Doris Elizabeth Corday

He owns me?

The words hit me like a slap, and my nose scrunched in disgust.

"Let's make one thing clear, Mister Illion," I said, my voice mocking. "I might be forced to do your bidding, but I will never belong to you."

His dark eyes bore into me with unflinching intensity as his body remained pressed to mine.

"Say that when you're not wearing my collar," he taunted.

My fists clenched, but his grip on my wrists remained unyielding. He was daring me to lash out, but I knew better. Pushing him now could cost me everything.

And I was too close to freedom to screw it up.

His hand slid down to my waist, fingers pressing into my skin. A shiver ran up my spine, but I bit my tongue, refusing to show any reaction. I had tested his patience, and now he was testing mine. His breath skimmed my neck, and his touch was a whisper away from crossing every line he set himself.

"If you think this is scaring me, you're wrong," I said, but even to my own ears, it sounded like a lie.

His lips curled, just slightly, the amusement in his gaze saying he could see right through me.

"Is that so?" he teased. "Then why are you trembling, Miss Corday? You haven't stopped since this little game of ours began. Even when you provoke me with that tempting tongue of yours, don't think I haven't noticed the way your legs press together. The way you try to hide the tremors in your hands. You're scared. And you're too proud to admit it."

He held me in his gaze, the truth of his words sinking into my bones.

Then, just as suddenly, he released my wrists and stepped back, leaving me breathless. My skin hummed where his gloved fingers had seared their mark, and my neck still stung from the bite.

Before I could collect myself, he tilted his head, his eyes scanning me with that same indifferent calm that made every nerve in my body scream.

"Remember this, Miss Corday," he said. "I don't play games I don't intend to win."

With that, he turned and walked away, his shadow casting a long, suffocating presence that wrapped itself around me.

My pulse pounded.

I'd have to give him this one. Just this once...

But even though he won this round, by no means did that make him the victor here.

"I don't intend to play with you," I muttered. "This game is over."

With that, I headed for my room, leaving any doubts I might've had behind me.

I lay on my bed, watching the clock tick toward midnight. The villa was shrouded in silence for a while now. I knew enough about Mr. Illion's strict schedule to know he should be asleep.

This was my chance.

I pulled out my phone.

Beth: Are we still set for 2 AM?

Rico: Yep. I'm omw to the guy that'll remove your choker.

Beth: Alright, thank you. See you soon.

I ordered a taxi to meet me outside the resort and rose quietly, already in the same black dress and blouse I wore every day. I loosely tied my hair with a scrunchie, feeling every nerve come alive with anticipation.

Moving carefully through the villa, I avoided the foyer, where I knew the front door would be locked tight. My only chance was the infinity pool, which doubled as a balcony. Hugging the wall, I crept toward the pool's ledge, the salty breeze whipping my hair around my face. Inching along the cold, damp stone, I reached the palm tree close enough to grab.

A guard patrolled below, and I pressed myself into the shadows.

My pulse quickened as I waited for him to pass. The instant he was out of sight, I moved again. I leapt toward the tree, fingers digging into its rough bark. My descent was far from graceful, the scrape of the trunk burning my hands, but my feet hit the ground quietly.

Without a second glance, I sprinted toward the resort's entrance.

I thanked my lucky stars at the sight of the taxi waiting just outside. Slipping into the backseat, I allowed myself a brief sigh of relief.

Freedom was closer than ever.

The drive back to New Hale felt strange. With each mile I put between me and Mr. Illion, the choker around my neck seemed to tighten. My fingers traced the spot where he'd bitten me, and a dull ache lingered there.

I still couldn't believe it had happened.

Yes, I'd wanted to push him, to see if I could unnerve him the way he did me. It was my own form of revenge after enduring his murderous game.

But I hadn't expected him to go that far...

Closing my eyes, I could still feel the cold leather of his gloves on my skin.

Maybe, when all this was behind me, that would be my one regret. That I never found out why he wore them, why he held himself back from the world.

And why he'd chosen to cross that line with me of all people.

I own you.

His words stirred something dark and strange in me, a feeling I wanted to shake off.

Rob B. Illion was behind me now.

It was over.

The cold city lights of New Hale washed over me, casting an eerie glow. I tilted my head to look up at the sky for any trace of light, but only an endless blackness stared back

Maybe once I got away, I'd settle down somewhere with a clear view of the stars.

The taxi pulled to a stop outside my building. Without any cash, I slipped him the watches and rings I'd stolen off those men by the beach. He took them without complaint, and I got out. I took the stairs two at a time before I reached my door, picking the lock with ease.

When I finally stepped into my apartment, flicking on the lights, a strange calm settled over me. The peeling wallpaper, the chipped paint, the familiar musty smell — I'd hated it before but now it felt like home. My back hit the door, and I slid down to the floor, savoring the peace.

