Page 39 of Dance of Ruin

“Have you ever seen someone you love almost blown to pieces in front of you?”

I flinch, as if struck.

“Nico, I’m so sorry?—”

“Youdon’t have to be sorry.Youdidn’t order a car bomb delivered to my front door. Unfortunately, the man whodidis untouchable. Equally as unfortunately, you are the opposite. Which is why you’reminenow, to do with as I please. And if that is having you strip in front of me while I watch…” He lifts a shoulder. “I would start making fucking peace with that,” he growls. “Is that clear.”

I swallow, nodding.

“Then stop wasting my fucking time. Strip.”

Hands trembling, I reach down and grip the hem of my t-shirt. My chest tightens as I pull it over my head and toss it aside. Then I slip my fingers into the waistband of my leggings. I slide them down slowly, stepping out of them hesitantly, until I’m standing in my bra and underwear, breathing shallowly.

Cold silence hangs in the room for a moment.

"That's not stripping," Nico says calmly.

My cheeks flame, but I continue.

Every motion feels like a betrayal. Not of myself, but myideaof myself. I’m not shy about being naked. I change in front of other dancers every day, even in front of male dancers backstage during quick costume changes.

But this is different.

This isintimate.

This is my power being taken.

And the way he watches me makes it worse.

He doesn’t leer. Doesn’t ogle. Just…inspectsme, like I’m a specimen under glass. Cataloging what belongs to him.

I stand there trying not to shake, my hands making a feeble attempt to cover my breasts and sex.

Nico pushes away from the desk and begins to circle me slowly. I flinch a little when he takes my wrist, pulling my hands away from my body.

“Hmm,” he murmurs almost to himself, gaze dropping to my pussy. “Next time, I want you shaved.”

My cheeks flame with heat. I keep ittrimmeddown there. I mean, with the light-colored tights, it's just better. But I don’t shave completely either.

I swallow hard. "Why?" I mumble.

"Because that’s what I prefer," he growls. "More important, because Isaid so."

He walks around behind me. I flinch when I feel his warm breath on my neck.

"Desk," he murmurs. "Bend over it."

My body locks up.

"Now."

I still don’t move.

He sighs, annoyed. "Need I remind you what happens if you say no? What Ihave?”

I die a little inside as the mere mention of that disgusting tape of my assault, which he still thinks is a fuckingporno.

"I—no," I stammer.

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