Page 75 of Love Bleeds Red
“I don’t like to repeat myself, pet.” King’s tone grows sharper with each word. “Come. Here.”
On wobbly legs, I take a step toward him, then another. The gray-haired man chuckles low in his throat, coughing from the cigar smoke. The older one adjusts his position to get a better view.
“That’s better,” King murmurs when I’m within arm’s reach. I hate him so fucking much. I want to spit in his face, claw his eyes— “Now, your new master seems to think his gentle methods have made you into a proper lady. But you and I both know what you really are underneath all that polish, don’t we?”
His hand clamps around my wrist again, and I whimper from the pain. He pulls me down until my knees hit the hard floor.
“Don’t we?” he repeats, his nails digging into my skin.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I whisper.
“Oh, I think you do. You’re still that same frightened little girl who begged so prettily. He may have taught you to recite poetry and curtsy, but he hasn’t changed what you are.” He squeezes my cheeks with one hand, leaning in so his mouth is an inch from mine. “And what you are is my little toy.”
I try to shake my head, to get free from his grasp, but he only tightens his hold. “Please,” I try to say, but the word barely comes out.
He just laughs and drinks in the sight of me crying and begging, exactly like he wants me. “You know what I’m curious about?” His free hand moves to finger the pearl buttons of mydress. “He’s dressed you up so pretty, like a little doll. All proper and refined on the outside.” His fingers work at the top button. “But I wonder... is the packaging underneath just as fancy?”
“No,” I breathe, trying to pull back, but his grip on my face keeps me in place.
“Let’s have a look, shall we?” The first button pops open. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen those perfect tits.”
Both men murmur their approval, leaning forward like they’re witnessing the crescendo of a show. They’re disgusting, all of them.
“Please,” I say, bringing my hands up to try and stop him from opening the next button. He lets go of my face to swipe my hands aside.
A third button gives way, then a fourth. The dress gapes open at my throat, and King’s smile widens.
“Much better. Now let’s get to the good part?—”
“Orlov.”
Sir’s commanding voice has King’s hands dropping to his side. He walks over, phone still in his hand, wearing an expression of fury.
“Finished with your call?” King says smoothly.
“Step away from her. Now.” Sir’s tone is deadly quiet.
“Oh, come now. I was just inspecting your handiwork. Making sure she’s as refined underneath as she appears on the surface.”
“I said step away. You’re damaging months of careful work.”
King finally releases me, and I scramble backward, clutching my dress closed. “She needs to remember her place. Your methods have made her soft.”
“She knows her place perfectly well.” Sir’s gaze flicks to me, then to Polly, still frozen by the credenza. “She’s to be saved for someone important. But…”
I feel all the blood drain from my face as his attention settles on Polly.
“Polly,” Sir says quietly. “Come here.”
“No,” I gasp, struggling to my feet. “Please. I’m here, it’s fine. He can?—”
Sir ignores me completely. “Orlov, if you need to satisfy your...needs... Polly is more than adequate for the purpose.”
Polly’s face goes completely blank, like a light has been switched off behind her eyes. She doesn’t move, doesn’t protest, just stands there with an empty expression, like she’s been waiting for this moment.
“Much more practical,” Sir continues. “Bailey is being prepared for someone specific. Polly, however...” He shrugs as if she’s nothing more than an object. “She’s expendable.”
King beckons Polly forward, and she obeys with slow robotic movements. “I usually like them with more fight.” He runs a hand over her thin frame, and pulls her dress down, exposing her bare breasts. “But she’ll do.”
