Chapter 37
CHAPTER 37
K iera
I shifted uncomfortably on the couch, wincing as the sting flared across my backside. Even with the plush cushions beneath me, the lingering ache from Ronan’s belt made sitting a constant reminder of his punishment.
I huffed, crossing my arms as I leaned back, but that only made the soreness worse.
“Stupid belt,” I muttered under my breath, though the heat rising in my cheeks and between my thighs had as much to do with the memory of his firm commands as the actual spanking itself.
Still, I couldn’t help but pout. The man had left me here, my ass sore and my nerves on edge, while he went off to rescue Leena.
My best friend.
The thought sent a fresh wave of anxiety spiraling through me. What if something went wrong? What if Ronan or Leena didn’t make it back? The idea twisted in my chest, leaving me restless and pacing the penthouse.
I walked to the kitchen, fiddled with the French press, and abandoned the idea halfway through. I tried to distract myself with a book, but ended up staring blankly at the same page for several minutes at a clip.
I checked my phone. No updates.
“Come on, Ronan,” I murmured, glancing toward the door for what felt like the hundredth time.
My pacing turned frantic as the minutes stretched into hours. The faint sting in my backside with every step reminded me of how much I hated feeling helpless, how much I hated being left behind, how much I hated that the welts from the belt left me feeling taken care of in a way that I hadn’t anticipated.
And then, finally, the sound of the door unlocking cut through the silence.
I froze, my heart leaping into my throat as the door swung open.
Ronan stepped through first, his broad frame filling the entryway. His piercing gray eyes swept the room before landing on me, softening just slightly. Behind him, Leena followed, her face pale, but her green eyes bright with relief.
“Leena!” I rushed forward, pulling her into a hug before I could think twice. She clung to me, her arms wrapping tightly around my shoulders as a choked sob escaped her lips.
“You’re okay,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I held her close. “Thank God, you’re okay.”
She nodded against my shoulder, her grip tightening. “Thanks to Ronan,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
I glanced over her shoulder at Ronan, who stood silently, his expression unreadable but his gaze steady.
“You’re both okay,” I said, my voice breaking slightly. Relief flooded through me, leaving me feeling lighter and whole once again.
“We’re fine,” Ronan said quietly, sounding exhausted. “It’s over.”
Leena pulled back slightly, wiping her eyes as she gave me a shaky smile. “I knew he’d come for me,” she said softly.
“Of course he did,” I replied, glancing back at Ronan. “He always keeps his promises.”
Ronan’s lips curved into a faint smirk, but his gaze lingered on me, something dark and unreadable flickering in his eyes, like he wanted to carry me off to the bedroom and take me right then and there.
My clit pulsed, but I ignored it.
Leena sank into the couch, her body visibly trembling as she exhaled. I perched on the armrest beside her, watching her closely. Ronan remained standing, his arms crossed, his knowing gaze fixed on her.
“Leena,” I said softly, reaching for her hand. “Tell us everything. What happened?”
She looked up at me, her green eyes clouded with exhaustion and lingering fear.
“It all happened so fast,” she murmured, her voice shaking. “One minute, I was in the car with Finn and Bradan and then some cars ran us off the road and we crashed. The next, these men were dragging me into a car.”
Ronan’s jaw tightened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. “Go on,” he said, his voice calm, but cold.
“They didn’t say much at first,” Leena continued, her grip tightening on my hand. “They were Russian. They spoke to each other in their language, but I couldn’t understand most of it. I think they thought I was too scared to pay attention, but I caught bits and pieces—mentions of Lorenzo, of you, Ronan.”
“What happened after that?” I pressed.
“They kept me in that cabin the whole time. At first, they didn’t hurt me. They just… watched. Always someone outside the room, always listening. But then, when you didn’t respond the way that they wanted…” Her voice broke, and she looked away, her free hand curling into a fist.
“What did they do?” Ronan’s voice was low, dangerous.
“They tried to scare me,” she whispered, her eyes glistening with tears. “They said they’d make me pay for your silence. One of them—he grabbed me, pulled me out of the room. He said they’d send you pieces of me if you didn’t give them what they wanted.”
I felt my stomach churn, and I reached out to wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “Leena…”
“I fought back,” she said quickly, her voice hardening. “I screamed, kicked, bit him until he let go. They locked me back in the room after that. I think they were waiting for orders, or maybe just trying to figure out what to do next.”
