Chapter 6

Q

~Intertwined, tangled, knotted forever, our souls will always be twisted together,

our demons, our monsters belong to the other,

Bow to me, I bow to thee, now we are free

W hat the fuck am I doing?~

I had no fucking idea. This wasn’t right. It~ couldn’t ~be right. Nothing about drugging and mentally torturing a woman who’d been through so much was right.

It was a stupid idea—moronic to think I could walk her through the past and replace the memories. I ought to be fucking shot. ~I’m an idiot.~

Tess’s eyes were vacant, staring right into mine, but not seeing me. Not anymore. Her lips parted, breathing hard with whatever hallucinations whispered in her ear.

This was worse than the fucking nightmares. This was induced by ~me~. For the next couple of hours I had to shed everything I’d fought so hard and become her worst fears.

I had to become the man I’d sworn never to be.

I glared at Tess, hanging and bound. The dressing gown gaped wide, showing her perfect body and luscious breasts. She was sent to make me sin.

All my life I’d abstained from my true nature but then cruel fate gave me her.

My hands clenched, unable to deny the billowing blackness settling over me. Creeping from ignorable to fucking intolerable.

Each moment I let myself continue this charade, the light inside blotted out until I no longer recognised myself.

The only thing protecting Tess from my snarling scream-thirsty beast was love.

Unconditional love—miraculously keeping me on a leash. She owned my heart and soul. That was the only safeguard preventing me from not giving a shit anymore and diving head first into debauchery.

~No one would know….~ Something slithered in my brain, whispering sickness and want.

She dangled like a feast—surrounded in darkness, drugged out of her mind. ~I could do anything….~

My stomach tensed as desire shot up my spine. It would be so easy to mount and fuck her while hanging from the ceiling. I could be cruel and heartless.

I could hurt her the way I wanted with no repercussions. She would never know it was me.

~You’d be him. You’d walk straight into fate.~

My lips curled; I spat on the floor as a rush of bile filled my mouth. To ever think I was weak enough to become my father made me suicidal with rage.

I would~ never~ do that to Tess. No matter how my sick cock ached.

Locking my knees, I made an oath. A pact with my fucking soul.

Whatever I did here, I would never overstep two boundaries: rape or blood play. If Tess ever became strong enough to endure my needs, completely sane and willing, then I’d give myself some leniency.

But not before and ~definitely~ not with an unhinged druggie I was trying to save.

Tess’s dilated eyes trained on me, never looking away, despite the haze. “Why—why are you doing this?

“He’ll come for you again, you know.” Her head dropped as if suddenly too heavy, the drugs sucking her deeper.

I shuddered at the thought of what she’d been through—what I was putting her through once again.

I knew she didn’t see me. She saw~ them.~

The drug did what Franco had said. I’d asked him to find something—a hallucinogenic that lasted a couple of hours. He’d disappeared, returning a little while later with a single yellow pill.

I didn’t know the name of the chemical or even where he got it from. And I fed it to the woman I wanted to grow old with. How fucking irresponsible!

My jaw worked hard, grinding my teeth, flaring a rapidly building headache. I’d fed it to her because I made the choice. A choice I already fucking regretted. But it was done now.

The only thing left to do was suffer the consequences.

I snapped my fingers in front of Tess’s face, making sure she was completely consumed by visions. Time to begin.

“Fuck me, I’m going to hell,” I muttered.

Tess sucked in a breath, but there was no flicker of love or comprehension.

Rather, her eyes blazed with a hate so pure and piercing, my heart stuttered at the thought of her ever looking at me that way in reality.

I wished I could enter her mind and see which asshole haunted her.

My hands curled at the thought of the man, Smith. The cocksucker responsible. His heart now rested under a rose bush, his body torn to pieces and burned.

Or did she see the man who’d raped the girl beside her, earning the wrath of Franco cutting off his cock. Either way—it didn’t matter.

She was in hell—so the fuck was I.

This was my burden. ~I~ was the reason she was broken. ~I~ was the reason she’d lost so much. And I was the only one who could bring her back. And I had to do it before…

~I don’t know how long I have to fix her.~

The thought slipped through my carefully fortified defenses. I refused to think so morbidly—but I couldn’t lie to myself. They were coming.

And I had no intention of leaving Tess like this if they achieved what they wanted.

~Are you ready to do this?~

Never. But I moved forward anyway. Tess flinched; eyes hazy and unfocused. She hadn’t looked around the room or asked where she was. None of that mattered because all she cared about was freedom.

Freedom from a third kidnapping and pain.

I wanted to scream:~‘whoever you see in your head—they’re dead. I slaughtered them. Their blood stains my hands.’~

But I didn’t. She had to believe this was true. She had to give in completely.

~Now. Do it now.~ I didn’t know how long the pill would last. I had a lot to accomplish before it ended.

With trembling hands, I reached above and undid the fastening. I’d strung her from a low-hanging chandelier—deliberately drawing all the curtains and turning on no lights.

I didn’t want Tess to see the room until I was ready. Once she returned to me—then she’d understand.

I pulled the cord around her wrists; she stumbled forward. Her body landed on mine and I groaned as her breasts squished against my chest. So soft. So pure. So fucking perfect.

