His Forbidden Obsession

hat bordered on obscene. Everything-marble floors, intricate chandeliers, furniture that looked mo

n and I had built-or had. Past tense. Bec

ahead of me, his presence filling every inch of the space. I followed,

in the middle of a sprawling living room

pped, cross

of something-amusement, irritation-d

hands were firm but not rough as he gripped my shoulders and guided me down on

d staring down at me, "that obedience is

g over. "Safety from what? You? Y

g down his cheek-reached for the gun at his hip and cocked it. The

ecarious my situation was. "What the hell has Ju

new owner-smiled faintly. "Let'

but I didn't l

less I say so. Rule two, you don't speak to anyone outside this estate. Rule three.

se? Should I curtsy whe

r, you do exactly as you

g my head. "You can't seriously

s if I hadn't spoken, "diso

care about your conse

there was a chill in his gaz

"You can't keep me here. I'm someone's wife.

ne's wife the moment your husband signed you over in exchange for cash. As far

my stomach chur

ched. "How

" My voice wavered despite my

Then, with an air of nonchalance

Ten million dollars. Julian had

wasn't directed at the man in fro

the man said, his tone dropping an octave. "Becaus

g. "You should be ashamed of yourse

s of gold in his dark eyes. "There are far better ways to puni

wanted to shove away but couldn't. Damn him

d at one of his men. "Fi

-nodded. "Come on, lady," he sa

ng as I tried to process everything. Just as I reached

n his pockets, his expression

like a weight, one I wa

orize the layout-doors, turns, anything that could help later-but the place was a labyrinth. At

in plush bedding, a sitting area with velvet chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows covered by thick, heavy cu

," Finn said, his voic

t home," I

" he muttered,

. How long are you plann

raised like I'd just asked the dumbest q

este," I snappe

ing with mine. "Don't care. I don't g

a slap, but it was his next wo

sn't last arou

s words sinking in. "What

alfway out the door. "

ast around here? What did that mean? Were there others before me? Was this some kin

ing me out of my thoughts.

n't do it in a towel. Finn might've thrown his jacket over me

. I ran my fingers over the fabric, my anger bubbling up again. How the hell did

and a pink sweatshirt. They fit perfectly, of

o kill before my chance to escape. Midnight would be best

opening one of the drawers. Empty. I was about to

-white maid uniform stepped inside. She was young, maybe a few years old

said softly. "You're

she'd grown a second

"Mr. Blackwell insists. It w

ms. "Tell him I

cautious step forward. "I understa

her off. "I'm not going to wine and d

een something in my face because she stopped. With a small n

swirling together in a messy knot. How dare they e

to play the part of his docile little p