Page 75 of The Contract

“Leave?” She lifts her chin defiantly. “If I wanted to leave, I could’ve done it forever ago.”

“Forever ago?” I glance at my watch. “You’ve been here exactly twenty-three minutes.”

Her eyes widen. “You knew I was here?”

I shrug. “I figured you’d take the hint and leave. But since subtlety isn’t your thing, let me spell it out for you: you need to go. My driver will take you anywhere.”

Preferably out of the country.

She shakes her head, frustration creeping into her voice. “You don’t understand. I…” Her words falter, hesitation pooling between us before she finally whispers, “I need a job. Somewhere…safe.”

There it is again, that goddamn word she loves tossing around me. Safe.

She thinks I’m her safe space. I’m not. But I’ll happily give her the prettiest cage.

She squares her shoulders, chin lifting defiantly. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Fuck.

My dick twitches, painfully interested. I need to end this before my cock starts calling the shots.

“No, Pom. You don’t get it. A job with me means you do whatever the fuck I say. Go. This is your last warning.”

She doesn’t move. Doesn’t even blink. Just stands there, double-dog daring me to act on it. The defiant pout of her lips tests every ounce of restraint I have not to act on a dozen filthy fucking impulses.

I step closer.

Her breath hitches, eyes widening even further. I catch the faintest whiff of fear and dollar-store soap. My nostrils flare, hunger gnawing at the back of my throat—because apparently, I can’t get enough of the cheapest goddamn soap on the planet.

Or her fear.

“Remove your shoes,” I order.

Riley plants a hand on her hip, skepticism blazing in her eyes. “Why?”

Why, indeed.

Why the fuck am I continuing this farce of an audition?

Dragging her just beyond the edge of her comfort zone?

Especially when I can’t even begin to count the ways I want to punish this petulant little brat for every last one of her sins.

And believe me, I can count pretty goddamned high.

The answer’s obvious.

I need a lobotomy.

I take another step toward her, voice dropping low and harsh. “Because I said so.”

And because her feet are raw, reddened beneath the cruel bite of those straps that are obviously killing her.

Slowly, reluctantly, she obeys.

God, if Enzo had even the slightest suspicion what I’m up to at this moment, my dick really would need a wake.

But this disaster is his own goddamned fault.

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