My heart bucked with need. I would’ve given anything to be able to tackle her to the floor and drive myself inside. To take and give and consume and adore.

I swallowed hard as my eyes landed on her pussy. My mouth watered to taste her—to dip my tongue inside. She’d been wet, soaking before.

I’d wanted to make her come. I’d wanted to give her one burst of pleasure before the drugs stole her, but I’d been too slow.

Now, it was up to me to be a bastard all in the name of curing her. I had one chance at breaking her nightmares, and I refused to fuck it up.

Yanking the rope, I dragged her forward. She moaned in pain as blood rushed back from having her arms up for so long.

“Stop bitching.” My cock ached. Fuck, it ached. Everything about what I did called to the monster. Tess’s fear clogged my nostrils, making it so damn hard to remember I was doing this for her.

Not for me.

~“So you’re the master who doesn’t let himself play.”~ Smith’s voice slammed into my head. It didn’t matter I’d stolen his heart—he’d come to destroy me.

My back locked straight as I growled under my breath, repeating what I’d said to him that night. “I’m the man who knows right from wrong.”

~“No, you live in denial. One day you’ll see the truth. It will happen. You can’t ignore who you truly are forever.~

~“One day the decision won’t be yours anymore, and when that happens operations like ours will be your saving grace.”~

Fuck.

I couldn’t live like this much longer. I couldn’t live so torn.

I clutched my head, sucking in greedy breaths, forcing my mind to fill with images. Images I deliberately blocked from my past.

~“Do you want a taste, Quincy?

“You keep sneaking into rooms you’re forbidden to fucking go, all because you want a piece of pussy?” My father motioned me forward with his free hand, while his other thrust thick fingers into a screaming blonde.~

~My ten-year-old stomach threatened to evict the cherry pie Mrs. Sucre had made me, but if my father told me to do something, I had no choice but to do it.

Inching across the carpet, my eyes fell on a tangled mess of hair and limbs. A girl. Skin that should’ve been dusky and pink was now grey and lifeless.

Even her blood had turned from bright red to brown.

My feet reeled backward, faster and faster. “No!” I screamed. “I’ll never be like you. I’ll never touch a girl like you!”~

~My father laughed. It started as a chuckle but grew and grew until it felt as if the entire room shook with corruption. “You’re wrong, boy. You have my blood in your veins.”

“You’ll grow up needing exactly what I need. And there’s nothing you can do to fucking stop it.”

Hitting the blonde so hard she fell onto her knees, he held out his hand again. “Now, come. Take your place as my son and heir. Come and play with your subjects like a good Mercer boy.

“I’ll even let you fuck one of them.”

I ran.~

~I ran away from my father. I ran away from any hope at having a mentor in my life. I ran to my mother, only to find she’d drunk herself into a stupor.

I found out later she drank to drown out the screams. She committed suicide by alcohol all to forget what her husband did down the hall. Leaving her son to fend for himself.~

The memory shattered, and I stumbled to the side. I’d never had a flashback—such an intense recollection come to life. I fucking hated it.

But the glacial disgust and hatred I’d felt that day lodged itself in my chest, granting me a defense against the dark whispers in my head. I didn’t need to make an oath not to hurt Tess.

Sheer repugnance of what lineage I’d come from would do that.

Tess kept her chin down, either accepting her fate or acting like the docile prisoner. I didn’t trust her one bit. Not after her strength in the hotel. Fuck she was wild.

And beautiful, so mouth-wateringly beautiful.

She’d fought me like I’d always wished to be fought. With the abandonment of sheer survival. She would’ve gladly taken my life—or given up her own in order to win.

Was she strong enough to survive this? Was I strong enough to step into the role as trafficking asshole and come out on the other side intact?

The questions were irrelevant. I had to be.

~I am.~

“Come,” I growled, tugging on the binds.

Tess’s head snapped up, eyes blazing grey fire. “Just kill me. I’m done playing your games. You had your fun and now I refuse.”

Hearing her strength mixed with equal terror made my heart shoot out of my chest and splat against her feet.

I wanted to caress her cheek and murmur,~‘Don’t be strong. Don’t fight. It will be easier to hit rock bottom if you just let yourself slide.’~

But Tess would never just give up. She might want to. She might think she had. But she didn’t know herself like I did.

She would never stop fighting. And I needed to teach her how, so I could build her up again.

~Forgive me.~

Gritting my teeth, I cuffed her around the side of the head. My cock thickened, throbbed.

She narrowed her eyes. “Don’t touch me!”

It was pain she hated. Pain was the catalyst in this mess. I had to use pain against her.

Fuck! I struck her again, this time hard enough to knock her to her knees. She swayed but shook her head, snarling, “Back to your old tricks?

“Back to beating up women because that’s the only way you get off? You’re sick!” She spat on the floor, her saliva mixed with a small tinge of blood.

“Just sell me already, at least a new master will know how to fuck.”

Her tirade tore my chest open. How dark was her mind? How much blackness did she keep hidden in that angelic face?

