Page 28 of Brutal Bargain

When he’s satisfied, he sets them down and drags the chair over to me and takes a seat.

Standing naked before any man should be terrifying, and it is, but at this point, the fear has lost its edge.

As terrible as Gage is, and he is fucking terrible, there’s a method to him. He’s predictable.

Maybe that’s why he wore a black suit.

“Why would you join the Civil Police? They…they silenced people speaking the truth.”

“First, I was recruited. There’s a lot to be said regarding why I said yes, but the gist of my reasoning is that if something went down, I knew information was more valuable than any other currency. I thought the CP would have that in spades.”

“Did they?”

“Not really.”

It’s not lost on me that he’s left my sex unmolested.

He stretches his bulky arms over his head, sighing wearily.

“What happens next?” I ask, trying to sound braver than I am.

He leans forward, setting his elbows down on his thighs. “Next, I’m going to inspect your pussy.”

He’s so blunt about it. Like he’s telling me he’s going to change my oil.

“There’s nothing I can do to stop you from doing so, is there?”

“How this all goes down is up to you.”

“How so?”

“I’ll start my inspection of your pussy, and when I’m done, I’ll claim you, as is my right by our negotiation. If at any time during the inspection or afterward you tell me to stop touching you, I will. But I will never touch you again.”

“So, I don’t have to have sex with you?”

“You’ve never had to do anything. You chose to.”

“About this never touching me again…what do you mean by that?”

“I’ll unhook you from the ceiling, perhaps I’ll give you clothes, and send you on your way.”

“That’s not much of a choice. You’re advantageous as fuck, making me think I have options when I don’t.”

“What? Do you think I like this situation? To be honest, with how you’re acting, I don’t even know if I want to fuck you.”

My eyes bulge, disbelieving that he would say that, but a small chuckle escapes my throat. He’s funny. There’s something underneath that evil, rumbly exterior I don’t entirely hate.

“One little objection, and it’s over. You got that?”

I nod.

He scoots toward me. “Place your foot on my shoulder.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“Are you objecting?”

“Not to the inspection. To…whatever this is!”

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