Page 23 of Throne of Sin

That didn’t take her long to find out. “What were you hoping to find when you went snooping?” Her little outburst is comical. She slams the drawer shut and turns to face me.

“Snooping? HA! I saw those stupid lace panties you force me to wear hanging out!”

“I hardly force you. I don’t mind if you wear none.”

She blinks twice at me, not saying a word, before she raises her voice. “Stop showing me favoritism! I can’t be living here with you.” She goes to one of her drawers, pulling it out, and dumping its contents on the floor with a thud.

I bite on my lower lip, not commenting, refusing to give her anything other than a bored facial expression.

“Do we feel better after that tantrum?” I ask, hating the mess she created.

“I don’t want your concern!”

My control snaps. I grab her chin, not to hurt her, but to force her to look at me. “Do not yell at me. I am not a child. When you behave like an adult, I will consider you moving out. Until then, you will live under my roof.”

“Is this a Daddy kink you have? Should I be saying, ‘yes, daddy’ every time you bark a demand at me?” she replies sweetly. Too sweetly. She steps in closer and smiles. “First, it’s spankings, and now this.”

Every trace of sweetness leaves her body without warning and she stomps on my foot.

A growl vibrates deep within my chest. “I have no interest in being your daddy. This is business and you’re costing me money.”

I tug her closer and find that her heart is beating as fast as mine against my chest. I want to kiss her, rip her clothes off her and see if she feels as fantastic as she did ten years ago. Demi is mine and I’ll never let her go. Soon enough, she will come to the same conclusion.

“I have a function to go to this month. You’ll come with me as my plus one.” I never bring a date to these things, but I have a feeling Demi will be perfect for the role.

“Like Hell I will.” She pushes off me. This time I allow her the space.

“This isn’t how it works. I tell you you’re going to do something and you say yes.” I turn around, needing to distance myself before I slam my lips against hers.

She makes the mistake of grabbing my arm. “We’re not done talking.”

I lift a brow, feeling myself harden as she attempts to assert herself. “I’ll buy you a dress and you will plaster a happy smile on your face. You will look like the pretty trophy you are on my arm and stay silent. That’s your job. If you open your mouth one more time, I’ll put my cock in it until you learn your place.”

She glances up at me and, for a split second, I think the old lust that used to shine for me surfaces.It has to be in my imagination. I have always been her white knight but never her prince. She’s here because she needs something from me. I stare her down a moment longer, daring her to say another word. My dick throbs in my pants, wanting to come out and play with Demi one more time.

I flick my hand away, jerking free of her grasp. I’m disgusted with myself. This is the problem every time I get close to her. I always want more than what she can give.

“Your shift starts at eight tonight,” I reply, trying to disengage myself from caring too much. “Don’t forget my door is open if you need to whore yourself out.”

She sucks in a breath of air. My comment was meant to hurtherso why does it feel likeI’mthe one who got punched in the gut?

I leave her to herself and silently close the door as I try to calm my racing heart.

Chapter 12

Demi

Afewhourslater,I’m walking ten feet in front of Dante as we enter the club. He refused my suggestion that we show up separately, stating this is his club, he can do whatever he wants. Each of the girls follow my strides with their hidden looks as I make my way further in. Their eyes burn with jealousy and disgust for me.

Even Robin doesn’t come to say hello as fast as she normally does.

“What’s with everyone tonight?” I ask Sienna, even though I know.

She shrugs. “I’m used to it. They used to pull shit like that with me when I first started.”

“How much is your debt?” I can’t help but wonder what the average length of time is that a girl stays here.

“Oh, I’m here of my own free will. Dante has never owned me but, like everyone else, I needed saving, and Dante was there for me. I love this job. There has never been a reason for me to leave.”

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