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.

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

the concierge “Sorry, Miss Kimberley. He’s

I 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

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

shout and go to the

crashes open in my face and a man bursts

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

yelling. “You think you could do that and get away with it? You think

and my vision is beginning to blur. I

screaming. “Bitch!

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

the Hell do you

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

think I am going to be

doorway. Suddenly Mack breaks free and dashes out of the door. Through blurry vision I see my Master hesitate, clearly wanting to follow,

hands 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.

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

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

not. How can you be alright? You were attacked. He was trying to kill you.” He sits me, on the floor, back against 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

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 and Mack will not get away with this. I did nothing to him except,

Truly, he hasn’t hurt me.

slow down, and hoping that my

embrace, kissing my forehead, rocking me in a kind of circular motion that suggests he is comforting himself as

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

in bed, disoriented, staring up at

is not my