Page 12 of Bound to Him

"Wouldn't you be?" I counter. "If someone took you from your home, drugged you, locked you up?"

"No one would dare," he says simply.

And there it is. The casual admission of his power, his untouchability. Whoever this man is, he operates outside the rules that govern normal society. The realization makes my situation suddenly, terrifyingly clear. There will be no rescue, no authorities breaking down the door. I am completely at his mercy.

My legs weaken, and I sway slightly. Dante's other hand comes to my waist, steadying me.

"Sit down before you fall," he says, guiding me back to the bed. I sit because standing seems impossible now, my body still heavy from the sedative, my mind reeling with the hopelessness of my position.

Dante remains standing, looking down at me. "These are the rules," he says. "You will stay in this room unless I accompany you elsewhere. You will eat the food provided, wear the clothes provided, and follow my instructions without argument. You will speak to me respectfully. You will not attempt to escape or contact anyone outside this house."

Each sentence falls like a hammer blow. "And if I refuse?" I ask, though I already suspect the answer.

"Then your comforts will be reduced until you comply," he replies. "This room can be a sanctuary or a cell, depending entirely on your behavior."

I look around at the opulent surroundings, the beautiful prison he's created for me. "Why me?" I ask, the question that's been burning since I first saw him in my bedroom. "Of all the people in the world, why did you choose me?"

Dante studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Because from the moment I saw you, I knew you were meant to be mine."

The possessiveness in his voice makes me shudder.This isn't just about my father's debts. This is something darker, more personal. He didn't just happen to take me as payment; he wanted me specifically. The thought makes me feel physically ill.

"I'll never be yours," I say, the words quiet but firm. "You can keep me locked up forever, but you can't own me. Not really."

His smile is slow, almost sad. "That's where you're wrong, Hannah. I already own your body, if not yet your mind and spirit. Those will come in time."

He moves closer, and I shrink back against the pillows, but there's nowhere to go. His hand reaches out, touching my hair. I flinch but don't pull away, some instinct warning me that resistance now would be dangerous.

"Such beautiful hair," he murmurs, his fingers combing through the strands. "I've thought about how it would feel since the first time I saw you."

The casual admission that he's been watching me, planning this, makes my skin crawl. "Please don't touch me," I whisper.

He ignores me, his hand continuing its exploration, trailing down to my cheek. "Your skin," he says, almost to himself, "is exactly as soft as I imagined."

I close my eyes, trying to block out his presence,trying to escape in the only way currently available to me. But that just heightens my other senses—the feel of his fingers on my face, the scent of his cologne, subtle but expensive.

"Look at me," he commands.

I keep my eyes shut, this small defiance all I can manage. His fingers tighten slightly on my jaw.

"Look at me, Hannah," he repeats, his voice harder now. "Don't make me ask again."

Slowly, reluctantly, I open my eyes, meeting his gaze. The intensity there is frightening—hunger, possession, and something else, something almost like reverence.

"There you are," he says softly. "Those eyes. I knew they'd be even more beautiful up close."

Before I can react, he leans down and presses his lips to my forehead. It's not a romantic kiss—it's a branding, a marking of territory. I freeze, not even breathing until he pulls back.

"That wasn't so terrible, was it?" he asks, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Just a small taste of what's to come."

My stomach twists at the implication. "I'll never want you," I say, the words coming out shaky but determined. "No matter what you do, no matter how long you keep me here."

His smile doesn't falter. "We'll see." He stands,smoothing his already-immaculate suit. "You should rest. The sedative will take time to fully clear your system. I'll have dinner sent up in a few hours."

He walks to the door, then turns back. "Oh, and Hannah? The windows are reinforced, the door locks automatically, and there are cameras in every corner of this room. I'll be watching you, even when I'm not physically present." He pauses, his hand on the doorknob. "Sweet dreams."

Then he's gone, the door closing behind him with a soft click followed by the unmistakable sound of a lock engaging.

Alone, I finally allow myself to break. Tears come in a flood, silent at first, then building to wracking sobs that shake my entire body. I curl into a ball on the luxurious bed, burying my face in a pillow to muffle the sound, though I suspect Dante can hear me anyway. He did say he'd be watching.

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