Spark

by J Marie

  deep into her submission she thought she really was, and what she really wanted

  from me besides her goddamn freedom.

  The hardest thing to break her of was the desire to escape. She still saw her life

  with me as only temporary; that she would one day be free of me and this would all

  be over. Her determination and will to beat me was much stronger than I gave her

  credit for. I needed to give her a better reason to stay, to actually want to stay.

  Threatening her family wasn’t enough, granting them mercy wasn’t enough, and

  I’d already given her plenty of reasons to hate me. I needed to find a way to reverse

  that heated passion into something else and give her a reason to want me, to love

  me.

  Stockholm syndrome was bullshit. Since when could anyone tell you who you

  could and couldn’t love? Just because people put a label on falling for your

  kidnapper didn’t mean it had to be a bad thing. Stockholm syndrome was just a

  survival tactic for the mind, adapting to the situation by lessening the threat and

  identifying with the captor. Yes, it occurred through trauma, but forming a bond

  with Jaden during that delicate phase would ensure her loyalty to me. I didn’t give a

  shit that Stockholm syndrome carried a negative connotation. That didn’t make it

  any less real. And I’d make damn sure it was as real as it could fucking get.

  My fingertips drew lazy circles around Jaden’s shoulder blade as my mind drifted

  back to the last thing she’d said before she bolted from her therapy session.

  Just like it worked out for Darren’s mother?

  I’d revealed too much. She’d use that information as a shovel to dig for more.

  She’d want the full story about the death of my mother and what it cost my father,

  what it cost me. She’d have to earn her right to that privilege, but still, it bothered

  me that she worried. She likely had a misguided opinion about my mother, and I’d

  have to fix that. I wouldn’t allow her to form a biased opinion on something she

  knew nothing about, something she would probably never understand. But then

  again, maybe if I told her what happened, she might have a better understanding of

  why I kept her under lock and key so tight. Either that or she’d never want to leave

  the safety of the estate again.

  24

  CHANGE

  Something had changed in Darren. I didn’t know what caused it, but I suddenly

  gained a little more freedom. I could now walk in the woods, and I could do it

  without the watch of my guards. I was only allowed an hour every day, and if I were

  a second late from emerging from the trees, it would be taken away. I was so

  grateful for his “gift” to me that I’d thanked him myself without prompt the entire

  morning. He seemed to appreciate the rewards of his generosity as well while I

  found it odd that I could reward him so easily for one good deed after six months of

  bullshit. But it was my method of survival. If I showed him how happy I was when

  he treated me well, then I hoped he would favor the response and do it more often.

  If he could condition me, then I would do the same with him.

  I did find it odd that he never brought up the conversation I’d had with Sid—the

  one I knew he’d been listening in on. Maybe he didn’t want to admit that I was

  right. That he didn’t want me obedient all the time, and that he wanted me to fight

  him. That he missed it. But he never budged, not even at the idea of his mother,

  and what I obviously thought of her and how she handled her situation with his

  father.

  I had to wonder if it wasn’t smarter that she had persuaded Darren’s father to

  purchase her rather than someone she knew nothing about, someone who might

  take pleasure in simply killing her instead of someone who took pleasure in simply

  having her. Had Darren’s father loved her? Had he cared about her? I hadn’t even

  thought to ask of his demise. Had he been killed, too? Does anyone die of old age in

  this life?

  I wanted to understand more of the world Darren lived in and the rules that

  governed it. But I didn’t know how much information he would share with me. He

  still liked to keep me in the dark with just about everything. I think he liked me

  blissfully ignorant of the darkness he dealt with every day, but at times, it was hard

  not to see it reflected in him. I’d notice on certain days he’d come home with blood

  on his shirt, smelling like gunpowder and completely bury himself deep inside me

  like it was his fucking sanctuary. And afterward, he’d shower all the death off the

  both of us, carry my exhausted ass to bed, and tuck me into his side for the rest of

  the night.

  I still hated the man with every fiber of my being, but when the rare moments

  came that he was gentle and almost loving, I couldn’t stop myself from diving

  headfirst into the comfort he provided me. He was always so stern, intense and

  brooding, yet somehow, he was still capable of leaving it all at the bedroom door

  and showing me a softer side that existed only for me. Of course, that was only

  when he felt like it and if I deserved it.

  Before he’d left for the day, he gave me one of his Rolexes so I would know when

  my hour was up in the woods. The damn thing was so big; it fit around my fucking

  forearm, not to mention it felt like a damn weight strapped to my arm. I tried to

  reason with him that I would likely lose it, but he warned me of the consequences if

  that happened. He promised to replace it with my own at dinner.

  That day, I’d spent most of my time outside, jogging in the water and walking

  back waist deep as I had with Holly. Every moment I spent training, I couldn’t help

  but think of her and remember how pissed off I still was at her death. It shouldn’t

  have happened. I should have done better at keeping her safe from Darren’s

  suspicions. She might have annoyed the hell out of me, but she got me back on my

  feet, and she didn’t deserve to die.

