The fight inside of me continued, the woman I wanted to be versus the one I’d been forced to accept.

  Cain’s intense words was some crazy cue for Cristiano to turn around. In his hand was a leather strap, but not like a belt. It was thinner. I sucked in my breath as he cracked it through the air, moaning as the action made a crackling, whooshing sound.

  “You’re going to beat me with a whip?” I was mortified, but suddenly, my panties were damp. I was crazy for wanting something so… brutal. Kinky. I had no thoughts to adequately describe what I was thinking.

  “We might be savages, beautiful Sage, but it would be too much of a pity to mar your gorgeous skin. A simple spanking tonight will suffice. However…” Cain allowed the comment to linger. “I assure you that we won’t be as gentle with Kelly should you decline.”

  “You’re a fucking bastard.”

  All three men obviously thought my words were meant as a compliment, beaming from ear to ear.

  “Actually, we are very reasonable men,” Hunter added.

  “You expect me to believe that?”

  “You have a choice,” Cain continued. “That’s only fair. What will it be, our disobedient pet?”

  I had no other choice if I wanted to get out of here. “As long as Kelly and I can leave afterwards, then spank me. I don’t care. But you won’t touch Kelly. You won’t hurt her.”

  “Hmm… Should we trust her?” Cristiano asked the others as he moved closer, still cracking the strap as if trying to terrify me.

  “Why not? She’s a very nice girl, and we know where she lives. And we have cameras keeping an eye on her every move. Here’s the thing, Sage. As of tonight, we own you. That means you’ll come to us when we call, and you will do as we say, or the deal you just made is off. Is that understood?”

  Cain was enjoying every moment of this. If they thought for one minute I’d surrender to them under any circumstances, then he and the rest of them were out of their minds. I’d call my parents, then move us to a hotel until the end of the semester.

  “Fine. Agreed.” When I threw out my arm for a handshake, Cain lifted his eyebrows. It was a move he hadn’t expected.

  He took a deep breath, the anger I’d seen in him fading slightly. Then he shook my hand, even more surprised my handshake was solid, more like a man’s. An instant shot of electricity tore through both of us, the current red-hot. Suddenly, my mouth was dry, my pulse racing.

  Hunter broke the odd connection by yanking out a chair. “I get to go first.” He patted his lap, and I instantly felt like a bad girl. There was no reason, nor did it make any sense. I turned my head, biting my lower lip. The way the thin material of his trousers stretched across his massive thighs was pronounced, but not nearly as much as the cloth over the thick cock between his legs.

  He caught my lingering gaze and smiled. Then he beckoned with a single finger, patting his lap a second time. “Come here, little girl.”

  Shame tore through me that I’d even agreed to this ridiculous moment. The only justification for losing my mind was that I knew they had some kind of spell over Kelly. They would follow through with their promise if I ignored the deal I’d just made.

  I moved closer, realizing both Cain and Cristiano were not so patiently awaiting their turns. The way Cristiano was snapping the strap against his hand had a strange effect on me, my mind foggy as it tried to block out the sound. But the anticipation was exhilarating instead of terrifying.

  Hunter pulled me across his lap, yanking my dress up to my waist.

  “What are you doing?” I immediately struggled in his hold, almost slipping off his lap. My action pushed his throbbing cock against my stomach, and I gasped.

  He jerked me against his chest, holding me in place as he ripped down my panties. He had his arm wrapped around my waist, and when he issued a single hard crack against my bottom, I threw my hand back. Snagging it immediately, he pushed my arm down, digging his fingers into my skin.

  “You’re going to remain a fighter. Aren’t you?” There was amusement in his voice instead of anger, the man obviously toying with me. When he brought his hand down several additional times, I sucked in my breath, trying to keep from tearing up.

  “Yes!” I hissed, holding the anger deep inside of me. I kicked out my legs, which only added to the friction. My stomach remained in knots, but a crazy sense of desire formed in every cell. Panting, I tried to block out what I was thinking, but with every crack of his hand, both the pain and the wetness between my legs prevented me from doing so.