Squatting on my haunches, I grabbed her chin, glaring into her eyes. “Do you want to be fucked? Is that it? You want a master who will abuse you and give no shit to your happiness or humanity?”

Tess tore her face out of my hold, hissing, “I ~have~ a master. And he’s good and kind and the only man I would gladly give my body to for his pleasure. But you keep stealing me from him, so I’m done.

“Do you understand? I’m ~done~ being stolen and drugged and hurt. Sell me! I want to be sold. I never want to see you again!”

I couldn’t swallow. I couldn’t breathe.

I wanted to stop this terrible fucking idea.

“Tess…” I murmured.

Her eyes practically popped out of her head. “How do you know my name? No!” Wracking sobs clawed up her throat; the crack in her ferocity gave me a spark of faith. It was working.

~God, fucking forgive me for what I’m about to do.~

Slapping her cheek, I growled, “That’s right. We know your name. Tess Snow. Tess. Tess. Tess.”

She shoved me, but her arms were weak. I shoved back. She sprawled onto her side, before cowering into a ball.

Standing upright, I said, “We know you let your master string you up and taste your blood. We know you let him suffocate you to the point of death.

“We also know you love giving fucking blowjobs—apparently you have quite the talent.”

~Fuck, I’m scum~. Why was I doing this? It was so, so wrong.

Nudging her balled body with my foot, I added, “So, Tess….are you sure you want to be sold. Knowing you’ll survive only on the cum from men forcing themselves on you?

“Do you want to spend your life strung up and at their mercy?”

~Just like the poor women who served my father.~

“Answer me, Tess Snow. You’re not so fucking innocent now.”

Every word I uttered whipped Tess worse than any cat o’ nine tails. I broke down her defenses, throwing back memories she no doubt thought as treasured and totally private.

I ripped her mind open, flipping it back with scorn.

Grabbing her by the hair, I hauled her to her feet. She clutched my fingers, trying to control the burn in her scalp, but I shook her instead. “Tell me! Do you wish to be sold?

“Or do you wish to be free?”

She hiccupped, her face flushed with tears. “Free. I want to be ~free~. Let me go. Please. I’ll do anything. ~Anything.~”

“Wrong answer.”

“But you said—”

I couldn’t suck in a decent breath—I felt lightheaded, high, and sick to my fucking stomach. My cock rippled with pre-cum. I had to close my eyes from the misplaced rush of pleasure.

“I know what I fucking said. I asked if you wanted to be free or be sold. I didn’t ask for anything in return. Did I ask you to suck my cock? Did I ask to fuck you in return for your freedom?”

I wobbled on my feet, too enraptured with the mental images of forcing her to do just that. I’d blow right down her throat with one lick of her tongue.

Her head hung, hiding her feverish face with tangled blonde curls. Between ragged pants she said, “I don’t know what you want from me!”

“I don’t want anything!” I roared. ~I want you to take back your destiny. Take it. Admit you want your freedom. Don’t offer anything in return. Just take it.~

Her sobs took over, dragging her into sorrow.

It was obvious I needed more time to get the message across. Shaking her again, I snapped, “You failed this lesson, Tess Snow. But we’ll visit it again soon enough.”

Her head flailed from side to side. “No…please. Just let me sleep. I’m done. I’m ~done.~”

“Don’t fucking talk back. And you’re not done. Not by a long shot.” Spinning on my heel, I yanked the rope, bracing myself against the conflicting hatred and lust oozing in my veins.

Tess followed behind—her bare feet slapping softly against the expensive travertine.

I threw a look over my shoulder. My body suffered a sick roll. Tess shuffled, her eyes downcast in her own drugged-up world.

I wanted nothing more than to smash through the fog and apologize. I wanted to beg for forgiveness for putting her through this.

I had to believe I was helping, because right now it felt like I was making it worse.

Tess didn’t make a sound as I dragged her through the dark-shrouded house. I ignored the rich decor of the twelve bedrooms, five bathroom home that’d been designed by myself and an architectural team.

Sitting pride of place on a cliff overlooking the sea, it was part of the subdivision I’d participated in a few years ago.

It was also the house that granted one sex slave in return for the bribery of Tenerife planning officials.

It was empty. Fully furnished and staged as a show home to encourage cashed-up rich fucks to buy into the twenty-plus complex.

It’d been a quick phone call to secure and ensure complete privacy. Franco would make sure we weren’t disturbed. There wasn’t a more perfect place for the first stage in the crescent moon with Tess.

I had no desire to ever come here again—the bad memories would be left in its walls, and Tess would be free.

Stepping into a bathroom the size of a small lounge, I dragged Tess to a standstill. New sun tried to enter the room, but I’d drawn every blind, every shutter.

Tess and I were formed in the dark. The dark had molded us, changed us, almost broken us, but in its black embrace we would find healing and peace.

“Look at me, Tess Snow.”

Her eyes met mine, flinty and fierce. Tears decorated her cheeks like silver droplets, and I wanted so fucking bad to lick them off her skin. I wanted to consume her misery and fight it for her.

“It’s time to wash it all away.” With unforgiving hands, I untied the belt from around her wrists and shoved the dressing gown off her shoulders. She stood trembling and naked.

