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.

dresses and leaves, clicking the door closed behind him. I start making myself ready for sleep; a cup of tea, a book, soft music, when I see my

down to the concierge “Sorry, Miss Kimberley. He’s

so he probably needs the case. I could message

out a text when the door buzzes. Ah!

shout and go to the door to unlock

up, the door crashes open in my face and a man bursts

have no time to be frightened, only to react. My attacker is not a large man, but he is still stronger and more powerful than I am. Gasping and choking, I cannot fight him off. I am trying, with both hands, to break his grip on my neck, but the momentum of his charge through the door has

little bitch!” he is yelling. “You think you could do that and get away with it? You think you’re so fucking clever don’t

is beginning to blur. I cannot breathe. The hot blackness of

he is screaming. “Bitch! I’ll

I have no air, and the darkness is

do you think

his hands releasing their hold on my throat,

think I am going to be

floor, chest heaving, the two men struggle by the doorway. Suddenly Mack breaks free

hands and knees, coughing and crying, tears streaming down my face. Now the adrenaline has had time to kick in, and I am shaking, trembling, sucking in huge lungfuls of air,

God, Elizabeth. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you.

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

sits me, on the floor, back against the wall, one hand flat on my

And he dashes to the intercom, dialling the contact for the concierge. “Yes, an ambulance. And the Police. Right now.

final words, before stabbing

upsetting beyond words. I must calm myself, and so calm him. I have not been seriously hurt, only shaken, and Mack will soon be arrested and locked up. My Master knows people and Mack will not get away with this. I did nothing to him except, accidentally, expose his

alright. Truly, he hasn’t

hammering heartbeat to slow down, and

my breathing eases, my Master visibly relaxes, but almost engulfs me in his embrace, kissing my forehead, rocking me in a kind of circular motion that suggests he is comforting himself

light flashes up through the windows, into the

disoriented, staring up

is not my