Bought By The Billionaire

Later, showered, clean and comfortable, we lie together on my bed, drinking wine, discussing everything and nothing in the candlelight.

“Master, there’s something I think I need to tell you about.”

Cocking an eyebrow at me, “Oh? What?”.

“You know Mack Kane?”

“What about him? He lost his job when you spotted that he’d been defrauding the company.”

“Yes, but, I’ve seen him a few times since then. I think he’s following me.”

My Master looks appalled. “What! When was this?”

“Usually when I’m coming home from the office. I keep seeing him and I wonder if he’s trying to find out where I live now. The first time I thought it was just a coincidence, but it’s kept happening. I think I’ve managed to lose him in the crowds each time but….”

He holds up a warding hand. “Say no more Elizabeth. I’ll get right onto it. I think a prohibition order is needed. I have friends with the police. We’ll get it fast-tracked for you.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. You don’t deserve this.”

“It’s alright, Master. It’s not your fault. I didn’t want to bother you with it but….”

He jabs a finger at me. “This is the kind of thing you do bother me with Elizabeth. If anything else happens, you tell me right away. I mean that. You call me immediately. You have my mobile number, and I’ll tell Francis to make sure that if you call the office, it comes straight through to me if you say it’s important.”

“Alright. I’ll do that.”

He stretches and yawns. “I’m sorry Elizabeth, but I have to go. I have a lot on tomorrow and the following day, so it could be the end of the week before I see you again. But don’t worry about things. I’ll contact the police tomorrow morning. And you keep in touch if you need to. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything were to happen to you. Okay?”

I nod. “Good night, Elizabeth.” And he kisses me, softly, on the lips, his hand caressing my hair.

for sleep; a cup of tea, a book, soft music, when I see

He’s already left

late hour? He said he’s busy tomorrow, so he probably needs the case. I could message Ross, the driver,

tapping out a text when the door buzzes. Ah! He’s realized that he left it behind

shout and go to the

crashes open in my face and a man bursts in. Stepping backwards, Mack Kane slams me

Gasping and choking, I cannot fight him off. I am trying, with both hands, to break

think you could do that and get away with

He is strangling me, and my vision is beginning to blur. I cannot breathe. The hot blackness of

is screaming. “Bitch!

knees start to collapse under me. I have no air, and the

the Hell do you think you’re

is pulled loose from me, his hands releasing their hold on my throat, and I collapse to the floor,

I am going to be

chest heaving, the two men struggle by the doorway. Suddenly Mack breaks free and dashes out of the door. Through blurry vision I see my

the adrenaline has had time to kick in, and I am shaking, trembling, sucking in huge lungfuls of

so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you. Oh, God. I could have lost you. I could

some words through my tears and shaking. “I’m alright, really, Master. I’m

sits me,

the intercom, dialling the contact for the concierge. “Yes, an ambulance. And the Police. Right now. And close up the building. Seal all the doors. Don’t let

the final words,

upsetting beyond words. I must calm myself, and so calm him. I have not been seriously hurt, only shaken,

calm down. I’m alright. Truly, he hasn’t hurt

deep breaths, forcing myself to relax, willing my hammering heartbeat to slow down, and

embrace, kissing my forehead, rocking me in a kind of

sirens and blue light flashes up through the windows, into the room. It feels weird, unearthly, and I feel sort

in bed, disoriented,

is not