  Hunter issued six in rapid succession, moving from one side to the other. Then he had the audacity to caress my skin, issuing a husky growl. “I think our little pet is wet. What do you boys think?”

  No. No. No. I was horrified that my resolve had shattered so quickly.

  Cain moved closer, crouching down, his grin practically evil. He rubbed his fingers across my face, then rolled the tips down my back, ever so slowly moving down the crack of my ass. When he eased his hand between my legs, I sucked in my breath. He was just trying to get a reaction.

  I promised myself that wasn’t going to happen, yet when he slipped a single finger past my swollen folds, the scent of my desire wafted to my nose. Another moment of mortification tingled every muscle, embarrassment staining my skin. The fact he shouldn’t be touching me made it filthy and sinful, awakening the woman inside.

  “Yes, she’s very wet.” Cain practically purred his answer, pumping several times. My body reacted involuntarily, shifting back and forth against Hunter’s thick cock. “And tight. So very tight. Don’t worry, little pet. We will enjoy shackling you just like you so desperately crave. All in due time.”

  “You don’t own me.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. You have three masters now. Make no mistake that when we take you, and that will happen, you will learn what pleasure is. When you come the first time, you’ll beg for more, exhausted and overwhelmed with raw ecstasy. And I assure you that it will be the beginning of a beautiful affair. Every hole will be well used, but you’ll crave more, begging the men who own you to continue making you weak.”

  “No,” I managed, but the pleasure he was providing was already luring me into a place of surrender.

  “Yes, little pet. After we’ve broken you down, we’ll put you together piece by piece. Then we’ll start all over again. As of right now, this very moment, you belong to us.”

  His words sent another wave of heat straight to my core.

  He added another finger or two, thrusting harder and faster. I was lightheaded, bucking against his hand, the build-up of fire in my belly unlike anything I’d ever experienced. I wasn’t a virgin, but Cain was touching me more intimately than the single man I’d been with had done. As if he knew my body better than I did.

  A single whimper escaped my mouth, and I did what I could to bite it back, fighting the desire that burned brightly inside. I did everything I could to keep from releasing, but as a climax roared into my system, Cain seemed pleased with my reaction, the look on his face even more carnal than before.

  “Oh…” When the single whimpered word left my lips, he closed his eyes in satisfaction.

  Seconds later, he pulled out, staring at his glistening finger before shoving it into his mouth. The sounds he made were exaggerated as well as disgusting.

  “Yes, she tastes like peach nectar. I think it’s time she’s handed off to Cristiano.” He stood, wrapping his hand around my arm and guiding me to my feet. As he brushed his hand down my side, he took a deep breath and held it. Then he ripped off my panties with a single snap of his wrist, pulling my thong to his mouth and nose.

  I was swaying, my heart aching from the fact that I’d enjoyed the moment of pleasure.

  “You will be delicious to break, little pet. More so than I thought. The three of us will enjoy taking our time with you.” He didn’t wait for any response, pulling me away by several steps then tossing me over the edge of the round table in the room. He pressed his hand against the small of my back, holding me in place as Cristiano walked closer. “Continue being a good girl for us. Will you?”

  Was he seriously asking that question?

  Cristiano moved behind me, yanking my dress up even further. “I’d grip the other side of the table if I were you.”

  I reluctantly slid my arms across the table, wrapping my finger around the edge and digging my fingernails into the wood. Then I took several deep breaths as he teased me by sliding the belt down my back to my leg. He took his time rolling it to my thigh then shifting to my other leg, pulling the tip back to my bottom.

  The first crack came without warning, the sound as the strap hit my skin shocking. Then I felt a tingle of discomfort. Then another strike was issued. Then another. As pain washed through me, I gasped, uncertain I could withstand the two men taking turns.

