He pulled the chain tighter as a warning.
“As you wish, Sir,” I choked out.
Black loosened his grip but he didn’t release the necklace, which meant the air I gulped was purely out of necessity—not relief.
“Mistakes happen,” Black said soothingly and my stomach clenched. He wasn’t the type to pamper or console. This was the calm before the storm. “But you don’t make mistakes, do you? I can only assume, therefore, that you require a harsher punishment this week. It is, as always, my duty to meet your needs.”
He pulled softly, urging me back up, and then finally abandoned the necklace in favor of restraining my hands and ankles. I’d almost gotten caught, and as Black reappeared with a long rattan cane, I let myself imagine I had. My eyes snapped shut as it sliced through the air and delivered the first exquisite stroke.
This was my altar.
My body was the sacrifice.
There was only oblivion and searing heat.
Penance was my reward. Pain was my pleasure.
But there was never absolution. Not for someone like me.
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Thank you to super agent Mollie Glick for supporting what I want to write, and to Joy Fowlkes who keeps things running smoothly. My foreign agent, Jessica Regal, is a goddess. I can’t wait to see all my dirty words in other languages.
Lindsey, you keep my life functioning, and you were doing that long before you became my assistant. Yep, I’m cribbing this from last time because it’s still true. I’m sorry for making your life hell!
Elise, I hope I didn’t make you blush too hard. Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put in on things while I’m on deadline. Here’s to many more releases.
A huge thanks to Sharon, who is the best publicist I’ve ever had! You’re a genius and not just because we think alike! And all my love and thanks to the Sassy Savvy Fabulous team—Linda, Jesey, and Melissa. You rock my publicity and marketing world!
Thank you to Bethany and Josh for impeccable editorial services available at the last minute. Somehow you always know what I mean to say, even when I don’t. And thanks to Cait Greer for putting up with all my formatting needs.
I get by with a little help from my friends and significant amounts of booze.Thanks Laurelin, Sierra, Melanie, Tamara, and Kayti for always being there.
To the FYW girls, you have owned this year, and I’m so lucky to get to be a (small) part of that.
A big thank you to the ladies of the Royal Court! You make me want to get up every morning.
Thank you to all the bloggers who’ve shown such enthusiasm and love for the series. You’ve made a huge difference in my life.
I had the amazing pleasure of attending a writer’s retreat while I was working on this novel. I’m so blessed to count Amy Jackson, Michelle Leighton, Addison Moore, Samantha Young, Chelsea Fine, Michelle A. Valentine, Amy Bartol, Raine Miller, and Janet Wallace as members of my tribe. Thank you for not letting me work to hard. Next year in Palm Springs?
I wouldn’t be doing this if not for the support of my family. Thanks, kids, for cheering on my books even if I won’t let you read them yet, and to my husband, who lets me spend time with the men in my head without getting (too) jealous. Love you.
Geneva Lee prefers fantasy to reality, especially fantasies involving powerful, dangerous, and sexy men. You can find her devouring a good romance while avoiding the laundry—and her children.
Learn more about Geneva Lee at:
www.GenevaLee.com
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Also by Geneva Lee
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Capture Me
Author's Note
The Royal Underground
Acknowledgments
About the Author