Page 21 of Devil's Sinner
“I…” I grimaced as she tightened her grip on my jaw. “I didn’t know!”
“You don’t know a lot of things, do you child?” She shook her head.
I tried to put the pieces together in my head. Winter knew Connor. She knew I was being held prisoner. Devlin’s ownmother? She was involved in it.
Somehow.
I doubted she had any love for my family. Her ex-husband certainly didn’t. I just didn’t realize that hatred extended to former Windsors as well. Devlin was the first one to cross enemy lines. Still, it was a long way between not liking my family and imprisoning me.
“I can’t believe he would pay so much money for you.” Winter let go of my chin and walked around me, digging her nails into the marks left by Connor’s switch. “Windsors and their Cabot whores. A tale as old as the bitterness between our families.”
I wanted to ask what she meant, but there was a noise outside. Another car. She didn’t seem alarmed by the arrival, so I assumed no rescuer was going to burst into the shed. My expectation was met when the figure of Connor appeared at the doorway.
“You shouldn’t be here!” He walked with a quickness in his step and I could tell he was addressing Winter.
“I will do whatever the hell I want, and you willnotaddress me with that tone.” Winter’s snap towards Connor had more viciousness than the one that addressed me.
“I’m sorry, Mistress.” Connor stopped dead in his tracks, and then he dropped down to his knees like a dog that had been put in his place. “Please forgive me.”
“You’ll apologize the right way later.” She walked over to him and nudged his hand with the heel of her shoe. “Get on your feet.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Connor immediately stood but he kept his head bowed and his shoulders slumped forward.
“You whipped her.” Winter pulled her hand back and suddenly delivered a slap to Connor’s face, but he didn’t flinch.
He didn’t even move.
“She disobeyed me, Mistress. You gave me permission to punish her…” Connor’s tone was so low I barely heard him.
“Did you fuck her?” Winter grabbed Connor’s jaw the same way that she did mine.
“No, Mistress.” He whimpered. “She didn’t sign the contract.”
“Good boy.” She let go of his jaw and patted his face. “Maybe you’ll get a nice reward later tonight.”
“Thank you, Mistress.” Connor nodded.
I couldn’t even fathom what I was witnessing.
Where was his cruelty and malice?
He was like a puppy in front of Winter, a woman smaller than me. He was docile and totally submissive. He called herMistress. What kind of twisted shit was my sister’s husband into? He was so vulgar and brutal with me, yet he had no backbone when he was in her presence? She commanded him like a mother would a child.
“This little Cabot whore…” Winter turned back towards me. “Devlin has offered one hundred million dollars to get her back.”
“What?” I blinked in surprise.
That was a lot of money, even for Devlin. It was five times what he was offered.
“Mistress, but…” Connor seemed to get some rigidness in his tone for the first time since his arrival. “You promised she would be mine if I helped you!”
“Things have changed!” She snapped her head towards him and all of the rigidness melted.
“Yes, Mistress.” He looked absolutely defeated.
“Devlin will have to sell part of his company to come up with that kind of money, which means he’s going to lose everything he’s worked for.” A sick looking smile formed on Winter’s lips. “All for a piece of Cabot pussy. So fucking pathetic.”
“Whatever you wish, Mistress.” The defeat seemed to fully settle on Connor’s brow and his lips trembled. “I live to serve you.”