Page 82 of The Lieutenant

“Well, put some thought into it. If you have enemies in Italy, maybe I’m the single person who can bring light to who is trying to frame you and your family. You know, the truth?”

His laugh was deep and heartfelt. “Maybe. I have a lot to think about, but there is one thing that I won’t back down on. Period. You’re coming to Paris with me.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s my job to protect you.”

“And because you don’t trust me. Right? You think I’m working for this enemy. Don’t you?” I knew the instant I looked into his eyes I was right.

“Do we really know each other at all?”

I shook my head after a few seconds. “I guess not because if you did, you’d know instinctively I have integrity. What you heard about my mother is the ugly truth, my terrible secret. I will do everything in my power to bring her justice, but not by deceiving others.”

“I believe you have integrity and perhaps we can provide assistance for each other. But first things first.” He pushed up his sleeves that were already rolled over his elbows.

“What?”

“You disobeyed my orders, you broke the terms of the contract, and you nearly got yourself killed. It’s time to face the consequences.”

CHAPTER 24

Kara

“I beg your pardon?” I asked, still with a level of defiance in my tone I didn’t feel in my heart. Maybe I’d noticed a little hurt alongside his frustration with me. He’d truly expected me to follow every rule without question.

If he didn’t know it by now, I wasn’t that kind of woman. Yet, I almost felt guilty, enough so my rebellious nature was declining.

“You heard me.”

“I don’t think I did. As a matter of fact, I’m positive you’re not thinking of…” Oh, God. I couldn’t say the word. It was as if by even whispering what he was planning on doing I’d give him permission.

“Spanking you? Yes, that’s exactly what I plan on doing. And I’ll do it every day if that helps you learn.”

He was out of his mind if he truly believed I was going to allow him to touch me that way.

But you want it. You crave his firm hand, his complete control of you.

I shut down my inner voice, but she was right. Damn her.

Havros rose to his feet, moving to the end of the kitchen island. “You heard what I said, Kara. I was very clear in my directions to you. There is no room for compromise.”

“Why does it matter to you so much?” I watched almost in horror as he unfastened his belt. Was he kidding me with this? I was jittery and excited at the same time, my body swaying as I rose to my feet. The controlling way in which he dealt with me was far too stimulating. I couldn’t understand the electricity created just by the fact I knew he’d carry through with punishing me. Was this normal in his world?

My guess is that he was being lenient with me. I could only imagine how he handled disciplinary issues with his soldiers. I pressed my hand to my forehead, hating the intense arousal skimming through my body. I couldn’t want this. Yet I couldn’t ignore the way my pussy was throbbing.

“Because I almost lost you.”

I hadn’t been prepared for his stark, genuine words or the expression that fueled his need to do this. “You care that much?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” He was letting his guard down with me. I thought I would never live to see it.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“You can promise me that you’ll never do something to place yourself in harm’s way again.” He tugged on the thick leather strap, watching me like a hawk. Did he really think I was capableof running away? My guess was that he had a ton of guards stationed right outside the door.

“I wasn’t trying to get myself killed.”

He snapped the remainder of the belt from the loops, the end slapping against the floor. I jumped from the level of anticipation boiling inside of me. “That’s what almost happened. What we are together remains to be seen, but I can’t let your indiscretions go unpunished. It’s simple. Lift your dress, lower your panties, and lean over the end of the counter.”

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