Page 110 of Locked in Wonderland

Kellan pressed a button to lower the window. He held the key between his thumb and forefinger. “Say sorry for that or I’ll throw this out.”

My gaze flicked between the key and the blur of countryside racing past outside. Maybe it wasn’t the only key. Maybe the gag could be removed without one. Was it worth the gamble?

I worked my mouth around the silicone. “Srreeeee.” It came out as little more than a muffled moan accompanied by a string of drool.

He frowned. “I didn’t catch that.”

I tried again. It sounded even less like the word than before.

Kellan caught the saliva running down my chin with a fingertip before bringing it to his lips. He sucked it clean, like someone savoring an amuse-bouche. “Mmm. A slight tang of fear with notes of anger.” He smiled. “My favorite.”

He slid the window back up and pocketed the key, looking thoughtful. “Maybe part of the problem with Todd was that he could speak, but had nothing interesting to say.” His fingers returned to my jaw, slipping between my lips to push the gag deeper until it pressed painfully against my soft palate. “I was thinking about buying you a muzzle, but maybe we’ll stick with a gag instead. Not one like this, though. You can get ones with a hole through the middle.” His smile widened. “That way I can still fuck your throat. Would you like that?”

Not answering didn’t seem wise, but I wasn’t about to claim I’d like it. I settled for shaking my head.

“Yes,” Kellan mused. “One of those. And I’ll buy you a new collar.” His gaze drifted thoughtfully over me. “One with diamonds.”

Was that supposed to be a compliment? Because I certainly wasn’t taking it as one.

His hand wandered onto my thigh before creeping steadily higher. “You’ll still get to see Nico,” he said. “He takes the dog for a walk sometimes.”

I couldn’t make that image fit the Nico I’d thought I knew. Maybe that was the problem. Even after everything I’d witnessed in the courtroom—and everything Kellan had just told me—I still wanted to believe there had to be a decent man buried somewhere underneath it all.

His fingers curled around my crotch. If he expected me to get hard, he was going to be sorely disappointed. There was more chance of the gag disintegrating than me finding any pleasure in Kellan’s touch.

“We’ll get lots of new stuff for you,” he said. “A new dog bed. New bowls. Maybe even a little bow for your hair.” His grip tightened until pain flared. “Say thank you.”

I made a noise behind the gag, not bothering to shape it into words.

Kellan withdrew his hand as the car slowed. “Home, sweet home.”

The building waiting beyond the gates was white, just as Tom Cheshire had described. It was also fucking enormous. Especially for a family of three.

I corrected myself.

Four.

Nico lived here too.

He was already climbing out of the car ahead of us, disappearing inside without so much as a glance in my direction. I wanted to hate him, but I was still struggling with the concept. I supposed that would get easier. It had for Warren. Seeing him again this afternoon had left me with nothing but contempt for him.

Kellan rounded the car and opened my door. “Out.”

I stepped out onto the gravel.

“On all fours.”

I stared at the ground. Even if I ignored the humiliation factor, the gravel would shred my knees.

I remained standing.

“Down.” His voice had lost every trace of amusement.

I shook my head.

The resulting backhand was brutal, Kellan’s ring catching my nose and making it fill with blood.

Panic surged through me. I needed my nose to breathe.