Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 742(@200wpm)___ 594(@250wpm)___ 495(@300wpm)
This is bad.
Very, very bad.
Pressing the whip into my palm, he grinned. “Ten thousand euros if you go too far and make her sob instead of swear. Deal?”
Wrapping my fingers around the leather braided handle, my head swam as I did my best to cling to sanity. “Fine.”
“Excellent. I do love a good wager. That reminds me, we still need to transfer those funds.” Stroking the whip, he smiled. “No matter, I have a feeling you’ll be undergoing your initiation sooner rather than later, and we can get the nasty business of money over and done with, but for now…seeing as you’re new to this, this is called a bullwhip, and it’s a personal favourite. It leaves the most delightful lashes.”
“Use the bullwhip, Onn Ree. No, not that one. That’s a tigress whip. No, that’s a cane. God’s sake, boy. That one. Yes. Now…hit her.”
My heart pounded through my ribs. “Awesome.” My hand trembled as I stroked my thumb along the handle. It looked similar to the one in my fucked-up childhood. Only difference? This was dark brown and my father’s had been tan. A colour light enough to turn rusty with layers of shed blood.
Feeling sick to my stomach, I made the mistake of looking at Ily.
Everything screeched to a halt.
Every moment of last night.
Everything we’d said.
Every promise we’d whispered.
They seemed utterly stupid now.
Were we really going to fucking do this?
Do we have a choice?
Victor manhandled me until I stood at a good striking distance. The pit enveloped me with its icy draft and cold stone. “Now, I’m being lenient with your requests for her to fight back. But I hope you realise I won’t tolerate you being in love with her. You need to do whatever it takes to break that little disease. Your loyalties are to me and only to me, and love will only—”
“Love?” I laughed mockingly. “Yeah, about that. You’re wrong, Vic. You completely got the wrong end of the stick last night.” I shook my head with another chuckle. “I’m not in love with her. I don’t care about her apart from how hard she can make me blow.”
I didn’t look anywhere near Ily.
I wouldn’t be able to hide the truth if I did.
“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow. “How would you explain your feelings for her, then?”
“I dunno. You tell me. I was under the impression it was an obsession. A fascination maybe? Definitely possession.” I smirked. “Could even be a delusion at this point.”
He cocked his head. “I fear you doth protest too much, my friend.”
“Nah.” I shrugged. “Just trying to figure it out for myself. I’m hardwired to fixate on one person. The thought of sharing that one person makes me aggressive. But if I find a better person, then…” I splayed my hands. “I’m open.”
He studied me carefully. A bit too carefully. Finally, he pursed his lips and nodded. “I suppose time will tell. For now, I’ll permit your closeness as it seems to be helping your evolution but the day I suspect you’re lying, well…I have a particular game in mind. For both of you.”
I ignored the urge to gulp. “Sounds good.”
“Okay then…” He smiled widely and stepped back. “In your own time, Henri. I trust you’ll figure out how to whip your jewel while I play with mine. By the way…” Tapping my chin, he pushed up.
I fought him, but he just clucked his tongue and forced my eyes to rise to the domed, gemstone-painted ceiling.
I stiffened.
Lounging on metal walkways above, two guards with sniper rifles resting by their feet waved.
Whispering in my ear, Victor said, “I value our friendship and no longer doubt you, but…I never said I trust you. For future reference—so we can continue to play with ease—just know we’re never alone. I hope that isn’t a problem for you.”
He let me go, and I acted my fucking ass off. “Not a problem at all. I think you’re wise to protect yourself. From what I witnessed in Emerald Bruises, your other guests are deranged.”
He laughed loudly. “Yes, you’re quite right. They are. And that’s what makes you so special.” Smacking a kiss on my cheek, he backed away. “Right, I’ll let you have your fun. Don’t hesitate to—ah! I almost forgot!”
Ah fucking hell, now what?
“Rachel, come here, my sweetling,” he called.
Climbing elegantly to her feet, Rachel padded toward us, her teal dressing gown swaying. “Yes, Sir V?”
“Show Henri your scars from the last time we played this game.”
Without a word, she untied her sash and spread her legs.
I gritted my teeth as memories of last night came back all over again.
“See?” Victor grabbed her knee and opened her legs a little wider. On the creamiest part of her inner thigh, hidden from view and rather close to her pussy, five thick lines glittered blue in the low light.