Page 24 of A Heart So Savage

Ava had the impression Kingstonwantedthem to see her conquered and defeated. Her gaze darted around the foyer, seeking allies and finding none. Even Paulie averted his eyes, refusing to look at her.

“I cannot allow insubordination, lamb. Not even from you. Do you understand?” He licked the blood from her lip with a languid swipe of his tongue, his dark eyes shuttered.

Ava nodded her head the best she could, and Kingston growled, his fingers tightening with the threat of violence.

“Try that again.”

“Yes,sir,” Ava bit out from between clenched teeth. She couldn’t quell the shiver of fear his stern demeanor sent coursing through her. But even worse was how her body instantly clenched with helpless lust, her blood pounding in recognition of his ownership. Shemustremember his craving for obedience and continue using it as a weapon.

Because the more she submitted, the more confused he seemed by her.

Kingston grinned, a wickedly handsome grin with the power to make a girl forget her own name. “Better but far from ideal. You’re much too defiant. Too willful and far too stubborn. Oh, Ava.” His voice dropped into a husky promise, and her resolve to obey like a good girl faltered with his words. “It’s going to be a pleasure breaking you.”

* * *

For some reason,Kingston allowed Ava time alone after escorting her to their room.

Their room.

Funny how she considered it a mutually shared space when everything in The Den and on the grounds belonged solely to Kingston Winter.

Including herself.

Ava did not dare voice a complaint. Cleansing herself in the huge marble walk-in shower, wincing at the tenderness between her thighs, she reminded herself to be thankful for small mercies.

While in the shower, she shed more than a few tears. Scrubbing away all evidence of Kingston Winter on her stained skin, she cried for her lost innocence. Wept for the loss of her independence and any possibility of escape.

She would be here until Kingston tired of her, or until Carson’s debt was paid in full. Whichever came first.

I was so confident that morning in Savannah. Right before Oliver snatched me from the hotel elevator. So certain of my ability to stand completely on my own. To be happy with my decisions knowing they were mine. I was ready to live without regrets or fear. Too bad it was just an illusion. I couldn’t control my own destiny and how pathetic is that?

Emerging from the shower’s steamy heat, Ava wrapped a towel around her body. Studying the mirror’s reflection, she touched her fingertips to the dark smudges under her eyes. She looked worried. Tired. And worse still, resigned.

When the bathroom door opened quietly, her gaze remained on the mirror. There was no need to turn around. Only one person held reign over this house and everyone under its roof. Only one man came and went as he pleased. One man. A king. A monster. Her tormentor.

Her savior.

Kingston met Ava’s stare. His eyes were burning lumps of sky-sparked coals locking with hers.

She didn’t speak, but neither did he as he approached. Keeping eye contact in the mirror, he now stood close enough that she could slap him. Her breath caught in a gasp when his fingers drifted down her spine to the edge of the towel.

“Why didn’t you run from me when you had the chance, Ava?”

Ava’s eyes closed. “You know why. Must I say it aloud?”

She sensed the smile in his voice when he replied, “I want to hear you admit it.”

Ava met his dark gaze, her heart clenching with dread. She’d never felt so trapped before. Kingston no longer used chains or dungeon cells to imprison her. He utilized words and her own incessant need to belong somewhere. The need to belong to someone. Someone like him. “I’m safer here. With you.”

Kingston’s head tilted. He looped wet strands of her hair around his hand and used it to tug her back against his hard body. “It’s much more than that, Ava. What else?”

“The contract you forced me to sign.”

Hetskedin disappointment. “Oh, lamb. You’ve much to learn about yourself.”

“I don’t understand what that means,” Ava mumbled, but deep down inside, she knew exactly what he meant. A spark had ignited within her soul. One that found a sense of belonging in this man’s ruthless possession. And he was cruel enough to use it while exploiting her reluctant submission.

“I’ll make things clearer for you, Ava. We’ll start with reinforcing the rules.”

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