Into the Light (The Light #1)(42)

Though his hand hadn’t moved, I leaned slightly away. “Please, I promise—” This time he covered my mouth completely.

“Sara, do not make this worse. This is the way it is. You knew that there would be correction when you confessed, didn’t you?”

I nodded. Though I’d hoped otherwise, I’d known.

“If we were home, we’d do this in our bedroom, but since we’re here, go to the bathroom and prepare.”

He released his hold, but I didn’t move. I couldn’t. Fear paralyzed my trembling body.

“Sara?”

“I-I don’t know what you want me to do.”

“Go into the bathroom, remove your clothes, and wait for me.”

“But what about service?” My inner monologue screamed, calling me by name: Sara, stop asking questions! “I’m sorry.” As I took a step toward the bathroom, a sob bubbled from my chest. “I told you everything. I was honest.” I couldn’t have hidden the defeat from my voice if I’d wanted.

I did as he said, entered the bathroom, removed my clothes, and waited. When he didn’t come, I found my robe and put it over my shoulders. I didn’t put my arms in the sleeves, but I didn’t like being naked and alone. I wasn’t sure how long he made me wait, but each minute was worse than the one before. When the door finally opened, I was sitting on the closed toilet, with my head down.

“Take my hand,” he commanded.

I reached out to him. As our hands connected, I stood and my robe fell from my shoulders. Silently he moved me to the sink and turned me to face it.

“Put your hands on the edge of the vanity and don’t let go of the counter, until I give you permission. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I replied, my trembling hands moist. When I gripped the edge, they slid upon the smooth surface. I gripped tighter.

“Move your legs back and apart. Brace yourself.”

I continued to obey, still unsure of what was about to happen. It was then that I heard the distinct sound of his belt as he unbuckled it and pulled it from each loop.

No! This can’t be happening!

My knees went weak. I bit my lip and fell forward onto the counter, still gripping the edge. The first contact wasn’t his belt, but his hand. He ran it over my behind, rubbing and warming my skin.

“Sara, your honesty has earned you leniency. However, it’s my job to watch over you and correct you.” He continued caressing. “I need you to remember your place, especially now that we’ll be out among more followers. I want you to remember the rules. I’m doing this to help you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Jacob.”

I sucked my lip back between my teeth. Though I’d replied appropriately, it wasn’t what I wanted to say. I wanted to scream, to tell him he was crazy, tell him that I’d remember next time. I would. He didn’t need to do this. I also wanted to tell him to just get on with it. Stop making me wait. But then the caress ended, and I changed my mind. I didn’t want him to get on with it. I wanted to beg for it not to happen.

The still air filled with a whistle and then a crack.

It was a split second before the pain registered. In those milliseconds, I knew that I’d never forget this. I also knew that I’d never had this done to me. If I had, I’d remember, because I sure as hell wasn’t ever going to forget this.

“Sara, you need to count. Next time I won’t remind you.”

Next time? No freakin’ way! I am stronger than this.

“One.”

Whistle. Crack!

“Two.” Tears fell from my cheeks to the vanity below.





CHAPTER 13


Stella


“He works in narcotics and homicide, right?”

I stared incredulously at Bernard, hoping that maybe I’d misheard his innuendo, or that the chatter of the other patrons and clinking of the dishes had affected my hearing. “Umm, yes, he does, and I work for you. Would you like me sharing my research with him?”

Bernard’s lips formed a tight line before he replied, “No. You know I wouldn’t. I want to break this story, not DPD.” He leaned across the small coffee shop table in Midtown where we’d met. “But Stella, you have a hell of a great resource at your disposal. I mean, I knew you two were friends, but I didn’t realize how friendly you were until he called me. The guy was very determined to learn your location.” He sighed and leaned back. Picking up his coffee cup, he asked, “What if you’d been out on assignment instead of going to the Wayne County Medical Examiner? Would he have expected me to tell him where you were then?” His brows rose. “I got the distinct impression that he doesn’t often take no for an answer.”

I shook my head. “Really? You’re Bernard Cooper, since when do you worry about someone not taking no for an answer? I’ve never known you to even be fazed by the word. As a matter of fact, isn’t that your calling card?”

“I don’t take no for an answer, and yes, it is my calling card.” His jaw clenched.

Unsure where this was going, I replied, “You lost me.”

“I realize that this is overstepping my bounds, but, well, I have Mindy in the back of my brain, and I want to be sure you’re all right. Does Detective Richards take no for an answer?”