“You’re filthy,” he says with satisfaction. “Now take me out and suck.”

My hands shake as I undo his fly and pull him into my palm. On my wedding day, I nearly fainted at the thought of doing something like this to Mr. Parker. Tonight, it’s a compromise I need to make to stay alive.

I fist the base of Eli’s cock and take him into my mouth. As I bob in his lap, I watch the cigar. Fear has me moving twice as fast, sucking as though he’s something delicious.

“Did you enjoy what my men did to you tonight?”

It’s a trick question. He’s only saying it to taunt me. I re-double my focus, running my tongue along his shaft.

“Fine,” he says curtly. “Don’t respond. The reason I ask is because like Bobby, I have something I enjoy in bed. Do you want to know what it is?”

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I’ve already been spanked, already had a knife against my throat and between my legs. What more can these men do to me that’s not sex?

Eli shifts forward, the movement forcing his cock deeper inside me. I retch, readjusting my jaw and try to swallow. The fingers of his free hand close around my throat. “I like choking. Knowing I’m holding a woman’s life in my hands as I make the blood rush to her head.”

I gag.

“Good girl,” he croons. “I look at your pretty white neck, dressed in my rubies, and think how easy it would be to end you, Miss Whitehall. How convenient.”

His grip tightens. The sensation is unnatural but no more uncomfortable than having his cock thrusting between my lips. I lap at him, trying to be better than I was in the dining room. Trying to make him come. Trying to finish the night a virgin.

Eli fingernails dig into my throat and I taste a burst of salt. My head spins at the lack of air, but I keep going, pushing, knowing he must be close.

“Bella,” he breathes and semen floods my mouth. I swallow and he moans, shuddering helplessly above me. He’s so ruthless, so utterly controlled, but I made him weak.

I sit back on my heels and wait.

After a long moment, Eli tilts my chin to look at him, his chest heaving. “Have you had enough, or should I send for Adriano?”

My heart stops. He wouldn’t let me negotiate my virginity. He would sleep with me just to humiliate me—and then end my life. “No please,” I say, thick-tongued.

“Fine. Maybe next time.” He holds out a hand to me. “Come, bella. You need sleep.”

I hesitate, wondering if this is just more games.

“No tricks. Let me help you.”

I place my hand in his and he lifts me to my feet. “How do you feel?”

The answer to that question is too large for me to say. I just nod.

He gives me a sad smile and nudges me toward the bathroom. “My ensuite is through there. Shower. I’ll wait for you.”