Ronan’s eyes were like steel, his expression unreadable. “And the men guarding you? Did they ever leave? Did they say anything else?”
“Not much,” Leena said, shaking her head. “But one of them kept looking at his watch, like he was waiting for something. Maybe more reinforcements? I don’t know. But they weren’t expecting you to come so soon. You caught them off guard.”
“We caught them,” Ronan corrected, glancing toward me with a faint nod.
I blinked, surprised by the acknowledgment. It made my heart warm in my chest.
“I’m just glad you found me,” Leena said, her voice breaking again. “I didn’t think I’d ever get out of there.”
“You’re safe now,” Ronan said firmly, stepping closer. “But it’s time for bed. You need your rest. Why don’t you head to the guest room and get some sleep.”
“I was hoping you’d say that,” Leena quipped. “Thank you, by the way,” she added, her gaze shifting between us. “Both of you.”
Ronan gave her a curt nod, while I wrapped her in a quick hug before she headed off down the hall. Ronan and I headed toward the master bedroom on the opposite side of the penthouse.
I leaned against the edge of the bed, watching as Ronan pulled off his jacket and tossed it onto the armchair by the window.
His shoulders were tense, but when he turned to face me, his gray eyes were softer than I’d expected.
“You did good tonight,” he said quietly, stepping closer.
I blinked, surprised by the praise. “I didn’t really do much?—”
“You did,” he interrupted, his voice firm, but warm. “Your ideas, your help—it made a difference, Kiera. I couldn’t have saved her without you.”
The sincerity in his tone made my chest tighten. “Ronan…”
Before I could finish, he cupped my face in his hands, his thumbs brushing lightly over my cheeks as his gaze held mine.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
My breath hitched as he leaned down, his lips brushing against mine in a kiss that was gentle, but full of quiet intensity. I melted into him, my hands finding their way to his shoulders as I pulled him closer. When we finally broke apart, I rested my forehead against his, my heart racing.
“You don’t have to thank me,” I whispered. “I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.”
He smiled faintly, his lips brushing my forehead before he stepped back. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
I laughed softly, trying to shake off the emotional weight of the moment. “Careful, O’Malley, or I might start to think you like having me around.”
His smirk returned, that sharp edge of amusement flickering in his eyes. “You’d be right.”
The mood lightened as I sat down on the edge of the bed, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. A mischievous thought flickered through my mind, and before I could second-guess it, the words slipped out.
“So…” I began, glancing up at him with a daring smirk. “Am I still getting the belt?”
Ronan froze for half a beat, his expression shifting as his eyes darkened. “Are you asking me that because you’re worried… or because you want it? Or is it more than that?”
Heat bloomed across my cheeks, but I didn’t look away.
“Maybe both,” I admitted, my voice soft, but tinged with challenge.
His smirk deepened, his presence overwhelming as he stepped closer. “You’re a naughty girl, you know that?”
I swallowed hard, the tension crackling between us like a live wire. “Maybe.”
Ronan leaned down, his lips brushing my ear as his voice dropped to a low, dangerous rumble.
“You’re still getting the belt, Kiera. Not because you were naughty, but because the thought of your bare ass thoroughly marked by my belt makes my cock hard and your needy little pussy soaking wet, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, sir,” I said, the blush deepening.
“But for now, it’s time for bed, love.”
Ronan’s voice was softer now, but it still carried that edge of authority that sent a shiver down my spine.
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering on my cheek.
“You’ve had a long night,” he said warmly, but firmly. “Sleep first. We’ll deal with the rest later.”
My heart raced as I looked up at him, my pulse thrumming with a mix of anticipation and frustration.
“Sleep sounds nice,” I murmured, though my voice wavered slightly.
He smirked, clearly catching the hint of reluctance in my tone.
“You’ll need it,” he said, stepping back and motioning toward the bed.
I slipped under the covers, the cool sheets brushing my skin as I settled against the pillows. Ronan moved around the room with the same quiet efficiency he always carried, turning off the lights and locking the door before joining me.
When he climbed into bed, the warmth of his body was immediate and grounding. He pulled me against him, his arm draping over my waist as I relaxed into his chest.
I closed my eyes and didn’t wake up until the sun was streaming in through the windows the next morning.