Page 38 of Promise of Punishment

I kick a pebble as I leave the west wing to make sure Fable returns inside. It was an arsehole move to force her back to her room, but my anger got the best of me, and I reacted. She has more control over me than I’d like, especially after tasting her and seeing how greedy she is, starved for sex, and so responsive. She came so quickly and passionately. I can’t wait to get her to that point again. I want my tongue in her and my cock. I want to do things to her that she couldn’t imagine. And I want bloody answers about her life.

I stomp more than walk. With Fable inside, I slip through an entrance much closer to the front of the mansion and text Felix as I head for the basement gym.

Me: Anything on William or Fable?

I understand there’s a lot of digging, and neither is easy to get information on, but my patience is wearing extremely thin. So much so, I’m thinking about tying Fable up and using sex to coax the answers out of her. That could give my identity away, though, and end things between us before they’ve started. I won’t risk it.

I turn down the servants’ staircase and send a group text to the Lords.

Me: I’m taking a new bed partner. She’s a staff member. Fable. Don’t touch her, and don’t ask me any questions. I’ll talk to Camila about the changes. Once I have, I’ll let you know if she’s interested in a new partner.

Someone replies at once.

Hayden: Cool.

A moment later, another text comes in.

Sinclair: Just summoned her to my room. Should I send her back?

Me: Depends on how much you value your cock.

Threatening his life wouldn’t do shit. His dick, on the other hand…

Sinclair: Consider me withdrawn.

I laugh.

Brooks: The new server, yeah?

Me: Yeah.

Brooks: Bollocks.

Of course, she was on Brooks radar given his kink for petite beauties. We don’t get many here. But he’s not territorial like me, so he’ll happily find another partner.

Cruz: No problem.

Unlike Brooks, Cruz is only attracted to women with legs like a Victoria’s Secret model. He’s always been hard for Camila and fucks her when I’m not around. I’ve no doubt she’ll end up in his bed.

I hate that it bothers me. She’s free to sleep with whomever she wants when I’m not here, and I’m sure she does. It’s the control I’m losing and the disruption of my carefully orchestrated sex life that I don’t like.

I’m so unhinged, I considered fucking Fable against the wall in that dilapidated wing. It’s partly why I went in there, but she looked so utterly happy gawking at the decay like it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. It reminded me of when she saved me and confessed how she liked abandoned things, and how some masochistic part of me bought this with her in mind, the little angel who betrayed me. All I wanted to do was punch the wall. I haven’t been able to fight here like I did in the UK. I had more connections to that world. Here, it’s different. Here, I want to take my anger out on Fable. Not to hurt her, never that, but to get the release my demon so badly needs. I fear only she can give it to me.

Two of the morning servers pass me in the hallway, their faces covered with silver generic masks, the elaborate ones saved for the parties.

Amelia, according to the name etched on her pin, stops. “Morning, sir. We’re serving breakfast if you’re interested.”

“Thank you, Amelia.” I nod and catch the hushed sigh she lets out when I say her name as I walk on.

Protein shakes are my preferred breakfast. I’m certain it has everything to do with my coldhearted mother and the rigid formal breakfasts she forced Tessa and me to endure.

As soon as I reach the gym, I wrap my knuckles with tape and head for the bag. Within twenty minutes, I’ve exhausted myself from pounding on it fiercely and have to shake my hands to get the blood flow back.

“Damn.” Cruz walks over wearing a white robe that pulls tight across his muscular chest. He always hits the sauna after a night of partying to detox. “Who pissed in your Cheerios?”

A five-foot-nothing brunette who I want to tie up and fuck until I pass out. I give him half a laugh.

“Seriously. Whatever caused that explosion, you need to either fuck it or fight it out. I won’t mess with you after the last time you broke some ribs.” He rubs his right side in memory.