  He remained silent as he yanked my legs further apart. I had no doubt he was able to see my glistening pussy lips. I cringed deep inside, keeping my eyes closed as he issued four more, one coming right after the other. I heard myself crying out, terrified to admit to myself how the anguish pulled another wave of longing. My mind was still foggy, unable to process that I’d agreed to this.

  His sigh was exaggerated, and he rolled his finger from one side of my bottom to the other. The heat from the spanking pulsed, my pussy throbbing. He brought his hand down again. And again. Now the anguish was blinding. I jerked up from the table, gasping for air.

  “Relax, little pet. You’re doing well.” The husky tone of his voice was even more ominous than Cain’s, thrilling in an entirely different way. “There’s more to come.” He chuckled darkly, then cracked out six more, two hitting my upper thighs.

  I kicked out, shifting back and forth. When I opened my eyes, I noticed Cain was standing in wait, his eyes narrowed as he remained unblinking. I stared at him, knowing he was the one behind this. But his purpose was so dark and demented that another slice of terror skittered through my system.

  As his expression of hunger increased, he finally motioned to Cristiano that his time was up.

  Cristiano growled his response, then leaned over, planting his hands on either side of me. When he nuzzled against my ear, his heated breath seared my skin.

  “Just wait, beautiful one. Just wait.”

  Cain snapped the implement from Cristiano’s hand, taking his time walking toward me, the sound of his boots hitting the floor jarring.

  “Such a bad girl. Aren’t you?” The words were almost accusatory.

  I remained quiet, thinking it better not to poke the beast any longer. He also wasted no time in bringing the thin strap down, only his strike was more brutal. The agony was instantaneous, sucking all the air from my lungs.

  Give him no satisfaction. The mantra continued to tear through my mind.

  He chuckled softly and issued three more. Then he pressed the full weight of his body against mine. The fact that he remained silent added to my apprehension.

  The man was full of possessive need. I could feel it straining deep within him. After cracking the strap four more times, he tossed it away, his laugh dark and demanding. As he pressed his full body weight against me, for a few seconds I couldn’t breathe. He shifted his cock back and forth across my bruised bottom, and I trembled from the heat of his breath.

  From his scent.

  And from his increasing hunger.

  “Do you know what’s going to happen now, little pet?”

  I managed to grab a few very short breaths, the self-loathing continuing as the scent of my longing permeated the air around us. “No.”

  He pressed his lips against the nape of my neck, rolling his lips toward my ear, his whisper harsh. “Now we fuck you in every hole, filling you with our cocks. After that, we’ll start over again. Would you like that, bad girl? Do you hunger for three men to fulfill your dark, sinful fantasies?”

  I wanted to say no, to scream it out to anyone who would hear. But if I did so, I’d be lying, especially to myself.

  So, I answered with the ugly truth that would likely haunt me for the rest of my life.

  “Yes…”

  CHAPTER 8

  Cristiano

  Her admittance was all the three of us needed. Sage was breathless, the blush of red on her bottom the perfect color. As she mewed, I glanced at Hunter, who seemed hypnotized by the entire situation.

  We’d waited so long for this moment that our needs were little more than animalistic.

  Lust.

  It was all consuming for the three of us. The fact that I’d shared two different women with Cain and Hunter during the years showed a pattern, but neither event had awakened the darkness inside. Somehow, Sage had managed to do that as well as invoke the demon living inside of me. I was the big bad wolf, and my little lamb had no understanding of the filthy things I wanted to do to her.

  The thought of sharing her for the long term didn’t seem as insane as it once had. We’d even talked about combining our businesses, forming a powerhouse corporation that could never be bested. Maybe that was exactly what would happen after graduation. I’d heard Chicago was a cool place to live. My cock twitched, throbbing to the point of pain from just thinking about the possibility for a future together.

  Did I really think she’d go for it, or that her parents wouldn’t interfere? If her father was the assassin, then he’d put bullets in our heads the first opportunity he had. I wanted to laugh at myself given capturing her had initially been about revenge. Now, I was thinking about sharing my life with her. Jesus. I was suddenly thinking like Cain, which was ridiculous.

