Urban Renewal (Urban Elite Book 1) by Suzanne Steele, Stormy Dawn Weathers Page B

hand against her stomach to pull her against me so I can rest my chin on her shoulder. With my other hand, I stroke her soft cheek before I clasp the slim column of her neck, just above her collar, enjoying the way her breath hitches when I squeeze the tender flesh. “Yes, it’s a good thing you’re here with me, right where you belong.” I breathe a sigh of contentment when she gasps and coughs as I loosen the grip of my fingers from around her lovely throat. “That’s really all I want—to protect you, my love.”
    I stand up, looking down at her for a moment before smiling indulgently. “Here, look, I brought you something.” Her eyes light up when I pull a small paperback book from my inner jacket pocket. “You said you wished you had something to read, so… I listen to your every word, you know. Now be a good girl and sit on your cot so I can fasten your chain.”
    She lifts her neck willingly enough, giving me access to the locked collar that adorns her neck—my collar. “You see? When you behave, good things happen. No more manacles cutting into your wrists and ankles. Just this collar…because you’re mine. Although, I must admit, I do like the marks they left. I’m afraid I’ll miss them when they’re gone,” I murmur wistfully as I rub my thumb across the raised, red flesh of her wrist.
    Because she has shown promise in her compliance, I’ve allowed her to progress from wearing the manacles that bit mercilessly into her flesh. Instead, the heavy chain attached to her collar allows her some freedom of movement.
    “One day soon, darling, I won’t need to keep you chained like this at all. Although I may still keep you collared – but perhaps with something more decorative. Then you’ll understand what I’ve known all along, that you are and will always be mine. And then? Then the chains will be here,” I lightly touch her temple, “in your mind.” I place my large palm over her heart, “and here. But, until then, I’m afraid the chain is your constant companion. You know,” I say with a frown, “I could almost be a little jealous.”
    She’s looking at me intently, soaking up every word. Really, what else is she to do? I’m all she’s got. It’s only a matter of time until she’ll willingly be mine. I’ve invested a great deal of time to make her see the truth, that she belongs to me now, that she’s property. My property.
    I cover her with the pretty new comforter I gave to her yesterday. My approach as her host is very simple, really: when she pleases me, she’s rewarded. When she displeases me, the little luxuries she’s earned like the book and the comforter? They’re taken away. My house, my rules. Simple.
    She’s already curled up in the fetal position with her book, running her fingers lovingly over the pages. I bend down and kiss her cheek. “Don’t make me regret doing away with the manacles. And make sure you drink plenty of water, it’s important that you stay hydrated, darling.”
    I started drugging her water with a mild sedative when she was first abducted; now I make it available to her when I’m away for any length of time. I consider it insurance.
    I hold up my cell phone to remind her she’s under surveillance. “You would do well to not underestimate me. I’ll be very displeased if you do. Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness; the results of doing so will be…harsh.”
    I wait until she nods tentatively. With a serene smile, I turn and jog up the steps to the large wooden door that resembles that of a castle. I’m never gone long, just long enough for her to miss me…and wonder if I’m ever coming back.



Chapter Twenty Two
    Max
    I finger my mother’s pearls as I walk toward the restaurant entrance where Liam is waiting for me outside. I think it’s pretty cool he waited outside so I don’t have to go in to a maître d' or hostess and do the whole I’m here with blah, blah, blah. Not to mention the fidgety waiting around and feeling