Page 34 of Ruthless Bonds

I clenched my jaw and calmed myself. Now that she was in my car and nobody could see her voluptuous body, there was no reason to be upset. “This is what you like to do for work? Flaunt your body for money?”

The question caught her off guard. She opened and closed her mouth, no words coming out. “Is that why you scared the shit out of me and dragged me in here? Because you don’t like my outfit choice?” Her voice rose with each word, and I could see she wasn’t scared anymore.

She was angry.

Perfect. I enjoyed the fiery look in her eyes. Anything less would be boring.

“No, that’s not why I’m here.” I leaned back and straightened my tie.

“Good, because I can do anything I want with my body. You have no say in that.”

“Not anymore. I own you, remember?” I cocked my head to the side, enjoying the flush rising up her neck to her cheeks.

“You can’t be serious,” she scoffed.

“Deadly.”

“What? I’m not allowed to show my cleavage now? Because that makes my master upset?”

“Precisely.”

“You’re insane.” She enunciated each word with a wave of her hands. “It’s too late for this. I’m exhausted, and I want to go home.” She jiggled the door handle, but of course it wouldn’t open.

“You’ll go when I say you can.”

“Oh, yes, sir.” She gave me a little salute androlled her eyes.

My cock stirred when she called me sir. Just like all those years ago when she’d called me that and I’d wanted to rip off all her clothes.

“If you want to act like a brat, then I’ll treat you like one.” I steepled my fingers and held her gaze.

The car was silent. I could see the question on her lips, but she was too chicken to say anything back. She crossed her arms over her chest and let out a small huff.

“Why was there an FBI agent at your apartment?”

Her face twisted with confusion, as if she was trying to figure out how I knew about that. Then a splash of fear.

“It’s not what you think,” she blurted. “Dove—something happened to her a few months ago. It’s a federal case now. That agent is trying to help her.” There was a slight irritation in her tone when she said the last bit.

Interesting.

“I didn’t tell her anything about you. I won’t. Neither will Dove. I promise.”

“You understand what will happen if you lie, correct? If you disobey me?”

She bit her bottom lip, then nodded.

I reached over and slid a piece of her hair behind her ear. I trailed my fingers down her cheek and gripped her chin. “Use your words, Alora.”

“Yes.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “I understand.”

“Good.” I released her chin. “There’s nowhere you can run where I won’t find you.” I let the threat hang in the air for a moment before unlocking the door. “I’llfollow you to make sure you get home safe.”

She threw the door open, almost stumbling over her feet to get out. When she reached her car, I rolled down my window and called her name. I held her knife in the palm of my hand, and she snatched it with a glare.

“Night,kotic.” I rolled the window back up.

I had my driver follow behind her. Her neighborhood was a complete dump. The thought of her living here with all these vile transients made my skin crawl.

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