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.

Master quickly dresses and leaves, clicking the door closed behind him. I start making myself ready for sleep; a cup of tea,

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

tomorrow, so he probably needs the case. I could message Ross, the driver, to

buzzes. Ah! He’s realized that he

shout and go to the

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

am trying, with both hands, to break his grip on

he is yelling. “You think you could do that and get away with it? You think you’re

is strangling me, and my vision is beginning to blur.

is screaming. “Bitch!

I have no air, and the darkness

do you think you’re

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

think I am going

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 of the door. Through blurry vision I see my Master hesitate, clearly wanting to follow, but not wanting to leave me.

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, sobs racking my frame. My Master, cradles me

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

words through my tears and shaking.

alright? You were attacked. He was trying to kill you.” He sits me,

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

the final words, before stabbing the

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

Truly, he hasn’t hurt me. It

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

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

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

disoriented, staring

is not my