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.

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

to the concierge “Sorry, Miss Kimberley. He’s already left the building, about five

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

am just tapping out a text when the door buzzes. Ah! He’s realized

I shout and go to the door to unlock

in my face and a man bursts in. Stepping backwards, Mack Kane slams me against the wall,

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

little bitch!” he is yelling. “You think you could do that and get away with it?

beginning to blur. I cannot breathe. The hot blackness of unconsciousness circles

screaming. “Bitch! I’ll teach

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

do

loose from me, his hands releasing their hold on my throat, and I collapse

am going to

gasp on the floor, 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 Master hesitate, clearly wanting to follow, but not wanting to leave me. He drops to the floor beside

kick in, and

left you. Oh, God. I could have lost you. I could have lost

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

trying to kill you.” He sits me, on the floor, back against the wall,

intercom, dialling the contact for the concierge. “Yes, an ambulance. And the Police. Right now. And close up the building.

yells the final words, before stabbing the

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

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

heartbeat to slow down, and hoping that my aching throat is not the sign of anything more serious

forehead, rocking me in a kind of circular motion that suggests

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

disoriented, staring

is not