I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself not to touch her. My fingers ~screamed~ to stroke her, to dip inside her again.

“Don’t fucking move,” I ordered.

Tess’s lips tightened, but I didn’t wait to see if she’d obey. I couldn’t look at her another second. If I did, I’d break my first rule: no rape. God, I wanted her.

Going to the large freeform bath, I swung the ornate taps and pressed a chrome plug into the bottom. Water gushed, splashing wetly into a tub that’d never been used before.

It wasn’t as big as the Tuscan bath where Tess had been stolen, but it would have to do.

Glancing around the large bathroom, I made out the silhouette of the two-person shower, the twin vanity, and glittering towel rails. Only I knew what the room looked like in the daylight.

To Tess this would be nameless—faceless. A dungeon.

A small noise jerked my head up. My mouth fell open as a curse ripped its way up my throat. “Fucking fuck me.”

She’d disobeyed me. She’d run. ~I should’ve known!~

My dress shoes slipped on the tiles as I charged after her. “Tess! Goddammit, come back here.”

My headache roared as a dose of dark eagerness splashed through my blood. ~She’s run~. When I caught her she’d be my prize—my conquest.

Why the hell didn’t I keep her tied? Did I think she’d forget about our masquerade and stand obediently for me? Did I believe she was so afraid of whoever she saw in her delusion to obey?

The burn for freedom was stronger than her fear of pain or retaliation.

The knowledge walloped me around the head.

~It’s stronger than her fear of pain.~

If I could get her to accept freedom. Get her to think she ~won~ her freedom….

Hope. Glorious fucking hope. I knew what I had to do.

But first I had to catch the bloody woman.

A chase was not good for a man like me—a man walking the tightrope between civilization and animalistic needs. Running triggered one thing in my brain: prey.

My breathing increased as I charged through the house. Room after room—empty. She was tripping on substances I’d given her. Reacting to nightmares I fed to her.

And now I’d turned into a worse predator than I already was.

Every room I ran through, the more my headache grew. I lost control of the cage I’d locked the monster in; the beast hurled itself into being. Running after prey. Hunting for the weak.

Searching for a woman I wanted to fuck so damn much.

~Stalk her. Take her.~

All my righteous thoughts of saving her were deleted by the overpowering rage in my stomach. It fired hotter and hotter, craving her beneath me—surrendering to me.

The situation turned from terrible to downright dangerous. I salivated at the thought of catching her.

My mind ran riot with so many sinful things of non-consent, screams, and endless fucking orgasms. Slamming her to the ground, spreading her legs.

Both of us gasping for breath while I took her in retribution.

~Shit, Tess, you really shouldn’t have run.~

I slammed to a halt as a noise sounded from the back of the house. The beast inside howled while the man panted with black delight. I’d found her. The moment I caught her—

~I’m going to taste her. I’m going to make her cry.~

Then rationality knocked aside my monstrous thoughts. I had to get her before she found an exit. If anyone saw this.

If anyone was witness to the CEO of ~Moineau~ Holdings chasing after a naked woman screaming about being kidnapped for the sex trade….Shit, my company would be ruined. ~I’d~ be ruined. I’d end up in jail.

I couldn’t let that happen.

Sprinting faster, I grabbed onto walls, hurling myself around corners, slowly gaining ground on the running footsteps up ahead.

A glimpse of blonde as Tess sprinted, disappearing around a corner.

My body shuddered, cursing the tight balls between my legs, the lust thick in my veins. ~You’re almost mine, Tess.~

Power supercharged my legs as I hurled after her. She was headed for the back door.

~No!~ My heart exploded as I careened around the bend just in time to see her beeline for the exit—the exit we’d entered through. She’d been unconscious. How did she know it was there?

Tess grappled with the handle while I stood gawking like an idiot. In a twist and leap, she barrelled through the door and into beaming sunshine.

~Shit!~

I charged, bowling after her, squinting in the new dawn. Tess was fast, but she was no match for me. I gained on my runaway slave and every black part of me yelled in triumph.

My mouth watered with freedom.

~I’m going to show you why you don’t run from me.~

I wouldn’t be able to control myself when I caught her. I wouldn’t have any hope at stopping what would happen.

I would throw her down, rip off my trousers, and bury myself so fucking deep inside her I’d guarantee to make her scream.

Each whizzing heartbeat sang a different story. ~Run. Stop.~

There would be no stopping. Not until I’d wrung myself dry inside her.

Then, from my peripheral vision, a hurtling black suit and pumping arms appeared. Franco tore after Tess, effortlessly grabbing her, clamping his arms around her panting body.

I blinked, unable to believe what happened. Not only had Franco saved my reputation with the outside world, but he also saved me from raping and destroying her.

My entire body wanted to pounce, to drive deep inside. I needed to claim her. I needed to remind her she should~ never ~fucking run from me.

The beast inside howled. I wanted what Franco had stolen. I wanted the rage and freedom to hurt her. I’d been so close to taking her. So close to not caring about the aftermath.

Tess screamed, squirming in his arms. His green eyes flashed, managing to slap a hand over her mouth, locking her tight against him.

