Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,45

could have been damaging.”

While her breathing remained ragged, her eyes watching everything I did, she didn’t utter a word.

I was both disgusted and thrilled by her actions. The endeavor was just a reminder of how feisty she truly was, something I adored. After rinsing her foot gently under the faucet, I moved to the closet, searching until I was able to find a Band-Aid. She seemed amused at my attempt to open the slender package, finally taking it from my hands.

I was the one studying her as she placed the soft pad over the spot, tamping down the sides then wiggling her toes. The move was unexpectedly normal, an oddity in more than one way. Nothing in my life had been remotely typical since my arrival.

“Why did you attempt to run?” I asked softly. The beautiful gown I’d selected for her accentuated her rounded curves, alluring and sensual, the color matching perfectly to the rosy hue creeping up her cheeks.

“Because it’s something I need to do. I’m no one’s prisoner.” She tipped her head, her gaze lifting up from my chest, settling on the ugliness of the man I’d become. “You don’t know my father. There has to be some kind of explanation.”

“The explanation is that your father isn’t the man you believed him to be. He was very clear about what he wanted, detail by detail.”

“But not to me.”

Sighing, I rubbed my forehead, my eyes drawn to the remaining drops of blood in the sink as they trickled toward the drain. I was thankful I’d disposed of the letter. It was time for her to formally accept what had become her new life. The mirror caught my attention long enough to bring the revolting taste of bile into my mouth, as well as a brush of my fingers across my cheek.

Rearing back, I grabbed her wrists, yanking her onto the floor.

“Ouch!” she yelped, fighting my hold.

I pushed her hard against the edge of the counter, crowding against her and forcing my hands on hers. “Look at me,” I commanded.

Shivering, she shook her head, pushing back against me.

I intertwined our fingers, curling mine around hers. “Look. At. Me.”

She bit her lip then shifted her hateful gaze, her eyes shimmering as she searched past the reflection, scoping the darkness that hovered over me. “Yes. Sir. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to punish you.”

“Please,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.”

I nuzzled against her neck, still keeping my eyes on her as I pressed my lips against her heated skin. “The time for apologies has passed. Your penance will be paid with actions.”

Her lovely mouth twisted, her body shifting back and forth, merely an offer that she no more wanted to give than what she was about to receive.

I tightened my hold, pushing her even harder against the thick marble.

“There is no escape, Alessandra. None. If you attempt again, I will not hesitate to remove all your privileges, including clothing. If you could ever manage to get away, I would use all my resources to hunt you down. Then your life would be all about understanding a true cage, sequestered behind cold, hard steel. This is the last warning, the very last time I will tell you this. I am your master. I own you, every inch. I paid for every inch of you with my money, my time, and my trust. You are mine. Make no mistake, I will do everything necessary to keep you trained, well cared for and alive. But I am not a man to be fucked with. I will hurt you.”

Chapter Nine

Gabriel

“Lift your gown.” My command was simple, easy to follow, yet she refused until I smacked her hard on the bottom.

Alessandra issued no whimpers, no sounds of any kind, the venom returning to her eyes as she finally obeyed me.

I rubbed my hand down her spine, thinking about this particular round of punishment. “Open your lovely ass cheeks for me.”

This time, a slight whimper escaped her mouth, but she leaned forward, easing her arms behind her. I studied her beautiful long fingers as she grasped either side of her buttocks, spreading them wide open.

I opened one of the drawers, retrieving exactly what I was looking for from my collection. The anal plug would provide a constant reminder, something that was obviously necessary. I held it up into the light, watching as her eyes opened wide before reaching for the lubricant.

She swallowed hard, finally looking away from me.

“Do not take your eyes off what I am doing, sweet