Chapter 7

Damien

I never intended to reveal so much to her. It was dangerous.

Too dangerous.

But I couldn’t help it. There was something about the way she stared up at me, on the verge of tears, that I couldn’t handle. The lines they fed her, the expectations she had, it was too fucked up to keep her guessing.

She needs to know I’m not a threat. She needs to know she’ll keep that part of her and I will do my part to make sure she makes it out of this alive.

After last night, and now this morning, I’m more determined than ever.

“Tony, can I talk to you for a moment?” Mirabelle’s nasally voice stops me in my tracks. I turn toward her, offering her a smile, masking the worry I felt choked by seconds ago.

Get a hold of yourself, Reynolds.

“Mirabelle, sweetheart, how was your night?”

“Cut the crap, Tony, you know I’m pissed,” she huffs at me and places her hands on her hips. Obviously wanting to appear more of a threat than she really is. “What was that all about?”

“What was what about?”

“Last night. The girl.” She taps her foot expectantly. “We had a deal, and you didn’t follow through.”

“Is this about the blonde?” I ask just to irritate her. I knew last night she wasn’t going to be happy with what happened, but I’ve planned for this moment. I know how to deal with Mirabelle. She just needs to be reassured that Svetlana is a much better choice for her.

“Of course, this is about the blonde. You knew I wanted her, but you chose her for yourself. Then you saddled me with a ghastly excuse of a woman.”

“Don’t you fret your pretty little head over this.” I reach up and trace a line from her forehead down between her ample bosom, noting the way she shivers from my touch. “You should be thanking me. I did you a favor. The blonde was nowhere near the caliber of Svetlana.”

“Of course, she isn’t. She couldn’t even be lumped into the same category as the beast you chose for me. How could you, Tony?”

“The girl was a lousy lay. If anything, I saved you the frustration. While Svetlana might not be the prettiest girl—”

“Prettiest? She’s absolutely hideous—”

“Tell me, Mirabelle, did you play with her?”

“Well, yes, but that doesn’t mean—”

“And how did she fare? Better than a girl of your usual caliber?”

“Tony—”

“The blonde cried during the entire experience. From the moment Andre left my suite until I walked out this morning. She was a weeping mess. I contemplated locking her in the bathroom last night, she cried so damn much.”

“Get to the point, Tony.”

“She wouldn’t have survived one night with the tigress you are known to be.” She opens her mouth to speak again, but I’m done with the argument. I feel like the worst kind of human being offering Svetlana up like I did, but having to convince Mirabelle of the woman’s worth, it’s like a knife twisting in my gut. “We had a deal, Mirabelle, and you received your toy at my request. You need a toy with stock and stamina, which is why I suggested Svetlana. Give her time to prove her worth. I have a feeling she will become your new favorite.”

She sets back on her heels, contemplating whether it’s worth pushing the argument any further. She may not like me, but without her husband around, I believe her bark is all she has. She is a woman who controls her bed, but not the world around her. Though she would have it differently if given the opportunity.

She keeps her mouth closed, smartly deciding not to push the subject any further. She’s backed into a corner, just the way I want her.

“But you said she isn’t pleasing to your needs.” I was wrong. She isn’t smart at all, just calculating enough to be annoying.

“She’s trainable,” I reply in a clipped, irritated voice.

“Then you must inform Armando—”

“Enough,” I interrupt. My irritation for this woman begins to morph into anger. She flinches and steps back to cower. “Thank you for your concern, Mirabelle, but I will not stand here and allow you to question me any longer.”

She looks down, her eyes cast to the floor at our feet. I step back, ready to be done with her, but she stops me in my tracks.

“Perhaps, I can join you tonight to help train the girl.” Her voice is timid and slightly shaky. She takes a few steps toward me and closes the distance between us to press her body against mine. Her hand slips up my chest and begins to fidget with the buttons of my shirt. With disgust churning in my gut, I place my hand over hers, wanting to push her away from me, but instead, I hook a finger under her chin, pulling her gaze to mine. It doesn’t take much to dominate this woman, despite the rumors about her.

