A shudder rolled through my body.
Stefano’s strong arms surrounded me, and I clung to him like a lifeline. I tucked my face tight to his chest, breathing in the unique scent that calmed me. I indulged in the sensory reassurance that he was close enough to protect me, to hold me. With his support, I could survive this awful night.
Chapter 19
Stefano
I took Carmen’s hand and guided her into the elevator that would take us down to the VIP mezzanine level of my club. She would be hidden from the derision of lesser players in my organization, but I wouldn’t be able to shield her from degradation in front of my more powerful associates.
I didn’t like her rigid posture or the strain around her lovely eyes, but my brave little pet held her chin high, prepared to endure the necessity of her humiliation.
As much as I respected her fire, this demeanor wasn’t suitable for what I had planned. I would do whatever it took to protect my sweet kitten, even if she found the means distasteful. Her pride wouldn’t be spared tonight, but I could at least dull her awareness of the shame being imposed upon her.
The elevator door slid closed, and I turned on her, capturing her lips in a fierce kiss and pinning her against the mirrored wall. The suddenness of my assault shocked her out of the stony mood that had claimed her. In her current resolute headspace, her immediate impulse was to fight me.
Despite my discontent with her unhappiness, dominating her was far from a hardship. Lustful heat licked through my veins, the heady thrill of bending her to my will overtaking my senses.
I grabbed her wrists and secured them above her head, trapping her with one hand while I wrapped the other around her throat. She jerked against my hold, but I restrained her easily, claiming my kiss whether she wanted it or not. I flexed my fingers against her neck, pressing my palm tighter and restricting her breathing. Depriving her of oxygen had proven to be devastatingly effective in the past, and I’d conditioned her to respond with desire rather than fear. She had no control over her body; she wasn’t even allowed to breathe unless I permitted it.
She softened instantly, all the defiant tension leaving her lithe frame as she melted into my cruel hands.
I released her from my kiss, and she gasped for air, her eyes glazing from the dizzying rush of oxygen.
“That’s good, pet,” I praised, cupping her cheek in a tender caress. “Focus on me. I’m the only one who matters.”
She leaned into my hand, seeking more of my reassurance. Her pupils dilated, and her pouty lips were swollen from my punishing kiss.
I brushed my lips over hers one last time before the elevator slowed to a stop, indulging myself in the little tremor that raced through her body.
I forced myself to pull away just before the doors opened, but I ensnared her hand in mine. Keeping her in this submissive state would not only help her get through the night with minimal distress, but it would also convince my allies of her surrender beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Demonstrating my affection for her shouldn’t be an issue, as long as she remained thoroughly humbled. And my possessiveness of my lovely pet would lay the groundwork for my associates’ eventual acceptance of her place in my life. They would come to respect her, or they would learn that an insult to her was a personal affront to me.
No one insulted me and survived. I’d made that brutally clear over the years, and everyone knew what they risked if they chose to cross me.
The sensual music that provided my club’s intentionally seductive atmosphere swelled inside the elevator when the doors opened. Carmen didn’t resist as I guided her into the carefully cultivated revelry, creating the illusion of an informal space where my friends could relax and enjoy themselves.
The foolish ones would let their guards down, indulging in my top shelf liquor and the beautiful women I’d selected to provide them with distracting company.
My smarter associates knew better. The ones who had been with me the longest had fallen into my trap too many times, and they had learned to be wary of my jovial façade rather than taking it at face value.
That wariness suited me just as well as the ignorant delight of the men who were duped by my charms. Both emotional reactions made them malleable to my control.
As I led Carmen toward my usual seat at the center of the precisely engineered party, all eyes riveted on us.
The crowd on the mezzanine level was sparse tonight; only half a dozen of my most influential allies had secured an invite to this party. I’d selected the ones who commanded enough money and resources to sway the cartel’s loyalty in my favor. While I commanded fear and respect from everyone, confirmation of Carmen’s absolute surrender would bolster their confidence in my regime. And it would potentially cow many of her former associates into swearing fealty to me.