Page 26 of Hawk's Sapphire

“First, you’ll spar with Sergio in the gym.I know you’ve worked with Anna and Skyler at Ethan’s gym, but I need to see where your weaknesses are so Sergio can help you improve as well as teach you new ways to survive.”

“Survive?”I say around a bite of food, earning me another glare.I quickly finish my bite and swallow before asking, “I thought we were working on my fighting skills and then, you know, the submissive stuff.”

“You will train in hand-to-hand combat as well as knives and guns.I want you to be as well prepared as possible to fend off an attacker, but the biggest lesson you’ll learn is how to take a punch and not be broken by anyone.”I drop my next bite onto the plate before it gets to my mouth.

“You’re going to have to explain that one to me because I can assure you, I have no desire to allow someone to turn me into a punching bag for shits and giggles.”

“Language, Miss Jenkins.”Matteo chides.“The goal is not to turn you into a punching bag, but to make your body strong enough that no one would be able to break you.You cannot be weak in any way, mentally or physically.Once we get into these parties and people see you are with me and a submissive, they will want to test your limits, and you must be prepared in the event someone tries.”

“But you’re there to keep that from happening.You’re supposed to protect me while we do this, right?”My voice shakes a little with uncertainty, and Matteo is quick to catch it.

Holding my chin with his hand, he stares me straight in the eyes and with the utmost determination, he promises, “You will be protected, but you will also be prepared.There are no guarantees in this life, in our way of life, and I will not have you charging your way into danger without being able to fight your way out should I fall.”

I swallow hard.The thought of Matteo or any of his men getting hurt in this situation never even crossed my mind.He’s not as close to me as any of the club guys, but he’s still been a good friend and a strong business partner.He’s encouraging and never tried to talk me out of doing anything I want to with my products.He’s left all creative control to me.Losing him would mean more than just losing financial backing, it would be like losing a close friend.

Shit.

“No one will break me.I’ll do whatever it takes to come out of this alive and hopefully prepared to start a new life.I can’t have that if I let some as…er…jerk break me down.”

Matteo’s lips twitch as he gives me a subtle nod.“Good save.But this is why your training is so important.Some of the places we may have to venture into may require you to do things you are not accustomed to, and you need to appear as if it is second nature to you.DO you understand?”

“What things?”And why does the way he said that fill my heart with trepidation?

“You remember when Nate told you about the parties that were being held were always moving around?”I nod but narrow my eyes.I hadn’t told him anything about my conversation with Nate, but if he knows, then either Thomas or Tate must’ve debriefed him.I thought I was going to meet with Vincenzo before coming here to tell him everything I had learned, but I haven’t heard from him since I was picked up from my home.

“Most of the time, the parties are made to appear as simple dinners or mixers at fancy hotels or nightclubs owned by various businessmen.”He explains.“But sometimes, they meet in places that are a little more deviant than that.”

“What do you mean?”

Matteo sighs, rubbing his chin with his hand as if contemplating if he should tell me.“Sometimes they meet in kink clubs or luxurious homes of people known to host kink parties.If we should get invited to one of those places, you and I will need to be seen as being intimate partners.It may require us to demonstrate.”He pauses, watching me carefully.

Does he think we’re going to be having sex in front of people?

My chest tightens.The thought of having sex with anyone after what I just did with Nathaniel - it’s painful to consider.

He’s probably already fucked a club whore to wipe you out of his system.

I hate to believe he would be so heartless, but I’ve watched Hawk a number of times use one of those women to make him feel less shitty about a situation.He has a few drinks then takes one back to his room, if they even get that far, and fucks his bad mood away.

The few bites of food I’ve eaten thus far are sitting at the base of my throat threatening to make another appearance.

“We must make you comfortable enough with me.I must have your trust at all times -in all situations.Even those of undress.”

“I’m not having sex with you.”I blurt out before I can stop myself.

Matteo smiles.“Well, that’s disappointing.”There’s a note of sarcasm in his voice.“But no one said anything about having sex, and for the record, I do not force women to have sex with me Miss Jenkins.However, we may have to appear as though we do.You may be instructed to sit on my lap or kneel at my feet.I may rub your thighs or caress your skin.All public displays that give off the air of an intimate couple.We will practice these things so you will become comfortable with my touch and not be frightened by it.Do you understand?”He leans back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest as his eyes rake over my body slowly.

Holy shit.I nod but say nothing.I’ve never pictured Matteo as a boyfriend or lover.It’sweird.Not bad, weird.I mean, he’s handsome and his arrogance, though annoying, can also be sexy at times.But to be comfortable with allowing him to touch me, to take charge of me?I’m freaking out a little inside.

“Depending on the location, you may be required to wear revealing clothing, or sometimes, nothing at all.Of course, I will do everything I can to ensure this isn’t the case, but you will need to be prepared either way.It must appear to others as if it is a normal, everyday occurrence.In essence, Miss Jenkins, to the outside world you will be my obedient sub.Which means if I tell you to strip in front of others, you will do so without hesitation or embarrassment.You must come off as confident but subdued, differing to me in everything.You are not to address or speak to anyone else unless given express permission by me when we are in our rolls.I will be in charge from this moment forward, and you will obey.Do you understand?”

“Will I be rewarded, Master?”I mean the words to be a joke, saying them breathy like Marilyn Monroe, but the look on Matteo’s face says he finds it anything but funny.

He leans forward, his voice low and domineering.“If it’s praise and rewards you need to incentivize you, Dolcezza, I can accommodate that for you.”

What have I gotten myself into and why do I find myself extremely intrigued by this?

“I get what you’re saying.I just …” I pause trying to find the right words to explain what I’m feeling.“I’m not ashamed of my body, but I’m also not as experienced as others, if you catch my drift.Just because I grew up in the clubhouse doesn’t mean I’m anything like the club girls who walk around in any state of undress and fuck anything with a dick between its legs.I’m not looking to have sex in front of a crowd while a bunch of perverted bastards get off on watching me.”

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