Chapter 5

Bella’s pov 

The entire room was silent, broken only by the scrape of forks against plates. I had no appetite, but I couldn’t leave—not when Kane kept giving me that look, like he was daring me to try.

I kept my gaze locked on my plate, forcing down what I could. Melissa cleared her throat.

“Lisa told me about the progress of the company, and how she was able to sign a new deal with ACE Group.” Her voice warmed as she continued, “All of this is only possible because of you, Kane. You are the savior of this family, and I’m certain we will be in your debt for the rest of our lives.”

That should have been *I*, not *we*. I never bargained for any of this.

Fine—he was saving my family from bankruptcy. And so what? Did they have any idea who they were dealing with? Kane was a monster. He would collect his debt one way or another… and it was terrible that I was already his first target.

“Talking about that,” Lisa cut in, “I got a call from the Mercers’ office. They’re calling a meeting in Hong Kong five days from now.” She turned to Kane. “I don’t know how long this might take, but I might stay longer than planned. Is it possible you could handle the company?”

She leaned closer, her hand finding his, thumb rubbing slowly over his skin. “I know you’ve got your own work, but there’s absolutely no one else I can turn to. Dad’s not in town…” Her eyes flicked to me and I rolled mine. “…and Bella is probably too busy to help. Plus even if she could, there’s no way she could jump in with zero idea how things work.”

She squeezed his hand. “Please, babe. You know how important this is.”

Whatever they were discussing had nothing to do with me. In fact, I was relieved they weren’t pulling me into their plans.

That freedom shattered the moment Kane spoke.

“Actually, I’ve got some good news for you guys.”

His eyes found mine. I held my breath.

What was he up to? What good news? Nothing good had happened in the last twelve hours.

My heart pounded as I watched him, silently praying he wasn’t about to expose me.

A soft smile tugged at his lips. He was enjoying every second of the control.

“Good news?” Lisa echoed, curiosity etched across her brows. “What might that be?”

Kane finally looked away from me, but I still couldn’t breathe. Not when I had no idea what would come out of his mouth next.

“Bella has agreed to join the company.”

The words hit like a slap.

“What?” The same shocked syllable slid out of all three of us at once.

Lisa and Melissa stared at me in surprise. I stared at Kane in pure disbelief. When had I ever said that? Not even in my worst dreams.

They turned to me for confirmation. I turned to him for an explanation.

My teeth gritted as I threw him a glare that screamed *what the fuck are you saying?* He had to be mad. Or crazy. Or carefully setting a trap I refused to walk into.

“Right, Bella?” he murmured, that same smile still plastered across his face, the one that made my stomach churn.

His gaze bored into me, wordless, absolute. *Comply.*

I wanted to protest. I wanted to stand my ground and say no. But I didn’t—because I was terrified of what he might do if I denied him in front of them.

I swallowed the last of my rebellion and gave a single nod. Then I forced a smile for Lisa and Melissa, even as something inside me died.

“Yes,” I said. The lie tasted bitter. “I have.”

“Really? That’ll be great!” Lisa’s face flushed with relief. “What changed? You of all people have been a rock about never joining us. What changed that?”

I swallowed. Sweat trickled down my temple. The question should have been *who* changed it—not *what*. But she wasn’t ready for the truth.

“Does it matter?” I muttered, lowering my head. I needed to get out of this room. I needed to confront him. He couldn’t honestly believe he could simply decide my life and I would follow like a dog.

“Oh yes, it does.” Kane’s voice cut through, smooth and amused. I looked up and met those eyes—bright with victory. He had heard me.

“And I’ve personally decided to walk her through the job while you’re away. I’ll see to it that Bella becomes good at handling things.” He smirked at me before turning back to Lisa. “How else are we supposed to get married and actually enjoy a honeymoon if work is sitting on your ass every single day?”

Lisa nodded, already sold. “Right. That’s smart.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, babe.”

Kane’s eyes flicked to me again. I looked away.

“Your parents must have done a lot of good in their previous lives to be rewarded with you in this one,” Melissa said, voice thick with gratitude. “You’re such a wonderful young man. Thank you, Kane. I can’t express how grateful I am.”

Kane smiled like he truly deserved every word.

That should have been mine. I was the one being sacrificed—whether I had agreed or not. But all they saw was Kane. Everything else was invisible.

“I guess so,” he laughed. The others joined in, happy and oblivious.

Ass-lickers, I thought. Especially Melissa. Ever since Kane walked through the door with a marriage proposal and a deal that pulled the company out of the fire, everything he did was perfect. Nothing he touched could ever be wrong.

