LONDON'S POV
When I woke up the next morning, my butt still hurt.
My cheeks were red and irritated, the skin raw from the bite of his leather belt. The ointment he had spread over the welts soothed the pain, but I knew the marks were still there without even checking. I opened my eyes and rolled over, expecting to find him in bed.
But he wasn't there.
Sometimes he got up early to work out and shower before joining his team downstairs. His schedule was never the same, so I had no clue what he was doing. He probably wouldn't tell me if I asked.
I threw back the covers and looked out the window as the morning sun illuminated the castle. The place looked like something out of a fairy tale,even though it was anything but.
As if he knew I was awake, he walked through the door.
Good. You're awake.
I hope you're bringing me breakfast.
He didn't laugh like he normally would, which meant he was in a terrible mood despite what we had done last night. I didn't feel embarrassed. I liked the things he did to me. It would be stupid to keep fighting it-and lying about it.
Get dressed and come downstairs. You can have breakfast afterward.
Does this have something to do with the surprise you told me about?
Yes.
He grabbed a pair of jeans and a T-shirt from the closet and tossed them onto the bed.
But you probably won't be hungry afterward.
That wasn't a good sign.
He approached the bed and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him even though he already had my full attention.
Fifteen minutes. If you're not in the living room by then, I'll drag you there myself-by your hair.
He released me, a dark glint in his eyes.
I suddenly wanted to run away again. Whatever was waiting for me downstairs was probably horrible.
Understood?
Yes, I answered immediately, hurrying to get up.
Yes, sir.
He had ordered me to address him that way several times, but I couldn't do it.
Not now, not ever. I couldn't lower myself before a man. I couldn't kneel. I couldn't surrender,not like that. He could slap me or do worse, and I still wouldn't bend to his will. Rebellion was in my nature whenever the opportunity presented itself. He wanted control, but so did I. We were two sides of the same coin.
I said yes.
His eyes narrowed with irritation, but he didn't punish me. Suddenly, a sinister and terrifying smile spread across his lips. He stepped back and slipped his hands into his pockets, seemingly pleased with our exchange.
What was I missing?
He walked out, the cruel smile still on his face.
Fifteen minutes, Pretty Girl.
After getting dressed, I went downstairs and entered the living room hesitantly. I didn't know what I would find, but there was no avoiding it. I stepped into the room and saw several men standing with their backs to the fire blazing in the hearth, drinking and talking. Others were scattered throughout the room, smoking cigars and sipping scotch. I spotted Crewe in the center, sitting in an oversized red armchair fit for a king.
Ariel was bent over a man lying on the floor, dabbing at his neck with a towel.
That's when I noticed the pool of blood on the hardwood floor-and the man who was bleeding.
Joey?
I stifled a scream and rushed toward my brother, whom I recognized immediately. His hair was much longer than the last time I'd seen him, and he looked pale, as if he hadn't seen daylight in weeks.
What are you doing to him?
Ariel was holding a scalpel and surgical thread, apparently having just finished a procedure.
She ignored my question as though I wasn't important enough to answer.
My blood boiled. I grabbed her wrist and threw her to the floor. Then I jumped on top of her and punched her in the face.
Don't touch my brother!
I raised my fist to hit her again when someone yanked me off her.
To my dismay, Crewe knelt beside her and examined her face with concern.
Are you okay?
He noticed her bleeding lip and pulled out a handkerchief. His voice was low, their exchange quiet.
Now I truly hated Crewe.
I'm fine.
Ariel pushed him away and stood up.
This bitch punches like a girl anyway.
Oh yeah?
I jerked free from the men holding me.
Want another one?
Crewe raised his hand to silence me.
That's enough.
I knelt beside my brother again and cupped his face in my hands.
Joe, it's me.
I gently patted his chest, trying to get his attention.
He looked dazed, like someone waking up from anesthesia.
London...?
Yes, it's me,I said with relief. Are you okay?
I…
He tried to sit up, but he was too weak.
Crewe's shoes appeared on the other side of my brother, polished and immaculate beneath perfectly pressed trousers.
He's still groggy. We performed a quick procedure on him.
