Sam laughs. “Right? Do some scouting for future plans, you know?”
I shake my head. I’m never letting it come to that. “You coming back home soon?”
“Nah, I’ll just crash here in the office tonight. Did you know they have sleep pods and everything? Anyway, I’ll see you at the meeting tomorrow.”
I end the call after making sure one last time that he's okay. I get a text right when I’m about to put my phone back.
Sam: Still have that escape plan ready to go if we ever need it. Have fun with the lover boy, El. I got you.
Shaking my head, I put it back in my pocket. Sam is always playing 3D chess while the rest of the world is playing checkers. I’m just lucky the man likes me. I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side.
When I notice my surroundings again, we’re in Nicholas’sneighborhood. Shrugging, I lean back, letting him park his car. Now that I know everyone is safe and no one is going to be imprisoned for life, all I want to do is sleep for a year. Nicholas’s bed will be the perfect place to spend the next year.
He still doesn't say a word as we walk side by side, ride the elevator, and step through the front door.
As soon as the door closes behind us, he turns to face me. It takes me a second to recognize the expression on his face.Rage. His eyes are red. Eyebrows frowning. Jaw tight.
I take an involuntary step back.
He follows me like a predator. “Youconfessed?” His voice is all growl.
“What?” I squeak. I take another step back, my heart almost jumping out of my chest.
“They hadnothingagainst you.Nothing. And you just confessed?What the fuck,Elliot?” His voice goes up with every word.
“They knew. She knew. I—”
He closes the gap between us, crushing me against the wall. His weight overwhelms me. “Don’t fucking act stupid. You wanted to be the martyr. The great Elliot, who saves everyone.What about me, huh?What would have happened tome?”
“I told her you didn’t know anything—”
Nicholas laughs. Loud. “Yeah? And that would have made me happy? That you were rotting in some prison. But at least I still have my job?”
“And your friends. And your life.”
“Fuck you, Elliot.” He shakes his head. Taking a few steps back, he glares down at me. “It was never me who didn’t trust you. You just don’t believe you deserve it.” He blows out a breath. “Doesn’t matter now. I’ll make you fucking believe it. Because you’re not going anywhere. I’m done being careful. Done being slow. You’re mine,you stupid stupid man. And I’m going to show it to you.”
Then all I see is Nicholas's ass as he hauls me over hisshoulder in one smooth motion like a sack of potatoes. I kick and scream, mostly out of reflex. “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Someone needs to teach you what you're actually worth,” he says as he stalks towards his bedroom.
He throws me on the mattress without any preamble, and I bounce a few times.
Before I can settle, he drags me across his lap. I feel the air hit my naked butt. When did he remove my pants?
The first slap makes me jump, lighting my skin on fire. I groan out loud. Pleasure blooms up my spine. "What the fuck are you doing?"
“Something I should have done long before,” he growls.
Another slap. I yelp, breath punched out of me.
“Say that you love me,” Nicholas says, rubbing the area, raising goosebumps across my skin.
“I love you,“ I groan, my voice trembling.
Then come three consecutive slaps to my left cheek. My dick twitches, my eyes sting.
“Say that I deserve love.”
