Page 75 of Hunter's Revenge

The patter of little feet on the other side of the door makes me lift my head. It’s the first sound I’ve heard since Malik left. It’s also odd because it sounds like tiny feet.

When I hear a distinct bark, I sit up straighter—well, as straight as I can get.

Was that really a bark? Like a dog? But not just any dog. That was Sebastian’s bark.

I’m sure of it, or maybe I’m delirious with worry and I’ve gone crazy.

When the door opens and Sebastian runs in, barking and looking so happy to see me, I suck in a breath, and my heart lifts.

Sebastian is here. Malik brought him.

It’s an absolute shocker, but I don’t care. Having Sebastian with me is one less thing to worry about.

I’m so happy to see him I try to reach for him, but the rattle of the chains around my wrists and the sight of Malik walking in behind Sebastian remind me of my current demise.

He locks the door behind him. Another reminder.

Sinking back to the bedrail, I stare at the two of them. Sebastian stretches up onto his back legs and places his paws on the bed next to me, while Malik keeps his gazed fixed to me.

He looks away first and focuses on Sebastian, giving him an order in Russian.

Fuck knows what he says tomydog, but my little furry best friend listens to him and sits on the floor, obeying as if Malik is his new master.

I haven’t cried all day throughout this whole thing, even though my tears were never far away. But the sight of Sebastian taking orders from my enemy brings my tears that much closer.

Malik looks back at me, then allows his gaze to drift over my body with the same languid manner he used to touch me earlier before settling back on my eyes.

“You brought my dog to Boston?” My voice is so gravelly it sounds like it belongs to someone else.

“I’m not the kind of man to leave an injured animal without a master. He’ll want to stay near you for comfort tonight.”

It’s hard to believe that such a devil can show any compassion.

In the spirit of seeking freedom, it also makes me wonder if I could reach this side of him and get him to see that I can’t do whatever it is he wants me to do.

“Am I going to stay like this?”

His eyes settles on my breasts, and I hate that my nipples harden like they’re begging for his mouth again.

“That’s entirely up to you.” He inclines his head, and a lock of his hair falls over his eye. “I don’t mind sleeping next to you chained up.”

“You’re actually going to sleep in here?” The heat in my blood rises.

“I’m sure you must have figured out that this is my bedroom.”

“Yes, of course.” My words are stiffer than Marybeth’s over-sprayed hair on the Fourth of July.

“Good.”He borrows my tone. “So, this is where I’m staying, and the manner in which you’ll sleep next to me will depend on whatever your answer is to my next question. If I were you, I’d choose my words wisely.”

I want to lash out and tell him to go fuck himself, but I know I have to cool my temper down. Look where fighting back got me for the last eight hours.

“What is your question? And before you ask, I’m not fucking you.” I’m not doing that. It’s obvious that this man has some kind of hold on me. But that’s just because my body is confused and my mind conflicted. Given enough time, I should be able to resist him with no problem.

A predatory smile spreads across his face, sending shivers down my body.

“If I wanted to fuck you, I wouldn’t have to ask. I’d just do it. Like I did before.”

While the flames of embarrassment heat my body up all over again, his gaze intensifies with such a force it could push me into the wall, but I regain my strength and lift my chin.

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