Page 26 of Silent Oaths
Isabelbacks up until her shoulders press against the cold stone wall.
There’snowhere to run.
She’sstill breathing fast, her chest rising and falling in shallow bursts, but she hasn’t broken eye contact.Herdefiance burns bright, refusing to be snuffed out.Itake my time, tilting my head, watching her.
“Kneel.”
Herbody tenses. “Goto hell,” she quivers.
Iexpected as much.
“I’llask again.”Itake a step closer, keeping a few feet between us. “Kneel.”
Herchin lifts. “No.”
Myjaw ticks.Ishouldn’t be surprised, but something about her stubborn refusal sets a slow, simmering heat in my blood.She’splaying a dangerous game.
Myhand shoots out, fingers tangling in her hair asIyank her down.Shegasps, her knees hitting the floor with a sharpthud.Herhands fly up, gripping my wrist, nails scratching at my skin as she hisses in pain.Shetwists, trying to break free, butItighten my grip, forcing her head back so she has no choice but to look up at me.
Aflash of uncertainty washes over her eyes.
Good.
“Youwant to rethink that answer,Siren?”
Herjaw clenches, her lips pressing into a thin line.Shetugs at my grip again, stubborn even now.Stupidgirl.
“Youjust don’t learn, do you?”
Ibring my hand down in a sharp strike.Theimpact is instant as my palm connects with her cheek, snapping her head to the side.Agasp leaves her lips, and a flush of deep red blooms across her skin.
Shestays still for a moment, her breath uneven, her lashes fluttering as if stunned, but there’s no fear in her eyes.
Instead, her lips part and her pupils widen—just a little too much.
Myfingers flex around the strands of her hair asItip her face back up, forcing her to meet my gaze.
Isabelstares at me, then, like a true little menace, she spits at my feet.
Ilet out a short laugh, but there’s no humor in it, only disbelief.
“God, you’re a fucking brat.”
Islap her again, harder this time.
Herhead snaps to the side, her chest heaving, and when she finally lifts her eyes back to mine, her lips are curled into the faintest hint of a smirk.
Shefucking likes this.
She’stauntingme now, daring me to keep going.
Idrag my knuckles over her swollen cheek, feeling the heat radiating from where my palm met her skin.Mypulse is steady, but deep down—underneath all the control—Iknow exactly what’s happening.
She’sgetting off on this.Andthe worst part?
SoamI.
Ilet the silence stretch before finally speaking. “Areyou finally going to behave?”
