Claimed by Tara Crescent Read Free Book Online Page B

Anticipation surged in my blood. “No Sir.”
    “That’s right, Ellie. You do not. In the playroom, the only choice you have is to use your safe word, isn’t it? It seems that you need to be punished to help you remember that.”
    “Yes Sir.” Along with the anticipation came a sense of calm contentment. A protective net closed around me, holding me safe and secure.
    “Upstairs with you.” Underneath his habitual amusement was tightly stretched need. He felt the same desire I did. “Shower if you need. You have twenty minutes to get ready.”
    “Twenty?” I taunted daringly. “Alexander,” I winked, “I only really need ten.”
    The sound of his laughter followed me up the stairs.
     

Chapter 5
    Alexander:
    She might not have needed twenty minutes, but I did. I dialled Jean-Luc’s number. I had information to give my head of security. Plus, I had some yelling to do. Honestly, he could have told Ellie I was concerned for her safety.
    “His last name is Bectell,” I started. “Lucien Bectell.”
    Jean-Luc hissed. “Then I know him by reputation,” he replied. “And we are in trouble. He’s former French secret service. He’s trained with the Bedouin in Algeria, with the Tuareg in Mali. He’s ruthless and he’s competent.”
    And he was trying to kill me. I was so glad Ellie was upstairs, safe where I could keep an eye on her. Though I would have to pay the price for my high-handed actions. I had a feeling we weren’t done with that particular conversation.
    “He must have associates,” I said. “At the very minimum, he’ll need someone that can pull information for him. Find that person.”
    “I need Ellie then,” Jean-Luc rumbled. “If she’s ever emailed either Bectell or his sources, then we can start there. Her laptop might have something useful on it. I’ll come around now.”
    “No, tomorrow morning,” I replied. “I’m going to pretend that someone isn’t after us for one night, Jean-Luc. I’m going to sleep with the woman that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind ever since I met her.”
    His silence made his disapproval clear, but I didn’t care. I needed to carve out moments of normalcy where I could. I hadn’t wanted to be rich, I hadn’t wanted to be the financier of the scum of the world, but I had to infiltrate their operations to put an end to them. I walked on the path I did, but it wasn’t without regret or a longing that things could be different.
    “Fine,” he said finally. “Go be with your girl then.”
    I exhaled. I had to make something else crystal clear. I knew Jean-Luc well. Some of his concerns about Ellie’s trustworthiness would have been allayed by the fact that she had volunteered information about Lucien, but he also would be suspicious about her past association with Bectell. He wasn’t going to like my next words. “She’s part of the team, Jean-Luc.”
    He laughed. “That was obvious a long time ago,” he replied, surprising me. “I’ve had a team of people keep an eye on her for the last eighteen months because of that. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    I wasn’t startled by his revelation; I’d have been shocked if he hadn’t been watching Ellie. Jean-Luc kept everyone under surveillance. His paranoia had kept me alive for many years and I couldn’t complain about it too much. I just hoped Ellie hadn’t found out, otherwise I’d have to grovel some more. “Bring breakfast,” I said. “She likes pastries.”
    ***
    Ellie:
    He hadn’t told me what to wear and where to wait, so I chose a turquoise blue bustier and matching thong once I got out of the shower. From the last time around, I remembered that Alexander liked to lead me into the playroom. I therefore made my way to his bedroom and knelt like a good little submissive at the entrance, my eyes downcast, my entire body throbbing with a hot, surging anticipation.
    Of all the revelations about myself, this had been the most startling one. After Dylan, I should have