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A steely glint flashed across her eyes, and I fisted my hand in her hair, tugging sharply to focus her mind with a bite of pain.
“Take a sip, little pet,” I ordered in the low, lethal tone that coerced her meek compliance. “It’s rude to refuse.”
Her lips parted, and she accepted the drink I offered. Her eyes glittered, the hint of tears incited by her mortification.
I pulled the glass away and shifted my grip from her hair to her nape, roughly drawing her toward me so I could claim her lips in a brutal kiss.
Her hands came up to press against my chest, but I tightened my fingers around her neck, subjugating my helpless prey. She whimpered into my mouth, and I caught the sound of her delicious surrender on my tongue. Her fingers curved into my shirt, no longer pushing me away, but pulling me closer.
I slowed the kiss, indulging in her softness as I made a very public display of our power dynamic.
When I was certain that she was thoroughly consumed by my control, I released her mouth. She stared up at me, her lovely eyes clouded with lust.
I brushed my cheek across hers as I whispered in her ear. “Stay focused on me, kitten. You can close your eyes if you want. I’ll keep you safe.”
She let out a soft sigh and made an almost imperceptible nod, a promise that she trusted me.
“Good girl.” I pressed a quick kiss against her temple and shifted her in my arms.
Leaning forward, I took the cushion at my back and placed it on the floor by my feet before gripping her waist. She tensed when I guided her off my lap and down to her knees, but I forestalled any defiance with a sharp tug on her hair, anchoring her down in the subservient position.
After a few seconds, her stiff posture eased slightly. I rewarded her with the firm caresses that she enjoyed, gently urging her to rest her head against my knee as I petted her.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, my brave kitten choosing to comply with my orders. Her features began to relax, and she allowed herself to drift in the comfort of my touch.
“How did you manage that?” Raúl asked, his tone indicating that he was genuinely impressed. “I honestly thought one of you would end up dead within days. I saw the way she behaved when you first captured her. She hated you.”
I shot him a smug smile, waving at him in invitation to take the seat to my left. I could always count on my oldest ally to back me up, and he was doing a beautiful job of expressing his respect for my accomplishment. The others would take note and fall in line.
“Hatred is an intense emotion,” I replied. “And Carmen is very passionate.” I placed slow, heavy emphasis on the last word. I wouldn’t demean her with crass language, but the implication was enough to satisfy the men around me. “As you can see, she doesn’t hate me anymore.”
I turned pointed attention on Arturo Flores, the one who had been the most vocal in his doubts about Carmen.
“Arturo.” I beamed at him. “Have a seat. There’s no need for everyone to stand around so stiffly. This is a party, after all.”
I effectively ordered all of them to return to their revelry. No further challenges or doubts would be tolerated.
Arturo accepted my invitation, sitting across from me. His gaze was intense on Carmen’s submissive pose, his eyes roving over her. If he appreciated her delectable body, he was smart enough to hide any hint of lasciviousness.
Daniel Vera wasn’t so smart. I saw him move out of the corner of my eye, stepping closer from where he’d stood at the outer edges of our informal meeting.
I speared him with an icy stare, and he froze with his hand partially extended toward her.
“Touch her, and you’ll lose some fingers.” I managed to maintain my smooth, deadly tone as I issued the threat, but a hot swell of possessiveness threatened to burn away my careful control.
The entitled brat was foolish enough to scowl at me. “We are supporting your efforts to take over what’s left of the Ronaldo organization. She belongs to the cartel. You should share the whore.”
I moved before I considered my actions, and the bastard’s nose broke beneath my fist. He dropped to his knees with a curse, clutching at his face as blood poured over his fingers. I drove a vicious kick into his gut, sending him sprawling on his back. Before he could gasp for breath, I lowered my heel on his neck.
“You do not challenge me, you little shit,” I snarled, toxic heat pulsing from my chest to flood my veins. I let more of my weight drop on his throat, and his eyes rolled in terror. “Carmen is mine.” I barked each word, ensuring that everyone heard my savage declaration.
