“Do you think because we fuck, you have ownership over me?”
Elizabeth’s cheeks turn pink and her dress suddenly seems to swim on her. I guess Kade can make anyone feel small. She shakes her head, her eyes burning with tears. I shift uncomfortably and Kade squeezes my arm harder—so hard I’m certain it’s going to bruise.
“Listen carefully, Elizabeth, because I’m only going to say this once. Mind your own business, don’t interfere with my projects, and stay away from my Unfortunate.”
Her eyes fill with hurt as she subtly flinches away from him.
Kade flicks my hair over my other shoulder and leans in. My lips part as his hot breath warms my skin.
“And you can fuck yourself tonight,” he adds, making her eyes narrow.
I’m sure if it were possible, she’d have steam coming out of her ears right about now. Kade unexpectedly presses his mouth against my shoulder and I gasp as he drags his teasing lips over my exposed shoulder and into the nape of my neck. I bite my lip, fighting a dangerous shiver. Elizabeth folds her arms, sending daggers shooting through me and into Kade. Without a word, he turns and shoves me forward, treading quickly on the back of my heels. I wince, but keep moving forward, stepping as quickly as I can to avoid Master Kade’s heavy feet.
After a few strides, he matches my pace. I notice my steps are big and angry, so I slow it down, not wanting to draw unwanted attention or risk making Kade mad. Speaking of Kade, I peer sideways at him. I can’t help but notice the way he walks—his head held high, his hands by his sides, his strides long and purposeful. It’s a walk so normal… yet so commanding.
“Was that really necessary?” I mutter, unable to stop myself.
Kade’s cold eyes flick to my face and I wonder if he can see the colour drain from it. I see his anger on the surface of the black pools and I can see it in the way his brows furrow, but there’s animation in his lips. They twitch twice, indicating his urge to smile.
“You’ll come to learn that everything I do is necessary.”
After that, I don’t engage him in conversation. I’m pushing my luck enough as it is, and I’m not ready for any kind of punishment.
“Bye, Nine!” Sanna shouts from her table, waving at me as if we’re best friends. Kade looks over to the little girl and then at me. My eyes are wide—fearful—I can feel it. Kade takes my elbow and pulls me into the house. Inside Unfortunates sidestep us, steering clear of his angry stomp, and ignoring me as he pulls me along. Soon enough, we’re in his room and he’s ushering me into the bathroom.
“Wash,” he demands as he leaves the bathroom.
I drop my clothes, flick on the shower, and stand under the hot stream. My hands shake as I reach for the soap. Please, don’t be mad, I think over and over. I run the soap over my limbs, paying extra attention to the lines of orange juice that saturate my chest and mark my skin.
“Making friends with children is a bad idea.”
I jump and my heart slams into my throat at the sudden sound of his voice. The way he looks at me, so sinisterly from under his brow, decreases my lung capacity. Since when did a look so dark make my insides feel so light? He reaches out for the shower door and opens it before moving back to lean against the large basin.
“What?” he asks, rolling little blue berries around in the palm of his hand. “You watched me last night. It’s only fair I watch you now.”
I stammer as he places a berry so delicately between his full lips before losing it in his mouth. I watch as he manoeuvres it on his tongue and the juice stains his lower lip. There’s no point denying it, he knows… he knows I saw him.
“And you did it anyway?” I murmur, confused. “Even though you knew I was watching?”
He shrugs and it’s the most casual movement I’ve ever seen him do. Add that to the devilish pull on the corner of his lip and it causes something… empowering to stir between my legs.
“I’m not shy.” He steps forward, popping another berry into his mouth. “Are you shy, Nine?”
I want to nod, but instead I shake my head, completely embarrassed he’d ask me such a question. I have to play his game. I have to give him everything he wants if I want to be protected. And he’s only human, which means he can get emotionally attached to things. I want him to get emotionally attached to me. I want him to feel as loyal to me as I naturally do to him. My teachers somehow taught me to want to please my Fortunate. It’s hardwired into my brain that deep down I want to serve him, fuck him, and make him happy. Maybe I can subtly program that into his brain, too. Perhaps then he’ll keep me to himself… perhaps then I won’t be passed around and raped until I’m too broken to move.