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.

the door closed behind him. I start making myself ready for sleep; a cup of tea, a book, soft

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

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

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

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,

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 the floor, and he has the advantage now of height; his weight

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

strangling me, and my vision is beginning to blur. I cannot breathe.

is screaming. “Bitch! I’ll teach

I have no air, and the darkness is

the Hell do you

hands releasing their hold on my throat, and I collapse to the floor, gagging

I am going to be

returned, and not a moment too soon. As I gasp on the floor, chest heaving, the two men struggle by the doorway. Suddenly Mack breaks free and dashes out

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, sobs racking my frame. My

Elizabeth. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you. Oh, God. I could have lost 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 chest, the

to 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 him get

final words, before stabbing the connection

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

alright. Truly, he hasn’t hurt me.

breaths, forcing myself to relax, willing my hammering heartbeat to slow down, and hoping that my aching throat is not the sign of anything more serious than

eases, my Master visibly relaxes, but almost engulfs me in his embrace, kissing my forehead, rocking me in a

up through the windows, into the room. It

wake, in bed, disoriented, staring up at

is not