“You’ll share this room with me.” Leo pointed to the far end of the room. “That closet is empty, so you can use it for your things when they get here. It shouldn’t be long now.”

Faith’s hand shook as she raised the sandwich to her lips.

“Are you listening to me?”

She looked up, her face alert like a rabbit about to be pounced upon. “Y-yes, Master.”

He smiled at the remembered title. She was so sweet. Given her attempt at fighting both him and his brother, he’d been surprised when so little pain and threat had resulted in obedience. He’d expected attitude and mouthiness at least, but she was surprising him. Even if she didn’t classify it as a kink, there was a submissive current that ran through her like electricity, a deep need to appease a stronger party.

“You just want to stay safe, don’t you? That’s why you’re being so agreeable.”

“Yes, Master. P-please don’t hurt me.” She chanced a look into his eyes. “Please.”

He tried not to let her pleading affect him. “Ignoring for a moment the circumstances of your presence here, do you find me attractive?”

“Please don’t make me answer that.”

“Because you’re afraid to make me angry?”

She looked down at her hands. “No, Master.”

“I see.” So she was attracted. “I’m not going to fuck you for a while. Be a good girl and you have nothing to fear from me. And… you’re allowed to speak.”

“I don’t have anything to say.”

When Angelo had been assessing his type, he should have remembered Leo liked conversation. Before he could have much time to brood over this, there was a short knock on the door.

“Come in.”

As the door pressed open, a gray cat with a face that looked like it had been flattened trotted into the room, meowing angrily at the sight of another animal lying at her owner’s feet. Despite the flattened face typical of its breed, it was cute.

Faith looked up, relieved to see her pet. Instead of coming up to her, the cat bypassed her to sniff and rub up against Leo’s legs. He picked her up and placed her in his lap, whereupon she began to purr as he stroked her.

“What’s her name?” Leo asked.

“Squish.”

He looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Squish?”

Faith shrugged. “Well, look at her face.”

“I imagine you’re exhausted. Go ahead and do whatever you usually do before bed.”

* * *

Faith let out a slow breath. She was safe for a moment behind the locked door of the bathroom, holding a pile of things from her apartment in her arms. Could she wash her face and brush her teeth and floss like nothing scary was going on? Could she slip into her pajamas and get into bed with this man?

She went back to the question he’d asked about if she was attracted. Hell, yes she was. But she shouldn’t be. She was ashamed that she found him appealing on any level.