Page 41 of Forced Alpha Bride
Damon gulps, obviously not trusting himself to speak. When he reaches out to loop the chain through the manacles, his hands are very gentle. His touch is feather-light, almost reverent.
I might be going crazy, but I’d call that progress.
Whether Damon knows it or not, he’s just proven to me who really has the most power in this situation.
And guess what, tough guy? It isn’t you.
Chapter 12 - Damon
I’m plastered to the wall, my back pressed flat against it as all the strength has gone out of my legs. I know for certain that if I didn’t have something to lean on, I’d be a puddle on the floor.
I can’t stop staring at Winnie, and her little grin, and the way she has her head tilted to the side, only making it worse.
“Come on, Damon,” she says, holding out her hands. “Don’t you want to restrain me?”
I can’t do this. I will tackle her and tear that dress right off again if I get even a little closer.
I manage to straighten myself up a bit, and the chain clinks in my hands. It’s made of slender links and is very light.
I seriously do wonder what the hell the Brents were doing with something like this. It really doesn’t feel like something you’d use to chain up someone you don’t like.
Winnie wiggles her hands, and I push myself off the wall, securing the chain through little hooks on the bracelets. The chain is designed to slide freely between them, so if I lock it tightly, it binds her hands together, but I can also choose to leave it longer to give her more freedom.
I don’t put her wrists together, but leave enough slack so she can comfortably use her hands without being able to do anything complicated. I start to feel somewhat ridiculous because she’s standing in front of me so submissively, it seems impossible to believe she’d try to run again.
Maybe that’s just what she wants me to think. I should stay on guard. That little display earlier might have been designed purely for distraction, and it fucking worked.
“Can you put your boots on?” I ask, hardening my voice.
She nods. “I think so,” she answers, sitting on the edge of the bed as she reaches for her shoes. I watch her carefully, and she has just enough slack in the chain to do the task comfortably. I decide that the length is adequate and I don’t need to adjust it.
Unless she actually does run again, then I’ll chain her foot to her hands!
“Coming?” I ask, turning towards the door.
I hear her step behind me, and I lead the way down the stairs.
“Did you want anything else to eat?” I ask, making myself some coffee. “I could use another cup before we head out.”
Actually, I could use a stiff drink and a cold shower…
“Sure,” she replies. “I don’t like my coffee that strong, by the way. A bit more milk than the last one.”
“No problem,” I say, getting out another cup. “The bag from the bakery is there on the counter.”
I hear her chains rattle as she picks up the bag and goes to sit down. She makes a small sound of pleasure as she looks inside.
“Strawberry iced donut! My favorite!”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say, putting her coffee down next to her. “I really want you to be happy here, so tell me what you like, and I’ll make sure we have it.”
“I like freedom,” she says somberly, rattling her chains to make the point.
“You like it too much,” I say sternly. “I sent Iris a message, but heard nothing back, so I don’t think you’ll be able to talk to her anytime soon. But there are some serious consequences for breaking the contract, and I paid good money for the service.”
Every last dime of my savings, in fact.
“There are consequences to chaining people up,” she warns.