“I don’t share,” I whisper roughly. Anger vibrates in my chest, and she shivers, feeling the emotion roll off my body in waves.

“I’m more than willing to pick up the slack without her there,” she purrs, closing her eyes as I adjust my hold on her to place a hand at her hip, squeezing it tightly. She gasps from the pain of my fingers digging into her flesh.

“Do you like pain, Mirabelle?” She nods wantonly and thrusts her hips against me, her answer obvious. I reach up with my other hand and grab her chin.

“Tony…” she moans, and I know I have her right where I want her. I’m cautious, though. She’s offered herself much quicker than I anticipated. She could be playing a game.

“Tell me, Mirabelle, what would your husband say if I took you to my bed?” I ask knowing Brock likes to share his wife, but I have a feeling he’d mind it if I were the one making his wife scream in pleasure.

“Oh, Tony,” she chuckles throatily. “My husband knows he doesn’t get to choose who I let into my bed.”

“I wonder, for a woman who is used to being in control in that bed, are you able let someone else take charge?” I feel her body tense a little against me. Mirabelle controls her bed and every man she takes to it, including her husband. “With me, sweetheart, I need control of all things.”

“Interesting, although I must ask, why did you hide this version of yourself from me for so long?”

“It’s all about timing, my dear Mirabelle.”

“I like a man of mystery.” I chuckle and nuzzle her neck, pulling her closer against me. She doesn’t resist, but I still feel tension in her body.

“Tell me. Will you submit and allow me to bring you pleasure no man ever has?”

“Tony,” she murmurs, allowing a hint of fear to seep into her voice, which puzzles me. Mirabelle is a dangerous bitch; fear does not factor into her personality. Unless the idea of submission is what puts it there.

“You hesitate. You’re not ready for me,” I surmise and let her go to take a step back.

“No,” she cries out, reaching for me, but I move out of her grasp. She wants to be the woman I’m asking her to be, but allowing herself to be her frightens her too much. Maybe my plan won’t work after all.

“It takes a special kind of woman to give me what I need. You’re too afraid of being her.” She keeps quiet, watching me with guarded eyes. “I wonder, though, maybe we could come to a new understanding of one another?”

“It’s not a secret I prefer control. I’ve heard the rumors.” She smiles evilly. “And you’ve met my husband.”

“Yes, which is why I believe he will never be enough for you.” She lifts an eyebrow, curious of my observations. “Let’s face it, Mirabelle, you crave power. Not control. Absolute fucking power.”

Her eyes widen and darken at the same time. I know I’ve struck gold because the pulse point on her neck flickers as it picks up.

“And you believe you can grant me such power?”

“I don’t believe it. I know it.”

“Your confidence is admirable but unrealistic,” she snorts, her eyes landing on my cock before meeting my eyes once again. I’m not sure if she’s taking a shot at me or just reminding herself what’s she’s given up.

“Guess I’m going to have to prove that theory wrong.” I smirk and step forward, pulling her against me before she can react. “But what I’m offering is much more than a good, sound fucking.”

“Now you have me intrigued,” she laughs, twining her arms around my neck. “What could be better than that, and where can I find it?”

“There is something you can help me with,” I whisper before lowering my head to nuzzle her neck. When she reaches for me, her hand brushes against me.

“Oh, yeah? How’s that?”

“Six numbers important to someone close to you. Someone you control. Someone who has unknowingly held the key to the power you crave. The power you deserve.”

She leans back in my arms and tilts her head as she studies me. I see the wheels turning as she contemplates if I’m telling her the truth.

Play it cool, I tell myself and hope like hell she believes the lies I’m feeding her. The information she’s about to give me will only get her a one-way ticket to a private prison cell. I watch her mouth open and hear the words come. Words I knew she’d say.

“Tell me what I need to do.”