Page 110 of Unfettered

His eyebrows furrow. “You…want me to see a therapist?”

I give a half shrug. “I want you to be okay. You’re mine. Your well-being is my responsibility. Which means the guilt you have for failing to support him? The trauma from your fucking ex, and from being gutted… I want you to talk to someone, at least for a little while.”

He shudders. “Can I…think about it?”

I give him a bland stare. “Sure, but if I feel you’re dragging your feet to avoid it, I will take you to Javi by your cock. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

I kiss him gently. “You’re mine, Ignacio. The punishment is over with. I think you understand that you fucked up, and you now know how much pleasure I can bring someone… You will apologize to Sandro, and you will never bully or put anyone down for their choices again. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir. I…I know I was wrong. I’m just…I’m confused. Angry. Hurt.”

“And you’re allowed to be, but you’re not allowed to take it out on anyone else. Especially not someone who’s trying his hardest to be what he thinks he needs to be. He has his Daddy, his Boy, and his care team. But he needs you, his family, as well.”

Ignacio whimpers, but he nods. “I’ll do better.”

“I know. It’s okay. I’ve got you now. You’ve been punished. Now, you can move forward.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

I smile and kiss him again, harder this time. “Anytime, Princess. It’s my pleasure to put you under me.”

“It’s where I belong,” he whispers.

“Yes, yes it is.”

He kisses me, and I can feel the gratefulness on his lips. It further cements him in my heart—not that he wasn’t already there. This Princess, beautiful, strong, and vulnerable as he is, is mine. Now and forever.

Control. It slipped through my fingers. And the moment I let go, the world around me imploded. Sitting in my room, I bury my face in my hands. I shudder as the thoughts overtake me, preying on me, reminding me…of things best left alone. Yet here, when I’m alone, it’s the perfect time to torture me. Because fuck if I’ll be allowed any rest—not that I deserve it.

I'd been taught to keep a firm hand on the chaos around me. To bring the men to heel. To force myself into the bonds of misery that my family created, honed purely for their legacy. A reputation of coldness.

I tried to temper it. To offer my own loyalty back to those who surrounded me. It worked...for a while. Then when I was ripped away, I waited to be rescued, planning my revenge. Only to come back to bedlam.

It surrounded me. Suffocated me. In a desperate bid to regain that control, I tried to force what wasn't mine to force. And it burned... All of it burned to ashes. My very soul razed to the ground, and my legacy...gone.

But I fought back. Each step was a success, no matter how small. I made amends. Tried to change. To be someone who those around me would accept, because my own mind continued to rebel, my soul shaken and tormented by the memories of the past.

I was lost. And I found love. Many times over. I made new connections, and renewed the old.

And yet...here I am. Bitterly cold again. Stuck with nothing but shadowy memories. How can I give everything and still be found wanting? What is left of myself to give? I'd sacrifice more if I had it, but there's nothing left inside. No blood can be taken from stone.

I'm wrung out. A failure. A Master no more.

"I can see the thoughts dancing across your face."

I jolt. My head turns and I watch Hollis stalk into my room. I was so lost in thought, I didn't even hear him... The closing of the door echoes like a shot in the dark. And I’m left breathless as I wait. For what? I have no clue.

Shame chokes me. I don't have any words to give. A hysterical bubble of laughter is suddenly stuck in my throat as emotions swamp me. Pushing me, twisting me. As unforgivable as always.

I almost hope Hollis has come to the realization that I'm not worthy of being a Partner... I'm not worthy of anything. If only so I can be left alone with the shadows...

Smack.

The crack of his hand against my cheek has me biting back a growl, pissed that he refuses to let me give in. His taunting sneer pushes me closer to the former version of myself, challenging me in a way I still struggle to control. It's not safe. Not for him. Not for me.

"You're pushing it," I hiss, the cracks inside me widening.