Page 14 of The Devil's Spawn

“Asking about Katherine. Was it so difficult to come out and say what’s on your mind?” His fingers resumed their tapping. “You’ve taken to eavesdropping lately, and I don’t like it. You don’t have to be afraid to come to me, baby. I’d rather know what’s on your mind than assume and guess.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Just tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Why does she keep coming here?” My breath hitched. Lord knew I wanted an explanation, but now that one was forthcoming, I didn’t know if I were ready.

“She’s the mother of my child. I’m afraid we’re not getting rid of her anytime soon.”

“She’s only using Conner as an excuse to see you, and you know it.”

“I won’t deny it.”

His words tunneled deep, impacting the center of my being. “But you promised nothing is going—”

“Because nothingisgoing on.” He took my right nipple between two punishing fingers. “Don’t you trust me?”

“I…I want to,” I whispered, barely able to form the words beyond my pounding heartbeat and the piercing ache in my nipple.

“Well that’s great to hear, Kayla,” he said, tone brimming with sarcasm, “because I’ve been trying so fucking hard to trust you again. I need you to do the same. Katherine is not a threat to you. I promise you that.”

“But she wants you.” The admission soured my tongue.

“Yes, she does, and being the bastard that I am, I can’t help but throw my hot-as-fuck wife in her face every chance I get. Does that explanation make you happy?”

Oh, yeah. More than it should. But it did nothing to alleviate the doubt in my heart. Gage might not be fucking her now, but what if he changed his mind someday? What if, years later, he grew bored with me?

“You said I was playing with fire with—”

“Don’t you dare say his name.” He practically growled the words, his voice beyond harsh, and his grip on me even harsher. “I will beat your ass red if you say his name.”

“How is that fair? Katherine is like a fucking leech that won’t let go, and you keep encouraging her. You’re playing with fire, just like I was.”

“I’m not interested in sleeping with Katherine, and I’m sure as fuck not in love with her. That’s the difference.”

I felt my face heat with humiliation and regret. How could I respond to that? I couldn’t.

“I look at that cage every night,” he said, “and Iyearnto lock you in there forever. Then I’d know you’re mine.”

“But I am yours. Can’t you see that?”

“Prove it to me.”

“How?” I asked, voice rising in disbelief. What more could I possibly do to prove it to him?

“The night of the ball. It just happens to be a Friday, and I have special plans for you afterward.”

“But…” I trailed off, confused. “I take your punishment every Friday without complaint. What more do you want from me?”

“Everything, Kayla. I want everything.” He gestured to the color schemes on the screen, his index finger hovering over a photo of a jeweled mask in burgundy. “I told you about the charity ball, but I didn’t tell you about our plans afterward.” Grabbing my hair, he tilted my head back and placed his warm lips on my neck. “After the masqueraders leave and it’s just a handful of Portland’s most wealthiest deviants, I want you to submiteverythingto me. No ands, ifs, buts, or whys. I say spread your legs, and you ask, ‘How wide, Master?’”

A lump formed in my throat—a mass of sickening fear. “You want to fuck me in front of other people?”

“I want you to submit in front of other people.”

“I don’t know if I—”

“I don’t care about your feelings on this. You will do as I say.” He pushed me from his lap. “Because you always do what I say.” His gaze lowered to his hard-on. “Get on your knees and suck me off.”

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