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.

door closed behind him. I start making myself ready for sleep; a

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

hour? He said he’s busy tomorrow, so he probably needs the case. I could message Ross, the driver, to call by and pick it up first thing

text when the door buzzes. Ah! He’s realized that he left it behind and has returned

to the

lock snaps up, the door crashes open in my face and a man bursts in. Stepping backwards, Mack Kane slams me against the wall, his hands around my

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 pushed me to

is yelling. “You think you could do that and get away

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

is screaming.

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

Hell do you

their hold on my throat,

am going to be

free and dashes out of the door. Through blurry vision I see my Master hesitate, clearly wanting to follow, but not

my face. Now the adrenaline has had time to kick in,

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

some words through my tears and shaking.

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

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

yells the final words,

calm him. I have not been seriously hurt, only shaken, and Mack will soon be arrested and locked up. My Master knows people and

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

slow down, and hoping

but almost engulfs me in his embrace, kissing my forehead, rocking me in a kind of circular motion that suggests

blue light flashes up through the windows, into the room.

in bed, disoriented, staring up at

is not my