“You’re a fucking monster,” I retorted andsat down before shit got any worse than it already had.
I couldn’t hold it back; my anger wasseething through my veins as he spoke about the future family Iwould never give him.
“That may be, Jaden,” he said still standingover me, “But I am the fucking monster you will respect and obey ifyou ever want to enjoy the rest of your miserable fucking life withme.” He was seething now, just as I was.
I wanted to cry at that moment, thinking ofall the horrible things he would inevitably put our would-be familythrough. I couldn't let that happen.
“Now, keep your stubborn mouth shut andfinish your dinner,” he said and that was the end of theconversation.
We ate in silence until both of our plateswere clean, but the fierce tension that surrounded us refused tocease.
“Come on,” he said calmly, rising from hischair. “Let’s go for a walk.”
“I’m really not in the mood.”
“Excuse me?” he said, another warningemanating from his glare.
Oh, right, I forgot I don’t have a choice inmy daily activities anymore.
I stared at him hard, crossing my armsovermy chest and glaring sostrongly until I felt like my bitch face had cemented permanentlyinto my features. I hated him so much, and I wanted nothing morethan for him to feel just as shitty as I did. I wantedbloodand lots of it.
Darren shifted, raising his eyebrows insurprise at my sudden rebellious manner, but they could touch theceiling and I wouldn’t give a fuck. Unsatisfied with my defiance,he grabbed my chair and roughly turned it toward him. My heartskipped a beat, but I kept my cool as he wrapped both hands aroundthe armrests and lowered his face only inches in front of mine.Dark eyes stared me down like a lion ready to pounce, but I justmet them head-on.
“You wanna spend the rest of your night backin that cage?” he asked me.
Did I? At least then, I’d be away fromhim.
I glanced away from him, sighing heavily asI considered giving in to his demands. I really didn’t want tospend another second in that freezingcold,tiny-ass cage. A walk with him couldn’t be thatbad. I hoped.
“No, I don’t,” I finally admitted, turningback to him.
“Then get your little ass out of that chair.Now,” he saidmenacinglyand stoodback.
Bitch, call me little one more time …
On wobbly legs, I rose from the chair andtook a step forward before ultimately being met with a backhandacross my face. My natural reflexes attempted to block the attackas I brought my arm up in defense, but he was fast and stillmanaged to strike me. Red-hot pain seared in my cheek as Darrenthen grabbed my throat and pulled me to his chest. I clenched hiswrists with my hands while he robbed me of my air supply. Tearsblurred my vision from the strain on my neck as I struggled againsthim, ready to fight further, but for some reason, I fearedupsettinghim more.
“When are you going to learn,” he drawled ina deep threatening voice, “that your obedience is non-negotiable.You will do as I tell you or Iwillhurt you. Is that whatyou want? To feel pain all the time?”
I wasn’t a bitch or anything when it came topain, but I definitely didn’t care too much for it, especially whenhe delivered it. It wasn’t as if he had purchased a masochist, forfuck’s sake.
“Answer me,” Darren seethed, squeezingharder.
“No,” I choked out, practically gasping forbreath now. If he didn’t let go in the next two seconds, I waspunching him in the dick. I didn’t want the reprimand that wouldoccurafterward, but I certainlycouldn’t stand here while he choked me nearly half to death.
He then finally released my throat butpulled me against his chest, wrapping his arms securely around mybody and holding me tightly to him. He sighed heavily above me,releasing whatever tension he was holding on to, and rested hischinonthe top of my head. Hepractically cocooned himself around me as my face and handsburrowed into his chest. I could hear his heart beat as it poundedrather quickly. Had he received a bit of excitement from mydefiance? Had he enjoyed squeezing the breath from my lungs while Istruggled against him? Probably, and the thought put me on edge.This man enjoyed hurting me, which put me in serious danger, and Iwondered if he knew that.
As I listened to the beat of his heart, hischest rose up and down and I noticed the calm that eventually beganto surround us. His heart rate started to slow as he held me and Iclosed my eyes to concentrate on continuing whatever was happeningto him. A calm Darren appeared to be a safer Darren.
After a few more seconds when I noticed hisheart rate had remained steady, he finally spoke. “Why do youalways have to push me?” he whispered softly above me.
“You said you anticipated this,” Icountered.
“Yes, I did, but thereisa time and a place for push and play, andeventually, you will learn to recognize those times. However, whatI hadn’t anticipated is how dangerous the consequences could be forthe both of us when you are unable to establish thedifference.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You have no idea …” he began, “how easy itwould be for me to go too far with you.” He pulled me back andplaced his hand on the side of my face, tilting it up to meet hisgaze. The heat in his hand warmed my still stinging cheek, andsomehow, I found myself leaning into it, my body naturally seekingoutwarmthin the midst of thefrigid darkness it had been subject to for so long. I had almostforgotten he had even spoken to me. “I know you don’t want to admitthis,” he said, “but you are more fragile than you think,especially to me. And when you deliberately disobey me just to pissme off, it enrages me to the point where I could lose control andhurt you too much. I don’t want that to happen, but you make it soeasy for to me to forget. That is why control is so important,Jaden. It’s safer, not just for you, but for the both of us. Do youunderstand now?”
