Enzo’s brow arched. “You’re sorry?”
His grip on my neck prevented me from dropping my head to avoid his judgment, so I gave a small nod instead. What kind of person didn’t fight back? A pathetic one, that’s what kind. Maybe he’d take mercy on me?
Three words ripped that hope away.
“You will be.”
I wasn’t beyond begging. At this point, it was probably the only thing I had left. Unfortunately, Enzo opened his hand before I could do anything. I dropped, smacking heavily on the ground in a coughing heap.
My lungs greedily gulped oxygen down my burning throat as I glanced up at the man looming over me.
That’s when the reality of my situation hit me hard. Unlike Ralph, who would be teeming with anger, this man was cool as a cucumber. Shoulders rolled back with a bored expression on his face. Completely controlled, except for the ominous spark in his eye.
My entire life had been spent watching people react to anger. I saw the way it took over, making them lash out at the ones around them.
One look at that deep set sneer on someone’s face and I knew what was coming. There was no sneer on my captor’s face. No rage trembling through his limbs. He was calm and completely collected.
It was that hint of the truth that caused the dam holding my tears to burst. Salty drops licked down my face in twisted trails of terror.
Enzo tilted his head down at me and said, “Get up.”
Not wanting to anger the monster further, I moved to pick myself up off the floor, but stopped when my head lifted. The very present bulge in his jeans had me frozen. I couldn’t move if I wanted to. Honestly, I was surprised I managed to drop my gaze at all.
“I said, get up.”
A tremble wracked through my body as I shook my head.
I could feel him staring at me, almost as much as I could feel the deep tone of his voice. What he might do with that large bulge was the only thing I could think of. Hiding behind a curtain of my hair wasn’t helping. Neither were the twangs of pain from the hardwood flooring pressing into my knees and hands.
“Disobedience will not go unpunished.”
He was stalking me. Toying with me, like a lion would a gazelle. And just like the prey I was, I froze, waiting for the predator to pounce. My mother was right. I was a screw up with nothing to offer the world.
Worthless.
Disappointment.
Pathetic.
Even when his voice got closer, I still couldn’t move.
“Is that what you’re afraid of, Pet? Punishment?” His hand reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, “Or is it something else?”
The gentleness in his touch made me uneasy. Calm was dangerous and unpredictable. I needed his wrath. Needed to feel the strength of his anger. My body would heal. My soul wouldn’t. That was the part I had to protect.
Mustering up all my strength, I slapped his hand away and snarled, “Get away from me.”
With one quick shove, he had me flat on the ground. I didn’t fight it. Didn’t say a word as I flattened my front against the floor and braced for the first strike. When his knee pressed into my back, I sighed internally. This I could take. It was familiar, expected, and in this instance, welcome.
“I’ve spent a great deal of time learning how to read people.” His deep tone mixed with the soft jingle of his belt being unbuckled. “And you, my sweetpulsante, are an open book.”
My muscles tensed at the sound of leather swishing against denim. It wouldn’t be the first time I’d gotten the belt, but I still remembered the bite licking across my skin. The last time, I was sixteen and told Ralph to eat shit. Thankfully, there was no belt needed for his regular outfit of shorts and a t-shirt.
“Youwantme to hit you.”
“So do it,” I grumbled.
My heartbeat echoed against the floor as I felt his gaze caress my skin. Why didn’t he just hit me already? What was he waiting for? It got so quiet that when he finally did speak, I couldn’t stop myself from twitching.
