Page 202 of Inferno

I need my focus sharp.

As we move on, I catch a cluster of women tucked in the corner. They’re all flawless—curves, lingerie, expertly done hair and faces. One of them, a blonde with piercing green eyes, giggles and flutters her fingers at Declan.

He doesn’t blink. Just tightens his grip on my hand and keeps walking.

He scans his thumbprint on the next set of golden doors. The hallway beyond is lined with black doors, each with ornate gold handles and names etched above them.

“These?” I ask, nodding toward them.

“Private rooms. Each one tailored to a particular… taste.”

I pause at one calledRetribution, raising a brow.

He tugs me in close, slaps my ass. “For the naughty ones. Like you.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks.

“What other rooms are there?” I whisper.

He smirks. “Everything you could imagine.”

I slide my arms around his waist. “Even a milkshake one?”

“No. That one’s just for us.” He winks and gives my ass another squeeze.

As we walk, I can’t help but wonder how many people are behind these doors right now.

“Do you spend a lot of time here?” I ask.

“Sometimes. Depends. Work brings me in more than anything.”

I bite my tongue. Our worlds are still so different. Can I really give him everything he needs?

“Stop it.” His voice is stern.

I freeze. “What?”

In a flash, I’m backed against a door, his fingers wrapped around my throat.

“Don’t you dare doubt yourself,” he growls. “Or what I want with you.”

His mouth hovers over mine, teeth grazing my bottom lip.

“You and me? We’re not like the others. Your past? It doesn’t matter. Your confidence? That’s what I’ll work on. Because Charlotte, you’re fucking everything. Inside and outside of this bedroom. You just need to be worshipped. Trained. And that, sweetheart, I can handle.”

His grip tightens, and I shiver.

“You think you can handle me?” I whisper.

“Handle?” His smirk is feral. “I’llownyou.”

He steps back. “Open your legs.”

I glance around.

His hand snaps up, tilting my chin.

“Lesson one. Listen. Follow orders. Trust.”

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