Page 21 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

“I recognise him from somewhere, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

Zayn gave her a look.

“He owns an investment company. You’ve probably seen his pretty-boy face in ads for it. And I’d remind you of our confidentiality clause if I didn’t know you any better.”

“Who would I even tell? I have no friends.”

Zayn nudged her arm.

“You have me.”

“You’re more like my overprotective older brother than a friend, Zayn.” Her eyes lit up. “Oh shit, yes, I remember now. He’s one of those guys everyone calls the Four Horsemen. Well, what a kinky dude.”

She gave Zayn a wink before walking away.

Older brother figure? Does that mean nothing else is going on between them? Why the fuck do I care?

“Remi.”

Her footsteps paused.

“Yeah?”

“Stay out of trouble.”

Her only response was a snort before she retreated from the room. The sound of the door closing made Zayn’s attention snap to me. His eyes narrowed. I licked my bottom lip, a movement he watched with rapt attention.

“Sir.”

“Yes, Arianna?”

“I’m sorry for misbehaving.”

He unwound the chain from his chair.

“Are you now?”

I was… sort of.

“Yes, sir.”

He spun around to face me, holding the chain loosely between his fingers and finally giving me some slack.

“Show me.”

“How?”

He leant forward in his seat, eyes travelling down the length of me before landing on the floor below him. No, not on the floor, but his feet clad in expensive leather shoes.

“Good pets beg for forgiveness and show deference by bowing down at their master’s feet.”

He tugged on the chain slightly, jerking me forward.

“They show they are worthy.”

I shuffled towards him before moving my hands from behind my back and pressing them to the floor as I bent down. My eyes landed on his shoes, my face inches from them.

“I’m sorry, sir. Please forgive me.”

---