Page 57 of Inside the Sun

Weirdly, almost as soon as I approach the window, he lifts his head. Our eyes meet again for a moment.

My heart speeds up just a little.

It’s a stupid, meaningless thing, but somehow the thought that someone out there knows I’m here… it brings the tiniest flicker of comfort. Barely anything, but still.

I sigh and back away from the window.

Then I lie down on the bed and close my eyes, clinging to some pointless dream that maybe I’ll come up with a way to gain even a shred of power over Anzo. One small win. Please, Fate!

***

I wake up to the sharp yank of being dragged upright by my hair. It’s Anzo’s mechanical hand.

But that’s not all; his other fist, the human one, slams into my stomach. I double over from the blow.

"You fucking whore," he growls. "You really don’t know how to learn the most basic goddamn things, do you?"

I drop to the floor, curling up, arms and knees shielding my gut.

"You seriously thought you could drive a wedge between me and my men? What, by spreading your legs for them? Sucking them off? Matteo told me everything. He’s my most loyal soldier. He wouldn’t risk shit for a cheap little slut like you!"

Oh, wow.

And yet, despite the pain, I feel a strange flicker of satisfaction.

Anzo looks more pissed off than when I spit in his face.

That time, his anger was cold, controlled. He punished me, sure, but now? Now he's lost it, he’s genuinely furious.

The only question is,why?

WHY?

Why does the idea of me hitting on his guards piss him off this much? What nerve did I strike?

It slips out before I can stop it, typical me:

"What’s the matter, Anzo? Scared their dicks are bigger than your sad little micro-cock?"

The next thing I feel is white-hot pain ripping through my body.

Right. I forgot, someone must’ve put the collar back on me while I slept.

The shock is so strong, it knocks me out cold.

***

I open my eyes and I’m back in the black room.

I’m naked, except for the cage on my dick. I’m lying on a table, my legs spread, my arms spread too.

I can feel something between my legs, sticking out of my ass, some kind of device. It looks like a dildo, but I’m almost sure it’s more than that.

Then I hear footsteps behind me, and Anzo steps into my line of sight.

"I thought you weren’t going to be any fun. That you weren’t even a challenge. But you did surprise me a little."

"I’m glad I’m not a total disappointment to you," I shoot back, unable to resist.

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