Azeira
I winced as the water cascaded down my sore body. Closing my eyes, I tilted my head back and allowed the hot temperature to penetrate my skin. Last night when I met with Beast, he pushed my body in ways I’d never had happened before. I wasn’t supposed to sneak back out of the house after not getting caught the first time. My car was parked at Jatavia’s. I collected the things I got out of my house and called a rideshare back to Kairus’s house. I was terrified I might get caught, but thankfully I could sneak in the window I kept unlocked and make it back to my room nineteen hundred dollars richer.
When I got another text from Elite yesterday morning that Beast had requested me, I knew the payout would be worth the risk. Not to mention he fucked me so good anytime I met with him I couldn’t resist his unruly ways.
My attention went to the bright cuts across my thighs. Last night I was shocked to feel the knife on my skin. It should have scared me. I should have demanded that he stopped and untied me but I became more turned on and wetter. Never had I tried breath play before and being fucked until I nearly passed out, along with the stinging from the cuts on my leg, gave me the hardest orgasm I’d ever had in my life. I was sure I lost consciousness for a second and saw stars.
My hands went to my neck and I brushed across it. Closing my eyes, I ran my hand down my body and lightly brushed my nipples.
After bathing and climbing out of the shower, I went to the sink to check myself out in the mirror. Oddly there were no other ones in the house and I wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not. I brushed my hand over the marks left from the belt. My stomach fluttered and my pussy pulsated at the memory of being choked. The back of my neck grew hot. Shock ran through my veins.
My cleaning for the day was over and I wanted to enjoy the rest of the day in the garden with a book from the library I found. Kairus was locked in his office. It was odd, he hadn’t bothered me much since I’d been trapped in his house. Instead he stayed looming in the darkness and watching me with piercing eyes. I wasn’t sure what it was about him, but each time I laid eyes on him a rush of heat moved through me. The dangerous aura that radiated off him reminded me of the same feeling that crept in my stomach when I was with Beast. He was a walking ball of caution I didn’t want to escape.
I shifted my eyes around the room, pausing at the rose I had gotten from the garden. I found a vase to put it in and thought it brought a calm light to the room.
Once I made sure the coast was clear, I went to the library, locating a historical romance I’d never heard of. From the synopsis, it sounded good. Making my way through the house, I walked outside through the backyard to the garden.
“Marvin!” I called out, surprised he was still here. It was later in the day and I was sure he would be gone by now.
Marvin, the gardener, whipped around. What surprised me was the fear in his eyes.
“I’m glad you’re here. I was looking for you the other day and—” I stepped forward and he raised his hand.
“Please, please go away,” he begged.
Confusion passed through me and my brows furrowed. “What’s wrong? I was wondering if peonies could be planted. Next to roses they’re my favorite—”
“I can’t help you.” His eyes darted around wildly. “I’ll be finished here soon and you’ll have the place to yourself.”
I wasn’t sure why he was acting like this. Last time I was in the garden with him he was friendly and even let me help him. I always enjoyed gardening. My mom had one when I was growing up and she always let me help her maintain it. She was the cause for my love of flowers and planting.
I studied Marvin. When my eyes dropped to his hand, they bucked.
“What happened?” I tucked the book under my arm, rushed him and grabbed his hand. It was wrapped up as if he had injured it.
He snatched his hand out my grasp and looked around. “Nothing, please, I don’t want any trouble. Leave…now!” I jumped back, dropping the book in the process.
“Marvin.” He gave me his back and went back to whatever he was doing. I looked around the garden for a second, focusing on the pond and waterfall.
“Okay,” I finally answered and bent down to grab the book.
I turned to leave, unable to process what just happened. Running the conversation through my head over and over, I paused and widened my eyes.
My mouth turned upside down and my nostrils flared. Storming into the house, I dropped the book on the island in the kitchen and went down the hall until I got to Kairus’s office. Without bothering to knock, I pushed it open.
“Kairus!” I called out but instantly halted. Kairus’s dark orbs found mine. He was sitting behind his desk and the guy who had cut my dad’s finger off was sitting in the chair in front of it looking mighty comfortable.
“You!” I shouted, stalking toward him. “You’re the one who cut my dad’s finger off!” I bellowed.
One corner of his mouth quirked up. “Actually my name is Nolan. It’s way past time we met, .” He held his hand out. Disgust filled me as I stared down at his pecan colored hand.
“Nolan,” Kairus called out with a warning in his tone.
The snarky grin on his face grew and his hand slowly lowered.
“You must have forgotten your place, barging in my office like that.” Kairus’s deep timber reminded me why I was in here.
I spun to face him. “Did you do that to Marvin’s hand?”
“Even if I knew who Marvin was, you are not in any position to question me.”
“The gardener! His hand is injured and he would barely look at me. Did you do that?” Kairus’s jaw ticked. A small chortle left Nolan’s mouth.
Kairus’s eyes lowered and grew darker. My stomach stirred but I refused to back down.
Slowly Kairus lifted and slammed his hands down on the desk, causing me to jump. “You come to me and ask about another man?” His head tilted.
My lips thinned and my nose expanded. “Did you hurt him?” Instead of responding, Kairus walked around his desk. He approached me slowly. My heart pounded at a thunderous rate and my stomach twisted with fear.
He reached behind me and I gritted my teeth when he clenched my hair in his hands and yanked it.
“It seems you’ve forgotten who’s in charge here. You don’t come in here demanding answers, especially about another man.” He lowered his eyes, pausing at my neck. I inhaled a sharp breath thinking maybe he’d noticed the markings. His eyes flashed with heavy emotion briefly.
“Maybe I’ve been too nice and you’ve gotten too comfortable.” I swallowed hard, watching and anticipating his next move.
