Read Story: SEASON 2 EPISODE 49

Did killing ever bother Chloe?

A sharp sound to my left tore through my thoughts. I slammed the clip back into the gun and jumped into a crouch before realizing what it was—the wet cough of the woman in the wreckage.

Feeling a little foolish, I stood and pocketed the bullets I’d removed. Stowing the gun, I rounded the opening of the helicopter and leaned against the twisted frame, looking down to see Astrid’s pale but still lovely face staring up at me.

She blinked, coughed again, then swallowed visibly. “Marcus?”

“Hey,” I said, unable to stop the small smile creeping across my lips. Regardless of our argument in the sauna before we left, I was glad to see her alive. She’d been good to me so far, and with Chloe gone, having another human face to look at was more than a little comforting.

“What day is it?” she asked, blinking again as some of the confusion faded.

“Sunday,” I said. “Don’t ask me the time, though. I was never great at guessing it before, and your country doesn’t do direct sunlight, so I’ve got nothing.”

She didn’t even crack a smile. I couldn’t blame her, considering the shape she was in.

“What happened? Where are we? Are we near the cabin?”

“What do you remember?” I asked.

She closed her eyes and thought for a while. “An explosion,” she finally said. “Chloe… she shoved you out of the helicopter. Then tried to do the same for me. I remember telling her to go ahead, that I’d be right behind her. Then… nothing.”

“Tanaka had men shoot us down,” I said.

Her eyes shot open. She gasped, suddenly more lucid than I’d seen her since the crash. “What!?”

I recounted the experience, from waking up hanging in a tree to Chloe leaving to scout the area. I left out the intimate parts. Chloe would appreciate that. She was a private person anyway, but I had the impression that she would especially hate it if Astrid knew. My instinct said she didn’t care much for Astrid.

Astrid muttered something I assumed was a curse in Norwegian. “Poor Robert. He was only with us for a month.”

That surprised me. After seeing how she treated Bobbi, I half-expected her to shrug off the death of one of her underlings.

I must not have hidden my reaction well. Astrid smirked. “What? Just because I roughed up your pet, you think I’m heartless?”

“Honestly? Yeah.”

“Well, you’re wrong,” Astrid said. “Despite whatever she told you, or what you think, I’m not a monster. I don't want to see people hurt.”

I gave her a skeptical look, and she quickly amended, “Well, not seriously hurt, at any rate.” A moment passed. “Your pet was never in any real danger, you know.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” I said, retrieving a ration pouch of water nearby. “Thirsty?”

“Please,” she said, struggling to lift her arm. I helped her drink deeply before she handed it back. I took a small sip and set it aside.

“Why’d you do it?” I asked.

“Your pet?” she echoed, then shrugged. “Why did you take possession of her to begin with?”

“That’s a long story,” I said. “Not really important.”

“It is,” she replied with an amused smile. “She’s beautiful. Full of attitude. You wanted her for your pleasure, and taming a woman is more satisfying than simply taking one who’s already submissive.”

I started to protest. “It wasn’t… it was just…”

Damn. She had me pegged. I didn’t want to admit it, but I’d considered how much I enjoyed breaking Bobbi many times over the past month. Some of those moments—when she was at my mercy, on the edge of tears—were some of the hottest of my life.

“See? It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I glanced down. Astrid was staring at my crotch, and I realized my pants were already growing tight.

“I’ve never been all that into women,” she continued. “But something about that girl really brings it out in me. That look of pride and defiance… and she could’ve been in fashion with that face and body.”

“I think it’s her personality,” I said. “She doesn’t have the best people skills.”

“There you go,” Astrid said. “A girl that beautiful and with that much spunk was made for what we do to her. She was put on this earth for one purpose.”

“She asked me to keep her,” I snapped, angry that her words were turning me on. I couldn’t deny I had dark urges. My trysts with Bobbi and Helen had proven that, but I had to believe I had limits. “I conquered her already.”

“She still seems defiant to me.”

“Well, I’m not beating the spirit out of her. I’m not interested in fucking a catatonic woman. Might as well get a blow-up doll.”

Astrid yelped, her face twisting in pain.

“You okay?” I asked, taking a step forward and getting a closer look at her.

She nodded through gritted teeth. “Just… my leg. Moved it. Hurts more than I thought it would.” She opened one squinting eye at me. “No way of getting me out?”

“Afraid not,” I said. “Chloe says one of the seat frames is wrapped around it. We tried earlier—you screamed and passed out. You’re lucky you still have your foot.”

“Hmm. I remember you waking me earlier, but not the screaming. So, the plan is just to wait for Chloe?”

“Yep.” I handed her the water again. She drained it completely, and I didn’t stop her. Water was the one thing we had plenty of, thanks to Chloe’s collection setup.

A few drops slipped from the corner of her mouth. Without thinking, I reached out and cupped her cheek to wipe it away. Her skin was smooth as porcelain. My thumb lingered, brushing gently up her cheek. Her eyes met mine, and she leaned into my hand.

When my thumb neared her mouth, she turned her head and kissed it, then slid it into her mouth. Her tongue brushed against the tip, suckling softly.

I knew what she was doing.

We’d fought the day before, and now she was completely vulnerable—trapped, helpless, and relying on me. She was trying to manipulate me the only way she still could. Seduction.

It might’ve worked a month ago.

Hell… it might’ve worked yesterday.

She pulled back slowly, her lips releasing my thumb with a soft pop. Then she smiled sweetly, the same expression she wore the first time we met in the boardroom.

She nuzzled into my hand, and I had the urge to retrace those lips.

“Once we get out of this, I’ll need to show you my gratitude for everything you’ve done,” she murmured into my palm.

Yeah… definitely buttering me up.

And she was good. Not Helen or Ashlee-good. Not Carla-good.

Okay—maybe better than Ashlee.

I slid my hand into her platinum hair and pulled tight, forcing her head back. “What makes you think we should wait?”

Her eyes widened, the momentary spell broken. “Marcus?”

“Why wait?” I continued. “I have you right here.”

She licked her lips, starting to process what I meant.

I leaned closer. My voice came low and gravelly. “You abused my property and didn’t apologize. You’re helpless now. I’m making sure you survive, and you’re trying to play me. So why shouldn’t I enjoy some of that gratitude now?”

“It would be much better at my home,” Astrid said calmly, keeping an eerie composure. “I’ve lived in luxury my whole life. I’d blow your mind.”

“Please,” I scoffed. “I’ve fucked Carla Tanaka. Hiro didn’t give her shares for her sparkling conversation.”

“You can’t possibly—”

“I don’t know,” I interrupted, running my fingers down her throat. My cock throbbed. “You’re not in a position to fight back. Maybe I’ll give you the same treatment you gave Bobbi. I think I could find a stick.”

That got her attention.

I placed my palm under her chin, gripping her jaw tightly.

“I’ll get you out alive, Astrid. But remember two things: One—you owe me your life. Two—don’t try to manipulate me again. Nod if you understand.”

She held my gaze. Then, finally, her chin dipped slightly.

“Good. Glad we understand each other.”

I thought about kissing her. Decided against it. That would’ve felt like giving her a win.

Instead, I let her go, stood, and walked away.