Sacrifice

Chapter Seven

F or fuck’s sake! I should have stayed here and made sure they did what I wanted. The way Arabella won’t meet my eyes gives me all the answers I need. This aversion to eye contacts has to do with more than the damn dress.

“ Mi reina , look at me,” my voice comes out in a harsh whisper, and I take her beautiful face in my hands. Her lower lip trembles as she finally complies.

“You… You’re going to make me a whore, aren’t you?”

“What!?” I control my features quickly, but my mouth opens anyway.

Goddamn it, Arabella is far from a whore. She’ll never know the likes of what that life is like. However, she’s been naughty and tried to take her cat back. She’s fought me at every turn. I told her that a lesson was in order.

“The.. the stylist said. You treat all your whores like this.”

A tear falls down her cheek, and her shoulders shake.

“I told you to behave. That if you didn’t, things would be bad for you.” I grab her chin roughly and squeeze. “The punishment for disobeying me is the streets. It seems that’s the life you want.”

I’m a fucking bastard. The idea of her being near any other man makes me want to kill everyone around us. Her tears flow freely as she closes her eyes. “Please don’t. I swear, I’ll be good. Please.”

“Mm. The way you beg is so beautiful. But your virginity will fetch a handsome price. I’m not sure I can pass up that opportunity to get the money Carlos stole from us, mi reina. ”

Her uncontrollable crying does me in. If only she knew I’d kill for her. “Please, Vincent, oh God, please I’ll be good.”

Aribella throws her arms around me, and I smile. Victory. The feel of her willingly hugging me makes me giddy.

“No.” She looks at me, devastated until I continue talking. “You’re not going to be working on the streets. Get it through your head, you’re mine. And mine alone.”

The look of distrust is written in her eyes as she looks up at me. It’s clear as day that she’ll not believe me. This is smart of her, but I’ll have her wanting and needing me soon enough.

Hell, I’ve treated her like property, and I plan to do more to her to make her scream my name, but to sell her? Fuck that shit.

Never. She’s mine. The madness is creeping in. Fuck, the mere idea of her wanting to touch someone else makes me livid. I take a deep breath as she starts to talk.

“My brother sold me to you—well bartered me for his own life. That makes me indebted to you.” Aribella sounds so defeated as her shoulders slump and her arms fall away from my sides.

Turning us around so we are facing the makeshift mirror, I hold her around the stomach. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, mi reina . This is not what I wanted them to do.” I touch her hair, and for once, I give her a genuine smile.

“This looks amazing and maybe it will grow on you.” I bend down and kiss her exposed shoulder.

“For now, let’s take off the makeup and get you dressed into something more comfortable.”

The way she smiles at me melts some of the ice around my chest even further. Shit, this girl owns me and she doesn’t even have a clue.

“I can’t. All the dresses are the same. High slit with a cinched waist.”

Growling, I move to the makeup table and see the cleaning towels. I’m angry with myself. Mostly, because had I told Miss Terrington to call someone new, the old crew wouldn’t have shown up and treated her like this. Yes, they have helped every one of the high dollar escorts in my business to become successful and professional looking. But they were not suitable for my Aribella.

“Sit down over here, please.” When she comes to me without a fight, I feel proud of myself.

“Such a good girl.” I kiss her forehead and the blush on her face says a lot. She likes to be praised. I file that information away for later.

Taking out a wipe, I use it on her face, cleaning the whorish makeup off. “Tell me everything the women said and then I’m going to have someone fix this shit show.”

“Thank you.” She touches my arm, and the tingling in my stomach picks up. Fuck me.

“Johanna, the manicurist, I really like her. She told me my hair and nails would grow on me. That I should call her anytime, even if it’s just to talk.” Aribella looks at me through the mirror. “Can I see her again? I think she could be a friend.”

“Good. We will see. First, you have to learn to behave.” I boop her nose, and that twinkling laugh of hers hits me. Swallowing, I continue to wipe her face. “Go on.”

