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.

behind him. I start making myself ready for sleep; a cup of tea, a book, soft music, when I see my Master’s

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

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

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

go to the door to unlock

man bursts in. Stepping

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

that and

cannot break loose. He is strangling me, and my vision is beginning to blur. I cannot breathe. The hot blackness of

he is screaming.

collapse under me. I have no air, and the darkness is

do you

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

I am going to be

on the floor, chest heaving, the two men struggle by the doorway. Suddenly Mack breaks free and dashes out of the door.

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

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

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

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

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

words, before stabbing the

magnificent. To see him like this is 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

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

forehead, rocking me

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

in bed, disoriented,

is not