  When I decided to venture out into the trees, I made sure Darren’s stupid watch

  was wedged tightly against the muscle of my forearm before I left Clive and Owen

  on the patio. It was 12:30 p.m., so I had to be back by 1:30 p.m.

  I jogged through the trees, observing every single thing I could of the

  landscaping. I passed the hammock and small stream Darren had brought me to so

  long ago, the memory of him pushing for info about my dad suddenly pissing me

  off as I strolled past. Eventually, I finally came to the clearing and found a nice

  shady spot where I could sit. Closing my eyes, I quieted my mind and meditated for

  a while. It was hard to meditate in that house when so much darkness and cruelty

  surrounded me. I was glad Darren was giving me a reprieve from it all.

  Once I felt clarified, I removed Darren’s watch, carefully placing it in a spot

  against a tree, and practiced some yoga, working on my handstands and advanced

  poses. I couldn’t practice with the giant clunky thing dangling from my wrist. The

  fact that the ground was grassy and extremely uneven made it more difficult, and I

  liked the challenge in that. I moved on to practice my advanced spinning and jump

  kicks, trying my best to get them higher and higher every time.

  Needing a break from t
he exertion, I took a walk, purposefully heading to the

  fox’s den to see if they were there. Creeping up to the tree, I carefully peered

  around it, only to be flooded by disappointment. Not even a peep. Maybe they were

  sleeping in the den. Turning back around, I sat on the ground and slumped against

  the tree, but when I finally raised my head, my stomach dropped.

  The mother fox was staring right at me no more than ten feet away from where I

  sat. Remaining as still as possible, my eyes scanned every inch of her, recognizing

  her posture as non-aggressive but still cautious. She stood to her full height—her

  ears forward, tail down, and her eyes right on me. I tried to relax, making myself as

  least threatening as possible and hoping I wouldn’t have to hurt her if she attacked.

  Darren would kick my ass if a wild animal hurt me out here, and then he’d probably

  never allow me back out.

  After a few minutes of staring, she moved closer to me, her nose leading the way

  as she sniffed the air. Step after hesitant step, she made her way to me, and I

  regretted letting her get as close as she did. If I got bit, there would be hell to pay.

  No more than a foot away from me, she continued to sniff, her jaws opening to

  breathe me in and allowing me to catch the remnants of her sharp little teeth. I

  thought about maybe scaring her away, but then she might retaliate to protect her

  kits, and I’d still end up with a bite mark. So I remained as still as ever, trying to

  keep my heart calm. But then the small cry of something behind me drew her

  attention, and she quickly scampered away. I released a breath of relief and turned

  around the tree to see her usher a stray kit back inside her burrow. Hopefully, now

  that she had my scent, she wouldn’t see me as much of a threat anymore.

  Reaching up to flick my stray hair back, I suddenly noticed it lacked a certain

  weight. My stomach immediately twisted in knots as I realized I’d left Darren’s

  watch by the tree in the clearing … and I had no idea what time it was. Jumping up,

  I dashed through the trees as fast as I could until I finally came to the clearing and

  saw the shiny silver Rolex dead ahead. My heart pumping like crazy, I snatched up

  the hunk of metal and looked for the time. 1:28 p.m.

  “Shit!”

  Wrapping my hand around the metal band, I raced through the clearing and back

  into the trees. I was at least ten minutes away from the house, but if I ran fast

  enough, I might just make it in time. I worked my legs like pistons, pushing them

  as quickly as they could, jumping over stray branches and hoping like fuck I didn’t

  tear my clothes in my haste.

  Glancing down at the watch, I had about five seconds left before that timer

  would go off, and I’d be fucked. I pushed harder, leaping my way over the stream as

  I passed the hammock, finally back on the trail. The entrance was about a hundred

  yards away when the timer went off, announcing the shit day I was going to endure

  for the rest of the afternoon.

  On a growl, I kicked it up one final notch and blasted my way through the trail

  and finally shot of the woods. As soon as I hit the grass, my eyes landed on the

  estate to find Clive and Owen standing on the edge of the patio. Owen lifted his

  watch to his mouth before the two of them descended down the slope of the grassy

  hill, heading for me.

  I rolled my eyes and slumped to the ground as I fought to catch my breath and

  calm my heartbeat. I felt like I was going to pass out from the terror and exertion.

  Bad combination.

  When the two of them finally reached me, they looked down with disappointed

  smirks and shook their heads.

  “You’re late, Miss Jaden,” Clive said, amused.

  I looked at the watch still clutched in my hand.

  “By three minutes,” I huffed between breaths.

  “Three seconds or three minutes makes no difference to Mr. Davis,” Owen

  added.

  Right. I’d forgotten about his severe detest for tardiness.

  “You guys gonna spank me now? Or do I have to face the corner until he gets

  home?”

