Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76298 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 381(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
“You don’t trust me.”
He laughs and nods, turning toward the window. He steps away and looks outside, staring into the distance. “I don’t trust you at all. Did you really think I would? You let me pour hot wax on your supple, gorgeous skin and you had an incredible orgasm while I sucked on your firm tits, and suddenly you think I’m going to spill all my secrets?”
“Stop it,” I snap, turning bright red. “You don’t have to be so crude.”
“No, pet, you’re nowhere near ready. I need to wrap my leash around your throat and tug tight until you break. Then maybe I’ll trust you.”
My hands come to my neck. My eyes go wide. He doesn’t notice because he’s looking out the window, but the idea of him choking me sends a sharp pang of terror into my heart. I remember the dark, a long time ago, a deep night without any moon, and a pair of hands digging into my neck, digging tighter and tighter, and laughter as my vision began to black out—
I force the panic attack away with deep breaths. Not right now. I can’t think about that right now.
He turns to face me, eyes intense. He doesn’t mention my distress and I do my best to keep it hidden. “Here are the rules, since you want to know them so badly. The basement is off limits to everyone except for me, Lesley, and Terrence. That very much includes you. The caves are off limits—”
“What caves?”
“You’ll see. You may only go down to the caves in the Jeeps when we’re loading and unloading cargo. The smuggled items are off limits, and stealing is not tolerated. Especially if you get caught.”
“Okay, what else, pirate king?”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Last but not least. My room is off limits. If I ever catch you going in there, you won’t like what happens.”
I open my mouth to protest, but frankly, the rules are pretty reasonable. Don’t violate his privacy, don’t go in the basement, don’t steal from the society, and don’t go wandering off to whatever these caves are—probably where he keeps his boat, if I had to guess. Otherwise, I’m free to roam and live my life. Reasonable.
But frustrating, because any evidence about what happened to my sister will be hidden in one of those places.
At least now I have a list of where to check.
“I understand. From now on, I’ll keep to myself.”
“I don’t need you to be a hermit, pet. I just need you to obey.” He walks back to the door and hesitates before opening it. “One more thing. What happened between us last night, that’s not something I do with every new recruit.” He glances back at me, his expression strange and intense. “Paola and Lesley included.”
I frown, not sure how to take that. Is he worried that I think he’s dripping hot candle wax on all his female members? The idea hadn’t occurred to me, but now I think it’s not all that unlikely. I’ve noticed the way other girls look at him like he’s some kind of god, and I’d bet there are a dozen or more willing candle-wax participants that would die and go to heaven to experience half of what I went through.
Which makes it all that much stranger.
Why me? Why go through all that?
“It doesn’t matter to me either way.”
He nods sharply and looks away, almost like he’s hurt. But why the hell does he care what I think?
“As a punishment for going into the basement, you’re to stay in your room until class starts.”
“That’s not for another couple hours, and you can’t—”
“I can and I just did, pet. Go ahead and disobey. I’d love to spank your little ass until it’s pink and raw and you’re coming in my lap.”
I click my jaw shut as he exits the room and slams the door behind him, leaving me trembling with something between rage and desire.
I turn away and walk to the window. It’s a good view—the ocean in the distance, the jungle to the right, and the front walkway and driveway spreading out toward the campus. I look out and spot him step down onto the gravel again, stretching slightly like he’s working out tension. His body is strong and lean and I let myself marvel at him for a moment, but I can’t forget what he is. Monster, killer.
Lesley appears and they have a short conversation, and she stomps away looking annoyed.
He trusts her. I don’t know why, but she’s in deep. She’s allowed in the basement and I bet she’s allowed at the caves. Somehow, she knows more than all the others, but I’m not sure she’d tell me anything.
Doesn’t matter. Emilio isn’t talking anytime soon, and Terrence scares the living crap out of me. That guy’s way too big and I’m afraid he’ll crush my head with his hands if I ask the wrong question.