Pennies (Dollar 1)

I managed to keep my gaze downcast even as my mind filled with curses and slurs at his awful sport. He’d made me think he felt whatever it was that sprouted between us. He made me believe I was worth someone’s piqued attention.

Stupid, Pim.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

He felt nothing.

Nothing!

My vision turned glassy as furious tears came unbidden. I wanted this entire thing forgotten. Master A was right. I had wanted Mr. Prest more than I wanted my owner—not sexually, not emotionally, hell, I didn’t know how I wanted him.

But I had.

And now, I was cured. I knew my place. I would never be allowed to stray from it.

Sighing with all the disappointment and despair I had left, I hugged myself, resting my forehead on my knees.

I didn’t care anymore.

I just wanted to be alone.

Mr. Prest’s regal, deep voice tore through my depression. “Does she still have my jacket?”

Yes.

And you can’t have it back.

Because I’m going to burn it while thinking of you.

Master A nodded. “She does. She’ll fetch it if you want.”

I huddled deeper into my crouch.

Don’t make me, you bastard. That’s mine to do whatever the hell I want with.

“No. It was a gift.” Running a hand over his chin, Mr. Prest added quietly, “However, before this deal is one hundred percent concluded, I have an extra term to add.”

Master A didn’t tense, believing it was something he would willingly agree to. He thought he’d won. “Oh?”

I knew better.

My spine stiffened as I stopped breathing…waiting.

Mr. Prest chuckled under his breath, dragging out the anticipation. “This clause should be easy for you. Something you will have no problem with seeing as you offered such a thing when I was last here.”

No.

I dared look up, my head rising while the rest of my body sank deeper into the icy tiles.

Don’t.

“I did?” Master A asked.

Stop.

Mr. Prest made eye contact with me, knowing full well I knew what he was about to request. I had no say in this. I would have to obey, and by obeying, I would kill myself.

Why did that terrify me so?

I’d spent the past few days thinking about his death, my death, everyone’s death.

I should be glad knowing that after tonight, Master A would kill me himself. I just had to hope it was quick rather than drawn out and agonising.

Perhaps, Mr. Prest will do it?

Once he’d taken from me, I could ask one thing. I could speak for the first time in forever and beg for death so I could win at the final punishment.

Mr. Prest tore his depthless gaze from mine, locking onto his business partner. He smiled, keeping his lips tight over his teeth, unable to hide his predatory conquest from showing.

His hand outstretched, pointing directly at me. “Her.”

Master A spun around, catching my head raised and vision glued on Mr. Prest. “What?”

Immediately, I dropped my chin, squeezing my eyes as if I could convince him I wasn’t staring.

Mr. Prest went from standing to a fast prowl to my side. He bypassed Master A with an elegance and swiftness like an eagle swooping on the doomed rabbit before anyone blinked.

I jolted as his cool hand landed on my scalp, his fingertips splaying over my forehead.

“I want her.”

He tugged ugly strands of hair, combing me, petting me, preparing me for whatever he had planned.

I shivered for an entirely different reason.

Master A choked. “No fucking way.”

Mr. Prest’s touch returned to my scalp. I swallowed a moan as he once again stroked me. The way he fondled me wasn’t like a man with a woman. More like a hunter with its prey; a ruler with its defeated quarry.

“You offered to share her. You said I could do whatever I wanted.” Gathering more of my hair, he tugged a little, forcing my body to rise from the floor and sit up straight for the first time in months. My ribcage decorated the tight dress like a xylophone as my nipples hardened beneath the fabric.

He held me there like a statue. “I want to take you up on the offer.”

Master A’s temper swirled hotter, thicker, crazier with every second. “That part of the deal is no longer on offer—”

“It is if you want it to continue.” Mr. Prest’s voice resembled an axe, hacking through the air. “I want her all to myself. And I want her for an entire night.”

An entire night?

Air vanished in the room. I entered some vortex where panic ruled with cymbals and hurricanes.

I’m…Oh, I can’t breathe.

My unbroken hand soared to my throat, clutching at the tight muscles as they prevented me from sucking oxygen. Another panic attack swooped from nowhere as my eyes bugged with disbelief.

He can’t be serious.

I expected one hour. A request to fuck me then leave.

Not an entire night.

Black spots danced as I fell deeper and deeper into hysteria.

Mr. Prest didn’t offer any condolences, merely held me by my hair. His attention was on Master A, waiting for approval.