“That won’t be necessary,” the bastard told them as he threw out his hand. “I can easily handle one of the Illuminati.”

  I hated the stupid name they used, the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony. He believed himself to be superior to everyone. I should have anticipated his brusque response.

  He snapped his hand around my throat, pulling me onto my toes. “It would seem the little bird doesn’t understand the rules. Perhaps I should be the one to provide proof of penance. If you disobey, you will be punished.”

  His hold was firm, tight enough I struggled to breathe. He yanked me closer, so much so the heat of his body resonated through every cell and muscle. I was jerked in front of him, led past the group of women, through the circle of hungry men, tossed over an ornately crafted pulpit. My skirt was ripped and the feel of his hand as he slipped his fingers under the thin elastic of my thong sent a shower of electricity straight to my bones.

  I was horrified that I was on display, my naked bottom becoming the focus of everyone in the room. He fisted my hair with one hand, holding me in place. With the other I sensed he was removing his belt.

  Dear God. The Patriarch was going to spank me in front of everyone in the room. A wash of humiliation tore through me, my mind sputtering, skipping and restarting as I tried to process the horror. Heat tickled my cheeks, and I was momentarily frozen, gasping for air. Then I reacted, refusing to take the horrible punishment.

  I slammed my hands on the hard wood, managing to push up by a few inches. The Patriarch slammed me down with enough force the wind was knocked out of me.

  “If you disobey, you will face the consequences as will every other Sacrifice.” His voice was gruff yet sensual at the same time, evoking dozens of prickling vibrations, a rush of unwanted excitement. My body betrayed me, the treacherous bitch almost eager to be treated like a bad little girl.

  Shivering, I twisted back and forth, hating the butterflies, the lump in my throat.

  And the fact my pussy was already damp, juice trickling down the inside of my thighs. I was a sick woman, so much so I’d lost my mind. This was crazy, horrible. Embarrassing.

  He took a few seconds twisting and turning the plug, my jaw clenching in reaction. Then I heard him chuckle, obviously amused by being in utter control. Slapping him hadn’t been enough.

  I jumped when the bastard cracked the thick leather against the floor, the sound reverberating in the dense space. There wasn’t another sound. Not a whimper from one of the women or a grunt from the men. But I sensed they were eager to partake in the debauchery.

  “You will receive twenty-five strikes as punishment.”

  There was no wavering in his voice, the deep baritone pounding in my ears, his accent almost comforting.

  And when his wrist snapped, I cinched my eyes closed only a split second before pain tore through me, rattling my senses.

  The shame had a ripple effect, forcing me to jerk up from the table, hissing as I tried to move my head from side to side, but his hold was too powerful.

  Just like the man.

  He delivered four more, the savage cracking sound matching the bolts of lightning electrifying the sky. Tears immediately formed; my mouth twisted as the pain ignited a fire I hadn’t known existed.

  There was no way to describe the intensity of my emotions or the cataclysm of vibrations skittering through me. How could anything so horrible feel so incredibly good?

  “You will learn,” he roared, loud enough the entire crowd heard his sharp display of disappointment. “One way or the other.”

  He wasn’t hesitant in providing the others with a full understanding of what they’d face, the harsh punishment just part of what was to be expected. If any of the women were terrified, I wouldn’t know it, not a single sound interfering with the discipline being doled out.

  Another rumble of thunder rolled through the massive hall, several more strikes brought down in rapid succession. Then the Patriarch took the time to caress my aching bottom, acting as if only he could provide any sense of comfort.

  “Please,” I moaned, hating myself for showing any weakness.

  “Please what? Provide leniency? Forgiveness? Or more because you accept what you did was wrong?”

  Did he expect me to answer? Fuck him. Fuck this. I was a fool to think I could pretend to be something I wasn’t.

  He didn’t wait for my reply, returning to his brutal task.

  One.

  Two.

  Three smacks, the strap brought down on my upper thighs.

  Four.

  Five.

  Six strikes, the harshness keeping me on edge, but my nipples ached, my pussy clenching and releasing. I wanted to laugh through the tears, pretending as if I was anywhere but here. That wasn’t possible.

  I pressed my face against the cool wood, resigned to accept my punishment.

  Like a good little girl.

  Somewhere in the back of my mind, I became aware he’d finished, saying something to the crowd. But I no longer cared, the hint of things to come, of pure and raw euphoria swirling throughout my body.

  He gathered me into his arms, pressing me against his muscular body. I couldn’t stop a moan as I realized he was rock hard, his cock throbbing against my bruised backside.

  “Yes, you will be a challenge, but one that will be very enticing.”

  He held me tightly against him as he led me back to my place, lifting my chin with a single finger. His eyes were even more mesmerizing than before. I could easily get lost in them.

  “A very special Sacrifice to the Tempest.”

  What did that mean? Had I been discovered after all?

  When he finally backed away seconds later, he gave me a slight nod of approval.

  Then he headed for his throne, lifting the chalice of silver.

  I swayed back and forth, pain continuing to mix with abrupt tingles. God help me. I wasn’t certain I could go through with my original plan.

