I followed her but remained behind the glass, studying the woman now in my possession. She was tense, staying a solid two feet from the railing as she glanced at her surroundings. When she finally walked closer to the edge, her hands sweeping across the iron bars, the light breeze whipping through her hair, I knew I’d made the right decision.
And I craved her even more.
I removed my jacket, tossing it across the back of one of the sofas, immediately rolling up my sleeves. The starkness of my surroundings had a marked effect tonight. My housekeeper had changed the magazines on the coffee table, a request that she often found funny for a man like me. Who read actual magazines any longer?
After ripping at the bowtie, I tossed it over the jacket, laughing softly to myself as I unbuttoned my shirt. I hated being in the monkey suit, preferring more of a low-key life. The thought gave me a smile for the first time since I could remember. Everyone knew me as being all business, never relaxing. The truth was I’d never spent more than five minutes on the expansive balconies. I’d never taken a swim in the pool located on the floor below or even relaxed in the Jacuzzi.
I’d spent almost forty-eight million dollars on a ten thousand square foot penthouse that I’d slept in and little else. Even the kitchen had limited food. I realized I was fooling myself if I thought I’d been truly living my life. I’d existed for years, functioning as a mafia head only.
I moved toward the well-stocked bar, another telling feature. How many nights had I eaten at a restaurant, refusing to cook in my own kitchen? I sighed as I prepared drinks, still darting glances in her direction.
Perhaps tonight could be the start of something phenomenal or the beginning of an end. Either way, I was forced to make certain that Santiago and Kostya were dealt with. Anything less and all respect for my position would be crushed. I couldn’t afford a hiccup, not with my father planning on retiring.
I hadn’t thought anymore about his off the cuff statement, but even given our arduous relationship, he was still my father. Much like Santiago still had a place in Valencia’s life.
The dichotomy was something I would have to keep in mind.
As I walked outside, the night and the moment were reminiscent of the one spent in Cuba, only this time she would remain in my bed. She sensed my presence as she had before, bristling and inching further away. I merely set her drink on one of the tables, moving to a chair several feet away. “You should take the weight off your ankle.”
She said nothing, barely moving for a full two minutes before looking down at the drink and retrieving the glass. Only then did she dare look in my direction. “This is beautiful. There’s a pool below. How exquisite. Yours?”
I sighed, swirling the tip of my finger around the rim of my glass. “Yes, both floors. As I said, you may explore when you like. There are several bedrooms and bathrooms, an exercise facility and media room, as well as patios on three sides. I will make certain furniture is removed in your room of choice, so you can have your music if I decide to give you your wish.”
There was such a quiet elegance about her. The darkness had settled in, but the bright moon allowed me to see her pensive expression before she took a sip of her drink.
“Thank you. I will need access to sheet music if you decide to be a decent man. If that is allowed.”
A decent man. The thought caught me off guard for some reason.
“You will have many more freedoms as time goes by,” I said, hearing the exhaustion in my voice.
“If I obey you.”
“Yes.” I crossed my legs, allowing the crystal to rest on my knee. “I expect that you will retaliate against me in several ways, including attempting to run, perhaps back to the arms of your father. You should keep in mind that the person in that garage tonight had one target in mind. That was you.”
I heard her slight strangled sound, a realization she hadn’t accepted. “Why? What did I ever do to them.”
“That’s what you’re going to need to figure out. Your father has more enemies than my family, so you’ve always been a target, princess. I was able to find out about your concert and the fashion show with ease, which meant anyone could have as well. This penthouse will keep you safe. I will protect your life.”
“But only if I’m chained like some animal.”
I took a swig of my drink, trying to keep from becoming riled. She wanted to push my buttons. She needed to see what I was going to do, how far I would go in my effort to train her.
Subdue her.
Dominate her.
My hunger was unbridled, the beast clawing at the surface.
“You are now aware of the rules and what I can expect from you. Any deviation and you will be punished. Any infraction and you will be disciplined. As I said before, there are consequences for every action. You will begin facing yours tonight.”
If she was fearful of what to expect, she certainly didn’t acknowledge in any way. I eased the back of my head against the chair, studying the ocean waves through the iron bars. I had to admit, they reminded me of a prison cell.
I could hear the ice clinking in her glass as she took several sips, could almost detect the rapid beating of her heart. There’d been clear desire in her eyes at the fashion show, the kind of hunger that two primal mates felt, the attraction something neither could deny. It was time to begin her new life.
I eased from the chair, holding out my hand. “Come with me.”
She turned her head, glaring at the gesture. “I have no intention of coming with you.”
Inhaling, I held my position, my eyes locked on hers.
A nervous tic appeared in the corner of her mouth and her inability to hold her gaze meant she at least understood the position she was in. She twisted her hand around the railing before nodding once.
The feel of her hand in mine allowed another jolt of current that raced down the backs of my legs. It was obvious by her hardened nipples that she felt entirely the same. My grasp remained firm as I led her into the house, moving toward the nearly hidden set of stairs leading to the bottom floor. While my mind could only envision her stripped naked, fucking her in every manner, locking down full control over her was vital.
And there was no doubt she’d find my methods atrocious.
The bedroom I’d selected was nearly as sparse as the rest of the house, although perfect for the first part of her training. I’d had little time to prepare for her arrival, although certain proclivities that I’d partaken in had allowed for a small collection of discipline methods that would suit the purpose.
When I let go of her hand, she folded her arms, walking into the center of the room and as I turned on the light, she sucked in her breath. “This is where I’m staying?”
“For the time being.”
“I would have expected that I would remain chained to your bed.”
I moved toward the single dresser, opening one of the drawers. “You will have to earn the right to sleep next to me.”
“What a bastard,” she whispered.