Forbidden Flame

Nico tightened the belt around my neck and forced my head up as he leaned over my body, his lips brushing against my ear. "If you let go, I won't let you come. Do you understand?"

Good God, no. He pulled the belt back further, and I almost gagged from the pressure around my throat. "I asked, do you understand? "Yes... sir," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

One hard jab, and he was inside me. If it weren't for the belt around my throat, I would have screamed. Being unable to make a sound forced me to endure the pleasure in silence, which only intensified everything I was feeling.

He plunged deeper, harder, causing pain and pleasure to ricochet up my spine and crash between my legs in an explosion of decadent sensations.

"You feel that, my pet? That inferno blazing through your soul? The fire burning inside your core? Do you feel my possession straight to your bones?" Another hard thrust, his palm slamming mercilessly on my thigh. I bit into my bottom lip, tasting my own blood. He pulled my head closer to his face. "That's me staking my claim over your body, your mind, and your fucking soul. I kept my eyes closed as he continued, pushing as deep as my body would allow.

"That means you belong to me, my pet. As a woman, as a lover, as a pet... as a goddamn slave. You. Belong. To. Me."

The belt tightened, and my lungs burned. I wanted to scream, to beg, to plead for release. Desperation took over as I moved my hips, searching for the pleasure my body demanded.

He let out a low laugh. "You see, Lila? Your body talks to me. Right now, it's begging me to let you come."

His hand cupped me between my legs, his fingers finding the one spot that would push me over the edge. I allowed myself to surrender, my legs quivering, my body trembling as I succumbed to the darkness he evoked within me.

He leaned closer, cheek brushing mine. "Everything you're feeling now, with me inside you, means that you belong to me. Never doubt it."

With one hand gripping the belt and the other clutching my hip, Nico gave me exactly what I craved. My mind tried to deny it, but my body couldn't lie. The pleasure that erupted through me proved it. Every bone in my body trembled as I clawed at the desk, utterly spent. The second he released the belt, I cried out, still feeling the rhythm of his movements.

"Say it. Say what you are."

I was lost in the haze, unable to speak. "Say it! Goddammit!" His palm struck my skin, snapping me from the fog.

"Your pet!" I cried. "I'm... your pet."

Nico roared like a demon, giving one final deep thrust that left us both trembling. I collapsed against the desk, my body completely spent, and felt the weight of him against my back. This was us dark, wicked, and intense.

I opened my eyes and stared out into the night. How long had we been here? A week? Days? Time no longer existed. I remembered the first moment we met.

Six Months Ago

She had no idea what was happening. The drug still lingering in her system left her disoriented, her vision blurry. Blonde hair stuck to her face as sweat beaded on her skin. She shuddered as chills wracked her body.

I watched her toss and turn, wrinkling the old sheets beneath her while crying and mumbling incoherent words. Lines formed above her eyebrows, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Pain etched her features, yet I didn't care.

In fact, I relished it. Her suffering soothed the darkness inside me, silencing the monster I carried. Soon, she would discover that there were worse things than death. Her world now consisted of one thing... me.

Lila Falcone would never know peace again. This was her penance for what she had done what she had taken from my family. I planned to break her, then mend her, then break her again. And I would enjoy every moment.

"Everything is going according to plan, brother."

I looked up to see Damon taking a seat next to me. I didn't speak, my eyes glued to the monitor.

"They don't know she's missing yet," he continued. "Her parents usually check in every second night around eight. They won't notice until tomorrow, and since she's missed calls before, it won't raise suspicion. She's been quite the party girl."

I leaned forward. "Does your associate have what we need?" "He does. The package will arrive within the hour."

"Good. The drug is wearing off. We need it by the time she wakes up. Damon sighed. "Of all the women in the world, he had to choose the one who destroyed him."

I nodded. "It's something we'll never understand. But we will punish those who wronged our family. I will make sure of that."

Her eyes flickered open. She groaned, clutching her stomach. I jumped, pressing the red button against the wall to unlock the steel door. I pulled her onto her side before she could choke on her own vomit.

She vomited violently, ruining my suit. Damon burst in, panic showing on his face. "How much did you give her?" I demanded. "The regular dose," he stammered.

I glared. "Was she drunk when you took her?" "Well... yes. But I gave the dose anyway." I exhaled sharply. "Go get Doc. Now."

Damon bolted from the room. I held her gently as her eyes rolled back, sweat trickling down her face.

"Lila. You do not get to die yet, do you understand me? Not yet. Wake up."

Her eyes fluttered open, gaze locking on mine. For a second, it felt as if she could see all my darkest secrets. "You," she whispered. I took her hand away slowly. She narrowed her eyes. "How?"

Doc arrived, checking her pulse and giving meds. I stood over her, nothing inside me resembling sympathy only emptiness. "Welcome to Hell, sunshine," I said, smiling wickedly.

"Why?" she whispered. "Today is the start of your penance, sunshine," I said. "For what?" she murmured.

I left the room, pressing the steel door closed behind me. "For murdering my brother." Doc muttered, "Luckily you stuck to the regular dose, or her heart..."

I straightened my suit jacket, covered in vomit, and glared at Damon. "Our entire plan almost failed because of your mistake." "Like I said, I didn't know," he muttered.

"You think I don't know that? Control yourself, Damon. I love you, but this is bigger than us. If you fuck up again, I won't hesitate to remove you."

Damon scowled, fists clenched. I pulled my jacket off and walked to the door. "I need a shower. Stay here. Don't take your eyes off that monitor. Call Doc if needed."

Damon nodded, but his eyes held no warmth. That was fine. Our relationship had always been love and hate. Nikolai had been my twin, my other half. But he was gone. My light was gone. Darkness had taken over and I embraced it.