The moment the last plate was cleared, I didn’t wait for Melissa to start assigning chores. I gathered the dishes myself and carried them to the sink. Better that than letting Kane feel even more superior.

I stood there, water running, mind racing. Everything was happening too fast. First I had woken up naked in bed with my sister’s boyfriend. Then it turned out he wanted me as his pleasure toy—available whenever he felt like using me.

That part I could almost accept. I had gotten myself drunk. I had ended up in that state. But this? Him deciding my career, my days, my place in the family business? That was a different kind of ownership entirely. And when he said he would “walk me through the job,” I heard the real meaning underneath the polite words.

He would walk his cock through me instead.

A sharp *smack* cracked across my ass.

Pain and pleasure shot up my spine in the same jolt. My pussy clenched hard in answer.

A soft moan slipped out before I could stop it.

God. I hated how good it felt.

I had just been spanked. I spun around, already knowing who it was, shock and disbelief written across my face.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I hissed, fighting to keep my voice low. My eyes shot to the doorway. Empty. Relief flickered—then died just as fast.

He didn’t remove his hand. He squeezed the cheek he had just struck, then slid a finger between them and found the soaked fabric of my panties.

“Fucking slut,” he growled, voice darker than usual. “You’re already wet for me.”

He licked his lips. For one stupid second I wanted to push back against him and let him fuck the sense out of me right there.

His finger dragged up and down over my pussy, pressing the wet cloth against me. I arched without meaning to, chasing more.

“Even knowing I’m your sister’s man,” he murmured, “here you are, shamelessly begging for my cock.”

He pushed harder, burying the soaked fabric into me. I moaned again.

My hand flew to my mouth the second I remembered where we were. Fuck. I couldn’t let him do this. I couldn’t stop him either.

His filthy words were exactly what my body wanted.

“Please,” I whispered, not even sure what I was asking for.

He leaned in until his mouth was against my ear, hot breath ghosting over the sensitive skin there. I could barely breathe.

“Keep begging like that, pumpkin, and I might actually give you what you want… right here, right now. Would you like that?”

My stomach coiled tight. My pussy throbbed. Yes. I wanted that. I wanted to feel him inside me again—properly this time, not just in the hazy flashes I barely remembered.

I was about to say it when Lisa’s sharp voice cut through the kitchen.

Instinct took over. I shoved him away and spun toward the doorway.

Lisa stood there, confusion written all over her face. “Are you okay?”

I tried to speak and failed. I cleared my throat and forced a nod. “I—I’m okay.”

The suspicion in her eyes didn’t fade. “Sure?”

I glanced at Kane. He was calmly pouring water into a glass, completely unbothered, like nothing had happened.

“Hmm.” I hummed the answer and shoved my trembling hands into the sink so she wouldn’t see them shake. I forced another smile.

“You look flushed,” she said. “You sure you’re not getting a fever?”

I managed a weak chuckle. “Maybe. I’ll take something. Probably just stress from yesterday.”

“You mean from partying all night?” she corrected. When I didn’t answer, she sighed. “I’ve told you a hundred times—your health is wealth. The earlier you learn that, the better.” She turned to Kane, who was now leaning against the counter, listening. “Mom’s asking after you. She wants to know if you’re sleeping over or—”

“I’d sleep over,” Kane said, cutting her off smoothly.

My heart dropped.

The faint, satisfied curve of his mouth said everything. He had no intention of stopping. And I was starting to fear I might not be able to make him.

“Great!” Lisa beamed. “We can share my room.”

But Kane already had other plans. “Actually, I’d prefer a separate room. Exhausted from work, and I’ve still got a meeting tonight. It’ll be quieter for you that way—you need proper rest.”

Lies. All of them. And Lisa didn’t even pause to question it.

She nodded. “I’ll have a room prepared for you.” Then she turned and walked out.

The second she was gone, my eyes locked on Kane. Before he could take a step, I raised a hand.

“Don’t,” I said. I meant it to sound firm. It came out as a plea. “I beg of you.”

He didn’t stop. He closed the distance, leaned down, and crushed his mouth to mine. His lips were warm, soft, almost gentle—tempting enough that for a heartbeat I almost kissed him back.

I turned my head, rejecting the thought.

“My room. Tonight. Ten o’clock,” he whispered against my mouth. “Don’t make me wait.”

He pulled away. I watched him walk out, that same quiet victory written in every step.

I hated it.

But my body still ached for every place his hands and mouth had been. And in that moment I honestly didn’t know if I should run… because I was tempted to answer his illicit call.

After all, what’s the harm in actually letting him fuck me?