Page 74 of Under Control

“I don’t know! Most nights. Please, I don’t know anything else.”

“Edgar,” I say, patting his cheek. “You’ve been very useful. I understand why Aram made you one of his trusted men.”

“You’re not going to win,” he says, thinking this is over. “The Brotherhood is stronger than you realize.”

“Maybe,” I say and jab the edge of my knife against his throat. “But you’re not.”

I saw his neck open. It’s ugly and grisly, and he bleeds like a fucking pig, but once he’s dead, I feel a little bit better.

Anton’s leaning against the wall, looking at his nails. “Hell of a mess,” he says.

“Get the plastic. We have to wrap him up.”

His eyebrows raise. “Oh, now you need my help?”

“Don’t be a prick. Someone might show up.”

“I told you this was a bad place to interrogate someone.”

“Are you going to fucking help?” I open the trunk and grab the long sheets of heavy gauge plastic.

Anton and I roll dead fucking Edgar and dump his corpse back into the car. We’ll drive him somewhere safe and make sure he disappears.

It’ll put Aram on edge, but he won’t know what I got out of his lieutenant before it’s too late.

Chapter 26

Karine

Icome home from an afternoon sitting beside my mother to find a note waiting on the kitchen island:Pick a box and put on what’s inside. I’ll be home to pick you up shortly. V.

My heart’s beating hard as I hurry up into the bedroom. Sure enough, there are three dress boxes, each of them closed and wrapped with red ribbon, and I find one more note.

Pick one and only one. Don’t peek. I’ll know if you do, and you won’t like your punishment. V.

“Cheeky little bastard,” I say, smiling to myself.

It’s been a long day. I feel guilty over how boring it is sitting beside my mother’s unconscious body, which makes me want to stay for as long as I can physically handle, but I’m not even sure she knows I’m around. The doctors say she’ll be ready to wake up soon, and Luka promises me they’re not bullshitting, that she really is healing very well.

I need this distraction. For as difficult as things have been lately, Valentin’s the only bright spot in my days. I see him when he comes home at night, and most of the time he doesn’t evenhesitate before pulling my clothes off and taking what he wants from me. And it’s not like I complain.

In the end, I pick the left box and unwrap it. Inside, there’s a Givenchy box with a dress, about knee-length, plunge V-shaped neckline, all beautiful shimmery silk. But sitting underneath is a black choker necklace studded with diamonds and another note.Wear it all and nothing underneath. The dress is for me. The choker is so the world knows you’re mine. V.

I shower the hospital away and get ready as quickly as I can. Right as I finish pulling on the dress, no bra, no panties, and fastening the choker, I hear sound of Valentin’s footsteps coming toward the door.

He’s the only man in this entire house that would dare stomp around so loudly, much less come anywhere near our private sanctum.

The door creaks open and my husband stands with one hand on the frame.

“What do you think?” I ask, giving him a little turn. I’m in matching heels and my hair’s down the way I know he likes it.

Better for him to get his fist through.

His eyes burn into me. They rake down my body, lingering on my legs, my breasts, and finally on the diamond-studded choker around my throat. It’s not really my style, but it looks so much like a collar, and I know what he’s thinking. He wants to see what it looks like when his dick’s in my mouth.

I want him to grab the back while I gag on him.

I’m in dark makeup, my hair swept around one shoulder, and I’ve never felt so chic before in my life.

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