Hallelujah, asshole. His acceptance meant nothing to me. I would still take Maria away, even if he hadn’t agreed.
He turned to the audience, raising his wine glass. “My slave has been sold for two point five million dollars. As of now, she is in the keeping of Master Lyov Ivanshov.”
He paused, looking at me from the corner of his eyes. “Well, that is until he decides to sell her off after having his little fun. Who wouldn’t want a virgin pussy?”
There was some laughter. Others snickered.
Isaak looked ready to commit murder. Agron and Gavrikov were just watching the scenes silently, taking everything in like they always did.
I didn’t miss Maria’s small gasp, the way her fingers tightened around my arm. I held her wrist tighter, putting the smallest pressure.
“I’m out. Enjoy the rest of your night, gentlemen,” I announced loudly.
Turning to Solonik, I leveled him with a glare. “The money will be in your bank by sunrise.”
Without waiting for his reply, I was already pushing Maria toward the door. But being the annoying bastard that he was, he stepped in front of me.
“Wait,” he muttered with a small smirk.
He snapped his fingers, and I saw a woman coming forward…with a fucking leash.
“Rules are you can’t leave the building without having the slaves on a leash. It’s for protection, Lyov. I thought you would know better,” he chastised with a small fake frown.
I looked at the leash, my disgust clear as day. There was no point hiding it.
“I don’t need one,” I said loudly, bringing everyone’s attention to us.
“What do you mean? There are rules. The leash is to keep them under control,” he hissed.
“I hate repeating myself, but I will, because you’re probably fucking deaf. I said I don’t need one,” I continued just as calmly.
I released Maria from my tight hold in proof. She stumbled back slightly in shock, and I took a step forward, away from her.
“I don’t need a fucking leash to keep my slave under control,” I said, taking another step away from Maria.
Another step toward the door. Another step away from her.
“My words are enough,” I announced to everyone.
Watch and learn, fuckers.
“I don’t need a leash for her to follow me. I don’t need a leash to command her. Words are enough.”
Without turning around and with my back still to Maria, I placed my hand out, palm up and waiting.
“Come here, Maria.”
Silence. Everyone froze. And they watched.
They watched as I taught them the art of dominance.
Feet shuffled closer, and I felt her warmth coming closer. And finally, she placed her palm in mine.
My fingers intertwined with hers, and I pulled her closer into my embrace.
“And that, gentlemen, is how you command your slaves. If you need a fucking leash to be in control, then you are no fucking Master. To a slave, her Master’s words are law. A real dominant’s words will always be enough.” I talked for the room while holding my Angel closer.
“You just need to know how to be one. Having a leash around their pretty necks doesn’t make you a Master. If that makes you in control, then it makes you a coward. It makes you weak.”
“So, gentlemen, don’t be cowards. Learn the true art of being in control. And that’s the end of the lesson. Enjoy the rest of your night,” I finished.
Without waiting for any reaction, I made my way out. With Maria’s hands in mine, we walked out of the door together.
It closed with a loud bang, leaving us in the cold, dark hallway. Quickly, I removed my suit jacket and draped it over my Angel’s body, hiding her the best I could.
I hated having her parade around naked, but it was the only way. If I had covered her before, it would have been suspicious.
Now, we were alone. Fina-fucking-lly.
“The car is waiting for us outside. It’s going to be a little cold. I’m sorry, you’ll have to bear with it for a few seconds,” I muttered.
She didn’t reply or make a single sound as I swept her up into my arms. Cradling her close, we walked out toward the waiting car.
I made quick work of getting inside and settling Maria on the seat. Taking my seat, facing her, I watched her reaction.
She looked outside the window, staying strangely quiet. Maria pulled the jacket closer to her body, holding it tight like she never wanted to let go.
And I didn’t want her to let go.
“You’re safe,” I muttered in the silent car as it started moving.
She continued watching outside, her eyes moving with each tree, light, and passing car. My little Angel looked entranced, her eyes twinkling in the dark as each light reflected into her blue orbs.
“You saved me,” she said quietly, still not looking at me.
You saved me.
Oh Angel, if only you knew the truth.
I saved her for my own selfish reasons. Yet another monster in the dark, waiting to devour her.