Bought By The Billionaire novel Chapter 27

Later, showered, clean and comfortable, we lie together on my bed, drinking wine, discussing everything and nothing in the candlelight.

“Master, there’s something I think I need to tell you about.”

Cocking an eyebrow at me, “Oh? What?”.

“You know Mack Kane?”

“What about him? He lost his job when you spotted that he’d been defrauding the company.”

“Yes, but, I’ve seen him a few times since then. I think he’s following me.”

My Master looks appalled. “What! When was this?”

“Usually when I’m coming home from the office. I keep seeing him and I wonder if he’s trying to find out where I live now. The first time I thought it was just a coincidence, but it’s kept happening. I think I’ve managed to lose him in the crowds each time but….”

He holds up a warding hand. “Say no more Elizabeth. I’ll get right onto it. I think a prohibition order is needed. I have friends with the police. We’ll get it fast-tracked for you.”

“Thank you, Master.”

“I’m sorry, Elizabeth. You don’t deserve this.”

“It’s alright, Master. It’s not your fault. I didn’t want to bother you with it but….”

He jabs a finger at me. “This is the kind of thing you do bother me with Elizabeth. If anything else happens, you tell me right away. I mean that. You call me immediately. You have my mobile number, and I’ll tell Francis to make sure that if you call the office, it comes straight through to me if you say it’s important.”

“Alright. I’ll do that.”

He stretches and yawns. “I’m sorry Elizabeth, but I have to go. I have a lot on tomorrow and the following day, so it could be the end of the week before I see you again. But don’t worry about things. I’ll contact the police tomorrow morning. And you keep in touch if you need to. I wouldn’t forgive myself if anything were to happen to you. Okay?”

I nod. “Good night, Elizabeth.” And he kisses me, softly, on the lips, his hand caressing my hair.

My Master quickly dresses and leaves, clicking the door closed behind him. I start making myself ready for sleep; a cup of tea, a book, soft music, when I see my Master’s briefcase on the couch.

Buzzing down to the concierge “Sorry, Miss Kimberley. He’s already left the building, about five minutes ago.”

Undecided, I hover. Should I call him at this late hour? He said he’s busy tomorrow, so he probably needs the case. I could message Ross, the driver, to call by and pick it up first thing in the morning….

I am just tapping out a text when the door buzzes. Ah! He’s realized that he left it behind and has returned to collect.

“Coming…” I shout and go to the door to unlock it.

As the lock snaps up, the door crashes open in my face and a man bursts in. Stepping backwards, Mack Kane slams me against the wall, his hands around my throat.

I have no time to be frightened, only to react. My attacker is not a large man, but he is still stronger and more powerful than I am. Gasping and choking, I cannot fight him off. I am trying, with both hands, to break his grip on my neck, but the momentum of his charge through the door has pushed me to the floor, and he has the advantage now of height; his weight bearing down on me.

“You little bitch!” he is yelling. “You think you could do that and get away with it? You think you’re so fucking clever don’t you……”

I cannot break loose. He is strangling me, and my vision is beginning to blur. I cannot breathe. The hot blackness of unconsciousness circles in on me.

“Bitch!” he is screaming. “Bitch! I’ll teach you!”

My knees start to collapse under me. I have no air, and the darkness is taking me……

“What the Hell do you think you’re doing?”

Abruptly, my attacker is pulled loose from me, his hands releasing their hold on my throat, and I collapse to the floor, gagging for breath and crying, sobbing….

I think I am going to be sick….

It is my Master. He has returned, and not a moment too soon. As I gasp on the floor, chest heaving, the two men struggle by the doorway. Suddenly Mack breaks free and dashes out of the door. Through blurry vision I see my Master hesitate, clearly wanting to follow, but not wanting to leave me. He drops to the floor beside me.