I stiffen through a rolling shudder as to not tip my hand. But he sees. Those piercing gray eyes notice everything and there’s not a part of my body his knowing gaze doesn’t caress.
The bodice of my wedding gown hangs low over my chest and hints of my areolas peek over the fine white edge. His gaze brushes over them causing the hard tips beneath the satin to push against the thin material harder.
His eyes narrow and I go still when he growls in appreciation but doesn’t move to touch me or make nasty suggestions as I expect.
No, not this man. I’m quickly learning he likes to make people beg before he gives them anything and I suspect that includes anything that goes on in the bedroom.
He bends over me and we’re face to face. “Tell me why you want to go back to the place that did this to you. Tell me the truth and I’ll uncuff one hand.”
This man can hurt me, kill me, force me to do anything he wants yet he hasn’t. But for some reason I don’t understand, he wants to barter? Why?
“Asshole.” I grit out and I mean it.
He knows I do because he arches a brow and offers a humorless smile. “Or not. Your choice, Nova Masters.”
“Stop saying my name like that.” I move my ass over the sumptuous covers hating the softness of my prison.
“Nova. Masters. Why? Does it bother you?” His hands simultaneously move up my bare arms and settle over my wrists.Close, so close, play nice.
I slam my eyes shut and push through hearing my full name on his lips and the knee-jerk reaction to lash out with venom. It’s not the same as when my uncle used to say it, I realize. This is different. Ares is most definitely not my uncle.
“Someone I despise used to call me by my full name.”
I don’t realize my face is in a scowl until he takes the back of his thumb and rubs at the creases in my forehead.
“You’re too pretty and young to be so jaded.”
“Yeah well.” My shrug isn’t as effective as I’d like it to be.
Ares backs off and considers me for such a long moment I start to get uneasy. “What?” I finally ask. My fingers itch to smack the smugness—or is it arrogance—from his face.
“This man. Is he still living, Nova Masters?”
My brows furrow again this time in pure confusion. “What? Why?”
He shrugs. “Because if so, I’ll put him in a grave for you. Give the word and his address.” The promise of murder rolls off his lips like he has no problem making other people’s issues disappear. Good to know. I’m closer to being dumped in that landfill than I originally thought given I’mhisissue.
His words stun me into unfamiliar silence. I grapple for something to say to that but surprise and disbelief render me mute. Lump after lump works its way into my throat every time I try to swallow. Breath. Just breathe.
Ares looks at his watch. “We can get back to that. Tell me why you want to return to the place that did this to you.”
My gaze flits from one irrelevant item in the room to another. I’m so shocked I can’t return his gaze until a gentle finger beneath my chin drags my attention back. His eyes are hard, but the creases around the edges speak of a softness he’s yet to show me.
“Answer me,malyshka.”
I don’t know what the word means but the way the soft vowels roll off his tongue in a soothing tone, I can’t fight the urge to tell him the truth.
At this point he has me and he knows it. Worse, I know it. I have a decision to make and I can feel myself playing tug of war over the finer details. I can fight, wait for a chance to get away, and turn these people over to the authorities. And get nowhere. Or I can make it appear I’ll play ball. Get him to buy my sister for anything he wants from me in exchange.
“My sister,” I begin slowly. “She was taken the same night I was. My best friend, too. I already know her fate. One of the beasts…” I pause. Swallow. Force the painful tears from my eyes. “They had two beasts handling all of us. The beast with the IQ of a donkey forced an overdose on Ellie. She didn’t make it. I’m not sure if that is a curse or a blessing at this point.”
My eyes fall to his chest as I speak. “She was disposed of like trash while they prepped me to go out on the stage.” I force my gaze to his. “So I could be sold to you.”
I don’t see any evidence of concern on his face. It’s a stoic sheet void of expression which makes my hopes of helping my sister dwindle to nothing.
He removes himself from between my legs and the warmth of his body goes with him. I didn’t realize it helped ease my anxiety and heartache but now that I’m left without it, I find myself wishing he’d return.
My mysterious captor drops his chin to his chest and momentarily shuts his eyes. His lips move but make no sound. But he looks like he is grappling for patience only not with me.