  Men dressed in all white filtered into the room, their masks more garish than the others. They carried trays holding the same goblets, presenting them to every member, vanishing as quickly as they’d arrived.

  “Possa il tuo impegno essere audace, instancabile e implacabile.”

  May your endeavor be bold, tireless, and relentless.

  Jesus.

  Every member lifted his chalice, toasting to sins of the flesh.

  The Patriarch eased onto his throne as if he was king of the world. That’s all he needed for the sudden flurry of activity. There were no commands given, no discussion amongst the members.

  Two women dressed in dark gray dresses appeared from the shadows, their selection of participants from our group random. After thick leather leashes were snapped around the metal ring on their collars, they were presented like cattle on the outer edge of the platform as a droll-looking man read off the information they’d provided on their application.

  Likes.

  Dislikes.

  Fetishes.

  Hard noes.

  There was no reaction from a single member, no grunts of satisfaction or excitement in their body language. They’d been indoctrinated well.

  As the women posed, presenting themselves as tempting treats, another clap of thunder rolled through the austere facility. How befitting the horrid event.

  My skin crawled, my mind foggier than it should be. I’d been captured out of the blue, blindfolded and shackled, dumped in a trunk and taken to an unknown destination.

  All because I’d sent a video to a mysterious email address.

  I couldn’t stop shivering from the thought.

  White paddles were raised, the bidding war following its damning course, eliminating each participant one at a time.

  The clock ticked.

  My pulse soared.

  My heart raced.

  There were no women unclaimed.

  Except for me.

  Now it was my turn.

  Chapter Three

  Saxon

  Wealth and power beyond my means. I’d been born into it, the family legacy something others could only dream of.

  But just like my father and his before him, it hadn’t been enough, nor had family or friends. We had a gripping desire some would call obscene.

  Obsessive.

  Sickness.

  I’d never forget the day my father had told me that the males in our family had been born with a degenerative gene. He’d been grieving for our significant loss, his entire manner of behavior drifting further into the darkness.

  He’d even called us monsters, but there’d been glee in his voice in doing so.

  I hadn’t understood what he’d meant for years, until the first hunger had struck, an insatiable burning need to crush and control. That’s when I’d begun my training, the thought process allowing me to overcome the pitch-black sickness. He’d said that once I was successful in being able to do so, that I’d become unstoppable.

  Only he was wrong.

  Yes, I demanded control of every aspect of my life, but I wasn’t invulnerable to the tragedies and concerns of everyone else.

  While I also wasn’t immune to the act of defiance, I certainly wasn’t used to having it presented in such an egregious manner from a participant. Those who vied for a position within the rank of the illustrious submissives were almost always compliant. Eager. They’d won a contest after all.

  Not this woman who stood with her shoulders squared and refused to follow protocol even after being spanked in front of her peers.

  I fisted and flexed my hand, longing to touch her seared skin again.

  Soon, my little dove. Soon.

  Her complete defiance added credence to the concerns as to why Genevieve Salazar had entered the contest. However, at this moment I couldn’t care less. I’d deal with her uncharacteristic behavior in my own way.

  I wanted her.

  I’d broken through a barrier, a prison of my own making. The need was stronger than my fear of destruction. I’d become obsessed, the longing more intense than I thought I could feel any longer.

  Whether or not she had any idea yet, she was already mine. The thought was intense yet hadn’t driven the need back into its cage. Tonight, she would be given a full taste of what she was searching for.

  My cock twitched at the thought.

  As already predetermined, the society members who’d requested entrance into the quarterly auction turned their backs, those who’d purchased an Illuminati prepared to make the financial transactions as stated in the contracts, both parties signing the required documentation. Then they were free to take what already belonged to them.

  Genevieve had been left standing alone on the platform, her angry gaze leveled on me. In her eyes, she was staring at a monster, a man she believed she knew yet she had no idea who and what I truly was.

  I’d been called many things over the years, mostly by those who’d been on the receiving end of my wrath. Nothing and no one bothered me any longer.

  Except for this single woman.

  It was fair to say over the last month my obsession had taken a darker turn. I’d learned everything possible about her by invading her privacy. It had barely contained the hunger, the dark need to consume her still festering deep inside.

  Tonight was the night.

  The beginning.

  And in a sense, it was also an end.

  I allowed her to stand alone and uncertain while the others filed out of the room, leaving only the two of us in the great hall. I’d enjoyed every minute of studying her, getting to know the woman who both feared and revered what only I could offer.

  She was astoundingly beautiful, so much so my entire system ached. No woman had provided me with such intense need before.

  “What about me?” she asked after a full two minutes had passed. “No one bid on me.”

  As I walked closer, I sensed her fear was increasing. She was right to be afraid of me. I was the creature nightmares were made of.

  “You were purchased,” I told her, still using the chosen accent for the evening festivities.

  “By whom?”

  While her rebellious nature was intriguing at this point, there would come a time when the annoyance outweighed the sharp contrast to the typical contestants. “You will be informed when necessary.” As one of my employees entered, nodding in reverence, I backed away, returning to my throne. I’d given the members and participants what they wanted, a society full of debauchery and the kind of pomp and circumstance I could barely stomach.

