His chest continued to rise and fall rapidly, barely able to hold on to his rage. He was livid, judging by the way his closed fists caused the thick cords to strain. “I’ve never raised a hand to a woman my entire life.”
“But you have no problem killing someone because they took a single chip.”
“It doesn’t matter how much they stole. They took something that belonged to me—and they face the consequences. If they cared that much about their mortality, they would keep their hands in their pockets. It’s pretty simple. I don’t comb the streets looking for victims to slaughter. I lay out my rules perfectly clearly to every member of my casino. The consequences are the same for everyone—regardless of the extent of the crime. It’s earned me great respect, which keeps everyone in line. You can criticize my decisions all you want, but only a truly powerful man can sit in my seat and rule a kingdom smoothly.”
I still wouldn’t look at him.
He sighed again. “I won’t apologize for being the man that I am. You come around my dick because you can feel the power in my veins. You get wet knowing you’re fucking the most powerful man in this city. Don’t pretend otherwise. But with great power comes great responsibility. If you aren’t woman enough to handle that, then maybe you aren’t woman enough to handle me.” He slammed his hand onto the button, making the doors open again because they’d closed at some point during our conversation.
He turned away and marched back to his bedroom, the sound of his footsteps growing fainter as he disappeared down the hallway and back to bed.
Now I had the security code so I could leave whenever I wanted. He gave me a form of freedom, proving to me that I had some kind of power over him. But then his power dominated mine because I was still standing there.
All I had to do was walk inside the elevator and go home.
But I stood there, watching the doors shut for a second time. I could be on my way home right now, but I lingered, thinking about that warm bed with that hot man between the sheets. One moment, I hated him, and then the next, I wanted him even more than I did before. I was repulsed by his power but also drawn to it at the same time. I told myself I didn’t need a man for anything, but now I was getting comfortable with his strength. I liked knowing I was invincible because he had control of everyone in this city. It gave me a sense of safety I hadn’t even felt at my childhood home. I was raised by a strong man, and I was used to that luxury. Maybe deep down inside, I wanted that in a man…someone with unquestionable strength.
I turned around and did my greatest walk of shame, heading back to the bedroom where he was waiting for me. I was a slave without a chain. I was obedient without punishment. My brain told me to run for the hills, but the rest of my body knew this was the safest place I would ever be.
In his arms.
He was sitting up in bed waiting for me, the sheets pulled to his waist. He wore a dark expression, like my return wasn’t enough to please him. His broad shoulders were tense with his anger, his biceps chiseled and defined. His arms rested by his sides, and despite his calm posture, he seemed inherently dangerous.
I slowly crept toward the bed, moving slowly like he was a wild dog that might bite me.
His eyes followed me the entire time.
I stopped by the bedside and undressed, dropping my sweater, jeans, and then my undergarments.
He watched every single move.
Despite all the shame inside my chest, I pulled back the sheets and got back into bed beside him. He was the most dangerous person in this city, but I somehow felt safer once his body was beside mine. My head hit the pillow and I looked at the ceiling, feeling his rough gaze on my cheek.
He suddenly moved, like he’d been waiting for the perfect moment to trap me. He maneuvered his heavy body on top of mine, and even though we’d just screwed twenty minutes ago, his cock was hard and inside me instantly.
I clawed at him, instantly feeling safe once we were combined together.
He held his face above mine, possession in his eyes. “I knew you wouldn’t leave.”
I was working at the shop when Griffin and Vanessa walked inside. I was grateful that Bosco didn’t make his surprise visits anymore, because if these two men were in the same room together, no one would survive.
I knew Vanessa hadn’t told Griffin anything because he didn’t look remotely angry.