Page 21 of Corruption
“You want me to cook in this?”
“You can wear an apron,” he replied as he headed for the door. I sighed and followed him, but as I stood at the threshold, a sense of unease washed over me. I didn’t know this house. I didn’t know the people who lived here. Even the long, empty hallway seemed intimidating. Jared noticed I wasn’t following and glanced back over his shoulder.
“What are you doing, slave?” he asked. “I said I was hungry.”
I admonished myself to get a grip and forced my feet to move. Jared turned away again, and I trailed behind him as we walked down the hallway. I kept my gaze mostly directed downward, but my curiosity got the best of me. When I stole a quick glance around, my eyes landed on something intriguing. I froze in my tracks and drew nearer to a picture hanging on the wall. It was Jared! I was utterly captivated as I gazed at a younger version of him. He had grown larger even then and was leaning against a motorcycle, staring directly at the camera. I reached out, feeling an inexplicable urge to touch it. However, just as my fingers were about to graze the glass, a hand clamped around mine, almost crushing it.
“Did I tell you that you could snoop around?” he snarled.
I looked at the floor. “No, Master.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Just... Sorry,” I muttered, aware that completing the sentence wouldn’t be in my best interest. I remained silent as Jared pulled me behind him, not releasing his grip this time. As we made our way through the house, we passed by some men who looked like hitmen. They didn’t say anything as we walked by. Jared led me downstairs, past the grand staircase, and down a hallway, eventually arriving at a spacious kitchen. Some women were sitting inside, sipping coffee, and they all perked up when Jared entered. He instructed them to leave us alone, reserving breakfast duty for me. Of course, he wasn’t about to allow them to cook for him. That responsibility now fell squarely on my shoulders.
Chapter 10
-Alison-
Once we were alone, Jared motioned for me to go to the fridge and then walked around the kitchen island to sit down, wearing a self-satisfied expression. It was clear that he was waiting for something, though I wasn’t entirely sure if it was the food that had him so excited. He appeared to be anticipating my protests, but I remained silent, heading to the fridge to begin making breakfast. I didn’t even bother trying to protect the dress. It had already been tainted by him. I cooked his breakfast quietly, but I could feel his intense gaze on my back, making me feel hunted once again. I tried to finish the meal as quickly as possible before I turned to Jared, offering him a forced smile as I presented him with the food.
“There you go, Master,” I said, but when he shifted his gaze from the food to me, it wasn’t with an expression of satisfaction.
“I need something to drink as well,” he declared.
“What can I get you? Water? Juice? Milk? A morning shot?” I asked, injecting a touch of sarcasm into my last suggestion. I knew he sensed it, but he chose not to comment. Instead, he simply requested a glass of water. I placed it in front of him and obediently remained at his side in case he required anything else. He took a few bites of his meal before turning his head to look at me.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Just standing by, ready, Master,” I assured him.
“For?”
“For whatever you need,” I responded.
He narrowed his eyes again, then sniffed the food. He knew I hadn’t added anything strange. He had watched me prepare it. Nevertheless, he pushed the plate toward me.
“Try it and tell me what’s wrong,” he ordered.
I looked at him, puzzled, but complied. Taking a bite, I found that, while I wasn’t an exceptional cook, the food tasted perfectly fine. “It tastes fine. Is it a little more salt you’re looking for?”
“It tastes strange. I want you to redo it,” he instructed.
“As you wish, Master.”
I was about to step away with the plate when Jared reached out, grasping my dress and yanking me back. The plate slipped from my hands as I was unprepared for the sudden movement. He pulled me onto his lap, lifting me off the ground. The stool and his body made it impossible for me to reach the floor. I felt a pressing sensation against the plug, causing me to jump slightly as unfamiliar sensations swirled within me. The fire in me was stoked by Jared’s warm breath on my neck as he moved closer, his arm still firmly around my waist.
“I think you’re forgetting who you’re serving, Alison,” he whispered darkly into my ear.
I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I-I haven’t forgotten.”
“Who is your Master?” he demanded, emphasizing his question with a bite to my neck to remind me who I was submitting to.
“Y-You,” I stammered, sensing a sinister transformation coming over Jared. I was afraid to meet his gaze, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.
“And who is in control between us?” he inquired.
“You, of course.”
