The fucker had read my mind. I was sick, my head aching. "You're a horrible... fuck."
Another dark chuckle but one laced with amusement.
"Remember what I promised you, utter pleasure as long as you obey." His voice filtered into my system.
"You're fucking crazy."
"You'll think otherwise soon enough, sweet, sweet Caroline." He brushed his knuckle down my cheek, offering the same sensual smile that I'd seen two nights before. He slid it around my lips, taking his time. I shivered to the very core, horrified that my body was responding in any manner other than abhorrence.
But it had.
My pussy clenched, my nipples aching. The jolt of electricity from the simple touch infused the hunger burning deep within my belly. But I would fight him. I would never succumb in any manner to him again, no matter what he did to my body or how he fucked with my mind.
Then stop craving. Stop longing for the fucking monster!
As if my little voice had any control.
"What makes you think I won't find a way to run, getting as far away from your hell as possible?" I challenged.
Dominick tipped my chin, taking his time before pressing his lips against mine. I could taste the wine, a hint of raspberry and every part of my body shuddered with desire. The kiss was gentle, far too much so for a man of his nature. He forced his tongue against mine, fisting my hair as he dragged me into the heat of his body. I was lost, overcome with grief and fear, my hands pushing against his chest. Even my fingers tingled, shame and guilt coursing through every vein and muscle. How could I desire such a horrible beast?
When he broke the kiss, he cupped my face, keeping his voice little more than a whisper. "Because, my lovely submissive, your mother is still alive. I will take you to her at some point just as long as you're a very good girl."
The shock and horror of what he'd said exploded in my brain. Visions of the last time I saw her rushed into the forefront of my mind. I could see her smile and dancing eyes when she laughed, could hear her stunning voice as she sang her favorite tune when she thought no one was listening. This couldn't be true. My father might be many things, but lying about her death was abominable, far too low even for him. "You're a liar. You're a motherfucking horrible person."
"Am I a liar, Caroline? As yourself why your father never talks about her and why you weren't allowed to come to her funeral. That's because there's no body buried in her ornate casket."
The information was far too much for me to handle. I was sick to my stomach, my head aching. "My father isn't a monster. Certainly not like you." This was crazy. This was unbelievable.
He allowed me to read his eyes. The cold and very dangerous man held a glint of sincerity. There were no words, no comprehension of what he was telling me. I opened my mouth to retort but lost my voice. This couldn't be true, but what if he wasn't lying? What if my mother was being held prisoner somewhere, praying and waiting for someone to rescue her? What if I was the only person who could free her from her prison?
"Your father was lured by money and power. He and I aren't that much different."
"You're nothing like him." But the differences were almost impossible to decipher. "And what happened to you after last night? You were kind and caring and..." I wasn't certain I wanted to remember that person; dominating in every manner, awakening the woman inside. Hell, no. I wasn't going to do it.
"Was I? Don't fool yourself, Caroline. What I offered you was a key to unlock the dark cravings you've had the majority of your life. I exposed the truth hidden behind your quiet demeanor and studious ways. I'm the only man capable of handling you. What you gave me last night was your permission."
"Bullshit!"
He laughed, shaking his head. "Consequences. A word you will come to respect."
"Why are you being such an asshole?"
Dominick smiled, his whisper deadly in its seduction. "Last night was just the beginning and both of us have two sides, Caroline. That much you can't deny no matter how hard you try."
My skin crawled, my stomach lurching.
"Now, I suggest you come with me back inside. We're going to share a nice lunch, an excellent bottle of wine and talk. Then you're going home to gather your things. Tonight, we begin your new life. Make no mistake, Caroline, I'm a brutal man." He let me go, undressing me with his eyes and waiting for my next move.
I shrank back, tears forming in my eyes. I was teetering on running, getting as far away from this madman as possible, no matter these consequences. Where could I go that he wouldn't find me?
"Oh, and Caroline, any infraction will be dealt with severely. You will learn about harsh discipline as well as absolute obedience and your training begins tonight. I am your master and the man who will eradicate the chains suffocating you, exposing the woman inside and freeing your deepest inhibitions. You will become my lover and eventually my wife, but never forget, I own every inch of you, body and soul. And in time, I will break you." Caroline
His wife. Did the insane asshole actually think I was going to marry him? He was fucking out of his goddamn mind. I'd die first.
Fuck the man who thought he would own me. To hell with my father.
"Never forget... I will break you..."
His damning words lingered, leaving a nasty taste in my mouth. I'd whispered them over and over again as I packed, unable to wrap my head around the deal with the devil. Whatever sins my father had committed, the fact he'd garnered the Lugianos' attention had yet to be fully explained. Perhaps my father didn't have the guts to admit what he'd done. I'd already ventured a guess. I knew about his penchant for gambling, his love of winning at all costs. This had been a lifelong addiction, something he'd argued about when my mother was alive.
Oh. My. God. I still couldn't understand anything. I was lost in a time warp. My phone, iPad, and laptop had been taken away, any chance I had of contacting the outside world eliminated. If the bastard hurt Audrey in any manner, I'd kill him. I swear to God.
I'd sat through lunch in a fog as they discussed my transfer, as if I was nothing more than merchandise. I still couldn't fathom how this could happen on any level. How could my father barter my body in exchange for keeping his career and his freedom?
There weren't enough words in the English language to describe my hatred of him. Or of Dominick. One day, I would exact revenge.
And it wouldn't stop with my father.
My mind reeled with ugly thoughts, murderous in fact. I could see blood in spots in front of my eyes even as tears threatened to give away my continued terror.
The moment I'd been led into Dominick's glorified office, I stood gawking at the picture over the mantel.
One of the paintings he'd just purchased. I could barely stomach seeing the steamy dark piece, very much a telling of my personality just like Dominick had managed to pick out.
I stood in the center of an expansive room, the mahogany-lined shelves full of books, sculptures, and pictures of pretty people smiling from tropical destinations. Nothing seemed real. What little I'd seen of wherever I'd been taken was limited to this space and nothing more. I'd heard the lock click in place, the gravelly voice telling me that only after he was gone could I remove my blindfold. My fingers had fumbled in an effort to do so, stiff and cold from the ride over.