Page 18 of Survival

That was ballsy of me and my stomach did a smallbackflipfor my lack ofdiscretion. He stopped and turned to me, a fierce look in hiseyes.

“You would be mistaken if you think humantrafficking is the only ring I run. I’m invested in far moredangerous trades than you will ever need to concern yourselfwith.”

My stomach clenched tightly as he bore downonme, a warning clear as dayacross his face. He was serious now, and I found myself sinkingaway inside.

“You have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of,Jaden, and you’d do well to remember that and watch your smartmouth from now on. I’ve been lenient with you today, but tomorrow,you will not be so lucky. I would focus on behaving if I wereyou.”

I just stared at the healing black eye of his,remembering how good it felt when my fist made contact. I simmeredmy attitude and lowered my eyes in defeat just as I knew Darrenwanted me to.

As he continued his pace, he beganstatinghis demands for tomorrow.

“Breakfast is served every day at 9:00 a.m., lunchis at noon, and dinner is at 5:30 p.m. I would embed those times inyour head if I were you. I’d hate for you to forget. I will notalways be there to join you. I’m a very busy man and will not bearound very often, but that doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply, soremember them. However, for the next week, I will try to be here asoften as I can.”

Don’t try too hard,I almost said.

“I will be leaving at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow and will beback around 3:00 p.m. I have scheduled a manicure and pedicure foryou, as well as a haircut at 1:00 p.m. Make sure you are ready forthem. Do you have any questions?”

A mani andpedi? Why?I wanted toaskbut didn’t feel the need to invoke his angeragain.

“No.”

“Good. When I get home, I will give you a full tourof the estate. You are to remain in your room until I return.Understand?”

I would have to stay in my room for the entire time?Well, tomorrow was going to be a fun-filled day.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

By this time, we had reached the patio, and hepulled the glass door aside so we could walk through. When wefinally stopped in front of my bedroom door, he paused and placedhis hands on my shoulders and a shiver crept down my spine,goosebumps forming down my bare arms. I stared into his dark blueeyes as they pierced through my resolve, and I could feel myselfmelting under his gaze.

“Before we say good night,” he began, “I wantsomething from you.”

Oh,joy …

“What?” I asked.

“A good nightkiss.” He smirked.

Poker face out the door, my lips curled into adisgusted scowl, and his eyes immediately lit up withwarning. I felt my guard come up as Iinstinctively put my left foot back and turned my right side tohim, my defensive stance coming alive.

He noticed and took an intimidating step toward me,but I didn’t budge. Darren towered over me, an intense look on hisface as he challenged me to refuse him.

“You have two choices,” he said low and menacing.“You give me what I asked for and you can go to sleep withoutissue. You deny me, and I’ll fuck you nice and hard right here onthis floor until I’m good and satisfied. So what’s it going tobe?”

I released an irritated sigh. I always loved theoptions he gave me.

“You have until the count of three to make adecision,” he warned. “Before I make it for you. One …”

I felt my heart rate spike as a small twinge of fearshocked through my veins.

His eyes narrowed. “Two …”

Ileapedtowardhim, cutting off the “three” that was about to leave his mouth. Ireached on my tiptoes and quickly forced my lipstohis. Luckily, he saw mylungeand met me halfway so I could complete hisrequest.

I kissed him hard, violently, and hatefully, as if Iwas trying to assault his mouth with my lips. He responded with thesame amount of aggression, his hand coming up against the small ofmy back, forcing me against his hardbodywhile his other hand gripped my ass.

I wanted him to know I hated him and I never wantedhim to second-guess that, ever. He already hadn’t cared when I saidthe words out loud, but I hoped my physical reactions could providemore clarification.