Page 9 of Your Daddy Does It Better
I move past her to my dresser drawer, pull out one of my t-shirts, and hand it to her. “I’ll get some things delivered tomorrow, but this should do for tonight.”
“Where are you going to sleep?”
“On the floor beside you.”
“What?”
“I’m not risking you running out of here the minute I turn my back.”
“So Iamyour prisoner?”
I brush my thumb over the soft flesh of her cheek. “My guest. You’re my guest.”
“Guests can leave.”
“I swear I’m not planning to keep you here against your will, Isla. I just need you to remain here for now so I can monitor you. Paul isn’t going to let this go.”
She sighs as she tips her head back. “Even the ceiling is burgundy.”
I place my hands on her slender shoulders and shake her gently to get her attention. “I won’t have your life in jeopardy.”
Her gaze moves to my hands on her shoulders. “And I’m supposed to believe that I’m safer here?”
I fill my lungs with the toxic air surrounding us, searching for patience. She witnessed me beating the shit out of my kid to protect her. Saw me kick him out of my apartment. And she has the nerve to question me when it comes to her safety?
I wish I could crack my brain open and show her my intentions. It would sure as fuck make things easier. As much as I want Isla to take me for my word, I understand why she can’t. Because all she’s seen from me is violence. Sure, my aggression was for her protection, but that doesn’t mean much to a woman who’s been a victim of violence.
I take another breath to calm myself as I gaze into her beautiful eyes.“I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a liar. I give you my word that no one will harm you here. Not even me. I realize you don’t know me, and asking this is a lot, but I need you to trust me. Can you do that?”
“Trust isn’t easy for me.”
“I get that. The idea of having a woman in my house turns my stomach.”
She tugs her shoulders out of my grasp. “Geez. I’m sorry I repel you so much.”
“You’re a lioness trapped in the body of a mouse. I’m having a hard time with the notion that you’d ever allow a man to tell you what to do with that smart mouth of yours. But I’d bet you’re not afraid to give me the edge of your vicious tongue because you sense I'd never hurt you no matter what you do or say. There’s safety in that knowledge, isn’t there, Isla? You can pretend you’re a big, bad girl here, but when it matters, you cower and hide like a helpless animal.”
“You’re an asshole.” Her hand flies up to strike my face, but I stop her with a firm grip on her wrist. I’m shocked at my reaction to her, the heat, the animalistic need to slam her against the wall and fuck her until the only words she can utter from her pretty mouth are “Bryce” and “harder.”
“I’m not a little boy, Isla. I’ve had my fill of manipulative women. You’re going to be a good girl, or I’ll be forced to treat you like a bad one.”
Isla sneers right before she slaps me across the face.
ChapterSeven
ISLA
My gaze moves from his face to my hand, shaking in the aftermath of my action. I’m shocked by what I’ve done and fear the repercussions.
I collapse onto the floor and shield my head, desperate to protect myself. The first blow will hurt the most. After a few hits, my body will go numb. My eyes slide shut, and I pray to whatever merciful deity that may be listening to make my suffering quick.
Fear strangles me. A putrid emotion that turns into something vile and burns within my veins. I want to be strong to stand up against the shadow falling over me, but the sharp terror is crippling. I’m frozen, incapable of anything other than covering myself and waiting for the blows.
“What are you doing?” A deep growl.
“Please.” The only word I can squeeze past my tight throat. I’m too scared to say more in case it escalates his anger and risks further harm. Memories of brutal hands punching, hitting, and humiliating me violate my mind. I float out of my conscious mind, disassociating from reality.
He grips my arms. “Get up, Isla.”
