Page 27 of Silent Oaths
Isabellets out a sharp laugh. “Gofuck yourself.I’drather die than respect scum like you.”
Isigh. “Youreally don’t know when to quit.”
Beforeshe can blink, my hand moves again, faster this time.Theslap lands hard.Asharp hiss rushes through her teeth, and when she looks back at me, there’s renewed heat in her eyes.
Idrag my tongue over my teeth, my jaw flexing.Asmuch asI’dlove to unzip my slacks and push my cock in her pretty mouth, putting it to better use,Iremind myself she’s dealing with the new head ofVanguardnow.Thisisn’t a game anymore.Ideserve respect.
Andshe’s going to give it to me.
Irelease her, stepping back.Fora moment, she doesn’t move, blinking in confusion.Imove across the room, opening a drawer and pulling out a thick iron chain.WhenIturn back, her eyes are wide.
“W-Wait,” she stammers. “Don’t—please.Youdon’t have to do this.Please.”
Ismirk, letting the chain dangle between my fingers, enjoying the way her breath shudders. “Youbeg so prettily, my siren.”Itilt my head. “Shameit’s not for my cock.”
Shestumbles back, but there’s nowhere to go.Iclose the distance, catching her wrists and securing them together.
Herskin is warm beneath my fingers, her pulse frantic against the metal binding her.Sheshakes her head, struggling, but she’s not getting out of this.
Igrab a chair and force her down onto it.Thechains rattle asIfasten her in place, looping them tight against the wooden frame.
Icrouch beside her, dragging a knuckle along the line of her jaw. “Untilyou learn to respect me, you’re staying right here,”Imurmur, letting the promise settle between us. “Unless, of course, you decide to cooperate.”
Sheswallows hard, her throat bobbing. “Cooperatewith what, exactly?”
Ipace the room asIsabelflexes her wrists against the restraints.She’stesting them, but she won’t get far.
“Weneed your assistance.”
“Assistance?” she repeats, wary.
Inod. “Youwork forTheBlackQuill.Thatmakes you valuable.”Istop pacing and look down at her. “Weneed a series of articles exposing our dear father for what he really was.Corrupt.Aman unworthy of the power he wielded.”
Shescoffs, shifting in the chair. “Andyou thinkI’dhelp you with that?”
“Ithink you’ll see reason.”
“Destroymy integrity foryou?Getinvolved in whatever bullshitthisis?Nota chance.”
Herdefiance doesn’t surprise me one bit.
“Thisisn’t just about your father, is it?” she adds, tilting her chin up. “Iknow theVanguardshad something to do withCamila’smurder.”
Ican see it in her face the second she realizes her mistake.
“Youknow aboutCamila?”Myvoice is almost curious, butIsee the way she shrinks just a little, like she wants to take it back.
Ilet the silence stretch just long enough to make her squirm beforeIlaugh.
“Iknow you’ve been digging,Isabel.Youand your dear friendValeria.Howdo you think she found those monitors in the basement in the first place?”Igrin. “Iledher straight to them.”
Isabelstares at me, processing my words.
“Theplan was always for us to eliminateLionel,”Icontinue, stepping closer. “Butlucky for us,Valeriaand my long-lost adoptive sister did it for us.”Icrouch in front of her, my hands on my thighs. “Sonow, we shift gears.”
Isabel’sface twists in confusion, her brows knitting together.Somethingabout my words isn’t clicking for her. “Camilais dead.”
Ismirk. “Isshe?”