Franco’s arm wrapped around her middle, carefully avoiding any part I’d kill him for touching.

His eyebrow rose as I skidded to a halt.

Jealousy took three long seconds to hit.

But when it did—fuck it crippled me.

Green. Hot. Liquid jealousy.

Fuck, he was touching her. Double fuck he was touching her ~naked!~

I stalked forward, clenching my fists. “Franco…” My voice wobbled with pent-up, spewing aggression. “Get your motherfucking hands off her.~”I’ll rip out your jugular.~

“If I let her go, she’ll run. Before you kill me, give me your shirt.” His eyes dropped to my chest. All I wanted was blood. Rivers of it. His. Hers. I didn’t really fucking care.

With barely functioning limbs, I ripped it off, sending buttons flying.

My teeth chattered with the urge to destroy the fucking bastard. How dare he have his hands on ~my~ naked woman! Tess’s eyes were wide, drinking in my rage.

She moaned, trying to speak behind Franco’s hand, but he kept her silent.

~“Donne-la moi! Maintenant.”~Give her. Now, I snarled.

He nodded, opening his arms. With a shove, he forced Tess to stumble forward. I took one step, grabbed her elbow and spun her into my furious embrace.

With one hand, I wrapped my shirt around her, breathing a little easier when it covered parts no other fucking male should see.

I still wanted to fuck her, but I was obsessed with protecting my territory. Another man had threatened what was mine and the urge to slam her to the ground and claim took second place.

My eyes locked on Franco. He glared right back.

“Don’t touch me. Get off me!” Tess wiggled; I smacked a hand over her mouth.

“Shut up,” I growled. “Seriously, now is not the time to fucking push me. You will ~not~ like what happens if you do.”

I didn’t give a rat’s ass if that made no sense to her. Would a trafficker say that? I didn’t know. But it was the goddamn truth and my blood infernoed with the need to take her.

Every part of my body felt foreign and sharp and so on edge.

My gaze returned to Franco. Fuck me he’d held her. ~Naked!~

His body tensed, falling into a supple position, ready for a fight. “Mercer—think about this.” His eyes narrowed.

~Think about it?~

His hands on her naked skin. Her body pressed against him. ~Naked.~

The beast howled with utmost possession. He’d touched my property. He’d seen what no one else was allowed to see. No one! It didn’t matter that he’d been in the room when we’d found her.

Naked and spread-eagled on the bed in Rio. It didn’t matter he knew she was mine. It didn’t fucking matter, because I needed a fight. I needed something.

~Anything~ to stop myself from spiralling into this dark pit of hell.

“It’s okay, Mercer. She’s yours.” Franco held up his hands. “Seriously, I get it.”

My nostrils flared as I struggled for control. My fists wanted nothing more than to connect with his jaw.

His head tilted; apprehension filled his eyes. “Is it going okay? You’re not…um...not losing it are you?” He inched closer, eyeing me up.

I wished fire would sprout out of my gaze and burn him. I wished I had spare arms to punch him in the chest and kick him when he fell. I was violent. Bloodthirsty. Oversexed.

“Do you think I’m not strong enough? That I’ll give in?” My voice held a deadly undertone.

He shrugged. No judgement or fear existed in his face. “Just asking. Don’t want you to fuck yourself up while trying to help her.” He smirked. “Excuse me for saying, but you look completely manic.”

I’d bottled so much up, I was ready to explode. I probably looked like a fucking psycho.

His eyes fell to Tess squirming in my arms. Her lithe body rubbed my cock in such delicious ways making me throb with an orgasm living permanently in my balls. “Having difficulties?”

A loud laugh exploded from my mouth. Difficulties? Try mountains of them. The laugh helped demolish the tension in my limbs. It turned dark, petering out.

The black clouds broke; I sucked in a ragged breath. Insanity gave way to sanity, soothing my feral heartbeat. I’d almost lost myself.

I’d been too caught up in the charade—I almost became him. I’d stepped over that line and would’ve broken Tess if Franco hadn’t caught her.

Time played its cruel joke again, draining me as if it’d been days, not minutes.

~I’m not strong enough. I’ll snap before it’s over.~

Franco followed my breakdown. “You probably have another hour before that thing wears off. Don’t take too long.”

Urgency laced my heart. I only had to survive another hour, then Tess would be free and I could get as far away from her as possible.

I could find an outlet for all this blackness inside and spare her from my rage.

Gathering my tattered energy, I collected Tess in a stronger grip. My eyes met Franco’s as I dragged her backward to the door. I should thank him for helping, but I couldn’t.

Seeing her naked was all the fucking thanks he’d get.

Tess fought, wrenching her mouth free from my grip. She winced as something struck her foot. “Let me go. No!

“I don’t want to go back in there.” Her heels left indents in the grass as I stole her back to her nightmares.

“You don’t have a choice. And if you ever recall what really happened today, try and remember never to run from me again. You were lucky this time.

“Next time—” My voice drifted off as another wave of need crippled me.

Her heat and wriggling body scrambled my self-control.

Reaching the door, I yelled at Franco, “Don’t worry about what’s going on in here. Just do your fucking job and keep watch.”

