USA Today bestselling author Jane Henry delivers a high-stakes, gritty story of forbidden romance, devastation, and taboo love that knows no bounds.
She's barely legal.
Under my protection.
Fully off-limits.
But all mine.
Ruthless is a fully stand-alone spin-off from The Wicked Doms series.
Please note: this dark romance contains mild dubious consent, elements of violence, and kinky, sexual scenes. If such subject matters offend you, please do not read.
I feel like I’m walking in a dream or a nightmare or something. I’m not sure which it is, but there’s an element of the surreal about this I can’t shake. It terrifies me. The only comfort I’ve known in my captivity has been the anonymity of obedience. If I make a move out of place, I draw attention to myself, and I learned quickly that moving a toe out of line would bring about disastrous results.
I didn’t mean to defy my master. I meant to do exactly what he told me, but when he instructs me, halting sentience stops me. I’m trying to understand, but the harder I grasp the further awareness moves out of reach.
The others leave the room, and now we’re alone. I look to the floor, unable to look in my master’s eyes. He will punish me for not obeying.
And somehow, deep inside me, a very small part of me wants him to. Why do I want him to?
I shiver, confused by the fear and anticipation that wrack my body.
“Come here.” He sits on the edge of the bed and begins to loosen his tie. I walk toward him, eager to obey. To earn his praise. I want to tell him I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’m not allowed to speak unless he gives me leave.
When I reach him he points to the floor by his feet.
“Kneel.”
I drop to my knees, eager to please him.
“Yes, master,” I whisper. “I’m sorry, master.” It feels good and right on my knees before him, like I’m supposed to be here, to show my sincere repentance. But he’s angry, so angry. The heat vibrates from him in waves that make me cower.
I flinch when his hand comes under my jaw and draws my eyes to his.
“Look at me.”
Why does he keep making me look at him? They rarely demand eye contact , but this one is bent on keeping my eyes on his.
“Sir?” I whisper. And this time, kneeling before him, when I look in his eyes, something shifts in me, like sun breaking through clouds. For one brief moment of time, I see everything, my thoughts on the very edge of remembrance. But then the clouds shift, and darkness covers awareness against.
“When I give you an instruction, you will obey,” he says. His voice is calm, but stern, and my body begins to respond with instinctive arousal. I’m not sure why, but I can’t control it.
“Yes, sir.” Will he punish me?
I need him to punish me.
USA Today Bestselling author Jane has been writing since her early teens, dabbling in short stories and poetry. When she married and began having children, her pen was laid to rest for several years, until the National Novel Writing Challenge (NaNoWriMo) in 2010 awakened in her the desire to write again. That year, she wrote her first novel, and has been writing ever since. With a houseful of children, she finds time to write in the early hours of the morning, squirreled away with a laptop, blanket, and cup of hot coffee. Years ago, she heard the wise advice, “Write the book you want to read,” and has taken it to heart. She sincerely hopes you also enjoy the books she likes to read.
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