HE’S BEEN WATCHING??

“N-no….” Aria muttered softly, adjusting on the bed but going nowhere. Lace strutted towards her, “No!” she screamed, and started thrashing violently against the cuffs as Lace crawled over her like a feral cat.

Her grin widened, and the dark eye shadow highlights that added to the dark intent in her eyes.

“Don’t worry, sweet thing,” Lace purred, her fingers started trailing over Aria’s thighs. “I’ll make it feel good.”

Aria’s breath seized as she kept yanking her hands off the cuffs, She refused to allow herself be touched by a woman, but not just any woman, Lucian’s slut.

It was humiliating that she had to sit and watch the shit show she put on, but what was more humiliating was her body reacting in ways she never knew.

“Get off me! Don’t touch me!” she shrieked, strands of her hair sticking to the sweat on her face. Her legs jerked against the restraints, arms yanking until the cuffs dug deeper into her skin, burning red slashes along her wrists.

Lucian’s brows furrowed in irritation from where he sat, his fingers drummed silently on his thighs like he was counting down till he loses his cool.

“Enough,” He said lowly, the command cut through the air like a whip.

Lace paused, her face already inches from Aria, her hands still hovered between her legs.

“But Maestro…” she protested.

“I said get off her,” He snapped, Lace gazed between Lucian and Aria in utter confusion. Was the fun over already?

“Now!” He shouted, Lace flinched and crawled backwards away from Aria’s body. She got off the bed hurriedly and fell on her knees, her face pulled into remorse.

But Aria looked even more confused, with her chest heaving; her eyes couldn’t leave Lace’s form.

Was this what Lucian wanted from her?

Crawling and kneeling like some slave? She rather fuck her shitty boss at her place of work, and she’d even dominate the idiot.

Lucian stood and walked forward with slow yet menacing steps, the heat radiating off of him reached her even before he did.

Aria stilled, chest heaving, sweat covered her temples, and her wrists looked raw as they trembled.

He crouched beside her, his palm caressed her head as he leaned in, his gaze burned into hers.

“Sei selvaggia, ma non stupida.” (You’re wild, but not stupid.)

His fingers brushed her jaw, “That mouth of yours, little dove, will get you caged more than collared.”

His thumb dipped lower to her bottom lip, giving it a soft pull.

“You’ll stay just like this, all night until you realize what I want from you.” He muttered, Aria’s lips parted to say something, to fight but the way his tone echoed in her ears made her know he was serious.

He rose to his full height, eyes still lingering on her while his hands seductively pulled his pants up and he left the room.

For a moment, Aria let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding, and her legs gave up tiredly. Her heart still pounded, but Lace hadn’t left the room.

Her heels hurt the floor as she slowly approached the bed once more, she stood just short of Aria’s head, her shadow engulfing her like a predator.

Aria’s jaw clenched, dealing with Lucian was something she hadn’t done learning, but dealing with his pussy cats? Not planned.

“All this show, just for you,” She breathed, her thick Russian accent made the words sound heavy, the threat simmering beneath each word. Her hand brushed along the bedpost, her eyes narrowed.

“You think you’re special?”

Aria remained silent, her mouth sealed tight but her gaze burning with intense disgust.

“You’re just as irrelevant as the rest of us!” Lace yelled suddenly, her features contorting into anger.

The rest? So there were more, Doris was right. Just how many girls had he bought? Was that his thing, collecting virgins?

Her face lifted to glare at Lace even more, “So you agree then that you’re nothing to him. Just a dog he keeps on a freaking leash.”

The words hit Lace like a whip, her expression darkened instantly. In an instant, her hand shot forward, grabbing Aria’s jaw in an iron grip.

“You little..” she hissed, her finger dug deeper into her cheeks. “You think you’re the first to wear his collar? His chains, you think your screaming makes you different?”

Aria winced but couldn’t get her face away from Lace’s grasp.

Lace leaned closer, her breath hot against her ear , “You’ll be begging for the collar soon enough. But you won’t last, you’ll be dead before you’re ever worthy to wear it.”

She pulled back with a sneer. “You could never be one of Master’s pets.” And with one last distasteful look, Lace stormed out and locked the door behind her.

The room finally fell silent, enough for her to hear her own thoughts.

To realize how fucked she was, and probably how there was no ever getting out of here. Her eyes burned, and the tears streamed fast down her face.

She bit her lip to stop herself but she couldn’t keep it in anymore.

Trapped, that was how she felt most of her life after their parents died. Her sister, Camilla was the one who took care of them, but not without reminding her that their death was her fault.

Imagine being trapped in endless regret, and every chance you get at hope just crashes right in your face and you see yourself in bigger traps.

Her throat tightened, a part of her couldn’t help but think that what if she didn’t disappear. What if she just got tired and left? And she was busy spending her life looking for someone who not only cared but guilt tripped her every day.

So now tell me, could life be crueler from here?

****

The next morning, the door creaked open and soft heels padded inside.

“Morning dear,” A cheerful voice cut the silence in the room, “I see you had your lessons with Master.”

Aria stirred slowly, her eyes fluttered open. Unlike the room she slept in, there was no morning sunlight to either kiss her skin or leave her retina begging, it was dark.

Doris stood by the bed, a gentle smile on her face as she moved to unlock, the metal clicks echoing loudly in her ears.

“Water,” Aria whispered, her lips cracked. “I need water.”

Doris gave her a warm pat on the shoulder,

“Come, child. Master Lucian has requested you in his chambers, let’s get you freshened up.” She helped Aria sit up, the movement made her dizzy as her legs wobbled.

Doris wrapped an arm gently around her shoulder, steadying her as they stepped out into the hall.

The corridor seemed like an even longer journey as she fought to stay on her feet, the sunlight leaked through tall windows. Halfway through, she paused

“Doris, please…” Her lips barely moved, “Water…”

Guiding her to velvet cushioned chair tucked against the wall,

“Sit here, dear.” Doris smiled, “I’ll fetch you some water.”

Aria collapsed onto the seat, her breath came in shallow gasps. Her lips cracked, and her throat completely dry, even her vision barely held anything at that point.

She watched Doris disappear through the kitchen door farther down the corridor.

Her gaze drifted lazily, until she caught sight of a door. It was slightly opened, almost hidden by the shadows in the hallway.

She hadn’t been here for a while but she knew she’d never seen it before.

Slowly, she rose, her feet faltered but the pain was nothing compared to the pull of curiosity that overwhelmed her. She took a quick glance at the kitchen door, Doris wasn’t back yet.

Aria moved silently to the door, and pushed it back completely with her hand. A strong rich smell hit her at first, the perfect blend of cigarettes, cedar and musk.

The heavy bookshelves lined the walls, a thick mahogany desk sat at the centre of the room and behind it was a tall window veiled in thick red curtains.

Her fingers trailed the edge of the desk, on it sat a polished silver ashtray along with a velvet lined box opened slightly enough to reveal the pistol tucked inside.

This had to be Lucian’s study, she thought.

Almost drifting from the desk, her eyes caught something, a photograph peeking out from beneath a thick envelope.

She pulled it slowly, and her heart thudded. She staggered back, clutching the photo while her other hand flew to her mouth.

It was her and Camilla, standing in front of their childhood home. Camilla had her arm looped tightly around her shoulders, with a wide smile. Aria was younger in it.

How did he get this? Had he been watching them all along?

Then something cold pressed against the back of her head, a small click followed.

The barrel nudged against her scalp, deep unfamiliar voice snarled behind her,

“Move and I’ll blow your head off”