Page 18 of The Villain

“None of your business.”

“I’m curious all the same.”

“Well, too bad for you. Take me down.”

I snort, meet her eyes. Amber. A shade of fire. I knew she’d be like this, didn’t I? From the moment I laid eyes on her in her father’s study. “How should I punish you, Moth?”

Her expression changes then. She’s trying to hide her fear.

“Tell me. Should I beat you?”

“You would, wouldn’t you? Was that all talk when you broke my brother’s wrist for hurting me? Hypocritical, don’t you think?”

I swallow my drink, study her. “Maybe I should take another finger?”

She freezes, no comeback. I set the glass aside and move close enough to reach behind her. I cup her skull before gripping a handful of that thick hair and tugging.

She grunts, but doesn’t ask me to release her. She won’t give me the satisfaction.

“How old are you now? Nineteen, twenty?”

“Twenty.”

“Well, you’re young and I’m sure daddy kept you shielded, living in a bubble.”

“You don’t get to talk about my father.”

“I get to talk about whoever I want. I’m going to give you some advice?—”

“Save it.”

“Be careful. My patience only goes so far, Allegra.”

“Allegra? Not Moth?”

“I’m getting bored of this game. You’re owed a punishment. And I always pay what I owe. So, take care with that smart mouth of yours,” I look down at that pretty, albeit big, mouth. I drag my gaze back to hers. “There are many wonderful ways to use it, and it would be a shame to have to cut out your tongue.”

Her breath trembles, her eyes betraying her yet again. I release my hold on her hair.

“What? No comeback? No smartass comment?” I ask, stepping backward.

“Go to hell.”

“I’m already there, sweetheart.” I look her over. “Let’s get these off. See what I’m dealing with here.”

I reach into my back pocket to take out the letter opener. Her eyes grow wide, and she presses her back to the post, tensing her entire body as if readying herself for an attack. She’s not new to violence. Maybe her father didn’t keep her as sheltered and protected as I thought. I slide the flat of the blade carefully over her chest, down her belly. I don’t want to hurt her. The two remaining buttons pop.

She sucks in a sharp breath as if having expected pain. I’m curious about her reaction.

Next, I slip the sharp edge beneath one shirt sleeve, the expensive material easily coming apart, so I barely have to tug. I’m careful not to break skin as I do the same with the second sleeve and soon, the blouse is in tatters at her feet. Next come the pants. It’ll be a shame to ruin them. They’re nice. But I do all the same and moments later, she’s standing before me naked, but for a strapless bra and panties. Matching set. Pretty.

“Better,” I say, making a point of looking her over. She’s petite, her breasts small, but her hips are nicely rounded. They’ll give me something to hold on to. Her arms and legs are lean with muscle. Not a runner, no gym for her, but yoga maybe.

“Get enough of an eyeful?” she asks, a tremor in her voice I don’t miss even for her bluster.

“Not yet,” I say with a grin before slipping the blade between her breasts and tugging, the lace of her bra snapping and dropping to the floor along with the rest of her things leaving her small, pert little breasts exposed. Her nipples tighten beneath my gaze, and she tugs her restraints, curling in on herself in an effort to shield herself from me.

“Get away from me!”