Franco smiled, saluting me flippantly. “Keep watch for her running again or intruders?”

I bared my teeth, slamming the door in his face. I left him standing in the sunlight while I welcomed Tess back to the dark.

The soundproofed dark where her screams didn’t matter, her tears wouldn’t be seen, and no one would find out how fucking dangerous all of this was.

Breathing hard, I stomped through the house with a fighting naked woman in my arms.

“I won’t do it. I won’t hurt them. You’ll have to kill me this time,” she rambled, her fingernails clawing at my arms. I clamped my fingers over her mouth again.

I couldn’t listen to how much damage I caused.

I hissed as she drew blood, but managed to keep the monster locked in its cage—I had no fucking clue how.

This house was too big—too far to drag a woman who I wanted so fucking bad. My jaw ached from clenching by the time I marched her into the bathroom.

The minute I’d slammed and locked the door, I unglued my fingers from around her lips.

Tension suffocated the room, swamping the area with Tess’s panic and my self-restraint. She backed up, seething, “You said I could be free. I took the initiative.”

I dragged my hands over my face, scrubbing hard against the headache, grime, and severely tested discipline. There would be no breaking her. She was too damn strong.

I had to hope my second idea would work better than my first. It would also test every inch of my self-control.

~You’re tempting fate. Don’t do it.~

Ignoring myself, I growled, “You didn’t ask permission. You think you can get what you want without asking?”

Tess pressed her lips together, not saying a word.

Scowling, I stalked toward her, crowding her against the wall. Her eyes flared, dancing with panic and anger. I pressed my body against hers, shivering with how good she felt.

Every inch of my erection throbbed, digging into her belly. I lost my thoughts, my decency, my fucking human spirit.

Her stomach rose and fell with uneven breaths; her delectable curves tempted me to hell.

~Take her. No one would know. Just one thrust. Just one release.~

My cock became possessed. Every rub of her, no matter how gentle, was enough to send me into full-body convulsions.

I needed to come. Badly. It tainted my every thought, made it that much harder to stay sane.

Tess looked up, glaring deep into my soul. “You’re a traitor. A liar. And a thief.”

I backed away, unable to ignore the churning in my gut and overwhelming pressure in my balls. Why had she said that—what did she see?

Tess moved quickly, dashing to the door.

~Goddammit.~

In a quick strike, I planted myself in front of her, barricading the exit.

She glowered, then in a totally defiant move, ripped my shirt off her body, and threw it in my face.

I shoved it away, breathing hard, willing myself to keep control.

Christ, she was fucking amazing. Lean muscles, tight stomach, beautiful full tits. “What the hell are you doing to me?” I groaned.

Shit.~ I shouldn’t have said that.~

Tess didn’t seem to notice; she planted her hands on her naked hips, hissing, “You were wrong to bring me back. You should’ve left me alone. You’d won.

“Don’t you get it?” Taking a step closer, she accented every move, sashaying her hips, seducing me with every fucking twitch.

“I’d lost myself. I’d turned my master’s life into a misery. You’d won!” Her head bowed, her gaze flickering down my chest.

There was nothing weak or coy about her now, it was complete steel and rebellion.

She looked up through hooded eyes. “But now…” One step closer. Another. “Now, I’m beginning to remember.”

My entire body froze; my cock grew ever harder. She stopped a breath away; the tip of her finger stabbed me in the solar plexus. “I’m remembering how to fight.” The flash in her eyes unraveled me.

My knees buckled, stealing control just for a moment before I forced myself to stand tall.

The headache I’d been fighting crashed over me with blades, daggers, and needles. “Don’t touch me.” I cleared my throat, hating how my voice cracked with heavy lust. ~Touch me. Fuck me.

Bend over and let me sink inside your sweet, sweet cunt.~

“Oh, poor you.” She pouted, taunting me.

“Big bad Leather Jacket doesn’t want me to touch him.” Her mouth twisted as she slapped a hand on my naked shoulder, sending a bonfire of want through my blood.

Fuck…this wouldn’t end well.

I loved that she stood up to her nightmares and seemed to be winning. I loved that by standing up to me, I could change the theme of her dreams by backing down, eradicating the horror forever.

What I didn’t love was the unforgiving need making my brain bleed and teeth turn to dust in my mouth. ~Just a little longer.~

I curled my hands so hard my short nails punctured flesh, growing slippery with blood.

Not moving muscle, I ordered, “Get in the bath.”

One thing.

Just ~one~ thing left to do to shatter what I believed to be the main issue. Then I’d be free. My job would be over, and I could run like the fucking animal I was.

When Tess didn’t move, I towered to my full height, glowering into her eyes. “Get. In. the. Fucking. Bath.”

Tess cowered, the strength spluttered and fizzed. She took a hesitant step toward it.

Then iron replaced her bones, slamming her to a halt. She stood regal and proud and entirely fucking naked making my throat close up with how much I wanted to hurt her.

“No. Fuck you.” With a roar, she flew at me. Her palm slapped my face, sending my head snapping sideways.

And that was it.

I was done.

Control snapped.

Sanity slipped.