I looked up at him, hatred pounding in my ears.
What kind of procedure?
He pulled out a small black device and knelt so our eyes were level.
Joseph tried to screw me over again. I warned him, but like his sister, he doesn't listen. So I had to punish him too.
Maybe if you'd stop trying to control everyone, that wouldn't happen,I hissed.
Crewe ignored the jab.
I'm charitable, so I wanted to give you a chance to say goodbye. I implanted an IEM through his skull and into his brain. The moment I press this button, he'll suffer an aneurysm and die.
My hands began to shake as I realized I might lose my brother within seconds.
I'll give you the money, okay? Leave him alone.
My hands instinctively clutched Joey's shirt.
This isn't about money.
Crewe toyed with the remote, running his fingers across its smooth surface.
And you know it.
Just... please.
I didn't know what else to say. I couldn't reason with this man. He was too cruel, too evil.
Don't worry, he said. I'm not going to press the button. Joseph is going to do it himself.
What?
Yes. Because if he doesn't kill himself...
Crewe reached behind his back and pulled out a loaded pistol. He cocked it and pointed the barrel directly between my eyes.
I'll kill you instead. So he'll have to choose. You or him.
I had completely underestimated this man. He was psychotic. Completely insane.
You can't do that...
I can, and I will.
He drove his elbow hard into Joseph's ribs.
You hear that? You have to choose.
He's barely conscious!" I shouted. "He can't make a decision like that.
Well, he's going to have to.
Crewe looked down at my brother.
Choose. Now.
Joseph opened his eyes and stared at the gun pointed at my forehead. Then he saw the remote.
I already knew what he was going to choose.
Crewe pressed him.
So who is it? You or your sister?
Joseph raised a trembling hand.
Give it to me...
He cleared his throat and tried to sit up straighter, wanting to appear strong.
Crewe smiled and handed him the device.
All you have to do is press the button. It'll be over instantly.
He turned back to me, the gun still aimed at my face.
Watching your brother end his own life should be punishment enough for both of you.
I burned with rage. I had let him touch me, kiss me, and he was worse than the devil himself. Every day was worse than the one before, and now I was about to lose the only family I had left.
Crewe, please. I'll do anything.
There's nothing you can offer me, he said coldly, keeping a firm grip on the pistol. "Press the button, Joseph. We don't have all day.
No.
I grabbed Joseph's wrist and pinned his hand to the floor.
Crewe, there has to be something you want. I'll give you anything in the world. Just don't do this. Let my brother go. You've already had your revenge.
The only thing I want, you've already proven you can't give me.
He pressed the barrel against the skin between my eyes.
I had no idea what he meant.
What?
Obedience. Absolute obedience.
That was something I could never give anyone,until now.
You want me to obey you? If I do what you ask, you'll let him live?
If that was the price, it was a high one. My body and mind would no longer belong to me. Like a dog, I'd have to respond to his every command.
The only way I let this idiot live is if you agree to devote yourself entirely to me. When I tell you to do something, you do it. No questions asked. You're my slave, my possession. Your only purpose is to listen and pay attention to every word I say. When I tell you to sit, you sit. It's a price that's too high for you. I know you, London. You won't be able to handle it.
No, I wouldn't. But I would endure it to save the last member of my family.
I'll do it, Crewe. Whatever you want.
I would let him break me. Let him give me orders. If that's what it took to save my brother, I would endure it.
Crewe finally lowered the gun and tilted his head.
I don't think you understand, London. I'm keeping this remote. The second you fail to satisfy me, I'll press the button. I'll ask you to do things you hate,and pretend to enjoy them. I've let a lot slide since you became my possession, but those freedoms are gone. Everything will be different now.
I understood exactly the cruelty he was describing. I would have to shut down my mind and obey every order. Being commanded by someone went against everything I believed in. But I had to do it for my brother. I had to save him. Eventually, he'd find a way to rescue me. And when he did, I'd be free. This imprisonment was only temporary. I could endure it.
Crewe continued staring into my eyes, the pistol still in his hand.
👉👉🥺 In London's place... would you have agreed to become his slave to save your brother?