It felt like ages since I'd last been here.

My gaze drifted next to me, and I chuckled dryly at the shiny new hinges of the door,

Right. Mr. Illion had kicked it down when he barged into my life.

With a steadying breath, I pulled myself to my feet and went to check the couch. My fingers dug into the worn fabric, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the bags of cash still hidden there.

Thank my lucky stars.

With only a few minutes to spare, I moved quickly, packing my bags with anything I'd need once I disappeared.

My mind raced with visions of some small, obscure European town far from all this madness. I could almost picture it — a quiet life, maybe even a little garden and a kitchen that caught the morning light. Mom would like that.

A sudden knock shattered the fragile calm, my heart leaping into my throat.

Slowly, I edged closer to the door.

Please, don't let it be Mr. Illion...

Peeking through the peephole, relief washed over me at the sight of two men in casual clothes. A far cry from the all-black suits Mr. Illion wore.

I opened the door, feeling a rare warmth break through the tension as I saw Rico.

"Beth!" His voice was a balm, and the next moment he pulled me into a hug. I closed my eyes, breathing in the scent of his shampoo, the faint citrus from his curly brown hair grounding me in a way I hadn't felt in weeks.

"I was so worried about you," he said. "Diego too. But don't worry, I found a guy who can get that thing off you. I brought him here. This is Denis."

"Thank you so much," I whispered, pulling back.

I instantly froze at the sight of the all too familiar man behind my friend.

He wore branded clothes layered beneath a well-worn leather jacket. Tattoos snaked up his tanned neck, and gold rings and chains glinted under the apartment's dim light. But it was his hazel eyes that made my skin prickle.

"Hi there," he said, raising a tattooed hand in a casual wave. "I'm Denis Kingston. Nice to meet you."

Every drop of blood seemed to drain from my face, replaced by an icy chill.

"King..." I murmured in disbelief.

He grinned like we shared some unspoken secret.

"Kingston, yeah," he replied, as if correcting me. "Your friend here contacted me about some potential bomb strapped to your neck. I'm here to help."

He turned to Rico, towering over him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"I'll take it from here. It's a delicate procedure, so I'll need some privacy."

"Would you be alright on your own, Beth?" Rico asked, worry creasing his warm brown eyes as he handed me a thick envelope.

King stood behind him, grinning like he had plans if I said no.

I couldn't risk getting my friend in trouble.

"I'm fine, Rico," I forced a smile, hoping it looked more convincing than it felt. "Thank you for everything."

Rico nodded, hesitating a moment before pulling me into a hug.

"Message me once you're safe, alright?"

"I will," I promised, holding onto Rico a moment longer before he pulled away and disappeared down the hall.

With a soft click, King locked the door, sealing us in.

I glared at the back of his head, imagining his loosely tied hair erupting into flames under the weight of my anger. But when he turned, he only gave me that wolfish smile, golden eyes gleaming with something unsettling.

"I missed you, Beth Baby," he drawled, the words dripping with sweet poison.

My blood boiled.

"You jackass!" I shouted, swinging a fist toward him.

He caught my wrist easily, clicking his tongue in mock disapproval.

"Is that any way to treat me?" he asked, pouting in that infuriatingly smug way.

He stepped closer, and I instinctively stepped back, but with each step I retreated, he advanced, guiding us toward the living room, his grip on my wrist unrelenting.

"You sold me out to the cops!" I spat. "Do you have any idea how close I was to getting killed because of you?"

His expression didn't falter.

"I was helping you."

"Helping me?" I laughed bitterly, striking out with my other hand.

He caught that one too, a smirk tugging at his lips as he forced me onto the couch, pinning me beneath him. I was too furious to think about the precarious position he had me in.

"You don't understand," he murmured, his face close enough for me to smell his favorite cigarettes. "I didn't snitch. I'm undercover."

"Undercover?" I scoffed. "You expect me to believe that?"

He let go of my wrists, though his weight kept me trapped. I wanted to strike again but knew better. He'd only catch me again. Slowly, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a gold police badge, holding it just in front of my face.

"Believe me now?" he asked, like he had won some sort of bet.

I glared.

"That could be fake."

He rolled his eyes, sighing.

"I work with Officer Lynn. You know her — tall lady, nasty scars on her knuckles? She's my boss. Seven years ago, she assigned me to Alistair's organization, undercover. My job was to get close, collect intel."

"Seven years?" I frowned. "Isn't that a little... long?"

His laughter was dry, almost bitter.

"No one wants to end this more than I do. And since you showed up, it finally seems possible. With your help, we can take down Rob and Alistair in one strike. Two birds, one stone."

