Page 113 of She Belongs to Me

I never knew both water and an implement for the bath could hurt so much. I attempted to hold in my cries, fearful the visitors waiting downstairs could hear me. Sadly, with every crack of the brush, it was becoming close to impossible.

My mind was reeling with the thoughts of how important today was even as he continued the spanking, the cracking sound unable to free my mind. He was damn good at issuing punishments, maybe thinking concentrating on real pain instead of fear of the unknown would help.

It didn’t.

I was petrified, fearful I would screw up and what I was about to do was terribly important.

It didn’t seem to faze the man I loved, however. He was bringing the horrible instrument down one swat after another, the thudding feeling matching the sound as the wood hit my bottom.

It was already on fire, likely sensitive to the touch. How could I possibly ignore the spanking from minutes before at the meeting?

Well, maybe the continued discomfort would allow me to concentrate on something else. Maybe.

“Five more.” His tone was far more lighthearted than I’d heard in the limited time I’d spent with him in six days. Although our nights had been full of passion.

I wanted to ask him why not make it five hundred, but I knew better than to say anything. Instead I breathed out, the raw burning in my bottom contrasting with the warmth of his body next to mine. He issued the last strikes slowly. The bastard.

When the round of discipline was finished, I finally took a deep breath. He gripped my arms, pulling me close. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“Normal?”

His laugh held a slight tone of bitterness. “I don’t know what normal is.”

“Big holiday events with friends and family. Lots of food and decorations.”

Nico gave me a solid smirk. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I hope you do.”

He kissed me on the shoulder and sighed. “Are you ready for this?”

“I think so.”

“Just relax and remember to breathe.”

When someone told you to remember to breathe, I always wanted to smack them for their stupidity. But I did understand what he was saying.

Stay calm.

I would. I was determined to do so.

He waited as I got dressed, donning one of his usual dapper suits. After fixing my makeup, I stared at my reflection, hopeful the strong girl would make an appearance today.

After everything I’d experienced, this should be a piece of cake.

We would see.

Nico took me by the hand, leading me out of the room and down the stairs. I’d already met both Francesco Lombardi, an attorney and personal friend as well as Walter Reed, the attorney who would handle what we were about to do. Correction. What I was about to do. That included asking me questions to prompt my memory.

The brutal images were still very vivid. I had a feeling they would remain for a very long time.

I took my seat, noticing both Domino and Isabella had slid into the room to offer their support. I’d even had a lovely long discussion with my aunt, who was still under protection. She’d taken a fancy to one of the men guarding her, baking for all the men. Go figure.

This was… important.

“Are you ready, Ms. Christian?” Mr. Reed asked.

“I am.”

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