This wasn’t my room!

I grabbed my purse and crawled out of bed at speed, backing away so fast that I slammed against a hard surface, almost falling over if I hadn’t gripped for something.

At the sound of a deep grunt behind me, my eyes shot to the mirror.

Zade.

I went utterly still, unable to move or speak, last night flashing in like a flicker of a horror movie. How much he humiliated, spanked, and used me. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

My breath shortened when his face dipped to the crook of my neck.

"I didn’t realize we’re gonna get freaky this morning, little kitten."

I caught a muscle tick beneath his jaw as if restrained.

"Keep gripping my cock with those soft hands of yours, and I might get the idea."

What?

At that exact moment, my grip tightened on something thick and pulsing. I jerked away so fast my eyes descended. Oh my... GOD.

I snapped my wide eyes back to his face, catching his damp hair, the powerful scent of body wash and shampoo hitting my nose so hard I was almost knocked over.

He’s dripping. He’s fucking dripping head to toe like a fucking Popsicle. The moist strands of his dark blond hair fell faultlessly on his forehead, matching his brows.

His eyes were sober, and suddenly I could see the color in those greens, or maybe it was the lights streaming from the window. His eyes... they were like emeralds, dark emeralds.

I can’t look away... I’m completely in awe. I have never seen such captivating gemstones.

Ragged breaths flee from me when I realize my own thoughts. I quickly looked away, choosing something else as my point of focus.

"W-What am I doing in your room?" I asked quietly, trying to shrink the quiver in my voice.

He moved, and for some reason, my legs became nailed to the floor.

Don’t look down. Don’t look down. Don’t look down. DON’T LOOK DOWN!

I let out a soft gasp through my teeth when his large hand encircled my throat.

"I don’t think that’s what we should be discussing right now."

I couldn’t help it anymore. I locked eyes with him, and I got consumed instantly. Why does he have such gorgeous eyes? It’s wasted on him!

"You’re right," I managed to say. "We should be discussing how you humiliated me in front of your brothers."

His lips twitched with amusement. "Humiliate? I was teaching my wife a lesson. She’s stubborn... and rather difficult to manage."

A frustrated growl tore from me, and I used every ounce of my strength to push him away, dashing for the door.

I ran out into the hallway, almost tripping, but I used the wall for balance.

"Ana?"

I lifted my gaze to Elliot. Fuck! Having a shameful moment more than once in a row was not NORMAL!

I heaved like a beast, whipping my hair backwards as I walked past him with unshakable bravery.

~☆~

I glared at my switchblade so hard that for a moment there, I would have turned Jedi and made the damn thing float in the air. Maybe it would then be fucking useful for all intents and purposes.

I had this shit on me the entire time, yet I didn’t use it. I didn’t use it against Zade.

And yes, before my brain tells me... no Ana, you can’t bring a blade to a gunfight. No, no, no! I had every opportunity to use it to pluck those gorgeous eyes of his.

Ugh! For the love of God! Again, why am I calling his eyes gorgeous? Why didn’t he have the eyes of a mud or something to spare me a peace of mind!

I released a breath, rubbing my forehead as a migraine formed. That is it really... I blame how much I love sparkling things. It just turned out that the snake has eyes like gemstones.

At this point, I’m welcoming him being high up his ass the whole time. My disgust can only flourish in peace.

As I mumbled under my breath a string of profanities, I took my hairbrush but paused midway when I caught my bare wrist.

Where’s my bracelet?

I panicked, tapping against my wrist as it could magically pop up if I did.

"No no no no!" I mumbled as I sat up, checking my jewelry case, but I couldn’t find it there either.

I ran to my closest, basically flipping everything. I checked the dress I wore that night, perhaps it may have caught on the fabric and the purse too, but nothing.

An hour later my room was torn apart.

"No..." I murmured.

How come I’m just realizing it now? It has been two days! I’ve been so caught up with that venomous snake I hadn’t realized.

I sank my butt into the bed, bouncing against the mattress.

I sobbed as my eyes stung with tears. I-I lost it. I lost the only thing I had of Jacob. How could I have been so careless?

I flinched when I heard a knock on the door.

"Go away!"

"Madam..."

"Cynthia?"

"Yes, it’s me."

I used the back of my hand to dry my tears as I walked to the door and unlocked it.

Cynthia gave me a nervous smile, her hands crammed together. "Good day, madam."

"Did something happen?"

"I-I have brought a message from Sir."

Oh god, did he threaten her again?!

"What message?" I asked, trying not to growl the words out.

I have finally had two days of peace. I’m not ready to deal with that snake right now.

"He instructed me to tell you to get dressed. You and Sir will be going out."

Going out?

"S-Sir also said if I don’t comply, he’d fire me. Please, madam, I don’t want to lose this job. I have little ones at home."

A twisted feeling curled in my gut. This is a dirty trick of his. He knew I wouldn’t disagree.

"Okay..."

She smiled. "Thank you, madam!"

I managed a weak smile.

"I could help you do your hair if you want," she offered.

"Actually... I think I need help with something else."

"Please, anything I’ll help."

I gave way, and she came in, but stopped in her tracks when she saw my room turned upside down.

"Sorry about the little mess..."

"This is not little," she mumbled, but quickly rephrased her words. "I-I-I mean not much."