Needs roared to life.

My hand came up, wrapping around her throat. So, so breakable. “How about I fuck you?

“Then we’ll see who walks away.” I threw her against the wall, sliding her upward so her feet dangled off the ground. She weighed nothing. Absolutely nothing compared to the monster’s fury.

Tess sliced at my hands with her nails, choking in my hold. “You always were pathetic. Making up for your lack of cock.” Tess’s hands suddenly stopped fighting me, dropping to squeeze my erection.

I swayed; my forehead crashed against the tiled wall.

~No. No. Yes.

The monster tore at my brain.

Headache.

Lust.

Need.

I shoved my hips into her hand, making her cry out in pain. Her cries made me pant for more—made me fucking delirious.

Her eyes popped wide. “So you do have a cock. You must’ve had cosmetic surgery, you bastard, because when you raped Blonde Angel you were infested with spiders and the size of my little finger.”

Confusion collared the beast and I blinked. Holy shit, I’d been so close. She didn’t see me. She didn’t know it was me.

And I refused to take her when she was so far out of my reach—so removed from the truth.

Her hand squeezed my cock, deliberately hurting. But I was beyond pain now. I ~wanted~ pain. I wanted her to punish me, so I could come so fucking violently I’d pass out. My vision went black.

~Not yet. You’re so close. Get it together.~

Somehow, I did the hardest thing in my life.

Dropping her, I kicked her away, almost doubling over with the need lacerating my blood.

“I told you. Don’t fucking touch me.” I had to finish this. Now.

Even sprawled on cold tiles, lost in a sea of darkness, Tess glowed like a cosmos or brand new galaxy. She looked fresh and completely unbroken.

She licked her lips, saying in the coldest, strongest voice I’d ever heard. “You know what I just realized? I’m not scared of you anymore. So fuck off and leave me alone.”

~She’s close. So close.~

Happiness and joy spread from my heart, battling back the monsters inside. Just a little more.

I cursed my shuddering body as I loomed over her. “Not fucking scared, huh? Then what are you still doing here? Give me what I want, and I’ll let you go.”

~Ask what I want. Please fucking ask what I want~. Then I wouldn’t suffer guilt when I raped her. I’d be free to do whatever the hell I pleased.

Her eyes went from grey to star-bright.

Fierce awe shot into my heart.

“I want my freedom.”

Yes. I’d done it. She’d demanded it. She’d claimed it. I backed away, fumbling for the door handle to run.

But then her fierceness fizzled; a small cry crawled from her mouth. “No wait! I’m sorry. You’ve always wanted to fuck me. Do it. A trade. Then I’ll know I owe you nothing.

“Do it and leave me in peace.” She sucked in a breath, eyes glassy with tears. “Please, swear if I give you what you want, you’ll let me go. Promise you’ll never come for me again.

“Promise you won’t make me hurt any more women or sell me or ruin my life. Please!”

She crawled toward me, latching onto my trouser leg. “Please. You wanted me to beg? I’m begging. You told me I would one day. And it’s come true. I’m begging you to end this once and for all.

“I’m giving you what you want in return for freedom.”

She climbed my body. I knew I stood no fucking chance of saying no. I would ruin her all when she’d been so damn close.

Her tears rained, sobs taking over her voice. “Please. Promise me that this will be over. How many times do I have to pay?”

Her hands fumbled on my belt buckle. “Do it. Do it!” Tess cried, almost crazed with the thought of being free.

I groaned as she squeezed my length, dragging me forward by it like I was a plaything. Every place she touched scorched my willpower.

I almost came on the spot at the thought of getting what I wanted so badly.

I wanted to fuck her like the criminal she thought I was. I wanted to hit her and bite her and use her with no remorse. I wanted blood and bruises and pleasure.

And I wanted Tess to scream. But I wanted her to scream~ my~ name. Not some fucking kidnapper’s.

The ultimate ownership of her pain and screams belonged to me—not them. And I wouldn’t,~wouldn’t~, let her take that from me.

With a howl, I knocked her hands away from my cock and threw her over my shoulder.

Her softness and tiny fists pounding my back twinged the last remaining thread of my self-control. I had just enough to do what I had to. Just enough to end this. For good.

I dumped her into the overflowing bath.

Slamming to my knees, she had time to grab a breath before I grabbed her skull and shoved her underwater. The liquid crashed over her face, sucking her down like eager death.

Her scream broke the surface in forms of large frothy bubbles. Sound ricocheted as the noise left its bubble, escaping into the air.

Tess went wild. Her legs kicked, smashing into the soap dish and ornaments around the bath. Water sluiced everywhere, drenching my trousers and shoes.

I held her down while my headache turned my vision to tunnel.

I held her down as my blood mixed with the water thanks to her sharp nails on my arms.

Every second I drowned her, I thrust my hips against the bath, bruising myself, deliberately bashing delicate flesh against hard fiberglass, trying to teach the beast in me a lesson.

This was the bastard I was. This asshole who drowned the woman he loved.

Ten seconds.

Tess was berserk, fighting with everything she had.

Fifteen seconds.

Her fight stuttered, succumbing to lack of oxygen.

