Christmas Captive - Isabella Starling Page 0,6

I usually made my way back to my apartment. I’d worked hard to afford a place in a slightly less dangerous district, but my walks home were always filled with nervousness and anxiety. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d gotten cornered—either by Skull or one of the other bouncers, or even a patron from Le Cabaret.

“Just trying to get home,” I muttered as Skull caught up with me, standing in front of me and walking backward with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Think you’re forgetting somethin’,” he said, spitting on the concrete before coming to a stop on the pavement. I bumped against him, groaning when he grabbed me by the hair and tossed me to the other side of the street as if I weighed nothing.

“Please, Skull,” I managed, the air knocked right out of me. “I’ll give you the money, just let me go home in peace.”

“Oh yeah?” he snarled. “Is that why you were tryin’ to get home without coming to me first, bitch?”

“I wasn’t,” I lied through gritted teeth. “I just didn’t see you inside…”

“Bullshit.” He slammed me back, and I stumbled backward as he descended on me. “I don’t fuckin’ like it when my bitches lie to me. So now, you're gonna pay for it.”

Chapter 2

Grayson

“Please don’t do this, Sir.” Lyra was a mess, makeup running down her face, black streaks of mascara lining her cheeks. “Please, I want to stay with you, I want to be yours, don’t let me go…”

The car slowed to a stop. A huge country house loomed before us, magnificent in the late winter day. I turned to face Lyra. Unbeknownst to her, this wasn’t easy for me either. But she’d served her purpose. I’d kept her for long enough. Now, I was done. It was time for a new plaything.

“I’m sorry, Lyra,” I told her, handing the beautiful red-haired vixen an envelope with her cash, and the photos I’d taken of her. “It’s time now. You have to go.”

“Please, Sir,” she murmured. “Don’t let me go, I don’t want the money, I just want you.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t want you.” My voice was calm and collected. I motioned for Kai to get her out of the car, and he opened the door, prying her off the backseat while she kicked and punched him, desperately trying to stay with me.

It was always like this when I let them go. They all wanted to stay with me. The problem was, none of them kept my attention for longer than a few weeks. I was a spoiled man. I got bored easily.

Lyra began to howl as Kai removed her from the car. The door closed; the sound of her wailing blocked out. I stretched my legs, smoothing down my suit. And so, the hunt for a new toy was beginning.

I watched Kai deposit Lyra in front of her parents’ house with mild interest. It would take her a few months to get over me, sure, but after that, she’d be better off. When I had met her, she hadn’t even known she was kinky. I’d always have fond memories of extracting her first ‘Yes, Sir’ from those full, bee-stung lips.

But now, as she stumbled toward the house and Kai returned to the car, I was restless and bored. I wanted a new plaything, and I wanted her then and there.

Once my right-hand-man was next to me, the driver pulled away, leaving Lyra in front of her parents’ home. Kai seemed to sense my mood and left me in peace until we were almost at the penthouse.

“Sir, if I may,” he spoke up then. “Another auction will be happening soon at Couture House. I could get you a list of the girls. Perhaps you will find someone to your liking.”

“Another auction?” I repeated thoughtfully. “Get me the list, I’ll look it over. But tonight, I want to have some fun.”

“Certainly, Sir. May I suggest sending someone up to the penthouse? Perhaps the Sullivan twins tonight?”

“No.” My answer was firm. I got out of the car, waiting for the bellboy to run outside and hold an umbrella over my head as I made my way toward the building. Kai was right beside me as I pondered what to do. I was jaded and impatient, and I wanted to do something I’d remember for a long time to come. “How about a burlesque club?”

“Of course, Sir,” Kai replied without missing a beat. “I’ll find one you haven’t been at before.”

“Perfect.”

I was escorted to the lift,