A Hurt So Sweet Volume Four - Isabella Starling Page 0,45

sorry, I didn't think..."

"No, you didn't," Dex grunts. "And you better start doing that before you open that pretty little mouth, Pandora. Otherwise I'll just have to occupy it in a different way."

Minnie takes a sharp breath of air, but it isn't as embarrassing as the flush that swallows my whole body. It's the first time Dex has mentioned anything sexual since the time he showed me Reign's nursery. I wanted this. I prayed for this. So why am I this fucking scared?

"Oakes called," Dexter barks after a long minute of uncomfortable silence. "He wants you back at the Estate next week, Minnie."

"Oh." The blonde pales, staring at her half-empty plate while she nods resolutely. "Yes, I understand. Thank you for telling me."

"Are you really letting him take her back?" I speak before I can stop myself.

Dex picks up the napkin on his lap and wipes his mouth, tossing it on his plate as he looks at me. "What did I just tell you, toy?"

"What? I-"

"Answer me." His voice drips with cool cruelty and my heart is pounding as I glance between Dex and Minnie.

"I..."

"I'll go upstairs." Minnie nearly falls over herself in order to get away. I almost want to cry out, beg her to stay so I won't be left alone with Dexter. But she closes the door firmly behind her, leaving just us.

"What did I say about being a brat, toy?" Dex asks.

"I'm not a brat, or a toy," I say.

"You are what I say you are. You got that?"

I laugh out loud, shaking my head, but Dex reacts instantly. He gets up, pulling me off my chair by the front of my black dress.

"Dexter!" I struggle but he won't let go. "What are you doing?"

"Do you think I forgot your promise, toy?" he asks sweetly against the shell of my ear. "Remember what you said, toy. Anything. Everything. You didn't even bother to ask what that was, you just agreed blindly."

He laughs at my crestfallen expression.

"I bet you're regretting that now, aren't you, little toy?"

I shake my head no when he pushes me up against the wall, holding me by my throat now. My heart is going crazy and if he doesn't stop, I'm going to start soaking my panties.

"Tell me what you are," Dex says, gentler this time.

"Pandora Oakes," I whisper.

"I said what." He laughs. "Go on."

"I'm a... a toy."

"For who?"

"For you. For my Master."

"That's right," Dex mutters. "You're a good little fucktoy for your Master, aren't you? It doesn't even matter what your name is. Or it won't... You'll see."

"W-What?" My eyes grow wide. "What do you mean?"

Dex lets me go. My skin hurts where he held me, but not because of the pain, but because he isn't touching me anymore. I rub the sore spots.

"You'll see." He moves toward the door. "Come on, we'll tell Minnie the good news."

"Good news?" I ask, still trying to recover from his sudden outburst.

"I got her into Prep," Dex grins. "She'll be starting this fall."

We deliver the news together. It's the first time I see Minnie smile in almost a year without a tinge of sadness, and for a moment, even I can pretend things will work out just fine.

She thanks us profusely for the opportunity, telling us we won't regret sending her to Prep. This won't only broaden her horizons, it'll open the door for more opportunities when it comes to work, too.

The whole time we're explaining the news to Minnie, I feel the promise of something dark and ominous in the air. I have a feeling Dex might collect on my promise soon enough. After all, I owe him anything... and everything.

We say goodnight to Minnie and when I close the door of her room, a chill goes down my spine. I turn around to face Dexter.

"Well, I'll be retiring for the night, then."

"Sure."

"Goodnight, Dexter."

I hurry down the hallway so I don't have to hold the weight of his gaze, feeling him stare at me the entire time. When I finally close the door of our bedroom behind me, I let out a breath of relief.

I don't know whether I'm scared or excited about Dexter collecting what's owed.

I also know I'm lying to myself.

I get ready for bed as fast as I can, so I can fake being asleep by the time Dex comes to bed. I brush my hair until it's silky and smooth, apply oil to it, remove my makeup and wash my face with a hot cloth. I take a quick shower