Chapter 54 The Bondage Knot

Chapter 54 The Bondage Knot
Ashley lay motionless on the bed, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. The doctor had checked her over after she'd fainted from shock, but knowing she was physically fine didn't ease the tight knot in my chest.

I sat beside her, holding her hand against my cheek. The warmth of her skin was the only thing keeping me sane right now. It proved she was alive. Still breathing. Still here.

A knock at the door broke the silence. Byron rushed in, his footsteps quick and urgent.

Byron was the dealer from the poker table, but he was also the man who ran this entire casino for me. During those three years in Canada, I hadn't just sat around waiting for therapy sessions to fix my broken mind.

The boredom had been crushing. I'd thought about Ashley constantly, obsessively, every waking moment. But I couldn't go back to her then. My condition was too unstable. I didn't trust myself not to hurt her, so I'd forced myself to stay away.

Instead, I'd focused on expanding my power. I knew Fitch would never let Ashley and me be together. And there was still a killer out there somewhere. The person who'd actually murdered Ashley's parents. That bastard was hiding in the shadows, and I needed to be ready for whatever he was planning.

So I'd bought this cruise ship and opened the casino. If you wanted information fast, there were two places to get it. A woman's pillow talk, or a casino floor.

"Boss, Warner escaped when the guard brought his meal." Byron's voice shook. "The guard chased him to the deck. He jumped straight off the ship. I've sent men to search for him."

That little pest Warner. Always causing trouble.

I'd only wanted to take his assets, especially his shares in Adam Corporation. Combined with my own family shares, that would make me the second largest shareholder after Fitch.

Plus, Warner had screwed up. With a little pressure on the board, I could get him kicked from his current position. Then I'd take over his role.

"Feed everyone who was supposed to be watching him to the sharks." I gave the order without hesitation. "And you'll forfeit a year's bonus."

Useless. All of them. If they couldn't keep one man contained, they deserved to die.

Byron let out a relieved breath. He'd probably walked in here expecting to be thrown overboard with them.

He was thinking too much. If I killed him, where would I find another dealer with his skills to work with me?

Of course, I hoped Byron would stay useful. Once I found someone who could replace him, his life wouldn't be worth much anymore.

"Transfer Warner's assets into my name quickly. If he actually makes it back to Los Angeles alive, things will get complicated." I waved Byron away.

Warner's survival didn't matter much to me either way. I'd locked him in the bottom deck to teach him a lesson. Payback for telling Fitch I'd nearly killed Elvira, which got me beaten bloody.

If he managed to escape, that was just his luck.

"Julio?" Ashley's voice was soft, questioning.

I turned immediately to the bed. Her eyes were open.

"Ashley, you're awake! The doctor said you fainted from shock." I squeezed her hand.

Ashley used my arm for support as she sat up. Her eyes moved over me, studying me carefully from head to toe.

"Julio, are you okay? You jumped off the ship. Did you let the doctor examine you properly?" Ashley asked.

Oh God. Ashley was worried about me.

I wanted to scream with joy. I'd been right. She did care. She had feelings for me buried somewhere under all that anger.

"Of course! The doctor said I hit my head on the ship. I need someone to look after me for a few days."

A lie. I hadn't gotten examined at all. My head was perfectly fine.

But Ashley was clearly grateful I'd jumped in to save her. I needed to use that to my advantage.

Ashley's expression shifted to panic. Her hands moved to my head, fingers searching through my hair.

"Where? Where did you hit it? Let me see!" Her voice cracked, almost crying.

My sweet little kitten. Such a small injury and she was this scared for me.

She was so innocent. So adorable.

"Don't worry, it's not serious. But the doctor said someone should stay with me." I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed it.

"Julio, don't worry! I'll stay with you and take care of you!" Ashley promised immediately.

I smiled. Ashley was still as kind as ever.

Ashley's whole attitude toward me changed after she thought I'd gotten a concussion saving her life.

Before, she'd been impatient with me constantly. Now when I asked her to eat with me, she agreed. She even told the servers what foods I liked.

Before, she never let me get close. Now she obediently wore the collar I'd prepared for her.

"Julio, why do you like this kind of thing?" Ashley complained as I fastened it around her neck.

I clicked the collar shut and pulled her close, kissing her hard.

"With the collar on, you're my little dog." I sighed with satisfaction.

I didn't tell Ashley the collar was high-tech. Only my fingerprint could unlock it.

Once she wore it, she couldn't take it off without my permission.

"You're the dog!" Ashley glared at me angrily.

That look made my blood burn hot.

Ashley glaring at me while wearing my collar made her feel completely mine.

I leaned down and kissed her hard. I didn't start gentle. My tongue pushed straight into her mouth, moving aggressively.

"Mmm! Julio! Slow down!" Ashley's protest was muffled.

I ignored her. I kissed her harder, overwhelming her. My thumb pressed against her throat through the collar, forcing her to swallow my saliva.

Ashley had changed into a nightgown after we'd pulled her from the ocean. That made things convenient. I grabbed the hem and yanked it up.

Ashley cooperated, raising her arms. I pulled the dress over her head.

Now Ashley wore only panties. Her full breasts moved with her rapid breathing.

I knew she loved when I touched her chest. But this time I didn't touch her breasts. Instead, I pressed my fingerprint to the back of the collar. A thin cord released from inside.

"What is that?" Ashley's voice carried panic.

I kissed her lips gently, trying to calm her.

"Ashley, relax. I won't hurt you." I made the promise sincerely.

She was still too innocent. In bed, she only knew basic sex. Today I'd teach her something different.

"During those three years we were apart, I learned many new skills. One of them was tying knots. Ashley, did you know? Different knots require different methods to untie them."