“Are we clear?”

Faith nodded frantically. He released her, straightened his suit, and turned back to the road to start the car. She coughed as she tried to get air back into her lungs. Leo appeared unconcerned with her struggle as he pulled back onto the road, quickly accelerating to the full legal speed.

“Let’s try again. What’s your name?”

“F-faith.”

“Was that so hard?”

Her mind screamed yes while imaginary fingernails ripped at his skin, but the reality was more muted. She looked down at her hands and quietly whispered, “No.”

“No, Master,” he corrected.

Her eyes widened and her lips pressed into a firm line. She couldn’t be his slave. Thinking of herself as his prisoner had been bad enough. She was a human being. The fact that he could demand so demeaning a title from her made it clear that everything she suspected he’d take from her would happen, and if he didn’t hurt her, she wasn’t sure how hard she could fight someone so overwhelming and seductive and experienced. He was quite a bit older than her, a grown, mature man, whereas the guys she’d been involved with were silly boys by comparison.

“Are we going to have to pull the car over again?”

The threat had the intended effect. The lesson was too fresh in her mind. She recoiled as she heard herself say, “N-no, Master.”

“Good. Now, there are servants in the house. Don’t take that as hope. They will not help you. The phone goes through a switchboard. The operator won’t help you either. If you seek their help, they will report it to me and you’ll be punished.”

She flinched at the warm hand on the back of her neck, but he wasn’t there to hurt her. Instead, he massaged the tight muscles, a feeling that was comforting in spite of everything. She shouldn’t want his hands anywhere near her, but if she was stuck with this man, she much preferred kindness to cruelty or pain.

“I can’t let you go, and I won’t be able to resist taking you. But I’ll be good to you if you let me, Faith. Are you going to let me?”

Each time her name rolled off his tongue, it was as if a piece of her will broke off from her and floated away. She wanted to argue about belonging to him but knew that wasn’t the way to get to the kindness he offered. She nodded, not wanting to have to call him master again. He let it slide.

“That’s smart.” He took an exit and the city began to disappear behind them as buildings became fewer and trees more common. “Are you married?”

“No. I-I’m just twenty-two.”

He cursed, and she worried he’d take her back to Angelo.

“Way too fucking young.” He shook his head. “Boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Faith… I’ll pull the car over, and I’ll do much worse. I am your Master. You are my property. Now say it. No ,what?”

“N-no, Master,” she forced out.