Chapter 104 Taken From Behind
Olivia's POV:
Hot water cascaded over Olivia's skin, steam rising around them in the spacious marble bathroom.
Her reflection in the foggy white tile showed two silhouettes—one broad-shouldered and powerful, the other small and fragile. That smaller shadow was Olivia, trembling despite the scalding water. Ethan's hands moved over her body, his shadow's fingers dancing across hers in a silent puppet show against the steamed glass.
"Don't hold back. Let it out," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear.
Olivia bit her lip hard, refusing to make a sound. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
Rough fingers pinched sensitive skin, and Ethan's voice dropped lower. "Be good, Olivia. Don't fight me."
She turned her head and sank her teeth into his muscular forearm, biting as hard as she could until she tasted copper. Blood filled her mouth, making her gag as she finally released him. Tears mixed with shower water, streaming down her face. The salt and iron taste made her stomach heave, and she doubled over, retching.
Ethan grabbed her jaw, fury radiating from him as he forced her to look at his blazing eyes. "You find me disgusting?"
She took a deep breath, meeting his gaze with cold detachment. "Are you honestly asking if what you're doing is disgusting? Don't you already know the answer?"
A short, harsh laugh escaped his throat, carrying an arctic chill despite the steam surrounding them.
What happened next left Olivia feeling like a piece of dough kneaded beyond recognition, without a shred of dignity or backbone. When Ethan finally carried her out of the bathroom, she was limp in his arms, utterly spent. He placed her on the luxurious king-sized bed and pulled the covers over her naked body before stepping out onto the balcony to smoke.
Through the glass doors, she watched him take a drag from a cigarette, grimacing at the taste of the foreign brand. After a few puffs, he dropped it to the ground and crushed it beneath his heel, grinding the tobacco into nothing.
He exhaled a cloud of white smoke before stepping back inside, picking up his phone to call Justin.
"Tell Ananda to meet me at the hotel in thirty minutes," he said, his voice clipped.
Justin responded on the other end, and Ethan hung up. He approached the bed, pressing one hand into the mattress as he leaned over Olivia. She kept her eyes shut, not wanting to see his face, not wanting to remember what had just happened.
His fingertips traced her tear-stained cheek, following the path to her nose, then stopping at her swollen lips. His thumb gently rubbed across them.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked softly.
After being together for over a year, after countless intimate moments, after what had just happened in the shower... it seemed ridiculous for him to ask such a question. This time, he'd completely lost control. In his rage, he had turned her around and forced a path he usually avoided.
When she didn't answer, Ethan didn't press. He turned away to retrieve the antibiotic ointment he'd prepared earlier, then pulled back the covers. Kneeling beside the bed, he began applying the white cream with gentle care.
Olivia opened her eyes, her voice hoarse from screaming. "I can't get pregnant right now. If I do, I won't live with it."
His fingers paused, then pushed deeper.
She winced but held his gaze.
A low chuckle rose from his throat, somehow both amused and menacing.
"Threatening me?" He cupped her face with his medicine-covered hand. "After all this time with me, haven't you learned that I respond to sweetness, not defiance?"
Tears welled in her eyes. "I have no choice. You're forcing my hand."
Ethan laughed outright. "No choice? Tell me, what would give you a choice?"
Olivia sat up quickly, immediately regretting the sharp movement as pain shot through her. Leaning against the headboard, she met his gaze directly.
"Let's set aside the fact that I haven't even graduated yet and can't have a baby right now. But even after graduation, Mr. Bennett, what exactly would be my status as the mother of your child?"
Ethan's lips curved upward, his eyes dancing with something almost playful despite their grim circumstances. He planted both hands on either side of her, leaning in until his lips brushed her cheek.
"Olivia," he whispered against her ear, "if you're willing, status isn't an issue. I'm willing to give it—are you willing to accept it?"
---
The five-star hotel overlooking Bangkok's Chao Phraya River hummed with quiet luxury. In a second-floor conference room, Ethan strode in wearing an impeccably tailored black suit.
"Sorry I'm late," he said smoothly, extending his hand to the Thai man waiting for him.
Ananda shook Ethan's hand with a practiced smile. "Mr. Bennett, please, no apology needed. After today's unfortunate excitement, I should be the one apologizing and welcoming you to my quarters for comfort, but knowing your long journey, I thought it best to come to you."
They sat opposite each other at the polished table. Ethan lit a cigarette, his fingers tapping lightly against the wood.
"I must say, I'm surprised," Ethan said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I never imagined a brigadier general like yourself would struggle to handle a two-bit drug dealer."
The words landed like a slap. Ananda's face tightened, but he maintained his smile, clearly unwilling to show offense. "Mr. Bennett, you're right. This was entirely my failure."
Ethan's lips curled coldly. He arched one sharp eyebrow, his long fingers drumming the table. "Have you considered the consequences if I had died here today?"
Ananda understood perfectly what was at stake. His position depended heavily on American economic support—support that men like Ethan Bennett provided in exchange for market access and resources.
"Mr. Bennett, I assure you," Ananda stood, pressing his palms together in a respectful wai, "I will provide a satisfactory resolution to this matter."
Only then did Ethan's aggressive posture relax. "No need for extreme measures. Just drive him out of the country. Force him to South America. I'll handle it from there."
Ananda readily agreed, bowing again. "Thank you, Mr. Bennett."
After Ananda and his aide departed, Justin picked up the cigarettes from the table, shaking one out for Ethan.
Ethan waved it away dismissively. "Tastes like shit." He stood and walked toward the door.
Justin followed, switching the cigarettes to his left hand. "South America isn't our territory. Forcing Zaw there might complicate things. Wouldn't it be easier to let Ananda trap him here in Southeast Asia?"
"Even if Ananda had the capacity to eliminate Zaw—which I doubt—he wouldn't commit fully," Ethan replied coldly. "With elections coming up, Ananda is competing with Eric for the major general position. He can't afford to waste resources on Zaw, and he's afraid of retaliation."
Ethan laughed bitterly. "These drug lords are ruthless bastards who'll do anything for profit. Ananda doesn't have the stomach to match their brutality. He's also worried about Zaw potentially allying with Eric against him."
Justin nodded. "So you offered to drive Zaw to South America as a favor to Ananda."
"We fly to Bogotá in three days," Ethan stated.