I stared at him, trying to untangle his words, trying to find the lie my gut warned me of.

"I'm not helping anyone," I said. "I'm getting out of this hell."

He looked down at me, a sorry smile breaking through his smug expression.

"Beth Baby... I'm not removing that choker until the mission is done."

My stomach dropped as his words hit me.

"You have to!" I grabbed his jacket lapels desperately. "I'll be dead by morning if you don't!"

His gaze softened, but his resolve didn't falter.

"I'll get it off you. I can give you my word. We have departments in the police that specialize in this kind of thing. But I can't take it off yet."

"You selfish, manipulative bastard!" I hissed, my voice cracking as tears stung my eyes. "I want out! I'm done being a pawn in everyone's game! I watched him kill people, King! This man isn't bluffing!"

"Then that's perfect!" he said, his face lighting up. "If he trusts you enough to kill in front of you, you're close to getting what we need."

A bitter laugh bubbled up my throat. I was close to losing my mind here.

"Are you even listening to me?" I snapped. "He only trusts me because he plans to kill me himself!"

King paused, his gaze sharpening as it drifted to my neck. At first, I thought he stared at my choker, but then his thumb brushed over the bruise Mr. Illion had left.

A cold smile tugged at his lips.

"Are you sure about that?" His voice dripped with mocking disbelief. "Because it looks to me like he has other plans entirely."

My face burned.

"It's not like that."

"Uh-huh." His eyes drifted lower, the same smirk toying at the corner of his mouth. "You call yourself plain, but your body tells a different story. It's only a matter of time before he'll want a proper taste of you."

I glared at him, my anger flaring hotter.

"Is my body all you see?"

He leaned in, that infuriating grin spreading wider.

"Are you willing to show me more?"

King's flirting was nothing new. I'd dealt with it for years. Yet with him pressed so close, I wondered if maybe he was serious this time.

Unable to deal with this right now, I groaned, shoving him back as I got up from the couch. I headed for the kitchen, grabbing a glass to drown my frustration with water.

"I trusted you once and got arrested. I'll be a fool if I trust you again," I muttered. "I have no doubt it would only end with you betraying me again."

King followed, his steps slow.

"What was I supposed to do? Spell everything out at the club? There were too many eyes and ears. The drug stunt was to get you to the station so Lynn could talk to you."

I crossed my arms, leaning against the kitchen counter with narrowed eyes.

"So, what exactly do you want from me, King?" I asked. "You and Lynn want me to do all the dirty work? How are you any different from Rob at this point? You're all just using me. And I'll be the one paying for it at the end. With my life."

He sighed, as if he struggled to find the right words.

"Keep working for Rob. Steal the cards from Alister. Once you do, Rob will trust you completely. And then you'll get close enough to learn where he's keeping the key to his information. Just like Alistair's card, Rob also has something he keeps his information on."

I took a slow sip from my glass, staring into the water as if it could give me the right answer.

"And all of this... in exchange for what?" I asked. "What do I get?"

"The police will take the choker off you once we arrest Rob and Alistair. We'll make sure you get the fresh start you want. We'll pardon you for any crimes you've committed." His words were smooth, rehearsed.

I laughed, the sound hollow and empty.

"It's pointless," I muttered. "Even if I go back to Mister Illion, he'll probably kill me for leaving in the first place."

"That's why I'm giving you this."

I looked up as King handed me his card, the sleek white plastic glinting in the low light. A golden diamond was printed on it, its edges sharp.

I frowned as I took it.

"Won't Alistair be mad if you lose this?"

King's eyes darkened for a moment.

"Rather that, than have you die on me," he sighed. "I'll try to hide it for as long as I can. More importantly... if you give this to Rob and tell him you left the resort to come steal it from me, he'll probably reward you for your loyalty."

I stared at the card, my fingers tracing its cool, smooth surface, my mind racing over the bargain it represented. Could this really be my ticket out? The weight of inevitability pressed against me, and with a heavy breath, I relented.

"In that case, I'll settle my debt with you. Alistair would appreciate it, I'm sure."

I walked over to the couch, dragging the heavy bags of cash from their hiding spot and dropping them at King's branded sneakers.

"You sure?" he asked.

I nodded.

He extended his hand for a shake, that infuriating smile curling at the corner of his mouth, gold rings glinting around his tattooed fingers.

"Then we're no longer creditor and debtor," he said, his voice smooth and taunting. "We're partners."

My gaze lingered on his hand. Every instinct told me to pull back, but I forced myself to take it, the cold metal of his rings pressing against my skin.

"Betray me again," I warned, "and I'll kill you."

King's chuckle was dark, his golden eyes glinting playfully.

"Looking forward to it, Beth Baby."