Punished

The car door opened and he dragged me out by my hair. Tears streamed down my face, stumbling as he pulled me up the stairs to my room.

When the heavy door shut behind us, he released me and I crawled away, dropping to my knees with my palms pressed together.

“You ran away,” he said, his voice terrifyingly calm. “Did you think you could run from me, Monica?”

Dread settled in my chest. He’d never used my name before. I was just ‘pet’ to him – his property, his possession.

“I’m sorry. I... I panicked. I didn’t know—”

“Silence!” His bark made me swallow my words. He stalked forward and grabbed my hair again. “You speak only when spoken to.”

“Yes—”

He threw me hard to the ground. The plush carpet didn’t soften my fall. “You don’t listen at all. You’re not a good pet. Stupid, weak, stubborn... What did I pay for?” His perfect features twisted as he glared down at me from his towering height. “Stand up.”

I rose on shaking legs, feeling small and insignificant before him.

“Go to the bathroom and stay there.”

I obeyed without question, my heart pounding. My earlier defiance seemed foolish now. When he returned minutes later, he ordered me to strip and stand in the tub.

I hesitated for a split second but the dangerous flash in his eyes had me rushing to comply. The water reached my ankles before he turned it off. Then he left again, returning with a steaming kettle. I gasped, starting to sob.

“Disobedient pets need to be taught a lesson.” He set down a low stool and sat, his tall frame making even this simple action look like regal.

“Please,” I whispered, then caught myself. He didn’t ask me to speak.

He tilted his head, amused by my growing awareness. “Tell me why you ran.”

“I was scared—”

Hot water splashed near my foot and I jerked back with a yelp.

“Try again.”

“I... I thought I could escape—”

This time the water hit my foot and I screamed.

“Escape what exactly?” His voice remained conversational, like we were discussing the weather. “The man who just covered up a murder for you?”

“No, I—” Another splash of hot water, another scream from me.

“The man who gives you everything?” He moved the kettle closer, steam rising between us. “The man who owns you?”

I was sobbing too hard to answer, but I knew he was right. He owned me – body, mind, and now my very freedom. I killed someone and he made it disappear. My skin was bright red, tears and snot running down my face, hair plastered to my cheeks. I must have looked pathetic to him.

“Such beautiful skin,” he murmured, caressing my leg up to my thigh. His touch was possessive. “Look at what you’ve done to yourself, pet.”

His handsome face showed genuine hurt, and somehow that was worse than anger. “I thought I could trust you, but you took me for a fool.”

He stood, brushing his fingers past my nipple up to my lips. Took them between his fingers and twisted. I bit my bottom lip to stifle the pain. I deserved this.

“What will your punishment be?” he mused, and I was shocked. Wasn’t this it? But of course – he decided when punishment began and ended.

He released my lips and lifted me into his arms. I felt the strength in him, the casual display of dominance in carrying me like I weighed nothing.

When he dumped me on the bed and left, terror gripped me – but he returned with a balm. His touch was tender as he treated my feet, long eyelashes casting shadows on his sculpted cheekbones.

“This was your fault,” he kept murmuring. “Why couldn’t you let me rest tonight? After everything I’ve done for you…”

“I let you get away with murder, pet. Who else would do that for you?”

I sniffled and sat up, not even conscious of my nakedness. My body belonged to him anyway. He was right – I killed someone and he made it disappear. Like a god.

“I’m sorry—”

He looked up sharply. “Speak only when spoken to.”

“Oh, I—”

He threw my foot aside and stood. “It’s like talking to a wall! I’ve tried with you.”

“Master—”

He strode out and the door locked behind him. I stumbled to my feet, hissing at the pain, and banged on the door.

“Master! Master, please!” I couldn’t be locked in again. “Master, I'm sorry!”

Silence. His footsteps retreated and I banged harder, then checked the windows. No latches. Nothing. Last time he left me here for days without food or water. Who knew how long he’d keep me locked up this time?

I limped to the bed and buried my face in my hands, sobbing. I understood now – really understood. Every bit of freedom I thought I had was a gift he gave me.

When I woke to the door unlocking, I struggled up – but instead of my Master, a police officer entered. He roughly handcuffed me, ignoring my nakedness.

“You’re under arrest for the murder of Teddy Gideon.”

My Master appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed, looking immaculate and untouchable.

“Master! Master, what's happening?” I struggled against the cuffs. “What’s going on?”

The officer dragged me toward the door, but I broke free and fell to my knees before my Master, clutching his leg.

“Please, I don’t want to go to jail. Please help me.” Tears streamed down my face but his expression remained blank. He could help me or destroy me with a word.

When the officer pulled me away, my Master started laughing. Deep, rich laughter that the officer joined.

“You should’ve seen your face!” My Master wheezed between laughs.

“Did I do well, Mr. Chamberlain?”

“What... What’s happening?” I looked between them, confused.

A gunshot cracked through the air. I screamed as the officer dropped. Blood sprayed my face and when I looked at my Master, he was holding a gun. He advanced toward me, all coiled power and danger. This was who he really was – someone who took lives as easily as breathing. This person was my owner.

He caressed my face with the gun’s barrel, his expression terrifying. I couldn’t speak, fighting the urge to vomit when I glimpsed the young officer’s empty eyes. Just like Teddy’s. Two men dead because of me.

“How... Why?”

My Master barely glanced at the body. “He knew you killed Teddy.”

“You told him?”

“Of course. It made the... show believable.”

“But I…”

“Look at what I do for you, pet.” He grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at the dead man. “I kill for you and all I ask is absolute obedience.”

His voice dropped lower, sending shivers down my spine. “Would that be hard, pet?”

I shook my head, genuinely meaning it now.

“Say it.”

“No, Master.” The words came easily now. Natural.

He smiled wickedly. “He deserved to die. No man but me gets to see you naked.”

I glanced down, suddenly remembering my state.