  I’d watched in near silence as Cain had taken control over stalking her, watching her as if she was a little bird trying to flee her cage. I would swear she knew we’d been voyeurs, her provocative dances in front of open blinds as close to portraying sexual acts as I’d ever seen. I’d hungered for her to the point of masturbating almost every night, keeping an image of her face in the forefront of my mind. Now, I couldn’t wait to have her plump lips wrapped around my thick cock.

  Cain gathered her into his arms, immediately yanking her dress over her head as he helped her to a standing position. Then he cupped her breasts, pinching her nipples between his fingers. While she struggled in his hold at first, within seconds she was rubbing her palms down his thighs.

  My cock had been completely aroused for too long, my hunger reaching levels I’d yet to experience. All because of a beautiful girl who’d gotten on the radar of a monster. Who was I to judge Cain? I’d participated in the beheadings of my father’s enemies during a trip home for Christmas.

  It was the way of my life as well as Cain’s, and Hunter’s wasn’t much different given the notorious reputation of his father. But to think that Cain was dead-set on keeping Sage permanently meant we were entering another realm of power that would change everything, including our futures.

  However, I was also smart enough to realize that Cain was fucking nuts. He’d likely toss her aside after getting his fill. In my eyes, she was far too special to spoil. She hadn’t known I’d been in the audience at every performance she’d participated in, including the few off campus, something her professors had no clue about, and if I had to guess, something her parents would freak out over.

  She’d always disguised herself, appearing the heady rocker when singing her heart out. Red hair. Blonde hair. Hell, she’d gone through a phase of wearing a neon pink wig. None of her disguises had ever fooled me. I’d been there, sitting in a seat for as long as she performed, protecting her against the evils of the world.

  Blood had stained my skin from beating a stupid drunk asshole who’d hassled her three nights before. He’d threatened to call the police. In turn, I’d made certain he knew that if I needed to have a ‘talk’ with him a second time, he’d lose more than just one of his fingers. I’d do it all over again to keep her protected.

  As Cain yanked her head back by her hair, crushing his mouth over hers, I ripped off my jacket, tossing it aside. Then I curled my fingers around the back of my shirt, yanking it over my head to the floor. By the time I approached, her nipples were rock hard, the scent of her desire forcing me to lick my lips.

  I rubbed my hands around her waist, crawling them to her thighs.

  Cain pulled away, winking as he glanced at me. “She’s all yours, brother. At least for a few minutes.”

  I spun her around, enjoying her expression as I fisted her hair. “You are beautiful.”

  Sage placed her hand on my chest, allowing her heated gaze to fall slowly to my belt buckle as she chewed on her lower lip. When she brushed the tips of her fingers down to my belt buckle, I sucked in my breath. A part of me wanted this to last all night long, but I had a feeling my body wouldn’t cooperate.

  When she lifted her chin, I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her onto her toes.

  “You will never break me,” she said, yet the twinkle in her eye indicated she was intrigued by the possibility.

  “We shall see, little lamb. Won’t we?”

  She jerked at my belt, managing to unfasten the buckle. Then I pushed her down to her knees, taking a deep breath as she rolled the material over my hips.

  “You don’t waste any time,” Hunter said as he approached.

  “No, brother. We’ve wasted far too much time as it is.”

  He growled as he crouched down, easing the hair from her face. “I can’t wait to slide my cock deep inside your pussy.” I watched as he raked his fingers down her back, his expression darkening.

  When she wrapped her hand around the base of my cock, I couldn’t hold back an intense moan. “Suck me, little lamb. I want to see your lips surrounding my cockhead.”

  Sage pumped the bottom of my shaft, twisting her hand until she created friction. Giving me a salacious look, she slid her other hand between my legs, teasing my balls. She rolled them between her fingers, squeezing until the pressure caused another growl to escape my throat.

  “Be careful taunting me,” I said under my breath.