Beyond Measure (Ruthless Doms 2)

“Will you challenge him?” Nicolai asks. “Demand he show himself? Or do this personally?”

“First, we find him,” I say. “Location before action. Then once we do, we make our move.”

Caroline turns to face me and rests her head on my chest. Her exhale says what she can’t speak. This was hard for her to face, hard to speak.

“My girl is so brave,” I say in her ear, then while my men leave the room, I hold her without speaking. I have no idea what will happen when we attack San Diego. When I punish the men who hurt her. But I know that I won’t regret a fucking thing I do.Chapter 14CarolineI had to see him in action. I wanted to see him as pakhan, the leader of these powerful men. I couldn’t sit in the room another minute, wondering where he was or what he was doing.

Okay, so technically, I wasn’t allowed out of the room. He did tell me to stay.

Maybe I don’t accept my role as captive bride, but willing participant. I may have been forced to marry him, but I’d like to retain some autonomy.

Or maybe a part of me wondered what would happen if I left. If he’d make good on his promise to punish me for disobedience.

I don’t know why I need him to. I don’t know why I need to test his mettle, to be sure he’s someone who will follow through on what he says. But I do.

It didn’t take long to find him. Though this place is large, it’s well structured, and it’s clear that social obligations are in one place and business in another. Or maybe it was even some intuition at play, but I found him within minutes.

He doesn’t know I heard everything. I sat in the shadows, unseen by any of them, while he reprimanded his new recruit for failing at his duty. He’s so stern and powerful when he commands his men, like an older brother, or lieutenant in an army. They defer to him with the utmost respect, and for some reason that makes me feel weirdly proud of him. He’s earned this position as leader, and it’s hot that others respect my husband.

And then he brought up Andros and Aren.

I’m almost sorry I disobeyed him, because I’d like to thank him for defending me. How, I’m not sure, but now he’s looking at me with displeasure.

“You stay right there,” he commands, while his men take their leave. He speaks to someone to his right and demands an update this evening. Finally, the last man leaves and it’s just the two of us in the room. I worry my lip.

He’s going to punish me.

I both fear and crave it.

I swallow hard, clear my throat, and busily begin very carefully inspecting one of my cuticles.

“Caroline.”

Tomas stands in front of a desk, still dressed in the formal attire from this morning, his arms crossed on his chest.

“Um. Yes? By the way, thank you for… for starting that,” I finish lamely.

He gives me one nod to acknowledge this, then clears his throat. “What did I tell you before I left the room?”

I bite my lip and shrug. “To stay?”

“And what did I tell you about obeying me?” I feel like a child with her hand caught in the cookie jar, but unlike childhood humiliation, this is laced with an understanding that complicates my reaction. My breasts swell, and there’s a decided tingle between my thighs. Though I feel young and chastened, his dominance stirs me to arousal.

I laugh nervously. “Oh,” I say, trying to make light of this. “You did say something about me earning a spanking?”

His furrowed brow and narrowed eyes only make my heart beat faster. Without a word, he crooks one finger at me.

It suddenly dawns on me that not only does he fully intend on punishing me as I suspected, but he’s going to do it here.

Ohhhh, no.

But he’s sitting there waiting for me, all sexy as sin in his suit, waiting for me.

“Now, Caroline.”

Gah.

I walk to him on shaking knees, not so sure how I feel about this. When I reach him, he takes me by the chin and holds my gaze with his.

“I don’t think you fully understand how vital your obedience is. Do you, little detka?”

I shrug. “Maybe not?”

He nods, as if contemplating my demise. “Perhaps I should take you back to the room and show you exactly what happens to little girls who don’t know how to obey.”

I laugh nervously. “Oh… I don’t know if I need a demonstration. I can… imagine.”

“You need a demonstration.”

Eep.

His nearly playful scolding takes on a suddenly serious edge. “Did you hear me command my men to prepare for battle against your brother?”

I swallow hard. “I did. Yes, sir.”

Nodding, still grasping my chin, he continues, his tone razor-sharp.