Page 9 of Obsession (Dark Revenge)
“I—” I began speaking, wanting to break the silence, but Jared quickly raised one hand, signaling for me to be quiet.
I nodded, looking at the floor and waiting for him to process and plan. It was evident that he needed a moment to regain control of his anger, and it was wiser to allow him to go through that process. However, it shocked me to my core when he spoke in the calmest of voices, “Was it a pleasant drive?”
“It was quite enjoyable. I had the window down. It’s not my Porsche, but it’s a nice car,” I replied, playing into our little game, and I saw a dark smile spread across his lips.
“Yes, your standards are remarkably high, Alison. I’m well aware,” he commented, but beneath the calm exterior, I could sense the true and seething rage.
“We could go together next time. I’m a capable driver,” I continued.
His smile grew wider as he leaned to the side in his chair, resting his head on his hand, with a finger tapping against his cheek.
“Are you even going to attempt an apology?” he questioned, dropping the charade as it was clear that he despised every moment of it.
“Apology?”
“Yes, an apology. That’s typically what people do when they know they’ve done something wrong, and my little slut has most certainly messed up.”
“Would you believe me if I did say I was sorry?” I asked.
“Not even for a second.”
“Then it’s pointless. Just like I know it will be pointless telling you why I even ran. So, Master, shall it be the whip or your belt?” I mocked. But Jared surprised me when he didn’t immediately order me to go bend over something so he could assert his dominance.
Instead, his eyes narrowed a little, and he pointed to a spot on the floor right beside him. I walked over to it, but as I stood in front of him, he raised an eyebrow, and I realized what he was actually telling me. A bit reluctantly and with a heavy sigh, I knelt in front of him, adopting a submissive position. It seemed to calm him a little as I took on this posture.
“Go on,” he insisted.
“With what?”
“You clearly implied there was a reason you ran, so go on, tell me.”
“But you won’t believe me. You never do.”
“And why is that, Alison?” he asked, placing his arms on his knees, leaning forward and bringing our faces close.
My eyes had their own will, seeking his lips, and I watched how he began to smile again, seeing the way I watched him. I forced my eyes back to his, and he appeared much more pleased now. Then he reached out, grasping a fistful of my hair. It stung terribly as he pulled, and I whimpered.
“Why is that, Alison?” he growled this time, letting some of his anger seep out.
“B-Because lying is what I do!” I cried out.
“Exactly. You lie. So why the fuck should I believe a single word that leaves your mouth?” he snarled close to my face.
With this short distance between us, I could see how exhausted he looked. When he left me this evening, he had appeared content and very sated. What had happened tonight? His anger might not only be from me running, I realized. Butthat did not work in my favor because Jared loved taking his anger out on me. This warned me that I had to tread carefully.
“Well?” he pressed.
“B-Because you also know I am tied to you. You have all my secrets in the palm of your hand. We both know what happens if I step out of line, you have already shown me. So why would I run unless I didn’t have a good reason?” I pointed out. Jared watched me intently for a few seconds before his grip loosened slightly. But if I thought the hair-pulling was bad tonight, it was nothing compared to when he moved his hand from my hair to my jaw.
He pressed in so hard that I was sure my jaw was going to pop.
“The thing is, I have underestimated you before. I know you, Alison. I know you better than anyone on this planet. I know you better than your mother, and that woman birthed you!” he yelled. But if he thought it was a great achievement to know me better than my mother, he was wrong.
“M-My mother doesn’t even know I have a mild allergy to lime, and it makes my throat a bit scratchy,” I whispered. My mother could not accept flaws and refused to even recognize them, but my words made Jared’s eyes flicker a little as he looked into mine, and I knew the message was clear.
His grip loosened slightly, and when I managed to break free, I pushed his hand away. I was aware that it might provoke his anger further, but my jaw ached terribly. I gingerly worked it, anger swirling inside me, yet at least he refrained from physically harming me any further. Instead, he reclined in his chair, offering a dismissive wave, suggesting that I should proceed with my story.
I was well aware he wouldn't believe me, and I had no doubt that a punishment loomed ahead, but after our intense encounter last night following the small dinner, I had momentarily forgotten just how cold and ruthless Jared couldtruly be. Perhaps demanding pain so early after returning to him had been an ill-conceived plan. Therefore, I chose to tell him what had happened.