“Looks like someone’s in trouble,” Nolan taunted with a chuckle.
Kairus ignored him. “It’s time I show you what happens to people who challenge those in charge here.”
“What does that mean?” The smile that formed on his face sent a shiver down my spine.
“Nolan, look in the top drawer over there and grab what’s inside.”
I tried to pull my head away and look but I couldn’t due to the tight grip. A few seconds later I felt Nolan by my side. Kairus grabbed whatever it was.
“Kairus,” I called out and froze when I felt a prick in my neck.
“No,” I breathed before everything went dark.
Slowly my eyes opened when the smell of something I’d never smelled before flashed under my nose. I groaned.
It took a minute for my eyes to focus, causing me to blink rapidly. “Wh-what?” I stuttered and pulled forward but was confined by chains.
“What’s going on?” Looking around, the color drained from my face as my regard landed on the man next to me looking like he was barely hanging on.
“Nice of you to join us.” I twisted my neck.
“Kairus,” I gasped softly, remembering before I was here we were in his office. “You drugged me again !”
The groaning next to me caused my head to whip over. When his head lifted I was shocked to see the guy from my date the other night. “Why?! No. Kairus!” I tried to get free again.
He looked like he had seen better days, his face badly beaten, bleeding and swollen. Confusion filled his face when his eyes fell on me.
“He doesn’t have anything to do with this Kairus.”
Rogan, the man I went out with, looked as if he saw a ghost as he struggled to face Kairus.
“I thought I made myself clear, ,” Kairus finally said lowly. We locked eyes. “I own you. That means no other man should touch you.”
I blinked rapidly. My heart ticked with dread. He knew I’d left and went on a date. I didn’t know how, but he knew and Rogan was paying for my mistakes.
“He has nothing to do with anything. Punish me, not him!” I begged.
“Silly, silly girl.” He shook his head, running his leather-covered finger over his blade. My eyes followed the movement.
“Please. I don’t know what you two have going on, but I wasn’t aware she was off limits. The app hooked us up,” Rogan coughed out in a strained tone.
I swallowed hard. Now it made sense why Kairus didn’t mention me leaving. He had something bigger, more twisted under his belt.
I looked for Nolan, hoping maybe I could beg him to talk some sense into his friend. Of course he was nowhere to be found.
When heavy steps made their way toward me, I looked up and Kairus approached me. The blade shining in his hand caught my attention. My throat grew dry and my hands shook.
Kairus lifted his knife and brushed it over my cheek. I inhaled a sharp breath. “Just remember, you could have prevented this if you would have behaved,” he revealed.
A chill ran through me as tightness filled my chest. I closed my eyes, preparing for whatever he planned to do. I was shocked when my hands were released.
“Stand up!” Kairus commanded.
Blinking my eyes open, I looked at him confused. His face remained stern, not giving a hint of what he was doing. Kairus made me nervous, but I couldn’t deny I became excited at the feeling as well.
Sluggishly, I rose and Kairus grabbed my hand, yanking me toward Rogan.
“Wait!” I called out, stumbling.
Being closer I smelled the strong stench of urine coming off him. It caused my stomach to twist.
“Now it seems we have a problem.” When I stared at Kairus, my focus was on the scars on his face first. The jagged scars and burns always made him look more dangerous. Then I looked at his unblemished side. It was beautiful, showing a man that might have once not been the monstrous beast in front of us. It was like two sides of the same coin. Both were still handsome, one just damaged.
“Here.” He shoved his knife into my hand, gaining my attention.
“What am I supposed to do with this?” I stared at it, puzzled.
One corner of his mouth lifted. He faced Rogan who stared at him with fear. “Pick a spot and stab him.”
Rogan’s eyes bucked.
I shook my head. “What? No, I can’t do that!” I went to give him the knife back.
He held up his hand to stop me. “Either stab him or I’ll kill him here and now.”
“Please, please,” Rogan begged, coughing between his words. I wasn’t sure what all Kairus had done to him but I was sure he was in need of a doctor.
“It’s your choice, , and time is ticking. Either stab him or I’ll slit his throat and force you to watch the blood drain from his body!”
I stared at the knife that felt heavier than it was in my hand. My stomach grew heavy and my ribs suddenly felt too tight to breathe.
“Kairus, please,” I begged. “I can’t.”
I had never even been in a fight before. There was no way I could stab someone like it was nothing. This man was out of his mind.
“A’right, that’s your choice then.” He went to grab the knife but I yanked it back.
“No!” I couldn’t have Rogan’s blood on my hands for something he was innocent of. I did this so I had to clean it up.
I turned to face Rogan. “I’m sorry.”
“Please, no. Don’t do this.” Ignoring him, I lifted the knife. Closing my eyes, I slammed it down, sending it through his thigh.
“Ah!” he yelled out.
I snapped my eyes open and they widened seeing the blade in his thigh. I snatched my hand away and staggered back. The tightness in my chest grew. Adrenaline like I’d never felt before flooded my veins, causing my pulse to quicken.
I swallowed hard.
“I knew you had it in you.” Kairus gave me a taunting grin.
“Fuck you!” I shouted, turning and rushing out of the room. I bumped into something hard when I snatched the door open.
“Take her home.” Nolan turned around and stared down at me.
“Come on.”
“No!” I stomped my feet.
“We can do this the easy way or hard way.” I looked over and saw the syringe. I didn’t want to get drugged again. I wasn’t even sure how the hell they seemed to have an endless supply of whatever they kept giving me.
Dropping my shoulders in defeat, I sighed.
“Fine.”
When I agreed to be Kairus’s I never would have imagined this would be the life I was signing up for.