s for the same reason he doesn’t get rid of me—his biggest threat. Gabor is the closest thing to family I have, and that sentiment goes both ways. The bond we share is simply too tight, and there’s no way I’ll betray him. Not for money, not for power, and certainly not for a girl.

But I can’t stay away from Rebecca either. So I’ll find a way to stay loyal and stay with her. I don’t know how, but I’ve found my way out of much bigger predicaments before. I just have to find the control. This is the promise I make to myself as I lean close to her ear and whisper, “Breathe, Rebecca. I’m here for you. Just breathe.”

I pull in a sharp drag of air and hold it in as she inhales. Then I exhale through rounded lips, letting her hear the rush of air against her ear. She imitates like the good, submissive girl she is, and the ache in my chest tightens as self-blame tears through me.

I push it away. She doesn’t need me wavering and uncertain. She needs my stability and care. So I repeat my breaths and wrapmy hand around the back of her neck, knowing the soothing effect it has on her. The tension drains from her shoulders, and her next deep breath comes more naturally. I smile to myself and stroke my thumb across her delicate skin.Such a good girl,I want to say again, but Gabor is too close to not hear. So I’ll save them for when he’s caught so deep in his depravity that they’ll easily slip his attention.

Rebecca tenses the moment Gabor spreads her ass cheeks and presses his erection against her. Tightening my grip around her neck, I remind her that I’ve still got her, and I press my free hand to the small of her back and slide it along her spine in one long, firm stroke.

“Relax,” I whisper, knowing Gabor won’t think twice about this wording. He thinks I’m helpinghimand not her, making her relax to allow him easier entrance. It’s been easy to hide my affection for her like this, but I know it has grown so strong I have to be careful.

Rebecca’s shifting breaths tell me she’s struggling with herself. One deep, three shallow. She’s fighting Gabor, but she wants to give in to me. I keep stroking her back as Gabor sinks into her, and it’s enough to keep the panic from taking her away from me. And when Gabor lets his head fall back with a loud groan as he sinks into place, I lean down to her.

“Take this for me,” I whisper in her ear, knowing Gabor is too deep in the clutches of his lust to notice. She whimpers as her shoulders jerk. She’s still struggling. So I deepen my voice to a low, commanding growl. “Obey, Rebecca. Take his cock like you just took mine.”

Gabor pulls back and slams back in as I say the words, and when Rebecca releases a soft moan, I know I’ve hit the right spot. I lean down to watch her face as I speak again. “It’s his cock, but it will be my orgasm.”

Her contorted features soften as she soaks up my words.

I tighten my grip, digging my fingers into the sides of her neck, and her moans deepen.

Gabor picks up pace and snarls with venom, “That’s it. Disgusting little slut. You’re such a whore, moaning as I take your filthy ass.”

Before his words can reach into her mind and fester, I give her better words to latch onto. “You’re such a good girl, taking his cock for me.”

She moans loudly, and Gabor huffs a cruel laugh, “Filthy slut, you actually like this.” He rears back and slams into her with a force that shoves her forward.

She doesn’t even register his words. It’s like she’s blocked him out and all she feels and hears is me. She arches back into him, craving more of his brutality as she cranes her head toward me, seeking my praise and dominance.

And I give it to her with pleasure. My cock grows achingly hard as I lean down and whisper, “Come for me, my good little anal slut.”

CHAPTER 22

“Waiting Game”

by Kalandra

Rebecca

I can barely hold back a smile when I wake to find Janos in my red wingback chair. It’s only a few tugs at the corners of my mouth, but after not having smiled for weeks, it feels as good as a tooth-revealing grin.

His head rests against one of the wings and his eyes are closed, breaths calm and deep. He must be sleeping, or at least dozing.

I watch him with fascination. It’s the first time I see him without the sharp control constantly circling him like an invisible shield. He almost looks normal, and I get the urge to crawl into his lap and place my ear against his chest to listen to his steady heartbeat. But I keep myself in check, of course.

Only a minute passes before his eyes snap open and he lifts his head. I wonder if he could sense me watching even as he slept.

All the clocks in the world stop ticking as our eyes lock for a breathless minute. It’s just him and me, our slow breaths, and this weird magnetic energy that’s always pulling between us.

I startle as my alarm cuts through the silence, telling me it’s time to get up and go to work.

A sinking feeling drops into my stomach. I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to replace this strange peace with the apathy of the store. I’d rather stay here in the clutches of the tiger than spend my day staring into harmless faces.

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