The door opens startling me awake. When I hear it click closed, I roll over and peer at the man who’s seemed to invade my mind all night. I don’t know him. I have no idea why I can’t get him off my mind, but I spent most of my night trying to figure out who he is.

“Good morning, Paige,” he utters in that low gravelly tone. He’s either just woken up, or he’s been smoking. I doubt it’s the latter since the scent of his cologne wafts around him like an intoxicating fog.

I don’t respond immediately. I watch him set the tray on a table against the wall opposite the bed. He doesn’t ask me to talk to him or even greet him. His body moves to the small radio on the dresser and he turns it on.

A song filters through the room and I recognize it. “Nights Like This” by W. Darling. A small smile plays on my lips at his choice of music. “I don’t really listen to this type of music,” he rumbles grumpily. “I figured since you’re a young girl you’d like it and it would perhaps set you at ease.”

“How could I be at ease when I’ve been stolen? Nothing would make it okay. Don’t you understand?” As always, my words are fiery, but all he does is stare at me for a moment.

“No, it’s not okay. But, if you’re going to act like an insolent pet then I’ll treat you like one. You need to eat to gain some strength for what I have planned today. I can’t have you passing out, Firebird.” He turns and heads for the door and for some reason, I feel bad for snapping at him. It doesn’t make sense. But I can’t help calling out to him.

“Wait!” He stops and glances at me again. “You’ve decided to give me a name, but what do I call you?” I question.

“You can call me Wolfe.”

With that, I’m left alone. Wolfe. I tease the name on my lips. My father’s partner’s last name is Wolfe. His son had a mask on which resembled a wolf’s face. Are they family? Or is this part of the charade. I’ve overheard some of the girls talk about clients with masks. But if they’re all family, what does that make my Wolfe? Is he also Harlan’s son? Thoughts drift in and out as my mind plays out all the intricacies. My stomach rumbling is the only sign I have that I need to eat.

Nothing about this makes any sense. If he is Harlan’s son, then why is he doing this? Surely my father would know if they’d taken me. Unless my father’s partner is hiding my disappearance. My heart bangs violently against my chest. That’s the only reason I can think of. The other that comes to mind is something I don’t want to entertain at all. But somehow, my intuition tells me my father may be involved. I have nothing to go on, except my gut.

Pushing off the bed, I settle at the table and pick up the mug of coffee. His words replay in my mind. I need strength for today. A sliver of anxiety shoots through me and I pray he’s not going to hurt me badly.

I’m dressed in a pair of black yoga pants and a white tank top when Wolfe stalks into my room twenty minutes later. “Let’s go,” he grunts, but doesn’t come near me to fasten a collar around my neck.

Strangely, it makes me smile that he’s not treating me like a dog today. We walk in silence to the room he brought me to yesterday. The same room where he bent me over a table and touched me between my thighs.

Last night a pretty brunette, who said her name is Scarlett, came to my room and helped me shave myself where Wolfe had touched me. It was as humiliating as I thought it would be. She was gentle and kind, and I immediately wanted to ask her more questions, but as soon as I spoke about Sam or what happens in this place she shut down.

“Get inside,” he grunts when we stop at the open door. Stumbling into the room, I glance around and find it’s in darkness except for a few large candles. “On your knees. I want your eyes on the floor, your hands will be placed on your thighs palms up.”

His orders come swiftly, efficiently, and I notice he’s closed off. The emotion that was there yesterday has gone, it’s been replaced with a cold exterior. Perhaps I can find it by playing by his rules.

My mind races with thoughts of how I can make him soften toward me. If he cares, maybe he’ll free me. A plan slowly formulates in my mind as I stare at the concrete. “If you talk out of turn, I will whip you. Should you decide not to obey me, I’ll punish you. Today you’ll learn to take a whip. Tomorrow, the cane,” he informs me with a rigid grunt.

I don’t respond.

I don’t move.

His footfalls near me after the door shuts with a resounding click. When his shoes appear in my line of sight, I wait. He still doesn’t touch me, but I feel his eyes. They roam my skin like a burning flame. Frowning at the emotions stirring inside me, I shut my eyes trying to will away the tingle of anticipation.

I shouldn’t want this. But he’s eased the fear, leaving me confused. “Look at me,” he orders. I lift my eyes and meet his dark ones. “I want you to rise, without using your hands on the floor. Foot by foot.” Easily, I rise, stepping on my right foot first, then my left. “Good girl,” he coos causing my stomach to somersault.

He lifts the collar I didn’t notice him holding and fastens it around my neck.

“I want you kneeling on the bench, take off that top and those pants. I want you naked. And as always when we’re in here, no words. You obey me. And you’ll be rewarded.” Shock has my mouth falling open, but I’m not sure how badly he’ll hurt me if I speak, so with my eyes brimming with unshed tears, I make quick work of undressing. I head over to the leather bench. There are three parts to it. Allowing my torso to comfortably rest on the center panel with my legs and arms on either side. Without speaking, he fastens my ankles, then my wrists.

His touch is firm, yet gentle. It’s warm, yet icy cold. When silence falls once more, I can’t help the dread weighing heavily in my gut. Then I hear a swish. The sound is so gentle, but I know the sting will be harsh.

“Remember to be silent, little one.” Before I have time to acknowledge him the leather bites into the skin of my ass causing me to whimper. “I told you to be quiet. It’s difficult, but you’ll learn.” His anger silences me immediately. Another swish, another sting, it continues until tears are streaming down my cheeks.

It’s silent when the lashes finally stop. My body’s vibrating in agony, yet my mind feels as if I’m looking down on myself. Like I’m having an out of body experience. The cuffs fall away from my wrists and ankles. Suddenly cold liquid trickles over my inflamed skin.

His hands rough, his touch gentle as he rubs the soothing balm over my ass. “You’ll be in pain for a day, tomorrow our training will start later so you have time to recover. I’ve been gentle with you, Firebird. Next time I won’t be able to hold back.”

No other words are spoken as he allows me to dress. There’s a silent rage that surrounds him. I don’t know if it’s because of what he just did, or if he’s angry with me. When I glance at him, I notice his gaze trained on the wall. His hands fist and release at his sides, then those dark orbs turn to me, pinning me with a heated stare.

“It’s best you get used to the pain,” he murmurs then, his voice rough with emotion, only I can’t pinpoint what it is. Guilt and anguish are at the forefront, but there’s a hunger in his tone. Dropping my eyes to his jeans I notice the bulge that’s prominent behind his zipper.

“You like hurting me?” I question, my voice soft and croaky from crying. He stares at me a moment longer before turning away.

“It’s my job.” That’s all he utters before he escorts me back to my room, this time on my hands and knees collared like a pet. He doesn’t say goodbye, he doesn’t even look at me before leaving me on my bed alone with tears still racing down my cheeks.