Dirk glanced back toward the door he’d come out of, and I found Milo lurking there, arms crossed, the one corner of his lips twisted up into a smirk. “Milo? Is that what you heard?”
“Wait, why are you asking Milo? Shouldn’t you be asking Carter instead?” My mouth ran away with itself before I could remind it to stay shut.
You don’t learn, do you? For once just pay attention and then react if necessary. I swear, girly, you like the trouble.
I was kinda surprised to hear her chime in since she’d been scarce lately, but she wasn’t exactly helpful right then.
“Have something to hide then, Shelby?” My head was shaking in the negative even as my feet started to backtrack. I didn’t like the light shining in his blue eyes at all. “Milo here overheard you saying you were done with it all after you rudely stormed out of your meeting. He came to tell me in case you decided to run off again, and here you are...running.”
Anger coursed through me at the blatantly wrong interpretation of events. “I wasn’t going to sit there while she and her friends twittered about the stories she was spreading. I sent Carter back in with a check for the donation, and he let the hostess know I wasn’t feeling well. And it wasn’t in front of the entire room! We were all seated at smaller tables, and mine was close enough to the exit that no one noticed but the few that were involved. Frankly, Milo can mind his own business, and if he's going to eavesdrop, he can at least relay it correctly." I was done with their crap. I know very well not to even contemplate leaving you, Dirk. I’m not as stupid as you all seem to think!”
“Then where is your phone at, Shelby? Where’s Carter? You aren’t to leave the house without either of them.” The blood drained from my face quickly enough to make me sway on the spot. He can’t mean to enforce that! I’m on the property.
With fear making my voice high, I tried to reason with my husband. “Dirk, seriously, I didn’t leave. I’m on the path. I don’t have an armband or pockets…” My shoulders slumped at his tsking and headshaking. “I didn’t think you meant I had to have both on the grounds,” I finished, eyes pleading for him to understand despite knowing the futility of my efforts.
“I thought you were enjoying our new understanding, Shelby. I even saved you from the worst of my proclivities. It didn’t quite work as I’d hoped, and I’ve tried to ignore them, but you really picked a bad day to try to take off on me again.” He held his hand up when I tried to protest then stepped forward to grab my arm, forcefully tugging me behind him as he went back inside and past Milo who held the door open.
Then I thought I might be saved when Carter’s voice rang out. “Dirk, I ate and went to the bathroom. She didn’t leave.” His features were set in stoicism, but his gaze flashed sympathy and regret at me for just an instant before he hardened those as well.
“This matter doesn’t concern you, Carter. She knows the rules. Did she knock on your door? Send you a message? Anything?” A sharp motion in the negative sealed my fate. “Then Shelby has to deal with the consequences. Feel free to join Milo in the hall if you want to wait on her.”
I swore Carter paled, but I couldn’t be certain. What I did notice, besides my burgeoning panic attack, was Milo’s petulant frown. At least he wouldn’t be involved in whatever punishment I was in for, but knowing he, and maybe Carter, would listen in made the situation even worse.
"Dirk, please, why are you doing this? You know I wasn't leaving!" I begged as I tried to dig my heels, only to have him yank sharply, pulling me forward and nearly off my feet. I didn't doubt he'd drag me to our destination if I fell.
"You know not to call me that unless you've earned it."
Rapidly blinking back the tears that tried to fall, I resigned myself to my fate and followed him into a bedroom I assumed was where Di—Winston came to exorcise whatever demons made him the way he was.
"Strip, now!" he barked out, causing me to jump and then hurry to do his bidding.
I didn't dare dawdle, and I couldn't bear to see if I had an audience looking in from the hall. Thankfully, the click of the door shutting granted me some sense of privacy, but then I was disgusted with myself for finding any silver lining when I would yet again suffer the abuse of my husband.
As soon as my clothes were set on the chair in the corner of the darkened room, Winston walked behind me and pulled his phone from his pocket. I couldn't see what the message said or who he sent it to, but a moment later, two women walked into the room. Busy as I was, taking in the fact that they were why he'd been in the extension in the first place, I still managed to notice the two bodyguards reclining against the wall before the door shut once again.
"Hurry up!" he snapped at the women, who quickly and silently disrobed. One of them was a maid that came in a few times a week in addition to the regular staff.
No fucking way…
Way, dumbass, I told you to pay attention. Play along, Shelby, bide your time.
For a brief moment, the betrayal and mortification outweighed the fear. "How many employees are you screwing? Do you even know if the skanks are clean?" After all the bullshit I'd had to put up with… But my outburst got the predictable reaction. A swift slap to my behind reminded me of my place, as did the hand twisting my locks into a leash to drag me to the foot of the bed. With a rough shove, I fell over it, only to rear back up and make a dash for the door. But of course I was halted in my tracks and put right back where I'd started.
My nakedness came back to the forefront of my mind when Winston pressed his clothed front to my bare back and took my nipples in between his fingertips before twisting them sharply in unison. The gasp that escaped me was loud in the room, but I did my best not to pull away. It would only invite more of the same.
"I told you not to run. I took it easy on you before. Lick her. I'll stop when she comes."