When her thoughts cleared, she was left in silence. Victor was gone. Upstairs? She listened and could only hear the sound of her own rapidly beating pulse. It felt like an hour passed and she began to shiver from the chill that had settled on her body. The drool seemed never ending and her bladder began to contract, only intensifying her discomfort. When she began to moan from soreness and thrash around to try and reposition her legs, she felt Victor’s warm hands on her. His movements had been stealthy and she hadn’t even heard him approach her.

Where had he been? Close by? Watching her in the surveillance room?

He unhooked her restraints only briefly to seat her on the chaise. When she began to squirm uncontrollably from the urge to pee, his deft fingers loosened her blindfold and pulled it just above her eyes, causing her to squint from the light.

“What’s wrong?” he casually asked as he watched her wriggle around.

She rocked her bottom on the lounger and tried to form the word pee.

“You have to use the bathroom?”

She nodded vigorously.

“Then go,” he glowered.

Please, not this again, she silently begged him with her eyes. She couldn’t be made to humiliate herself in that way again. Once more, she mumbled around the gag, please.

He sighed and his cold stare quickly thawed. She had hoped he would unshackle her, but instead he scooped her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs to the master bathroom where he gently sat her down onto the toilet. It was awkward and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. It was better than having to urinate all over the chaise, but not much considering he was sitting only inches away from her.

“What are you waiting for?”

The sincerity in his eyes was strange. Did he really not think her peeing in front of him was odd? Of course not. He had made her do it before.

Unable to hold out any longer she let her bladder relax and did her business, immediately letting out a sigh of relief. As the continuous stream of urine flowed out of her, Victor unhooked her ankle restraints. Next, he reached for a small hand towel on the rack, dampened it in the sink and began cleaning her chin and chest. His tender caresses seemed out of place, but she welcomed them. On the occasion that their eyes would meet, Victor was staring back at her, wordlessly seeking her approval of his treatment of her.

She approved.

***

Elsa’s eyes shimmered with confusion as Victor pushed her legs apart and cleaned her when she finished relieving her bladder. He hadn’t cared for a woman this way since his mother. Not that there was any comparison… Lifting her back into his arms, he carried her to the bed where he finally removed all the restraints and ball-gag. Once it was removed, he expected an earful and more questions, but was pleasantly surprised when she lay compliantly in his bed, allowing him to care for her and massage each of her chaffed and tender body parts. If only she could be this obedient at all times.

Then again, it would make the game less interesting.

After his shitty meeting with Anthony and wanting some release, he had decided to take her before delving into her questions. She had satiated his needs, like she always did; but really, he was only putting off the inevitable. He had picked the least revealing of the questions to be the first to answer even though it had still made him face a past he had long ago buried. Just thinking about it again set his nerves on edge, but seeing the serene look on Elsa’s face made him put it aside. The worst of it was over. For now. The rest of her Goddamn questions would be answered later; after she faced the consequences of changing the rules of the game.

Right now he would allow her to rest, while he mentally recovered.

After tucking her in and watching her drift into a deep sleep, he retrieved his work files and buried his nose in them for nearly three hours. He called the Virginia Pen and requested all communication with Anthony be faxed to him and all internet records. He would find the connection to the killer. It was just a matter of time.

Thoroughly physically and mentally exhausted, he slipped into bed next to Elsa with his journal in hand.

Compliant. Beautiful. Demanding. Stubborn.

 

He glanced at her and pushed the hair from her face.

You embody all things I loathe and love in a woman. I use the word love metaphorically speaking, of course, as that expression in any other form doesn’t exist in my vocabulary. You satiated my needs tonight by obediently accepting my terms. You really are a good girl. A woman better than I deserve, that’s for damned sure, and one far better than Nathan deserves, that’s for fucking sure.

Were you thinking about him tonight when I spoke of my miserable past? I doubt it. All of your attention was on me. My words. My voice. My movements. I wanted to see your eyes trained on me, but couldn’t bear the thought of seeing pity in them. I wanted to hear your sweet voice, but couldn’t risk you calling out my name and breaking my concentration. I even wanted your hands on me, comforting me while I spoke of things that should never be repeated, but didn’t want my judgment clouded.

Am I weak for feeling this way? Perhaps. But Mr. Black has always strengthened me in the areas that I lack in and given me a backbone when I would’ve normally withered away. He is my other half. You’ve made me see that. Although I’m still struggling to come to terms with it, each day becomes easier to accept it. For years now I have given myself over to him and now you ask that I get him under control as if that’s such an easy thing to do.

I like when he’s in control of my world. Not always, but often. However, I promised I would do my best to be the one in control. I intend to keep that promise in order to keep you by my side, submitting to me and engaging my mind and body in ways that can only be described as necessary to exist. No other player will ever suffice or compare to you and I will no longer seek them out so long as you stay.

My mind is filled with more questions than answers right now as to what our future holds. All the items on your list will be addressed, every last single one, no matter how painful it will be – and it WILL be painful. But what Elsa wants, Elsa gets. Just as I always get what I want.

And right now what I want is to give you a harsh wakeup call as to who you are marrying.

Your consequences begin now .

9: Struggle & Regret

Elsa woke alone in Victor’s bed with only a note on the bedside table. After reading the first couple of words, she leaned her head back onto the pillow. She was too tired and it was too early to start his game. She would eat breakfast first before diving into whatever fucked up scenario he had planned.

Post hot cereal and orange juice, she found the courage to finally read his note.

Stallion & Knight Club, 800 E Cary Street, One Edwards Center. Tonight. Exactly 7:00 p.m. Mention my name to the doorman. Dress formally but in something short.

My apologies for leaving without waking you but there were pressing matters at work. I look forward to seeing you this evening.

She reread the note several times, studying his handwriting. It was the most personal thing he had ever given her other than an orgasm. His penmanship told her so much about him. Every word had purpose, not a single syllable wasted. All the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed. Neat. Orderly. Just like his life.

Her afternoon was spent shopping for something formal and short that would please him. After trying on several, she found just the look she was going for and purchased a pair of killer heels to go with them.