Lahat ng Kabanata ng BOUND TO THERON BLACKMOOR:REVENGE BEST SERVED WITH COLD WINE: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

*Laurie*The music drifted around us. Deep within, I knew this wasn’t a dance. It was another of his games. And Theron never played fair. He was trying to get under my skin again!!His grip remained firm, guiding me effortlessly across the polished floor, his movements precise, and practiced… like a man who had done this a thousand times before. And yet, I felt like the only one he had ever held this way. Shit! The thought made me want to slap myself. "You should wear something red tonight," he murmured, his lips near my ears. Damn! His voice was smooth as silk. I stiffened. "Excuse me?" I murmured.He spun me slowly before pulling me back against him again, his touch never faltering. "There’s a dinner party tonight. I’m attending, and you’ll be coming with me." I blinked up at him. “What?” His face was expressionless, though a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Be ready before seven o'clock. I’ll send the maids to help you dress up. Given that you have a poor aestheti

*Laurie*I hesitated, my gaze flicking over the neat array of lipstick shades presented before me. The sheer number of options was overwhelming. Deep crimsons, sultry wines, soft corals, glossy carmines. I had never given much thought to makeup before, let alone been asked to pick a shade for a dress this extravagant. The maid closest to me shifted ever so slightly, waiting in silence. There was no pressure in her expression, but I could feel the unspoken expectation lingering in the air. I inhaled softly and reached out, my fingers brushing over the tubes before settling on one. A spicy hot chilli red. The maids exchanged satisfied glances. I caught the faintest flicker of approval in their eyes. "An excellent choice, Mistress," one of them murmured. Mistress? I was still getting used to that. "Please, take a seat," another instructed, gesturing toward a black chair positioned in front of a vanity mirror. I did as told, settling into the seat as they moved around me.

*Laurie*“You must have known who I was; otherwise, you wouldn't have ever bid so high to get me,” I remarked, hoping to get a reaction from him as we walked, but he refused to acknowledge it.This made me chuckle inwardly. Great! How much more foolish could I have been? Isn't this the saying that goes ‘from frying pan to fire?’Right! He knows me to be the daughter of the fallen prominent Rayne family, and also knew I was Zane Voss’s wife, whilst almost no one aside from those in the Voss mansion knew, yet I wonder if he had at least one thing sincere? Tch! All men are the same.I stopped thinking about his motive. It had already come to this point and there seemed to be no turning back. As long as Rafe and I are safe and alive, I do not mind playing along with this terrible life.I observed our surroundings as we got closer to the inner hall. I guess no one had expected him here. And from the looks on their faces, they were terrified to find out he had come. I swallowed, my finger

*Laurie*Theron leaned back in his chair. One arm draped loosely over the backrest, a wine glass in the other hand. The very picture of disinterest. He was annoyed, I could feel it. Weird right?I didn’t know how I knew… but I knew. Still, he didn’t lash out. He just smiled. That kind of wicked smile. “I don’t do cooperation, Mr…?”“Langston. Henry Langston.”“Right. Langston.” Theron let the name roll off his tongue like it offended him. “I prefer results. Not promises. And especially not interruptions.”Langston stiffened. His eyes flicked to me again, perhaps hoping I would smile or soften the blow but I didn’t. I met his gaze with the same ice Theron just served him.Theron placed his glass down. “Perhaps another time,” he said, “Preferably never,” he concluded with a shrug.Langston hesitated, clearly weighing his pride against his survival instincts.“Of course,” he said, retreating behind that brittle smile. “No offense meant.”He gave a shallow bow to Theron, and then to my a

*Laurie*My breath caught, and I turned to face him fully. His gaze flicked to me, catching my eyes for just a beat too long. There was something magnetic in that look… something damn dangerous. I clenched my fists on my lap, fighting the urge to react. "And what exactly do you want me to learn?" I coldly asked.His lips curved into a slow, predatory smile. "Everything. The world, your emotions, your weaknesses. And maybe, just maybe, you'll realize that the things you think you control... are really just illusions."His words were nerve-racking, and yet, there was a strange appeal to them. An allure in the idea that Theron knew something about me that I didn’t."You really think I'm just a puppet to you?" I asked."I think you’re a woman who hasn’t yet learned how to pull her own strings. Sometimes, a foolish woman."I couldn’t stop the bitterness that crept into my voice. "Maybe I don’t need to pull any strings," I snapped. "Maybe I like being free."He chuckled darkly, and I felt