Page 31 of Thorns Laced In Blood

Dom did this to me on purpose. They probably all got together and had a good laugh before setting me up with this temptation—the broken girl with innocent eyes and a subconscious need to be dominated.

“Good morning, sugar,” I said, my voice rough from sleep.

My thumb moved over her wrist, pressing to feel the steady increase in her pulse and breathing. Her eyes showed no fear, but I didn’t miss the glint of recognition.

“Do you remember me, sugar? I asked softly, staring into her eyes as her pulse raced faster.

When she didn’t respond, I used my free hand to grasp a handful of her hair. She flinched, and I saw a flash of fear in her eyes. Her body became tense until she inhaled a deep breath.

The pulse continued to race, but her body relaxed against my chest. I closed the gap and gently kissed her lips, loosening my grip on her hair. Her lips parted, and pride blossomed in my heart for the brave girl I held. I traced the tip of my tongue over her lips, feeling her tremors, but I stroked her hair until they stopped. I pulled back to look at her confused and slightly dazed eyes.

She needed structure, time and dominance. It would be a delicate balance. Dom had been right to come to me. This wasn’t my punishment. She might just be my redemption.

“I know you remembered something about your past before I sedated you, sugar. Dr Arin and Dr Dom left you in my care because there was no other safe option for you. I am your Master, and unless you use your voice, I will push you hard. Hard enough to break you,” I said, rubbing my thumb on her damp lip. “You’re not alone, sugar, but I will not allow you to cower away and hide like you’ve done for the last seven months.”

She blinked rapidly while staring blankly at me, but I saw she was processing the information I’d given her. It wasn’t the vacant look from before. Her brain would be picking apart scenarios and trying to piece them together. I knew she had a voice, but I also knew her brain was trying to protect her.

As she pieced herself together, I would be picking her apart until she flaunted her scars like a warrior and wore her trauma like a badge of honour. A true survivor in this ugly world.

“Time for a shower and breakfast, sugar,” I said, sitting up before I pulled the covers off her.

I pushed my hand beneath her waist and knees to scoop her up, startling her, but it didn’t stop her from putting her arm around my neck. What surprised me was that she held her teddy bear in her other hand. She pushed it to her face. I paused to watch as she buried her face into its cream fur. Dr Arin made the right call about the stuffed toy. It might have been her only comfort through her abuse.

“Your bear can join us if he doesn’t mind getting wet,” I said, hoisting her up to slide off the bed.

She hid her face behind the bear but didn’t speak. I didn’t care because I was happy that her eyes showed signs of life and her pulse was more responsive. She might hate me by the time I’d finished with her, but I was willing to add one more burden on my black soul.

Once I placed her on the floor, I turned the shower on, sticking my hand under the water to check the temperature. When I turned to remove her T-shirt, her eyes were locked in horror at the water, and her body shook as she stared at the steam. Her fingers clawed into the bear’s plump belly.

Murder, torture and rape. The war crimes committed in the military were an inside secret. Acceptable and, back then, encouraged. Did it surprise me that my government got away with it when the international case was dismissed? Not in the least. Perhaps we were better off focusing on protecting our people rather than plundering other nations.

“Sugar, did he burn you with hot water?” I asked her.

Her eyes broke away from the shower, and she looked at me in surprise.

“I was in the Army. I witnessed and committed many questionable tactics,” I said quietly as I lowered the temperatureof the water. “I won't hurt you unless you want me to, sugar, but youwillneed to use your words.”

She stared at me as I lifted her T-shirt up, but she let me take her T-shirt off, swapping her bear in her hand as I pulled each arm out. Her motor skills had improved, and in no time, she should be coming along in leaps and bounds.

I narrowed my eyes on her when she stared at my shoulders and chest. Her fear was gone as she inspected me. I closed my eyes as hers travelled down my body. My dick was trying to poke its way out of my shorts. There was no hiding that.

When she dropped to her knees, pulling my shorts down as the dull thud of her knees hit the tiles. I could only look at her in shock as her bear fell to the floor. That’s when I felt the burn from her nails as she pulled my shorts down. Her hand wrapped around my cock before she kissed the tip before licking the head.

?What the fuck was happening?

Her pale eyes glittered like broken glass, razor-focused, cutting through me. There was no fear. No plea. Merely a quiet defiance in the form of her raised chin. Then she used those pink pouting lips and tightened them around me, sucking the breath from my lungs before she took me deeper.

I reached down to stroke her cheek before I gathered her hair back, ignoring the rushing sound of the shower and billowing steam that piled out towards us. The need to defile her was always simmering beneath my ‘noble’ intentions. Her actions tore the need to the forefront. She wanted to finish what I started.

Oh, little girl. You've opened the gateway to my insanity.

Chapter 19

Maeve

The panic I felt was inconceivable when I woke up next to the naked man, but the longer I remained frozen and inspected his face, the glimpses of memories started to poke through my brain. He was the new Master, but he kept me in his house. In his room. He talked to me, told me stories about his childhood sibling rivalry, showed me his home, and cooked for me.

My new Master treated me like a human. He talked too much, though, and always tried to make me talk back. I almost touched his beard to know what it felt like, but I wasn't sure if it would make him angry. His upper lip was slightly thinner, but his lower lip was thicker. It made me want to bite it and dig my teeth before soothing it with a lick or kiss. I frowned at him. The urge didn't feel natural. It was new.

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