Chapter 17 Chapter 17
I twisted out of his reach, sweeping his leg and forcing him to scramble. We were both breathing heavily, all my anger at him hidden behind every strike, using the violence to say everything I couldn't say out loud.
I feinted left and tried to catch him with a knee, but he was too quick. He caught my move, twisted my arm behind my back, and used my own momentum to send me hitting the mats. Before I could even breathe, his heavy weight was on top of me, pinning my wrists above my head with one hand.
I was stuck. I struggled for a second, my lungs burning, but he was like a mountain of solid muscle. I couldn't move an inch. Ares let out a sharp bark from the corner, his hackles up, but I didn't give the command. I was too busy staring up at Nikolai.
His face was inches from mine, his black eyes wide and dark, his chest heaving against my own. The air between us was thick enough to choke on. The mask I’d been wearing all day slipped, and for a second, I was just Isla again, trapped under the only man who ever truly saw me.
"You're getting faster," he said, his voice a low vibration that I felt right down to my toes.
"Not fast enough, apparently," I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though my heart was doing somersaults.
He didn't let go. Instead, his gaze dropped to my lips, and the intensity in the room shifted from a fight to something way more dangerous. He leaned down, his nose brushing against mine, for a heartbeat. He didn't kiss me, but he lingered there, his breath hot on my skin, letting me feel exactly how much power he had over me. It was casual, almost like he was just checking my form, but the way his thumb grazed my wrist told a completely different story.
He closed the short space and crushed his mouth to mine. All the breath left my body. He pressed his body into mine; this was more possessive and dominant. He was in control. When his tongue invaded my mouth, I felt my restraints slipping away. He pulled away slowly, his eyes staring into mine.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked, my voice raspy.
"Because you belong to me," he whispered, a smirk tugging at his mouth before he finally let go and stood up, leaving me shivering on the cold mat.
I lay there staring up at the ceiling. I ran my hands over my face; he was frustrating. Ares came over and looked down at me.
“I’m fine, Ares,” I said, rubbing his head.
After a shower, I headed down for dinner. When I got to the table, Blair was already sitting there. A few seconds after I sat down, Nikolai walked in and sat down. Maria brought the food out. Ares was beside me.
“So Natalie is your name?” Blair asked.
I didn't answer; I kept eating. “Rule no. 1: Do not speak to me. No 2. Do as you’re told. No. 3. You refer to him as Mr. Ferro. No. 4. You do not disrespect the staff in this house; know your place…”
“Just because you’re his sister, that doesn't give you any right to speak to me like that.” She said, cutting me off. I put my fork down and stood up. I walked around the table and stood behind her. I grabbed her hair, yanking it back, and she started screaming.
“Shut up, I’m eating,” Nikolai said.
I leaned over her, remembering what she did to me. I stepped back and yanked her off the chair, and she fell to the ground. She was staring up at me with a shocked expression.
I grabbed the plate off the table and tossed it onto the ground.
“You can eat here until you learn your lesson.”
“Mr. Ferro, she… you…” she muttered.
“Do as you’re told,” Nikolai replied coldly.
“Ares?”
Ares strutted into the room. “Сторожить” Guard. I said slowly, he strode over to her, and she shrank back; a low growl vibrated in his throat.
I walked over and sat down and continued to eat. After dinner she was still on the ground.
I went over to the sitting area and sat down and looked at her; the tears were threatening to spill, but I didn’t cry. Maria came over to me and handed me a glass of wine. I took it from her.
I suffered the same thing many times; this was just once from her, and she couldn't tolerate it. Nikolai came over and sat in the chair opposite me. His eyes on me, I could feel his cold stare.
“You, get over here now. Ares Отойди.” Stand down.
Ares came over and sat at my feet. Blair came over and stood there, her eyes full of hatred.
“Do you know why I have authority here?” I asked.
“Because you’re Ms. Ferro,” she replied.
“She rules this house; what she says goes. Obedience and loyalty are what rule the Ferro family. She has suffered more than this. I suggest you leave now and forget marrying into the Ferro family.” Nikolai said.
She dropped to her knees. “I’ll obey,” she said.
“Now you report to me; you do not leave this house without permission. If you try anything, I’ll have Ares rip your throat out, do you understand?”
“Yes, Ms.,” she replied.
“Good, now go to your room.”
She walked away with her head down. “I’m going to relax.”
Nikolai
I watched her walk away. After a few hours going over email, I received an email from Brax. The Rhodes girl called her parents, and my family plans to visit tomorrow.
After I left my office, I headed to the kitchen; when I walked by, I saw Ares first. She was outside, and there were empty bottles on the table in front of her. Was she drinking? I stepped out quietly and stood looking at her and three empty wine bottles. She was on the fourth.
I took the bottle away, and she stared at me.
“Ha, hey, you look like Ferro. I’ll pay you; let me curse you.” she said, standing up and swaying. She jabbed a finger into my chest.
“Wh...wa... What… do… Yo...you say… a hundred grand...lemme...curse you… in place…of…that…cold…idiot…” she said, slurring.
She wanted to curse me. What did I do to deserve a cursing?
“Sure,” I said, grabbing her hands.
“Idiot… Asshole… five years…. No…calls…idiot…why…do…all this?” she asked. I just stared at her. From all the reports I received, I knew she doesn't drink, and it was likely she wouldn't remember any of this tomorrow. I grabbed her and threw her over my shoulder.
“Ares Приходить.” (Come)