  They repressed their sighs through their noses and reached down to haul me to

  my feet.

  “Let’s go, Miss Jaden,” Clive said, escorting me back to the house while Owen

  grasped my other arm.

  “You can let go now. I’ll be a good girl,” I growled at them, yanking my arms free

  of their grasp. They let go without issue.

  I was shunned to my room for the rest of the day, which was fine since I was

  about ready for a nap anyway.

  When it was time for dinner, I was escorted down to the dining room and waited

  for Darren to arrive, which he did after about five minutes.

  He kissed my temple when he arrived, and I couldn’t help but clench my jaw in

  fear. “How was your day?” he asked as he sat down.

  “Good,” I replied, making an effort at some pleasant conversation, hoping he

  would ignore the giant pink elephant I knew he was waiting to address. “Yours?”

  “Successful,” he said happily as he placed his folded hands on the table, leaning

  toward me. I nodded and turned my eyes toward the window. I heard him take a

  breath. “I understand you were late coming back from the woods today.”

  I scoffed. “Did my tattletales tell you that?”

  Darren’s eyes darkened. “They didn’t need to. Your cuffs have been modified to

  register your heart rate, body temperature, exercise and sleep patterns. Your heart

  rate spiked at 1:25 p.m. and then again three minutes later.”

  I sighed, annoyed at his obsessive stalker tendencies, and placed my face in my

  hands. “I accidentally left your bowling ball of a watch by a tree while I practiced

  some yoga. Afterward, I went for a walk, and several minutes later, I suddenly

  realized a ten-pound weight was missing from my wrist, then immediately ran

  back to retrieve it and found out it was 1:28 p.m. I ran back as fast as I could. I’m

  sorry; please don’t be mad at me.”

  He sighed, just as annoyed as I was, and slid his chair back. “Come here.”

  I groaned, wincing back my irritation. I’d known this was going to happen. On a

  deep breath, I stood from my chair and took the two short steps toward him.

  Grabbing my arm, he swiftly pulled me over his lap and hauled my dress up,

  exposing my bare ass. I didn’t even fight him. Just gritted my teeth and dug my

  fingernails into the rug below as my hair fell over my face and onto the floor.

  “I was lenient with you yesterday, practically rewarding you for your disregard

  for my rules. And now, when I’ve granted you more freedom against my better

  judgment, you prove me right and defy me.”

  “It was three minutes!” I shouted in my defense.

  The first strike was quick, the pain of his palm spreading over my cheek and

  causing me to gasp.

  “I don’t care!” he roared down at me, and I immediately flinched, the sound of

  his angry raised voice absolutely terrifying. “You know what is expected of you.

  Deviate and I will be there to put you back in line. Do you understand me?”

  “Yes, Darren,” I murmured. My monster had returned.

  Do not cry. Don’t you dare fucking cry.

  “Count.”

  His
hand came down again, and the burn on my cheek matched the burn in my

  throat from holding back my tears.

  “One,” I mumbled, the cheeks on my face burning with just as much

  humiliation as the ones raised over his lap.

  His hand came down, over and over again, the humiliation searing into my ass

  as he beat me back into submission. When he was done with his ten and my ass

  thoroughly reddened, he yanked me back up to straddle him over the chair. My

  hands laid limp at my sides while Darren glared up at my face. I knew it was red

  from hanging nearly upside down bent over his knees and though my eyes were

  wet, not a single tear had dropped.

  “Now kiss me,” he ordered.

  On instinct to obey his command, I licked my lips and bent down slightly to give

  him what he wanted without a second thought. He’d trained me so well. The

  moment our lips touched, his hands gripped my hips, holding me still as he took

  what he wanted while I combatted with my own aggression. My hands shifted from

  my sides to find themselves clutching his massive shoulders, deepening the kiss

  and pulling him closer.

  Instead of lingering on the spanking he just gave me, the one that left my

  insides dripping with heat and my mind solid with degradation, I dove deep into the

  memories of last night. His tenderness, affection, and the undivided attention he

  gave to my body was enough to make me forget all the horrible things he’d done to

  me … but only because I allowed myself to forget. Even though he could create such

  pain and shower me with such cruelty, he was still capable of kindness, a world of

  promised pleasure at his fingertips if I obeyed him. I wanted to see more of it. I’d

  grown accustomed to his possessive primal glare, but I wanted to find the adoration

  I saw in his eyes last night.

  On a growl, he broke the kiss, lifted me up, and knocked everything off the table

  with one sweep of his arm. Slamming me down where his empty plate had just

  been, he replaced his absent meal with my body, shoving my dress up and ripping

  my thong from my hips. Forcing my legs apart, Darren thrust his tongue into my

  already slick pussy and devoured me like I was the goddamn main course. All fucks

  aside, I moaned in ecstasy, relishing the soft wet strokes of his masterful tongue

  over my clit. Fuck, I could barely breathe; it felt so good.