It’s the fury in his face that does it. The goading, like he wants me to test him, wants an excuse to use a riding crop on me.
I noticed a boat down by the old cove where we used to swim. I can get back to the mainland. Find some cops he hasn’t bought, get myself somewhere safe, away from this madness.
The helicopter comes in to land and Leo is out of his seat at once, swinging the door open, stepping down onto the lawn. He walks away across the grass and I know why.
He’s taunting me, urging me to try to run. I know I’ll never reach the boat before he catches me. I’ll need to be more subtle than that.
“You’ve got to take me back,” I say to the pilot, shaking his shoulder as he switches off various buttons on the panel in front.
“Out,” he says, not even bothering to look at me.
“Please, you have to help me.”
“I am employed by the Barone famiglia, not you. Get out or I throw you out, fucking Caruso brat.”
I give up, climbing down onto the lawn and looking around me. It’s been a long time since I was last here but I remember it vividly. The fountain where I sat in my bikini, praying Leo would notice my blooming body, pushing my chest out, desperate to be noticed.
What would I say to that girl now?
Be careful what you wish for. I’ve finally got Leo’s attention but I can’t wait to be rid of it.
I cross the lawn to the house, walking inside to find it dark and gloomy. A lot of the shutters are closed, and he’s not bothered to turn any lights on in the entrance hall. There is a light shining further down. Was that the study? The library? It’s hard to remember with so many rooms on the first floor.
A dog appears at the end of the corridor, glances at me, then walks away. Was that Barb? Is she still alive after all these years? Or maybe one more ghost in a house filled with them.
I head that way, finding Leo in the study. All dark wood panels with the only sound that of a ticking clock in the corner, pendulum sweeping back and forth, marking the oncoming of my doom.
Leo is leaning back against the desk, his arms folded. “The tailor is waiting for you in the dressing room at the top of the stairs.”
I turn to leave but he stops me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “There’s something we need to do first.”
“What?”
He crosses to the door and closes it. “Bend over the desk.”
“You’re not serious?”
“Bend over willingly and I’ll let you keep your panties on. I have to take you into my lap and your panties go all the way down to your ankles.”
I shake my head. “This is not happening.”
He smiles darkly. “On the contrary. It is only the method that is up for debate. I warned you what would happen if you cursed. You did it anyway. What kind of man would I be if I didn’t punish you for that?”
“You’re no man. You’re a monster.”
“Then you know there is no reasoning with me. What’s it to be, Anna? Over the desk and panties on or on my lap with your bare ass exposed to the world?”
“Please, Leo, don’t do this.”
“Say that again and I’ll do it with you naked, in front of the tailor.”
I go to beg again but he’s already whispering in my ear. “Consent to this and you will be rewarded.” He runs a hand through my hair and something inside me shudders, heating up against my will.
“I can be good to those who behave,” he says, leaning closer. “Very good indeed.” He steps back, the warmth in his voice fading once more. “Now put your hands on the desk and keep them there until I tell you to move.”
I gulp, looking at the door. It’s not locked. I could run. But where am I going to go? I’ve only got one choice here and it’s an impossible one. I get spanked or I get spanked.
I look in his eyes and I see something there I didn’t see before. He wants me to fight him. Why is that?