“The hairstylist didn’t talk to me. She talked to the clothing stylist and asked her what she should do.” Aribella shudders and I continue to wipe her gently.

“When the person who does makeup came in, she was very nice. She explained if I ever wanted a more natural look, all I had to do was call her. Her card is on the settee. The clothing stylist wouldn’t let me look at it.” Aribella sighs and stops talking.

It worries me how she seems to fold in on herself. Wiping the last bit of makeup off her face, I tilt her chin upwards. “The woman’s name is Mora. She started as an escort for me. Her intel and ability to make the other girls feel safe helped her move up in the ranks.”

“Oh.” There’s hurt in her eyes. Fuck, Mora really did a number on her with such a brief encounter. “She didn’t make me feel safe. If anything, she made me feel inferior.”

“I know, mi reina . Tell me what she said.” Bending down so we are eye to eye, I kiss her softly before I let her continue.

“Mora told me that all your whores get the same treatment and that I should be lucky to be here.”

“She isn’t wrong about what she said, Aribella.” When she gasps and tries to pull away from me, I hold on to her and stand up, forcing her up as well. “However, Mora is wrong for assuming you were going to be like all the other girls.”

“It’s fine.” Aribella is too kind for this world. I should be trying to protect her instead of thrusting her into mine.

“Don’t worry, she will be dealt with, but for now, I’m going to see if I can’t find someone to bring you clothing you are happy with.”

Taking her by the hand, I lead her to the office. “Stay on this couch. Rest.”

Irritation fills me as I wait for Aribella. I was going to take her to a fancy restaurant but she took so long, I ended up asking Miss Terrington to make something to eat. Besides, I’m not sure I could handle people seeing my girl. Hell, I barely tolerate my guards being in the same damn room.

I’m not sure I can trust her and that’s eating at me. If she had the opportunity to run, I’m almost a hundred percent certain she would hightail it out of here.

Waiting for her gives me too much time to think about things, and how I have Mora in my basement.

When Aribella comes in, her hair is down, and it’s right at her shoulders. It’s perfect for her face shape, but too short to pull if I’m behind her, fucking her doggy style. My breath leaves me as I take in her subtle yellow button up blouse and dark beige silk pants. I’ve never seen someone more attractive in my life. My cock agrees by seeping pre-cum into my boxers.

Getting up, I pull out the chair next to mine and wait for her to come sit down. When she does, I push the chair in, so she’s close enough to the dinner table. “You know, I normally don’t let anyone have their way.” I whisper in her ear and I watch her shiver. Kissing her neck, I linger for only a second before I sit down.

Her sexy lips are turned up and her smile is worth all this mess. “I was a good girl, Vincent.”

“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow at her and chuckle.

“I took the medicine that was in my room.”

Shit, I had forgotten all about it. “Thank you, Aribella.”

Opening our trays, I sit there, looking at the dinner. I’m a bit embarrassed to not know what the fuck it is. But she does, and she loves it. “How did you know I loved coq au vin?” She picks up her utensils and digs in. I can’t help but laugh.

“It’s just chicken and mushrooms, I think.” When I told Miss Terrington to fix her favorite, I didn’t realize this would make her so excited. “Not a big deal, Aribella.”

She looks at me and blushes, her eyes cast downward. “It is when you can’t afford it.”

Well, fuck. “I’m glad you like it. After we eat, I’ll show you the library. Anything in there is yours to enjoy.”

I thought her smile was brilliant before, but now it meets her eyes, and they shine with more than happiness. “Thank you!” It’s the first time I’ve heard a genuine thank you from her, and it makes those damn sparks of joy in my stomach go off.

Damn it, I’m falling fast and hard for her. No, that’s not right. I’ve been here for a year and now it’s getting out of fucking control. I don’t think I can hold back much longer.

“Um..” She blushes and gives me a giggle. Oh, I want to hear her laughing around my cock. “I also appreciate you not making me wear those dresses.”

