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He couldn’t control me forever.
I frowned at the door as I approached the comfiest armchair.
You can’t stay away forever, either.
I sat, dejected about the fact that he didn’t visit me often. When he did, it felt more like he was just checking in to make sure that his pet was still alive in its cage.
That night, he did.
Long since finished with my dinner tray and trying to read that out-of-date historical romance, I lifted my head at the sound of the door opening.
He was returning late in the night, and I tensed up at him.
Fuck you, Maxim.
I had become a pro at chanting it in my mind since I was determined to remain silent.
He entered the room and closed the door behind him, appearing impassive as ever to my glare.
This wasn’t any different from what he did before. He was consistent about keeping me sheltered from anyone else in this big house. Aside from the maid, who never said a word, I had no idea how many people were in this building, where it was, or anything else about my location. I could only guess that the first night I was here, he hadn’t taken me too far since I was still in my stripper costume.
But then, something else happened.
I froze, bracing myself.
He didn’t stroll leisurely by the door as he’d sigh then ask if I wanted anything or needed anything.
Tonight, he locked his intense focus on me.
He approached me directly, striding across the room.
Alarmed by his attention on me, I stood up from the chair. The yellowed paperback fell from my hands, but I dismissed the slight impact of it dropping onto my bare feet.
With his hungry gaze honed in on me, I swallowed hard and felt too exposed, too vulnerable.
Too… weak.
Tilting my head to the side, I rounded the chair to keep it between us as he stalked confidently after his prey.
Me.
I was his prey.
I was his toy.
His captive.
And I had no clue what else he wanted from me as he reached for the knot of his tie and tugged at it.
Oh, fuck.
This time, I was silent because I had no damn idea what to say.
20
MAXIM
Enough.