Christmas Captive - Isabella Starling Page 0,35

outside, he got his hands dirtier than I ever had.

"I'd like you to keep me company," I told her with a wicked grin. "I might get bored. So you'll be kneeling at my feet while he pays us a visit. I'll surely enjoy his jealousy when he sees you again, too."

"But, Sir-"

"Yes?" I cut her off sharply, my eyes daring her to go on. Amicia swallowed, shaking her head without another complaint. She was getting better at obeying me, which pleased me. I dismissed her, telling her to be in my office ten minutes before Gibbons was set to arrive, and to wear something that would please me.

I had an after dinner whiskey while my toy got ready, and didn't get the chance to check whether she was waiting, because the bell rang a couple moments early. I let the doorman handle Gibbons, my mouth forming a thin line as I waited for the lift. The man was already trying to intimidate me with his early appearance, but I'd be damned if I let him.

The elevator doors opened and Ilan Gibbons sauntered out with a wide grin. He looked good, always had, but I knew there was pure evil lurking underneath his exterior.

"Good to see you, Gibbons," I muttered. "Care for a drink?"

"Have your maid make me an Old Fashioned," he nodded. "Where's your office? And more importantly, where's that pretty little captive of yours?"

Ignoring his words, I guided him to the office. Amicia was nowhere to be seen and my mind raged at her disobedience. I mixed Gibbons a drink at the bar myself, ignoring his quips about how short-staffed I was. It wasn't like I couldn't afford a maid, I just valued my privacy. The less people around, the fucking better, as far as I was concerned.

Moments after I joined Gibbons at my desk, there was a timid knock at the door which could only mean one thing. I called for Amicia to enter. The door opened, and she stood on the doorstep in a red leather corset with white fur lining, and matching red velvet gloves. Around her neck was a velvet ribbon with a bell. I smiled at the sight of her.

"A little late, aren't we?" I asked her, bemused.

"I'm sorry, Sir. Let me make it up to you." Amicia smiled wide, dropping to her knees and seductively crawling closer to me until she settled on a plush white pillow by my feet. I'd almost managed to forget about Gibbons until the pervert spoke again.

"Doesn't seem like your toy is very well trained," he grumbled. "Disobeying you already, is she? If you'd like to teach the girl a lesson, I'd be more than happy to help. I know you young men are stingy with the pain you dole out, but I'm certainly not afraid to slap a bitch."

Amicia crawled closer to me, glaring at my business associate.

"I assure you, I'm perfectly capable of disciplining Kitty myself," I told him with a firm smile. Absent-mindedly, I ran my fingers through Amicia's hair. I could tell I was making old Gibbons jealous, and it fucking pleased me. I wanted him squirming in his seat, realizing what he'd missed out on.

"Shall we get straight to business?" I suggested. "As far as the SoHo area goes, I've debated-"

"There's something I should say before," Gibbons interrupted, holding his hand up. I gritted my teeth. I didn't take well to being interrupted, especially by sleazy men like him who thought they had the world by the balls. "I'm backing out of the deal."

My mouth thinned and Amicia slid even further behind my chair, sensing the shift of mood. "You can't back out, Gibbons. The papers have already been signed."

"I'll make it work," he waved his hand dismissively before a wicked smile overtook his face. "Unless of course, you're willing to renegotiate."

"We've already discussed and signed off on the details," I hissed.

"Well, unfortunately for you, I changed my mind," Gibbons smirked, setting his eyes on Amicia. "You have something I want and I am unwilling to work with you until you... share it, at the very least."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your little captive, of course." He leaned forward. I prayed he wouldn't attempt to touch my Kitty, because if he tried, it would not end well for him. "I should've bid higher. I realize that now. But I'm giving you an option—sell her to me before the end of your contract. I'll pay good money."

Amicia's fingers dug into my leg as I shook