was subjected to a thorough body check, and he allowed this without even blinking, knowing that his weapon was safe in Gracie’s handbag. As he had expected, Gracie was able to sail inside the place like a spoiled little princess, the guards deferential towards her.
The interior was as gaudy as any 19 th century brothel, which he supposed appealed greatly to Chavez and his ilk. Gazes followed him and Gracie wherever they went. By now, people would recognize him as Thanato, although he knew only members of Gracie’s club would also know him as Helios Andreadis. Someone who was as debauched as Thanato would not care about what these people thought, and it was this that allowed him to meet each and every person’s gaze unflinchingly.
As they descended into the dungeons, that was when Helios’ mettle was tested. In each cell they passed, either two or more individuals would be inside, and all of them would be involved in an act of degradation. He wanted to charge into each fucking cell and kill Chavez’s customers but he restrained himself, knowing that there was a better way to save everyone in this place.
When they reached an unoccupied cell, Gracie stopped and pushed its door open. He watched warily as she stepped in.
Gracie found Helios still standing outside the cell. “What are you waiting for, caro ?” she asked throatily. She let her hand lovingly run through the assortment of whips hanging from the strip of wall hooks. “We can do something really quick here. Wouldn’t you want to whip me a little, see my blood running down my thighs like a frightened little virgin?”
No.
He didn’t fucking want that because it would remind him too much of what MJ might be going through.
But he heard himself saying, “You don’t even have to fucking ask.”
He knew what he had to do.
Inside, he didn’t reach out for any of the whips. Instead, he slowly unbuckled his belt. “Get on the bed without your clothes.”
Gracie hurriedly undressed herself and got on all fours on the narrow bed, which squeaked under her weight. She watched with mounting excitement as Helios moved towards her, the deadly look in his gaze thrilling her to no end. He looked like he was ready to kill her , Gracie thought dreamily. Oh, this was going to be soooo—
She screamed, the agony of having her flesh torn apart telling her this was no ordinary whipping. Helios had started whipping her with the buckle rather than the leather end of his belt.
Whip.
Whip.
Whip.
It took a while, but the pleasure came to her still, making the blazing pain on her back all the sweeter.
****
“There, there, you look almost like your beautiful self,” Manolito cooed to her lovingly as his men presented MJ to him. He had her dressed in bridal finery, an old-fashioned lacy white gown with long sleeves, a high neckline, and a semi-full skirt.
“Now, for the final touch.” Manolito stood up, his smile making his face even more grotesque. As he walked towards MJ, someone handed him a row of pearls. “These are not true, of course. After all, you weren’t true to me either, were you?”
MJ tried her best to keep still as Manolito wrapped the pearls around her neck, tried not to flinch as the pearls touched her still-burning skin. Last night, Manolito’s bridal gift for her had been having someone leave stub marks from a cigarette all around her neck, like a permanently tattooed necklace.
In her mind, Helios’ voice had gone hoarse. It’s all going to be over soon, brat. Trust me.
She didn’t answer because she no longer knew what to think.
Every day, Manolito liked to torture her with tidbits about Helios dating different women every day of the week. Was that like a man bent on finding the lost love of his life? Oh, he still heard about Helios’ men coming after him, Manolito told her, but it was more for vengeance. Helios had given her up for good, had come to terms with her death, and who was he to disagree with him?
“If your