Page 35 of Dark Goodbye

“After everything I’ve done for you. I’ve put my job, my very livelihood at risk to take out the man that posed a danger to you. I held myself back from claiming you when I first took you home. Keeping these respirators in just so I don’t go into a rut and accidentally rape you while out of my mind.”

Without pausing, I slam my hand down against her firm backside, grinning as her movements grind to a halt. Despite the fact that this is a punishment, I can’t help but enjoy the feel of her ass beneath my palm. Slapping the other cheek, I watch as the pink blossoms on her skin. Again, I strike the other cheek and go back and forth between the two until her howls fill the air.

Ladria kicks back with her legs, but I’m easily able to side-step them, keeping my body to the side as I punish her. After a few more heavy-handed strokes, her body stills as sobs meet my ears.

For good measure, I swat each cheek once more before pulling her off of the bed and onto my lap. Without even thinking about it, she snuggles into me, sniffling, until I wrap my arms around her. It tugs at my heart, melting away the residual anger still lingering inside.

“I’m sure all of this is confusing to you and far more overwhelming than you originally thought, but in this house, you will respect me. Use your words instead of your hands. Are we clear?”

She nods against my chest, but that’s not good enough. Tipping her face up toward mine, I wait until she’s able to compose herself. “Yes, Master.”

“Good girl.” Holding her firmly against me, I purr, letting the tension dissipate, showing her my forgiveness.

She’s the first person I’ve ever disciplined in this way, and truly, it hurt me far more than I cared to admit. Watching Langston do it, it seemed far easier. Or is it that he has no emotional connection to the women he punishes?

Truthfully, the fact that she dared to hurl those accusations at me hurt worst of all. The last thing I ever wanted her to think of me as was a monster, and yet, when confronted with her own desires, that was the narrative she chose to employ.

Hugging her close, we stay like this for several minutes, neither of us talking, and truly, what is there to say? She acted, and I answered in kind. It’s as simple as that. Pulling her away from me, I smooth the damp hair away from her face and smile down at her.

“I’ll be back as soon as my shift is over. Don’t give Mogen a hard time or there will be more of this when I get back.”

Reaching over behind her, I grab the gown I laid out and slip it over her body, tugging at it when it sticks to damp skin. After putting on her sling, she looks up at me, her eyes wide and imploring.

“Please,” she begs. “I’ll be good. Just don’t chain me to the bed again.”

Honestly, I hadn’t planned on it, but she obviously doesn’t know that. Frowning as if thinking very hard, I stand up and walk over to where I keep the leash and collar.

“This is a lesson in trust. This length will be long enough for you to traverse the room but nothing more. Prove to be untrustworthy, and you’ll be back in the bed until I feel as if you’ve learned your lesson.”

She peers up at me, anger burning in her eyes, but smartly, she remains silent. Once I fit the collar around her neck and lock it with my fingerprint, I take the end of the leash and secure it in place behind the headboard. I watch her get up and pace about as I change into dry clothes, my balls drawing up as she tests her new limits.

Gods but today is going to be a long day.

CHAPTER 15

Davix

Walking into the clinic, there’s a different air about the place. It’s more somber somehow, as if the building itself is holding its breath. But that’s just insanity. It’s still far too early for anyone to know what transpired between Malus and me last night.

The nurses stand by the front desk, their arms ladened with folders. Their voices are far too soft for me to hear, but based on the number they’re holding, my suspicions about Malus’s activities are sure to be confirmed. As much as I want to take this evidence straight to Jaxxon, deep down, I know it will serve me better to keep the information close to my chest.

Hopefully, the nurses will know better than to spread gossip, effectively yanking the element of surprise out from under me. Shaking my head, I make my way toward them, knowing that there’s no way in Arnakas that they’ll keep silent. The best option is to get ahead of it and direct the narrative.

“Good morning.” At the sound of my voice, all three of them jump and look over, their expressions the same shade of guilt.

“I — we — did as you asked.”

I nod toward the bundle in their arms. “And these are them?”

“Well, Sir,” the other pipes up, nodding over her shoulder. “These are all that we can carry at the moment.

“This is only from the past two years,” the third chimes in, hefting her stack higher in her arms.

“Put those in my office and keep pulling.” Without waiting to see if they’ll obey me, I walk to my office and settle behind my desk.

Soon enough, the three walk in and place the files down before giving me a slight bow and walking out. Giving them a few minutes to clear the door, I walk over and lock it, keeping out any unexpected intrusions. A deep sigh fills my chest as I sit down and open the small freezing unit and stare down at the severed thumb.

It’s nothing a few polymers won’t fix. Shuffling my chair over to the side compartment, I pull out a small machine and set it down in front of me. Ideally, it will make an identical replication, allowing me to wear his thumb over mine. With my body heat, it should pass as his digital signature.