Page 60 of His to Break

Time drags by as I sit on the small, metal-framed bed in the stark little room I was shoved into hours ago. There’s no denying this is a prison cell. Apart from the bed, there’s no other furniture. The walls are gray and off to one side is a small cubicle with a toilet in it. A smell of damp permeates the air. This is the sort of place where lives are ended. It’s a million miles from the cozy bedroom I was shut away in before I married Leo.

Though nobody has bothered to explain to me why I’m here, I caught enough snippets of conversation as I was led through the warehouse to piece things together. Gio’s been shot and the hostile manner of the men who brought me here leaves no doubt they suspect I had something to do with it. Considering my father’s unexpected appearance at the hotel tonight, I can see how the Volantes might think I betrayed them. I’d have hoped Leo would have more faith in me, though.

A metallic sound tells me someone’s unlocking the door. I get to my feet and stand in the center of the room. Leo sweeps in like an avenging angel with only one purpose in mind—destruction. My destruction. Fury radiates from him. It takes every ounce of courage I can summon to stand my ground, but I don’t back down as he comes at me. I’ve done nothing wrong. Leo’s got no reason to hurt me.

We stare at each other for a minute. There are dark circles under his eyes. He’s still wearing his shirt and pants from last night, but he’s lost his jacket and tie. Did he even have a tie? Why does it suddenly feel so important for me to remember?

As I register the level of distrust in his eyes, I feel compelled to say something. “Leo…”

Speaking first was a mistake. Leo wraps his huge hand around my throat and propels me back against the wall. I wince as I’m slammed against it and the rough, cold stone scrapes my bare shoulders.

“Was it you?” Leo snarls.

He doesn’t specify what he’s accusing me of, but I shake my head because I have committed no crime against him. “I would never allow anything to happen to one of your brothers.”

Leo’s eyes are dark voids. “You know what happened?”

“I heard.” I avert my gaze, unable to meet his harsh glare. “Is Gio…”

My voice trails off. I can’t bring myself to ask if he’s dead.

“He’s in the ICU. He’ll pull through.” I sense Leo’s trying to convince himself of that rather than me.

“I swear to you, Leo, I had nothing to do with the shooting.” I’m not convinced my father did either. Though he’s a complete bastard, he wouldn’t target Gio. He’d see the youngest Volante as a low value member of the family since he’s not really involved in their business. He’s beneath my father’s notice. I don’t dare tell Leo that, though. He’ll think I’m trying to defend Carlo. “I wouldn’t do that to Gio.”

“But what about me?” he challenges. “Would you set me up?”

Shit. Why did it not occur to me until now that he might think he was the target?

“Leo, I would never.”

He pulls me closer and then pushes me roughly against the wall once more, his grip on my throat still firm. Then he lets me go and paces back and forth across the room. He’s like the beast he’s named for, a caged lion ready to lash out. Violence emanates from his every pore.

“Leo…” I reach out to touch his arm, but he throws me off.

“Don’t touch me right now. Don’t touch me when all I want is to hurt someone.”

His tortured tone makes me want to do whatever I can to ease his pain.

“Then hurt me.” I make the offer before I can think it through.

Leo whirls around and stalks toward me. This time I do back away until my back hits the wall again. “What did you say?”

“Hurt me.” I raise my chin defiantly. As crazy as it sounds in this moment, when he’s standing before me bristling with rage, I know deep down he may use my body mercilessly, but he won’t harm me. “Do it.”

Leo examines my expression closely, searching for a trap. It’s a testament to his self-control that even when he’s this angry, he’s looking for my consent. He waits a minute until he sees what he wants and then fists his hand in my hair, tugging painfully at the roots. He yanks my head back roughly and sinks his teeth into my throat, not drawing blood, but no doubt leaving a bruise.

“Strip!” he commands.

I unfasten the zip at my side and shimmy out of the gown. It seems sinful to allow such a beautiful, expensive garment to lie on the floor, but Leo shows no such compunction when he drags it out of the way with his foot. He doesn’t give me a chance to remove the rest of my clothing. He yanks my bra and panties off, leaving me exposed to the cold air.

As he spins me around to face the wall, I fling my arms out to brace myself. There’s a familiar sound behind me as he removes his belt.

“Push your ass out,” he commands. “And spread your legs.”

I get into the position he wants and wait for the first lash of the belt. It cracks off my ass, the sound seeming to ricochet around the room. I cry out as he spanks me several times in quick succession, giving me no opportunity to get to grips with the pain. Heat radiates from my aching flesh.

Leo kicks my legs even farther apart. Putting a hand on the back of my neck, he holds my head down. The only warning I have of what’s coming is a shift in the air as the leather strip flicks up between my legs. I scream as my pussy is set on fire. I wriggle my hips, trying to cope with the sting. It doesn’t work and Leo isn’t done yet. Three more lashes follow. Each has me crying out as the pain intensifies. I clench my fists as my mouth twists.

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