Page 77 of His to Possess
Alain's smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'm sure you'll sort it out. You've always been so diligent."
The conversation continued, a dance on the razor's edge. For every probing question, I offered just enough truth to satisfy, burying my suspicions beneath a veneer of compliance.
Suddenly, his demeanor shifted. The false warmth vanished, replaced by cold command. "You'll come to my place tonight, Laurel. We have unfinished business to attend to."
My stomach lurched. "Alain, I don't think—"
"I wasn't asking," he cut me off, his voice smooth as silk but hard as steel. "I expect you to be there. 8 PM sharp."
I clenched my fists, nausea rising. "And if I refuse?"
"Now, why would you do that? After all I've done for you? Besides, we wouldn't want those unfortunate documents finding their way to the authorities, would we?"
I felt the walls closing in, suffocating me.
I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as his words hung in the air. The implications of his "invitation" were crystal clear, and a wave of revulsion washed over me. I couldn't—I wouldn't—let him have that kind of power over me.
"No," I said, my voice surprisingly steady despite the fear coursing through my veins. "I won't do that. You can force me to work for you, but not sleep with you."
The silence that followed was deafening. I watched as his carefully crafted disguise crumbled, revealing the monster beneath. His eyes flashed with cold fury, and before I could react, his hand connected with my cheek. The sharp crack echoed through the office, and pain exploded across my face.
I stumbled back, more from shock than the force of the blow. My hand flew to my stinging cheek as I stared at him in disbelief. This wasn't the first time he had shown his true colors, but the violence of his action left me reeling.
"You're not off the hook!" He closed the distance between us in two quick strides. His fingers dug into my wrist, hard enough tobruise. "You seem to have forgotten your place, Laurel. Perhaps I need to remind you of the consequences of defiance."
I braced myself, fear clawing at my throat. But before Alain could make good on his threat, a sharp knock at the door interrupted us.
"Mr. De Lamalle?" A hesitant voice called out. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but your appointment is here, waiting in the main gallery."
Alain's grip on my wrist tightened painfully for a moment before he released me with a frustrated growl. "Fix your hair," he snapped, straightening his own jacket. "You're coming with me to meet the clients. And don't think this discussion is over."
I nodded mutely, my fingers trembling as I smoothed my hair and tried to compose myself. The reprieve was temporary, I knew, but I was grateful for even this small escape.
As we headed for the door, he turned to me one last time, his voice low and menacing. "Remember, Laurel. I own you. The sooner you accept that, the easier things will be."
I said nothing, focusing on steadying my breathing as we left the office. My mind raced, searching for a way out of this nightmare. But for now, all I could do was play along and hope for an opportunity to break free.
Chapter 26
Laurel
I finally reached the top of the stairs, my legs burning from the climb. The familiar sight of my studio door did nothing to calm the storm that raged inside me. My cheek still stung, a constant reminder of Alain's cruelty. I glanced down at my wrist, wincing at the ugly bruise that was forming there. It wasn't the first, and a bitter part of me knew it wouldn't be the last.
A shudder ran through me as I recalled Alain's threat. If those clients hadn't shown up… I couldn't bear to finish the thought. The image of his hands on me, his breath on my skin, made my stomach churn.
I fumbled for my keys, desperate to escape into the safety of my tiny studio. But as I raised my hand to unlock the door, I felt it. The tremor started small, a slight shake in my fingers. Then it spread, consuming my entire body.
The first tear fell before I could stop it. Then another. And another. Suddenly, I was sobbing uncontrollably, my chest heaving with the force of my cries.
I tried to steady myself, to focus on getting the key in the lock. But my vision blurred, and my hands wouldn't stop shaking. It was useless. I was useless.
The weight of everything - Alain's threats, the constant fear, the loneliness - came crashing down on me. My legs gave out, and I slid down against the door, not caring who might hear or see.
"Please," I whispered to no one, "please let this be over."
I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold the broken pieces together. How did I end up here? How did I let Alain trap me again? The questions swirled in my mind, each one a fresh wound.
I thought of Rex, of the life I had left behind in Chicago and it only made me sink deeper. I pressed my forehead against my knees, praying that none of my neighbors would decide to investigate the noise. I couldn't bear the thought of anyone seeing me like this - broken, defeated.
