Page 34 of Vengeance of Childhood Proportions

Master Mal put a knee up on the cushion by my hip. He leaned over me, his opposite arm on the back of the horseshoe couch by my ear. “When I come into a room, Little Owl, you are to kneel. Do you understand?”

I swallowed hard, but nodded. “Yes, Sir.”

“You’re allowed one,” he held up a single finger, “mistake. Once we go over expectations and limits in a few minutes, I expect you to adhere to my rules.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Did you eat enough?”

“Yes, Sir. Thank you again for the pizza, but I really can’t eat all of it on my own. That’s why I offered the rest to Joey.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I do not feed Joey, Little Owl. You are my priority. I providefor you, not Joey.”

I licked my lips, tasting residual traces of tomato, spices, and cheese. “That’s very sweet of you, Sir.”

Master Mal shook his head. “Not sweet. In a standard arrangement, it is my job.” He bent down lower to press his lips gently to mine. “In your case, it’s my privilege.”

I felt my cheeks heat and was a bit embarrassed to form a reply.

“Tell me why you wanted to come upstairs instead of witnessing Dominique’s punishment. It was you she hurt after all.”

I shook my head. “She didn’t hurt me. She just?—”

“She nearly made you cry,” he interrupted through gritted teeth.

My eyes widened when I saw anger rolling off him in waves. In our short time together, I had seen a more laidback side of him, stern but playful. Now, I was seeing the Dom. The man withthe reputation, per Joey, for being demanding, domineering, and challenging. Many subs wanted him because he did not play games, a straightshooter. That was not the impression I’d gotten from him.

Or I guess it was, because hewasall those things, but I also saw a softer side. Beyond the provider and protector was a caretaker.

I had to look away from him, feeling like he was able to see into my soul. “I did not need to see it,” I answered him.

“Eyes on me, Little Owl.”

My eyes snapped over to him. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with how deeply he was looking at me, but he’d demanded it. I wanted to look away but did not have to. “I did not want to see her like that,” I answered truthfully.

“Why?”

A lump got stuck in my throat. “Because I knew she would like it.”

Master Mal nodded slowly, like he was understanding something unspoken. “I can assure you that she did not. Master Valentino is putting her in chastity and, at my request, it will be for two months.”

My eyes widened. I’d never been interested in trying chastity. Maybe short term, for a punishment, but long term would definitely be a hard limit for me. “Do you enjoy chastity? Is that something you like to do?”

Master Mal shook his head. “Chastity keeps me away frommyprize too. I want full access to you, Little Owl, atalltimes.”

I nodded because I desperately wanted that too. I didn’t know what it was about Master Mal that drew me like a moth to a flame. Ishouldn’tbe here. Ishouldn’tbe meeting with him again. Ishouldn’tbe about to discuss an arrangement to him.

But there was one core fact that I just couldn’t overlook when it came to this man: I feltsafewith him.

So here I was, looking up into his beautifully gruff face and dark green eyes, longing to be called his. If only for the night.

“Tell me about your aversion to bondage.” I stiffened, and of course, he noticed. “Did you have a bad experience?”

That time Ihadto look away. I could not face, did not want him to see my rage. I was very aware that I was not to blame for my attack. I knew there was nothing to be embarrassed or humiliated about. I was a victim. More than that, I was a survivor. I wouldneverbe held captive again, never be at someone else’s mercy. I wasstrong. I waspowerful.

But that did not stop the memories from surging forward at his question. Jason had trained me to work through the memories, to be stronger than they were. But that didn’t mean I didn’tfeelthem. The fear of waking up inside that fucking pillory…and then the cold realization when I realized what they intended.

There was noforgettingthat, but I was not letting those memories consume me. I would use them tofuelmy revenge, to ensure Ineverforgot.

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