Chapter 8 No Way Out

• His words sank into my ears and weakened my being from the inside out. He had everything planned out from the very beginning, and he looked anything but bluffing.
• With the last strength in me, I rose from his lap, taking myself to the other chair across from him as fast as I could and standing behind it. "And you thought that after revealing your mission here, I'd still want to fuck you."
• His gaze stayed on me, hot, calm, watching my every move. "You don't have to like me to fuck me, mistress. You just have to want to fuck. Angry fucking is one of my favourites."
• I felt shivers run down my spine and it was because of his words and the fact that his eyes stayed on my body while he spoke. I hated the response my body gave, even when the seed of dislike had been sown for him. This was the full moon bringing alive different emotions beyond my control.
• I turned to him, my eyes flaring. "I've met different men, from all works and places, but your audacity is the most unbelievable of them all."
• He rose to his feet, his height as intimidating as ever, making me look too tiny. Not only was he good looking, but he also stood with much confidence. I sucked in a breath.
• "Why? Because I don't let you control me like you do the rest of those assholes? Because you don't have me wrapped around your fingers, begging you to use me. I am unbelievable because I'm holding you accountable for wronging me all those years? Taking what isn't yours? Stealing from someone whose only crime was saving you from the men who were trying to harm you."
• I threw my face away. I couldn't stand to look at him. He spoke the truth and a part of me hated him for that.
• "Fuck you," I mumbled under my breath, but he heard and his response came quick.
• "Yes, tell me when and how."
• We stayed silent and despite not looking at him, I could feel his hot and intent gaze on me.
• I was boiling on the inside with rage beyond even my control. "You speak about helping me from those bastards, but the truth is, I didn't ask for your help." I bit out, hating that the past wasn't just back to hunt me but to rub in my very face in a hot body.
• "You're right, you never did. You had it under control. Dyan was right. I should have left you with those men. I was stupid to think you deserve to be saved because you didn't and you have no fucking idea what you did. What you took from me. And you think this parlour will pay it back? I could burn it down and still not get back what I lost!" he snarled at me.
• I felt his anger and pain as he spoke, and there was no joy in him. My heart shrunk in guilt, anger, and pain all at the same time.
• There was no way out of this, or at least I couldn't see it. He had all the upper hands. He looked calculating and focused and I don't think seducing him would work, either. Sure, he'd fuck me because he evidently wants to, but he will not back down. If I fight this fire with fire I will lose, that's if I haven't already.
• I made a vow when I opened this parlour to never be helpless again, but that is exactly how I feel now.
• I pressed my lips together, and my anger washed away. My gaze moved to lock on his. "If I agree to this, what do I get then?"
• "Freedom," he said with a reasonable tone, stepping towards me. "You could leave and start over somewhere, anywhere of your choice."
• The thought of leaving crossed my mind. I could take his offer, let go of everything and start over somewhere else, but it wasn't as easy as it sounded. I had to think about how my actions would affect others here, whether positively or negatively. I have had to do that since I started this parlour.
• Without me, this place would collapse and the young maiden and men who relied on the support they get from here would suffer. I had to think of them. I had to think of Rue, Jane, Hunter, Violet, Kent, Simi, Oné and many others.
• He didn't care about any of that because he had no clue about the workers here, but I did. I couldn't let my pride and ego ruin things for the men and women counting on me to survive. This was a bitter truth. It was more than just me, and I was responsible for whatever happened to them. I made a promise to them to protect and never let them down. I couldn't break that promise. I would never forgive myself.
• I scoffed. If only it were that easy. "Like you've said, I'm an omega who went rogue. There is no starting over for me." it was a bitter truth that I hated to admit out loud, but it was the fact.
• Most Maidens in the kingdom found their mates when they turned sixteen or eighteen. After I turned eighteen and didn't find mine, I realised the moon goddess had no plans for me. Why would she? I am an omega, the very least of her children, and she probably forgot I even existed. So I moved on and fully got involved in the running of my parlour. It became my number one priority and after so many years; I don't regret my decision. However, learning that I would have to start over felt wrong on so many levels and I could not consider it.
• If pity flashed in his eyes, he didn't let it stay and that was a good thing too because I didn't want pity, especially his. "Then what do you want to do?" he asked, sounding genuine with his question.
• "This is my life. It has been for years and I've made a success out of it. If you're going to take it, you might as well drive a silver dagger through my heart."
• "What are you saying, mistress?"
• This was rock bottom, and I was sinking deeper still. "I'm saying name your price. Anything and I'd do it as long as I get to have my parlour."
• How life change so fast. This morning I was the mistress of the Desire parlour. I had workers under me answering my call, but now I'm begging to be a part of something I created.
• This man may not be like the other men I've been with, but he was still a man and I'd like to believe I can reach an agreement with him.
• "I'd like to think of myself as a reasonable man and so I wouldn't mind adopting a partnership."
• This is the best thing he's said since he's been in my inner chamber.
• "There will be rules and regulations you will have to follow and you will report to me from henceforth."
• He dipped his hand into the pocket of his woollen jacket and pulled out a scroll. He stepped forward to hand it over to me, and my body heated at his nearness. His scent was unique and weakening and that was the last thing I wanted to be. The closer he got, the sharper my intake of air became, and my heart pounded louder. There was something that made me want to hide away from his eyes. It made no sense.
• I collected the scroll before asking. “What is this?”
• “A former agreement between us. We also need to review it and make sure it’s up to your taste.” If his voice wasn’t so formal and reserved as he spoke. I would have said he was flirting with me.
• “You had this all planned out, already you knew how it’ll go.” Cocky bastard.
• “I knew this meeting would have three outcomes, and I came prepared for all.”
• “Will you read it, or do you need me to read through it?” He asked, already stretching his hand of help forward.
• I did not know if his question was a genuine offer for help, but I didn’t need it. “I know how to read.” I bit out rather harshly and walked past him to take a seat.
• He nodded, paying not much mind to my attitude. “Take your time then” he sat as well and rested his back against the armchair, tilted his head back and shut his eyes slowly.
• I glared at him and the comfort he seemed to have in my chambers. My gaze lingered on him, a little longer than I wanted to and slowly the anger faded and I swallowed, trailing my eyes over his red, full bottom lips and his neatly shaved lower face, down his neck to where his Adam’s apple sat and it bobbed as he swallowed on nothing.
• “If you’re hoping to get rid of me as soon as possible, then you have to stop gawking at me and focus on the agreement you’re reading, mistress.”
• My cheeks burn, and my eyes dropped to the agreement in my hand. I unwrapped the long scroll filled with much writing from top to bottom. Then I read through the demands and rules that he had drafted. I read carefully to not make any mistakes or miss a thing. There were nine demands made by the prince, nine of which I had to accept if I hoped to keep my parlour.
• One of them was the consent to my body.
• He would only dim me as a partner in his eyes if I gave my body to him without objection.