I reach out for her hand and squeeze it. “You’ll wear dresses on occasion, but you should be comfortable here, as this is your home.”

Aribella doesn’t move to take her hand away from me, so I lace our fingers together. I’ve never seen anyone take to food like Aribella. It’s refreshing.

When she looks at me, she still has that look on her face. The one that is in awe, thankful, but a little bit confused. “Are you done eating?” She asks once she sets her fork down. I haven’t touched my food. Nope, I’ve been too damn busy gawking at her.

“Yes.” I stand up and she comes with me. It’s nice not having to fight with her, or force her to do every little thing. I could get used to her being nice to me.

Opening the doors to the library, the gasp I receive is worth giving her something to enjoy. It’s not an area I use, so why not let her have it?

The library expands two-stories to the ceiling, and houses every book made in the last two hundred years or so. I’m worried I won’t have the books she likes, but with the way she’s acting, I’m worrying for nothing.

“Espresso is going to love this. There’s even a wonderful window seat for him to look out and watch the birds.”

At the mention of her cat, my good mood disappears as. I realize what I’m feeling is jealousy and I shouldn’t say anything. But Aribella has apparently forgotten that I’m holding her cat hostage at the moment. It wouldn’t be a hardship to let her have her moment enjoying this gift. Hell, I could even let her enjoy an hour with her cat in here, but that would take her focus off of me.

It doesn’t escape me that I went down to check on the damn pet. He perched himself on the cat tower while enjoying lying on a stuffed toy. His tail was swishing back and forth as Mossimo combed his fur. Goddamn spoiled rotten animal.

He’s one lucky bastard and I’m here pining for just an ounce of Aribella’s attention. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to let her have the damn moment. She has to understand this is a privilege, and her cat isn’t free.

Yup, this is definitely the green monster coming out. I watch as she twirls around, gasping as she reads the spines of the books in front of her.

“Aribella, you aren’t getting Espresso, so he won’t be enjoying this room with you.”

The light in her eyes dies, and the smile on her face dims instantly. I have to be a bastard, don’t I? It could have been easy to get her pet to let him be with her. Fuck me, I’m a jealous prick and I’m determined to show her who’s in charge.

As she walks to the door, I see the tears pooling in her eyes and the hurt I’ve caused. Damn it, why do I care? I’ve always been a cold-hearted son of a bitch, but I can’t stand how Aribella is looking at me.

“Where the fuck do you think you are going?”

Her pretty, sad eyes look over my face and I see the tears dripping over her lower lashes. “I think it would be wise if I went to bed. That way I—”

As much as I don’t like her being hurt, my jealousy shows its ugly head.

“—I don’t recall approving you to go to bed,” I cut her off. Aribella tempts me, especially when she’s being disobedient.

Before she can react, I plunge my hands into her newly short hair and kiss those pouty lips. We mesh well, and when she’s not fighting me, it’s a gorgeous ballet we dance. Our tongues fight with one another as I try to conquer mi reina . She fights me, trying to pull away, but I hold on to her.

Relaxing my mouth on hers, I give her a peck and I feel the switch in her body. Aribella goes soft and gives me a tiny moan. Her hands run up my stomach and I deepen the kiss. My tongue coaxes hers to play. It must be too much, because she pushes me away and bolts toward the door.

The laughter bubbles up inside of me, taking over. Damn, she’s driving me insane. “You’ll break soon enough, mi reina. ” I call out to her while I watch that curvy ass of hers climb the stairs.

Deciding to let her have this small victory, I retire to my office. There’s much to do. Sure, I could follow and eat that sweet pussy into submission, but I’ve pushed her enough for one day.

She’ll soon enough realize that I may be a bastard, but I’m a beast for her. Fuck, the emotions tossing around inside of me want her to like me. To love me once we get past everything in front of us. It’s clear I won’t be settling for lust.