Mated to the Mad Lord-Chapter 73: Red light

"Did you allow a man to enter my room?" Cain’s voice sliced through the silence like a blade. He didn’t bother to look at Violet, his gaze remaining fixed on his arm as if she were too insignificant to deserve his attention. The indifference in his demeanor chilled her more than any glare could have.

"I won’t repeat myself, Viole," he continued, his voice dropping an octave, colder and sharper. When his eyes finally snapped up to meet hers, the icy intensity in his stare made her breath hitch.

Violet’s gaze stayed glued to the ground, her body trembling as if her knees might give way beneath her. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t even think. The weight of his question hung in the air, suffocating her.

But she barely had time to dwell on it before Cain leapt from the bed. His sudden movement sent a jolt of terror through her. His hand shot out like lightning, gripping the back of her neck and yanking her toward him before she could even flinch.

He loomed over her, his towering presence making her feel impossibly small. His fingers slid through the roots of her short hair, brushing against her ear with a terrifying intimacy. Tilting her head back ever so gently, he forced her to meet his piercing gaze.

"Don’t make me hurt you," he murmured, his voice a soft, venomous whisper. The words slithered into her ears, sending a shiver down her spine. His hand tightened slightly around her neck, enough to remind her how easily he could snap it.

The threat wasn’t empty. She could feel it in the way his fingers curled with just enough pressure to make her wince. If he wanted to, he could make her regret every choice she’d ever made—and then heal her, just as Ravon had done. A chill swept over her as she imagined the pain, the despair of being broken and then forced to endure it all over again.

"Did he touch you?" Cain’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts, his fingers tightening their hold. freēwēbnovel.com

Her breath hitched as his question sank in, and her heart thudded painfully in her chest. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she frantically shook her head, her movements jerky and desperate.

When her gaze darted up to meet his, the cold suspicion in his eyes made her stomach churn. Relief only came when his grip on her hair loosened ever so slightly, a small mercy she clung to.

"Then why don’t I believe you" Cain’s voice was a low, dangerous growl. His head dipped closer to hers, and she froze as his nose brushed the crook of her neck.

He inhaled deeply, his warm breath fanning against her skin in stark contrast to the chill his presence exuded. His arm coiled around her waist, pulling her against him with a firmness that left no room for escape. Everywhere their bodies touched, she felt a burning heat that made her pulse race.

Violet’s eyes darted toward her bedroom door, where the band she needed was lying. If only she could reach it, she could mask her voice properly. But with Cain this close, there was no chance of getting away.

When she felt the soft press of his lips against her neck, her body reacted instinctively. A violent shudder ran through her as she shoved at his chest, her panic overriding all else.

Fear bloomed in her chest, spreading like wildfire. She knew that no matter what he did, she wouldn’t be able to tell him to stop. Not with how weak she was compared to him. He could ignore her protests with ease, her strength laughable against his overwhelming power.

’How could I be so stupid? How could I leave the one thing that ensured my identity? What was I thinking?’ Her frantic thoughts swirled as she coughed, trying to buy herself a moment to compose herself.

"Bathroom," she murmured finally, her voice low and barely audible, though she knew Cain would hear her.

She’d tried to make it sound masculine, but the tremor in her tone betrayed her.

Cain’s head snapped up, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. Suspicion etched itself into every line of his face, making her want to disappear into the floor.

"What did you say?" His grip on her neck didn’t falter, and his voice carried an edge that made her entire body tense.

She knew he’d heard her clearly. He wasn’t asking for clarification—he was testing her. The realization made her stomach churn.

Her heart pounded harder in her chest, the sound deafening to her own ears. ’He knows! He can hear my heart race! He knows! Fuck!’ Her mind raced, and her legs trembled, ready to give out beneath her.

She bent her knees slightly, prepared to fall to the floor and beg for mercy. But before she could, Cain released her. He stepped away, his movements slow and deliberate.

"I’m filthy," he said as he turned toward the bathroom. "Come with me."

The command sent a fresh wave of dread crashing over her. She hesitated, memories of their last encounter flooding her mind. She remembered all too well how he’d pulled her into the tub with him, his strength making resistance futile.

Her eyes flicked to the blue vial sitting on his table. Its presence was a cruel reminder of her helplessness, mocking her with the knowledge that even injury wouldn’t grant her an escape.

"Viole!" Cain’s sharp call snapped her out of her thoughts. He was already in the bathroom, and she had no choice but to follow.

Every step felt like walking toward her doom. She clenched her fists, swallowing the urge to curse as she entered the room after him.

"Close the door behind you," Cain ordered.

’Why the fuck do we need to close the door?’ she thought bitterly.

Still, she obeyed, shutting the door gently before moving to switch on the lights. The brightness made her feel a fraction safer.

But Cain wasn’t done. "It’s too bright. The red light is good enough."

Her hand froze over the switches, reluctant to comply. The stark contrast between the bright lights and the ominous red hue sent a chill down her spine.

Still, she obeyed, flipping off the lights and turning on the red one. The crimson glow bathed the room in an unsettling light, casting shadows that seemed to flicker and writhe.

Her gaze landed on Cain, and her breath caught. His shirt was already discarded, his sculpted chest illuminated in the crimson hue. Slowly, he unhooked the buttons of his pants, the deliberate pace of his movements sending her nerves into overdrive as a familiar heat flushed over her body, from her face down to even inch of her skin.