Page 45 of Beneath the Shadows

When I’ve finished, I step back for a moment and admire my work. Blood pools on her skin, each line a reminder of the control I hold. A twisted smile tugs at my lips as I lean down, dragging a finger through the blood between her breasts. I hold her gaze as I bring it to my mouth, sucking the crimson stain off my finger and savoring the metallic taste.

Lena’s breathing grows erratic. Her face blanches, and her chest heaves as though she’s on the verge of losing control. A dry sob escapes her lips as she swallows back bile. She squeezes her eyes shut in a desperate attempt to distance herself from what’s happening.

I bask in her fragile composure, the way she clings to the last remnants of her dignity while fear claws at her insides. The sight of her barely holding herself together only intensifies the rush coursing through me.

Satisfied with my work, I place the knife on the table and yank her to the edge, her arms straining against the restraints as her body tenses. Undoing my pants, I take my hard cock in my hand and line it up with her entrance. I thrust inside her without warning, forcing a sharp cry from her lips. I grip her hips tightly, keeping her pinned in place as I drive into her with ruthless force. Tears spill down her cheeks, each one stoking the fire of my arousal. Her sobs fuel my hunger, pushing me to take her harder.

Keeping myself buried deep inside her, I grab the knife and press its cold edge against her throat, just enough to break the skin. Lena tries to pull away. “Move again, and it’ll go deeper,” I growl.

Her eyes snap open wide with panic as I drag my finger through the fresh blood trickling from the wound. Leaning in, I trace my tongue along the cut. The surge of power, the feeling of complete control over her, floods through me—intoxicating and addictive.

With the knife still in one hand, I start thrusting again, hard and unrelenting, her gasps growing frantic beneath me. The sharp bite of the blade and the slick heat of her body push me closer to the edge. It only takes a few more punishing thrusts before I pull out, grabbing my cock and stroking myself until thick streams of cum splatter across her chest, mingling with the blood still dripping from her fresh wounds.

The sight is raw and brutal—erotic.

“I can’t believe you did this to me,” she sobs.

“Don’t act like you didn’t love every second of it,” I sneer, tucking myself back into my pants and zipping them up. I unfasten the restraints, releasing her without a second glance.

Lena sits up and looks down at the marks I carved into her. “You had no right to do this to me.”

“You wanted this as much as I did,” I scoff. “Your cunt was dripping when I shoved my cock inside it.”

“You’re insane,” she says as she gets off the table and starts grabbing her clothes. “This is the last time you’ll ever touch me. I’m going to Marco.”

Before she can take another step, I grab a fistful of her hair and yank her against me. “I’ll fuck you whenever and however I want,” I growl, my voice low and menacing. “And you won’t say a word to Marco or anyone else if you want to keep breathing. Got it?”

She hesitates, her lips trembling, then finally mutters, “Yes.”

Good,” I say, releasing her. “Now get dressed. I’ll drive you home.”

“I don’t want a ride,” she says, her voice shaking.

“That wasn’t a request,” I snap, texting the valet to bring my car around. “What kind of man would I be if I didn’t make sure my whore got home safely?”

Lena opens her mouth as if to argue but quickly shuts it, recognizing that it’s pointless. Luckily for her, her shirt is black, hiding the bloodstains. I’m not in the mood for any questions about what I do behind closed doors.

As we emerge upstairs, I keep her close to me. The restaurant closed an hour ago and is empty, save for a few employees cleaning up for the night. They glance at Lena, taking in her tear-streaked face, but quickly avert their eyes, knowing better than to get involved.

When we step outside, I nearly collide with Marco. His eyes flick to Lena, then back to me, his face tightening. “What the hell did you do to her?”

I roll my eyes, tired of this. “What are you talking about?”

Marco motions toward Lena. “She’s crying.”

“He didn’t do anything, Mr. L.,” Lena says softly. “I’m just having a hard time because…” She pauses, pressing the heels of her palms to her eyes. “Because I’ve been in love with him for years, and even though I knew he’d never marry me, I still hoped. It’s hard to accept.”

“If my nephew had any decency,” Marco says, pinning me with his stare. “He’d let you go find someone who can love you the way you deserve. And he’d go home to his wife, where he belongs.”

“Get in the car, Lena,” I order.

With her arms crossed over her midsection, Lena heads to the car and gingerly slides into the passenger seat. The valet closes the door behind her.

Marco turns to me, his eyes cold. “Go home to your wife, Valentino.”

I step closer to him, pointing a finger in his face. “That’s the last fucking time you undermine me in front of anyone. Do you understand?”

Marco says nothing, but I can see it in his eyes—he thinks he’s better than me. Thinks I’m not fit for this role. I need to come up with a plan to shut him down before he becomes a problem for me.

---