Page 362 of Rage

“Yes.”

I hold out my hand. He hands me the paper and a pen. I skim the document, even though I already know what it is. A wedding certificate and marriage license. I add my name next to his and hand it back to him.

“Will you tell me now?”

He moves away from the cage. “Gentlemen. Father. I thank you all for being here for my wedding. Mrs. Rossi and I would like some time alone if you know what I mean.”

Father O’Malley is the only one who laughs at the poor joke. The man who stabbed me with the syringe hands Father O’Malley a thick envelope and leads everyone from the room, leaving just me and Gideon.

Gideon turns to me. “Now, let’s get you some answers.”

Chapter Four

Wren

My heart pounds as he reaches into his suit jacket, pulling out a gold key.

“You’re going to let me go?”

His lips lift in a smile. “No. Your training is beginning, little bird. I’d suggest being quiet. I still haven’t forgotten that stunt at the office.”

“Stunt? What stunt?”

“You’re going to make this oh-so-fun for me, aren’t you?”

I close my mouth, even though I’m dying to ask a million questions.

“Good girl,” he praises.

I’ve seen that term a million times in the romance novels I like to read and never saw the appeal. But hearing Gideon say it in his deep, growly voice… well, let’s just say that now I get it. And I hate the heat that is now swirling deep in my stomach.

He unlocks the door, letting it swing open.

“Crawl to me.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to question him. Or maybe even tell him to go to hell. One look at the gleam in his eyes tells me that’s exactly what he’s hoping I’ll do. Silently, I lower to myknees and place my hands on the floor of the cage. And then I crawl to Gideon Rossi.

“Very good, pet,” he says as he moves toward the bed, sitting at the foot of it. “Come over here so I can punish you, and then we can get on with our wedding night.”

It’s killing me not being able to ask him anything, but I’m not going to test him. Not when I’ve heard of the terrible things he’s done. I come to a stop at his feet.

“Up.”

He pats his lap, so there’s no questioning what he means. My swallow is audible as I climb into his lap, laying across his muscular thighs. I regret wearing a skirt to work today because cold air licks my skin. Gideon must be thinking about my skirt, too, because his hand settles on the back of my leg, creeping under the material.

“No panties. Another thing to be punished for, wife.”

There’s a low humming in my ears as reality hits me. Oh, my god. I’m his wife.

“Why am I getting punished for that? I wasn’t your wife until moments ago,” I murmur, unable to keep silent.

“There she is,” he says.

I get the feeling that if I were to look at him, I’d find him smiling. So I don’t look.

“No reply. Smart little bird. Very smart.” He pauses. “Ten for the stunt at your job. Ten for back-talking me. And ten for not wearing panties.”

Nothing happens, and then my skirt is yanked up over my hips. A moment later, his hand makes contact with my butt cheek in rapid-fire succession. My god. I’ve never been spanked before, not even as a kid. My dad thought it was uncivilized.

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