Page 79 of Reckoning

Over the nextweek we find a routine of my choosing. Sofia eats breakfast under my watchful gaze and then, while I’m out seeing to business she works out, she swims, she makes herself at home.

She’s still flighty, jittery, uncomfortable under the gaze of my men but they’re under strict orders not to touch, not even to be in the same room unless they absolutely have to.

I know some of them are muttering, I know there are whispers about me becoming pussy-whipped but none of them dare say it to my face because they know I’d cut out their god damn tongues.

At night we sleep in separate beds. I don’t know why I put that restriction in place but it seems necessary. Maybe I’m a masochist after all, maybe I get off on torturing myself, but it plays into my plan. I know it’ll put her more on edge, confuse her as to my motives, and soon enough she’ll seek me out, she’ll come begging for me to get her off again.

Will she crawl on her hands and knees? God, I hope she does. She’d look magnificent, resplendent. And then I’d take that bratty mouth of hers and force my cock so far down her throat she’ll be choking on it.

I just have to play this my way, I have to make the beauty come to me. To let her believe she has some control when really I’m stripping her entirely of it.

The next free day I get I take her out. Out of the city. Out of Verona.

She clambers onto the front of my bike, in borrowed leathers that fit her arse almost to perfection. The helmet she’s wearing has a microphone and headpiece so we can talk while we ride. When I get on behind her, her body tenses just enough to tell me our proximity is making her heartrate spike.

I don’t comment. I don’t act like I’ve noticed but Christ does my cock harden anyway.

“It’s a good hours ride.” I say.

She nods, keeping her eyes forward.

The engine roars as it comes to life. Two of the guards open the gates and around us, the other motorbikes begin to move.

It would be a far more intimate thing for it to just be us. I know Sofia would probably be less on edge without so many men around her but I won’t take the risk that such vulnerability would present. Besides, it’s not like it’s the entire gang, there are only ten other bikes beside our own. Ten other men, all armed, all ready to defend us should the necessity arise.

We make it to the beach in record time. As it’s close to winter it’s deserted.

“Why did you bring me here?” She asks.

I shrug. “I grew up not far from here. I spent a lot of my childhood playing on this beach.”

“Oh so this is for nostalgia?” She teases.

I smirk. “Perhaps. I also thought you could do with a little fresh air.”

She bristles. “I’ve been out.” She states.

She has technically. She’s wandered around the gardens. But we both know that’s not what I was getting at.

“I thought being away from Verona might help.”

Clearly she chooses not to reply, and instead bends down and picks up a rock. As hard as she can she tosses it into the sea and we both watch as it slips beneath the surface with a splash.

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

“About what?”

“It’s been a week since you moved in. I wanted to check in, to make sure you’re comfortable. That none of my men have crossed any boundaries.”

She pulls a face. “It’s fine. Although I don’t think Reid likes me that much.”

I chuckle at that. “Reid doesn’t like anyone.” I state. “But has he done anything? Said anything?” If he has, I’ll have his fucking balls.

“No,” She says, “It’s just the looks. Maybe he thinks I really am a devil of sorts.”

I don’t think about the consequences, I don’t consider them, as though it’s instinct I run my eyes over her, taking in the way the leather highlights every delicious curve. Maybe I’m imagining it but it looks like she’s put on weight, though I doubt one weeks’ worth of proper eating has made that much difference.

She clears her throat, her cheeks heating, and she looks in the direction of where we left everyone else. “I’ve never ridden a motorbike before.” She says, deliberately changing the subject like she knows I’m imagining throwing her into the sand and fucking her right here, in front of the dozen or so eyes watching us.

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