  Yet I played the game as my father had done and his father before him. “You will learn soon enough. Emily, please take our guest to one of the chambers.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As Emily headed for Genevieve, the contestant backed away, shaking her head. “I deserve to know who won the bid.”

  “And you will. When I deem it acceptable.”

  I couldn’t take my eyes off her, the glint in her eyes drawing me in. Her natural scent was intoxicating, so much so my cock stood at full attention. Even the way she tossed her head over her shoulder to stare at me was beguiling. Maybe I was getting soft as I grew older.

  There was darkness behind her eyes, a hunger that I’d seen in only a few women. She was special, so much so that I knew I’d have trouble considering letting her go.

  But keeping her could prove difficult unless she was accepting of who and what I was.

  After a few seconds, I headed out of the room, ripping off the mask as soon as I knew she couldn’t catch a glimpse of the man she feared. The costume was suffocating, so much so I needed a drink.

  I’d play the game with her a little longer, keeping her in the dark about my identity. However, given what I knew about her reasons for being here, that would need to change quickly.

  I’d yet to determine how I wanted to handle the situation.

  My vice president of operations was waiting in my office. Joseph Demarco had become invaluable over the last few years. Not only did he handle aspects of work with the Tempest, but he was also my right-hand man when it came to my half dozen profitable corporations. My day job.

  I’d chosen to use my quarters in North Carolina for this Sacrifice event instead of selecting another location in my arsenal of estates and commercial buildings I owned throughout the world. While traveling had its perks, I preferred the quietness of the location I considered my home.

  I tore off the godforsaken robe, tossing it to the side then headed for the bar.

  I sensed his tension from behind me.

  “What are you doing with her?” Joseph asked.

  “I already told you. Seeing the game through.” I poured a glass of scotch before turning around to face him.

  “That’s what this is all about lately. A game. Right? You seem like you couldn’t care less about the auctions.”

  He rarely minced words, which would normally anger me, but I appreciated his candor. He was right. “After a while anything gets old. As you told me before. I need excitement.”

  “From what I witnessed, the lovely Ms. Salazar will give you that.”

  Chuckling, I nodded once. “More than she realizes.”

  The tension between us was palpable, more so than usual.

  “You do know she’s not...”

  He was concerned that if he finished the sentence, I’d lose control.

  “You don’t need to worry, Joseph. This isn’t like before. I’m not attempting to replace what I lost.” Although the notion had already kept me awake at night.

  “Are you certain about that? I know I hoped you’d find one of the women to your liking, but this seems very personal to you. Is it because she’s pretending to be someone she isn’t? Or more because she reminds you of someone else?”

  His tiptoeing around the words was becoming irritating.

  “Now, you’re my psychiatrist?” I eyed him warily.

  “Someone needs to keep the primal beast from going off the deep end.” He grinned, but there was a ring of truth to what he was saying.

  I’d been closer to a dark precipice than I had for a long time.

  “While I intend on partaking in a prize as you suggested, she is only the second person who has dared try and invade our inner sanctum. She’s either reckless or courageous. And in truth, she reminds me a little of myself.” I’d seen a deep longing in her eyes, a hovering close to the very edge that I’d been to more times than I could count. I’d felt pain oozing from every molecule as well, although she was masterful at hiding it. But without control, the darkness would ultimately consume her.

  And yes, she reminded me of the only person I’d considered spending a life with. I wasn’t foolish enough to think it was possible to have a second chance. That didn’t happen to monsters.

  Joseph moved closer. “Then God help the world.”

  “Yes.” I finally laughed.

  “Just be careful you don’t lose track of what you’re doing.” His tone had turned serious.

  “You should know by now I’m always careful.”

  He shook his head. “I’ll leave you so you can get to know your prize better.”

  I watched him leave then closed my eyes. What I hadn’t told him or anyone else for that matter was that I’d had recurring nightmares for weeks, the detailed, bloody images remaining in my mind’s eye long after the darkness had faded. The single psychiatrist I had seen had told me that being alone would drive me into the madness. Maybe she’d been right. While my father had molded me, the two tragedies had altered my psyche forever.

  As the same vision roared into my mind, I backed against the bar, rubbing my eyes.

  “Let the hunt begin.”

  I watched as he took off with the other members, racing into the forest. I’d been told to wait, merely allowed to observe and nothing else. As the men fanned out, taking different directions, I fisted my hands. Soon, I would be able to share in the joys of the capture. Soon, I could partake in what had only been described in vivid detail.

  Soon.

  At least that’s what I’d been told.

  It wasn’t my time. I wasn’t experienced enough.

  And so I waited.

  Minutes later, I heard the first cry, the sound of anguish spiraling toward the sky. I shifted from foot to foot, barely able to contain my eagerness. After a second cry, I moved closer to the edge of the woods, peering into the twilight. While I wasn’t allowed to participate, I hadn’t been told I couldn’t observe.