SEVEN

Reneigh

There was nothing more humiliating than what had come in one of the boxes, the present wrapped in gold as if a beautiful trinket.

Instead of a silver anal plug with a sparkling crimson jeweled end. Everything matched the color of my dress. The note tucked inside had been frank.

Wear this tonight. I will check.

Fuck him. Fuck him. Fuck... him.

Yet I was wearing it, the uncomfortable piece of steel almost as painful as the ache from the spanking. I felt dirty and horrible, wretched and... kinky. Every move I made was a reminder of him.

His rules.

His dominance.

His control.

And I hated mostly myself for it.

I glanced into the mirror, turning back and forth as I made faces at my reflection. For all the hatred I could and would have for Elijah, the man had exquisite tastes. The full-length scarlet dress was absolutely incredible, the beautiful creation befitting a queen instead of a criminal. I fingered the diamond necklace that had been among the gifts, laughing out loud as I thought about one of my favorite movies.

The hooker and the billionaire.

Only I was Princeton educated with two Bachelor's degrees and a Master's degree in business administration. I'd graduated tops of my class and had what my professors called a tremendous future ahead of me.

Then the bottom had dropped out of my life.

I slipped into the shoes, the stilettos themselves costing more than my two-week paycheck. When I finally stood back, I realized I was no longer certain I could actually go through this. I heard the key being placed into the lock and tried to plaster a smile on my face. I grabbed the matching purse, feeling the papers nestled inside. My stomach churned at the thought at the same time my bottom continued to ache. My entire body was tender, as if sucker punched. As I walked out of my bedroom, finding Alexandra in the foyer, the look of shock on her face was exactly what I'd expected.

"Oh, my goodness. You look incredible!" she said before frowning. "And you act like this is going to be sheer torture."

She had no way of knowing that's exactly what I thought, and I was never going to tell her the circumstances. "Just a little unsettling."

"A wealthy man doting on you or the date in general?" She winked as she placed her things on the floor beside the small suitcase. "You deserve some time for yourself."

"I'm so sorry that my call was last minute, and I really appreciate you doing this, taking time away from your family."

She walked closer, placing her hand on my arm. "Like I said, you need some time for yourself and just maybe, so do I. Wherever that man of yours is taking you, I hope you enjoy yourself. You look just like a princess, and he better treat you well or face my wrath."

I felt like scum and nothing else, but I couldn't help but smile at her words. Alex was one tenacious woman who I admired greatly. I grabbed my coat, seeing headlights coming up the driveway. I'd said my goodbyes earlier. I couldn't stand another even though I glanced down the long hallway leading to the bedrooms. "You know how to get ahold of me if you need me."

"I do, honey, but everything is going to be just fine. I brought a book I've been dying to read. You've given me a fabulous excuse."

I smiled, almost my throat remained constricted. "There's lasagna in the freezer and help yourself to wine." I heard heavy feet heading up the walk and cringed.

Alex narrowed her eyes. She'd known me for years, including my rough mood swings. Her look of concern was almost too much to bear. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Really. Just nervous." As I heard the hard knock on the door, I reached for the suitcase. One night I'd planned for after leaving his office. An entire extended weekend I wasn't certain I could stomach.

Without killing him.

The thought gave me the first real smile of the day.

"You'll do just fine and he's one lucky man." Alex hovered in the foyer as I opened the door, wringing her hands like some expectant mother.

Luck certainly hadn't been going my way.

The same brute from before glanced over my shoulder, his eyes locking onto Alex. "You're coming alone," he said.

"I know. I have things that need taking care of," I said harshly. I didn't give Alex a chance to offer a rebuttal in any manner. She didn't deserve the wrath of a monster or his minion.

He took the suitcase out of my hand, moving around me. The vehicle was different, an oversized SUV with blacked-out windows. Just like some mafia freak would prefer. I waited as he opened the rear door, gently placing my twenty-year-old case inside. I suddenly felt like some college kid being carted off to the university, rich parents eager to get rid of me.

That hadn't been my issue, my loving parents calling me every other day to check that I was all right. God, how I missed those days.

The driver seemed stiff, the crisp suit he was wearing far too constricting for his large size. I couldn't get that out of my mind even as he ushered me inside. At least I'd have some time alone to think about a way out of this. The moment I eased inside, I bit back a nasty string of words.

"We meet again," Elijah said in a smooth, velvety voice. Everything about the man was sultry, sensual, and if I didn't know either him or his reputation, I would find myself hopelessly attracted.

But I knew the real man, the creature clawing at the surface. He was filthy and vile, ruthless and nasty. I'd read enough accounting reports to know how he handled acquisitions. Although my particular job hadn't allowed me to gather an understanding of the criminal activities the company was involved in, even the business tactics of the legitimate ones were questionable. Storm Enterprises was worth billions, their income increasing every month and all while destroying others.

I hesitated before sitting down, trying to stay as far away from him as possible. At least the thick bucket seats would prevent accidental touching. "I did as you asked. I'm wearing the frock."

"Frock? Hmmm... The frock, as you call it, is an exclusive from one of the top designers. I knew instantly the moment I saw it that the dress would look beautiful on you," he said in a dominating manner. He nodded to the brute and within seconds, the door was closed.

The beginning of the nightmare.