Punching Bag

| 24 |

I brace myself against the bathroom sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror. I take in deep breaths.

Townsend has demanded we have dinner together.

He's been locked away in his rooms for a few days. Other than when I went in to try and see him, I haven't bothered him. Especially since multiple people have now warned me not too.

Last night, I swear I heard the creak of my bedroom door open. I could feel it in my bones that it was Townsend, standing at the entryway, watching me thinking I was asleep.

I'm not sure how long he stood there for. I fell asleep before I ever heard him walk out and close the door.

I try my best to pull myself together despite the overwhelming anxiety coursing through me.

I leave my room and roam through the halls until I reach the dining room.

Townsend's already sat at the table, his back to me.

I silently walk over to my chair to the side of him. He always sits at the head of the table. I don't look at him until I'm seated.

He's already looking at me. Instantly need and desire, desperation and longing claw their way to the surface.

"How are you?" I shyly ask.

"Recovered." I nod.

"Did you try to come see me?" He follows up.

I swallow nervously.

"Yes. You were sleeping so I left. I wasn't able to barge through anyone other than that time."

His dark circles under his eyes are more intense, his eyes are bloodshot and the stubble of his beard has grown longer.

"Yes they cover me well."

I nod in response.

"I noticed some people were allowed in to see you. The doctor, Godwin, Vandyke and... whoever that woman is." I try to say as subtley as I can but realised no matter how I phrased it I was going to come across as insecure.

Neville shifts in his seat slightly, the tension in his face relaxes also.

"That's Madeline. She's been an assistant of sorts for a while now."

"Oh." I nod. I seem to have made a habit out of doing that.

"She was allowed through as she gives me updates on certain business aspects that Godwin and Vandyke don't handle." He explains.

I clench my jaw subconsciously. I thought I had made real progress with Townsend, and that our relationship or whatever it's called, had matured. That I was a part of his circle now, fully. But it seems as though everyone else has important things he wanted to hear, and I had nothing to offer him.

"Problem?" He pries, clearly noticing my reaction.

"No, no."

"Honesty, Cora." I hesitate. Embarrassed of my immaturity and insecurity.

"Now." He pushes.

"I had nothing to offer you. You had no need to see me." I confess.

"This bothers you." He states almost as if to himself.

"It does. Not seeing you for a few days was... unsettling, and to see that you saw other people but didn't need to see me - "

"Other people? It was not just other people and not just for no reason -"

"I doubt there was anything Madeline could've told you that was critically urgent -"  He ends our back and forth by reaching out and grabbing my chin with his hand. He squeezes and forces my mouth to stop moving.

"Don't interrupt me. Ever."

I wouldn't reply even if I could. I stay frozen, still processing his outburst.

"Do you want her gone?" His expression stone cold.

"Madeline?" I confirm.

"Yes."

"I wouldn't like her so close."

"Do. You. Want. Her. Gone."

"Yes."

"Kill her then. Get rid of her." I shake in disbelief.

"You can't be serious." But looking in his eyes I can tell he is.

"Either order her dead or she stays."

This, so far, has been the most important choice I'm to make. I can refuse and have things carry on as they are. There's no reason for Madeline to die, Im just experiencing petty jealousy. But I can't help think that Townsend is testing me right now. He's psychotic, he kills without thinking, without hesitation. What if this is a test. A test that would show him my devotion. If I can match him.

If I have her killed, I could pass his test, but also take her place. I'd take over more business and I'd have information on everything. I wouldn't have to snoop around anymore.

I can tell myself it would be a business decision. That id have Madeline killed so I can do my job better for Reddington. But I'd be lying if I said that was the only reason.

I want to be the one close to him, the one he needs to see when he's locked away. I can't even say that I care about this job for Reddington anymore.

I make my decision. Disturbingly confident in it.

"I order it."

He says nothing, but we're communicating. This is what he wanted. I've pleased him.

A switch has flipped in me at this moment. I want him. I need him. I won't betray him any longer.

As quick as I can register and stands and pulls me up with him. His mouth comes to my neck as he starts licking and biting. His forces leans me over the table, his hand frantically shoving down my pants.

He glides through me, already finding me wet. He moans against my neck as he rubs my aroudal through my folds, then swirling it around my clit.

I can only hold onto him as he makes his way down my collar bone to my breast. He sucks my nipple, the overwhelming sensations make me moan over and over again, quickly building me closer.

He pulls free and shoves me down to my knees before I can react. Like second nature I open my mouth for him.

He desperately thrusts himself fully into my mouth. His cock reaches the back of my throat at each pump, making me gag and choke around him. It's only when tears stream down my face that he comes out to let me breath.

Still dazed, he lifts me up and pushes me down on the dining table on my stomach. He pulls down the rest of my pants and glides into me seamlessly.

He grabs my hips as he slams into me. Pulling me back to increase the force and pressure. My ass claps in rhythm, my nipples rub against the table.

"Oh god. Holy fuck!" I scream as he hits my g-spot relentlessly. I whimper at every thrust, they get louder and louder as I get closer.

"Cum for me Cora. Cum all over my fucking cock."

His words are all I need. My head throws back as I cry out my orgasm. He only picks up his pace, going harder and faster to make me cum for longer.

My visions spotty as I come down from my high. I blink my eyes open a few times. I swear I see someone, a man I assume, dragging a large black bag across the floor, through the hall passing the entryway to the dining room.

A body bag.

Madeline.

Just at this moment, Neville reaches his hand around to my clit, making my thoughts vanish.

We pant together, reaching out climaxes together this time. He pumps his cum into me, filling me up.

He remains inside of me as me breathe back to reality. Just how we always have done.

I only just now notice that we didn't once touch our meals, and they've definitely gone cold.