Page 34 of Their Domme

But I knew… I knew him and what he was capable of. Their comfort around each other had chipped away at the last bit of my control and then that stunt with Maeve… I felt myself snap inside.

No one else was going to claim my woman.

No one.

Nicholette might sell her body to the highest bidder, spreading her legs for the rabble of Ashview, but she wouldn’t have to resort to that soon. The ones she claimed as her own had let her continue doing it, which I would never understand. She was mine, and when she finally realized that, she’d learn real quick that the only person she would be with was me. I’d erase every single memory of those other men and women even if I had to beat every touch out of her.

A muffled cry filtered in past my anger, and I glanced over at Thomas, the young teenage boy I had taken. He was huddled in the corner, crying, trying to make himself as small as possible, almost like he could sense my wrath. My lips curled in a disdainful snarl.

“So fucking weak,” I taunted him, my disgust at Nicholette, her men, and this shivering boy rising even higher. “I saw your sister today. She never mentioned you once, you know that? You weren’t even a passing thought in her mind. If Nicholette could see you right now, she would be so fucking disappointed in the weak child you turned out to be.”

Thomas just hid his face in his arms until I stalked over, grabbed him by the arm, and dragged him up. He cried out at my punishing grip, but he didn’t try to fight me. Tears and snot covered his face, and I saw his eyes were wide, fearful, even as he tried to avoid my gaze.Pathetic.I threw him against the wall and started to undo my belt.

“Wait- please don’t,” he stuttered, scrambling as if he could somehow get through the wall and away from me.

“I’m not fucking you, bitch,” I hissed. “Like I’d mess up good property before I sold it. But I do have a lot of frustrations to get out, and that means letting off some steam. Not to worry though, thesewillheal. They just take time. It’s better than anything you have waiting in your future, so you’ll have to thank me afterwards, or I’ll start over again.”

His fear restrained him better than any rope could have. Folding the belt, I pulled back my arm then started raining down hits on his back, ass, and legs.

Every whimper, cry, and plea that fell from his lips aroused me. I pictured Nicholette crouched down there instead, her body showing me just how much she loved the rough treatment. There would be a delicious tinge of fear in her eyes as she wondered if I’d go too far this time. God, the rush.

I wouldn’t be fucking him because that would take away from my bottom line when I sold him, but I’d be fucking someone later to finish riding this high. A cruel plan filled my mind, making my rhythm falter. I knew exactly who was going to get the real brunt of my anger, and it wasn’t the sobbing boy in front of me.

It was time I paid the Madame of Ashview a visit.

Nicholette

Monday

“Everything looks fine,” Dr. Fischer said confidently as he packed up his bag. “You need to remember to drink plenty of water and eat. The anti-nausea medicine will help with that. I brought you a bottle to start since I’m sure you didn’t get around to filling the script I gave you this morning. I’d tell you to take it easy, but I doubt you’ll listen.”

I didn’t respond to the pointed comment, guilt eating away at me as I recalled my reaction to Alexei when I woke up. It hadn’t been anything personal; something in me had immediately needed to protect the babies.

Fucking babies.

Multiple.

Only with my damn luck would it all play out this way.

My phone started to beep, and I looked over to see Maeve’s name on the screen. Glancing at the doctor, he inclined his head and started for the door as I leaned over for the phone, answering right before the call would end.

“What did you find?”

Pause.

“Good to hear from you—”

I cut her off, rubbing my face, not caring that I was being vulnerable with her. “Maeve, now is not the time for our games. I’m exhausted and on my last fucking thread. Just tell me.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, probably hearing everything I wasn’t saying, then I heard papers shuffling in the background before she delicately cleared her throat. “I found some information on Joe and Miranda. It’s not good.”

“They weren’t good people,” I told her blandly. If she was trying to warn me, then I definitely wouldn’t like what came out of her mouth next. “Besides, aren’t we supposed to meet up for you to give me—”

“Miranda Graves was shot in her home almost a month ago. Joe and Thomas Graves disappeared, according to police reports. No signs from either of them since the murder occurred, and it’s an open, active case in Vermont.”

“Meaning I’m going to be questioned when I get there?” I asked, trying to ignore the way my heart pounded in my chest. My mother was dead. Gone. My father had fucked off somewhere, and this was confirmation my brother was missing.

“That is very likely,” she agreed.

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