Bought By The Billionaire

Later, showered, clean and comfortable, we lie together on my bed, drinking wine, discussing everything and nothing in the candlelight.

“Master, there’s something I think I need to tell you about.”

Cocking an eyebrow at me, “Oh? What?”.

“You know Mack Kane?”

“What about him? He lost his job when you spotted that he’d been defrauding the company.”

“Yes, but, I’ve seen him a few times since then. I think he’s following me.”

My Master looks appalled. “What! When was this?”

“Usually when I’m coming home from the office. I keep seeing him and I wonder if he’s trying to find out where I live now. The first time I thought it was just a coincidence, but it’s kept happening. I think I’ve managed to lose him in the crowds each time but….”

He holds up a warding hand. “Say no more Elizabeth. I’ll get right onto it. I think a prohibition order is needed. I have friends with the police. We’ll get it fast-tracked for you.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. You don’t deserve this.”

“It’s alright, Master. It’s not your fault. I didn’t want to bother you with it but….”

He jabs a finger at me. “This is the kind of thing you do bother me with Elizabeth. If anything else happens, you tell me right away. I mean that. You call me immediately. You have my mobile number, and I’ll tell Francis to make sure that if you call the office, it comes straight through to me if you say it’s important.”

“Alright. I’ll do that.”

He stretches and yawns. “I’m sorry Elizabeth, but I have to go. I have a lot on tomorrow and the following day, so it could be the end of the week before I see you again. But don’t worry about things. I’ll contact the police tomorrow morning. And you keep in touch if you need to. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything were to happen to you. Okay?”

I nod. “Good night, Elizabeth.” And he kisses me, softly, on the lips, his hand caressing my hair.

clicking the door closed behind him. I start making myself ready for sleep; a cup of

to the concierge “Sorry, Miss Kimberley. He’s already left the building, about

said he’s busy tomorrow, so he probably needs the case. I could message Ross, the driver, to call by and pick it up first thing in the

when the door buzzes. Ah! He’s realized

go to the door to unlock

in my face and a man bursts in. Stepping backwards, Mack Kane slams me against the wall, his

off. I am trying, with both hands, to break his grip on my neck, but the momentum of his charge through the door has pushed me to the floor, and he has the advantage now of height; his weight

he is yelling. “You think you could do that and get away with it? You

He is strangling me, and my vision is beginning to blur. I cannot breathe. The hot blackness of unconsciousness circles in

he is screaming. “Bitch!

under me. I have no air, and the

the Hell do

my attacker is pulled loose from me, his hands releasing their hold on my throat, and I collapse to the floor, gagging for

think I am going to be

gasp on the floor, chest heaving, the two men struggle by the doorway. Suddenly Mack breaks free and

streaming down my face. Now the adrenaline has had time to kick in, and I am shaking, trembling, sucking in

so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you. Oh, God. I could have lost

and shaking. “I’m alright,

be alright? You were attacked. He was trying to kill you.” He sits me, on the floor, back against the wall, one hand flat

dashes to the intercom, dialling the contact for the concierge. “Yes, an ambulance. And the Police. Right now. And close up the building. Seal all

yells the final words, before stabbing the

so magnificent. To see him like this is upsetting beyond words. I must calm myself, and so calm him. I have not been seriously hurt, only shaken, and Mack will soon be

I’m alright. Truly, he hasn’t hurt me. It was

breaths, forcing myself to relax, willing my hammering heartbeat to slow down, and hoping that my aching throat is not the

Master visibly relaxes, but almost engulfs me in his embrace, kissing my forehead, rocking me in a

of sirens and blue light flashes up through the windows, into the room. It feels weird, unearthly, and I feel sort of disconnected, spaced

in bed, disoriented, staring up at a

not