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Vice's grip tightened. "You can," he said, his voice a dark promise. "You will."

The orgasm hit her like a wave, crashing over her and through her, stealing her breath. She bucked against him, trying to get away even as her body betrayed her and she moaned his name. The pleasure was so intense it almost hurt, and she knew in that moment that she was losing the battle for control.

Vice's eyes blazed with triumph as he watched her come apart beneath him. "There," he murmured, his voice smug. "Now, tell me. Who do you belong to?"

Ivy's breath was rigid, her body still quivering from the intensity of her orgasm. "I belong to Alice," she said through gritted teeth, refusing to give him the victory he sought.

Vice's eyes narrowed, his grip on her wrists tightening. "And what about James?"

"Him too." she said, her voice strained. He leaned in closer, his cock still buried deep inside her. "But what if I told you that James isn't as innocent as you think?"

Ivy's body stilled, the mention of James piercing through the haze of pleasure and pain. "What do you mean?"

Vice leaned closer, his breath a warm caress on her neck. "I know things," he whispered. "Things that might change how you feel about him."

He then continued to pound into her. She pushed her hips back into his thrusts. He smiled. "Good girl." he groaned, his thrusts becoming harder.

Ivy felt the beginnings of a powerful orgasm building. "Tell me," she gasped out between moans. "What do you know?"

Vice's grip tightened on her hips, his strokes becoming more deliberate. "Let's just say James has been playing a very dangerous game," he murmured darkly, his teeth grazing her earlobe. "With someone he's greatly underestimated."

Ivy's eyes widened, the implications of his words sinking in. Her movements grew more frenzied as she chased her ownrelease, trying to process this new information. "Who?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vice didn't answer, focusing instead on the feel of her tightening around him. His own orgasm was approaching.

With a final, brutal thrust, he came, filling her with his hot seed. Ivy's eyes rolled back in her head, her body trembling as she reached her peak simultaneously. Her nails dug into his back, leaving faint trails of red.

He kissed her neck, panting, his tongue tracing a path along the delicate skin. They remained still for a moment, their breaths mingling in the quiet room, the only sound the crackling of the fireplace. The tension of his revelation hung in the air, thick and palpable, as the aftershocks of their shared climax subsided.

Then, with surprising gentleness, Vice pulled out of her, his cock glistening with the remnants of their passion. "Get dressed," he ordered, his voice still thick with desire. "We have plans.

Chapter 16:

Ivy slowly got to her feet, her body aching from the whipping and the intense climax. She stumbled over to the bed, her legs wobbly, and picked up the black floor-length dress that lay draped over the end post. The fabric was surprisingly soft, a stark contrast to the harsh reality of her situation. She slid it over her body, feeling the cool lace caress her bruised skin. The dress clung to her curves, the back rising to a delicate piece of fabric that cradled her neck and connected to the sleeves, leaving her back bare. The front was open in a small V, revealing just enough of her chest to be tantalizing without being vulgar.

As she started to fasten the dress, she couldn't help but feel like a pawn in Vice's twisted game. She had thought that by playing along, she could gain some measure of control, but his words about James had thrown her off balance. Was it possible that the man she had loved, the man whose life she had bargained for, was not the person she thought he was? The doubt gnawed at her; a new kind of pain that was just as potent as the physical agony she had endured.

"Allow me," Vice said, his voice a dark velvet that seemed to stroke her soul. His hands, so cruel moments ago, were surprisingly gentle as they brushed against hers, taking over the task of buttoning her dress.

Ivy's heart hammered in her chest as she felt his warmth against her back, his fingers deftly working the tiny buttons up to her neck. His touch sent electricity threw her body. She felt his breath hot on her neck, his presence both comforting and terrifying.

"Thank you," she murmured, the words feeling strange and forced. It was a simple courtesy, one that seemed out of place in the macabre theatre of their relationship.

Vice stepped back, his eyes lingering on the delicate curve of her neck. "You're welcome," he said, his voice a smoky purr. "Now, let's go. We have a dinner to get to."

Ivy's stomach twisted at the thought of food. How could she possibly eat when her mind was a maelstrom of confusion and fear? Yet, she knew she had to keep up her strength for Alice. She turned to face him. "Where are we going?"

Vice's smile was enigmatic, his eyes glinting with amusement. "No place special," he said, holding out a hand to help her balance as she slid her feet into the matching heels. "But some where we can get to know each other better."

Her hand in his, Ivy felt a jolt of electricity that she didn't want to acknowledge. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead. As they left the room, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into a lion's den, dressed as the evening's prey.

The castle was a labyrinth of dark corridors and shadowy archways, the grandeur of its former life buried beneath layers of dust and decay. The silence was almost deafening, punctuated only by the clack of her heels and the steady thud of Vice's boots. They descended a winding staircase, the light from the flickering torches casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls.

"Where are we going?" Ivy asked again, her voice a soft whisper that seemed to hang in the air like a ghostly apparition.

Vice's grip on her hand was firm as he led her through the labyrinthine halls of the castle. "Patience, my dear," he replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. "You'll see soon enough."

The dining room was an opulent display of a bygone era, with a long table set for two, adorned with gleaming silverware and candelabras that cast a warm, flickering glow. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting scenes of battles and conquests, their vibrant colors muted by the passage of time. The smell of roasting meats and fresh bread filled the air, making Ivy's stomach growl despite her nerves.