My heart felt like it would explode and my brain disintegrate—I let her up.

I couldn’t catch my breath.

This was it. This was the moment where everything I’d done better work. If it didn’t, I had no other hope.

Such a short amount of time left. ~Come on, Tess! ~My hands clenched, hanging onto my last shred of discipline. The last defense against the beast from fucking her senseless.

Scrambling to my feet, I backed away. Grabbing the last item I needed from my pocket, I kicked off my drenched shoes and trousers.

Standing in black boxer-briefs with my cock standing so fucking stiff, I braced myself for what was to come.

Tess exploded out of the tub like a mermaid queen. Her skin was white, blonde hair clinging to her breasts and shoulders in molten gold. Her chest rose and fell as she went from drowning to surviving.

Everything about her said fighter.

But it was her eyes I latched onto.

They were otherworldly. So fucking manic.

“You bastard!” She flew at me.

I backed up, crashing against the wall. She slapped me, kicked me, pummeled every inch. Every strike made me want to grab her hair and force her to her knees. I needed to be inside her.

I needed to release this overbearing burden inside but I locked my hands behind my back, holding tight to the final key. I shut down my thoughts, my needs—I let her do whatever she wanted.

I let her pour everything from her soul into mine. I would bear it all for her. I would make her whole by sharing her pain.

“You deserve nothing!~ Nothing. ~You fucking bastard. You deserve to die.”

~Yes, Tess. Go on.

Take her. What about what you want? She owes you. Do it!~

I shook my head, dispelling the thoughts before they could swallow me.

“I’m ~taking~ my freedom. I’m not asking. I’m not begging. I’ll never beg again in my~ life.~”

My heart raced and soared.

~Come on. More!~

Everything I’d hoped would happen, came true. With every hit, Tess seemed to shed an outer layer. One tarnished with fear, uncertainty, and whatever foulness she’d lived with for so long.

Everything she never let me see, all her lies, and secrets fell to the floor.

My cheek burned as she slapped me with all her strength. Standing before me was the woman I’d fallen madly fucking in love with.

I said goodbye to the slave I’d reclaimed in Rio and welcomed back the girl who claimed me when she returned from Australia.

The disease was gone—the festering over once and for all.

Everything disappeared. All the nightmares, the tears, the anger. All of it.

This woman was stronger than I could ever be. And I didn’t know how I fucking deserved her.

My hands unlocked, begging to touch. But I couldn’t. Not yet.

She had to say one more thing to be completely saved. I held my breath, waiting, waiting.

Finally, her face filled with unlimited courage; she smiled in disbelief. “I’m done with you. I’m done with all of this. I’m free.”

And there it was.

She’d taken it.

She’d taken her freedom with no begging or trading or cajoling. She’d done what I’d hoped.

Simplicity and truth sliced through all the cages and nightmares she’d built for herself. Granting her truth, letting her see things in a totally different light.

Her body flushed, releasing the guilt of what she’d done to the other girls. She shed the horror of hurting them. She finally came to terms that it wasn’t her fault. None of it.

None of them had any choice.

Her sigh was full wonderment and joy.

Freedom.

It was done.

Thank fucking God.

Throwing the pill from my palm into my mouth, I grabbed the back of her neck. She shoved my chest, but she was no match for me.

Slamming my lips against hers, I forced the second and final drug onto her tongue.

The taste of her unlocked all the padlocks I’d surrounded the beast with, and I knew I had seconds left before I undid all the good I’d managed to do.

She growled, trying to bite me, but it was too late. She choked, swallowing the final stage in a rush of rage.

The moment it was done, I bolted.

~Get out.~

Charging out of the bathroom, I shot down the hall and ran. I ran until I had enough distance to talk myself out of going back if I snapped.

Out of breath, out of control, hanging onto sanity by a thread, I braced my back against the wall and yanked out my cock. My boxer-briefs tore with the violence of my touch.

The second my fingers latched around my length, the world ceased to exist.

I dropped the cage, unraveled the chains, and let the monster free.

Bashing my head against the wall, I fisted myself and jerked. I strangled my cock as if it was another demon deserving to die. I punished it. I fucking hurt it.

I moaned and groaned and thrust like a beast possessed into fingers that only brought pain.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t see. All I focused on was the arching, sparking, seething need in my balls.

With my other hand, I grabbed the tight aching things and with a roar, gave myself over to what I’d wanted since I kidnapped Tess from the hotel.

I came.

Thick white spurts, arching through the darkness, splattering against the floor. I growled as heat built and cramp stole my legs from under me. With each wave, I kept up my brutal torture on my body.

I wrung its fucking neck, brutalizing it for making me so subservient to horrible desire.

As the last ripple erupted from the tip, I slid down the wall.

My heart was a frenzied lunatic.

Sweat covered my entire body and a chill turned my shivers of pleasure into shivers of cold.

But despite feeling guilty, sick, twisted, and completely fucked-up, a small smile graced my lips.

I’d done the unthinkable and won.

I’d had the opportunity to ravish a slave.

I’d had the chance to be the monster I’d always wanted.

But I hadn’t.

I’d kept her safe.

And she was free.