Page 14 of Monster's Edge
He wants more from me. Ian wants me to speak up. He wants me loud. I can do that. It’s just that I’m used to trying to make myself appear smaller. My father has no patience for bad little girls who complain, who stomp their feet, or who interrupt meetings. That’s one reason I’m having such a hard time with Ian’s abduction of me.
I’m not used to being loud.
“I’m sorry!” I try to yell this time. His hand is still gripping my throat, though, and I’m afraid that he’s going to choke all the air from my body. Ian doesn’t have a reputation as being the type of person who easily forgives. I’ve upset him and I know that I’m going to have to pay the price.
“Try again.” He loosens his grip. His hand slips from my throat and instantly I reach up to grab my neck. Am I bruised? Am I hurt? I think I’m okay. Nothing appears to be damaged. At least, I’m not physically damaged. The jury is out when it comes to my heart.
“Ian,” I whisper, “I’m very sorry for what I’ve done.”
“What have you done?”
“I’ve been rude.” Very rude. I’ve broken the cardinal rule of being a kidnapping victim of Ian’s. I’ve showed a total and complete lack of respect for him. He will not be letting this go.
My answer seems to please him. He nods carefully as he looks at me.
“Rose, tell me why you’re here.”
I stare, blinking. Really? He wants me to tell him why I’m here, but I don’t know why I’m here. Ian hasn’t actually said it. He’s going to make me guess, I realize. The monster in the room wants to know why I’m his victim and I’m being forced to supply an answer.
If I choose incorrectly, the game is over.
I’m dead.
Done for.
What happens if I choose right, though? If I choose the correct reason, will he let me go? Somehow, I really doubt it. Ian isn’t a forgiving sort of person.
So I have to work out why he’s taken me. All I have to go off of is the information I’ve gained from his questions. So far, he’s asked me my name. He’s asked me about my father’s privacy levels. Now he’s also asked me about my dad’s businesses. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things I don’t know about dad’s companies.
My father plays his cards close to his chest. He’s always been this way. As long as I can remember, he’s never wanted to let other people in his secret little world. Is that all changing now because of Ian’s involvement in the companies? I don’t know.
Ian seems to have a couple of damn good ideas, though. He’s smarter than people give him credit for, I realize. That’s probably the biggest thing I’ve started to understand tonight. Everyone looks at Ian and just sees some dude my dad has worked with in the past, but he’s more than that. Ian and my dad are, technically, partners. People don’t like to consider the reality that Ian plays a big role in my dad’s life now. He does, though. He plays a very, very big role and if my dad’s players don’t start paying attention, they’re all going to get fucked.
“You want to take over,” I say, suddenly realizing. It all seems so very clear now. How could I not have noticed that Ian has his sights set on being the next big things in the Italian mafia? My dad is no secret to enemies or double-crosses, but I don’t think he even has an inkling or a clue that Ian wants to take his place.
“Very good,” Ian nods. A smile slides across his face as I begin to understand what his grand plan is. “You aren’t as dumb as you look, are you, Rose?”
His words should upset me because they’re cruel and unkind, but they don’t upset me. In addition to my praise kink, it appears I also have a humiliation kink because I want everything he offers and more. I want him to hate fuck me and then I want him to leave. I don’t want to die, but I do want his cock.
It’s a craving I don’t think I’m going to be able to let go of anything that has transpired here tonight. I don’t have time to think about it, though, because Ian is ready to give me my next command. He’s a bossy son-of-a-bitch, isn’t he? He takes what he wants. He gives nothing back.
“Get on the bed, Rose.”
“Are you going to ask my dad for money?” I ask, looking up at Ian. He towers over me. I’m still completely terrified of him, but I also realize that I need answers, and I need them, like, now. “If you’re planning to ask my dad for money, Ian, he won’t give it to you. He’ll write me off and pretend he doesn’t have a daughter.”
Ian stares at me. I can’t read his expression, so I don’t know whether or not this information surprises him. Maybe he thinks I’m being ridiculous or overly dramatic to sway him from slaughtering me.
“He won’t,” I whisper once more.
Although Ian’s voice was rough and cruel just moments before, it’s almost gentle as he gives me another command. “Get on the bed, Rose.”
This time, I listen.
