Submitting To The Devil - The Devil's Snare - Book 2

Chapter Sixty Seven

Bianca

"Kneel," Derek commands, his voice low and unyielding. I hesitate, a bead of anxiety racing down my spine, but ultimately, I succumb to his will, sinking to my knees at his feet. A shiver runs through me as I deliberately avert my gaze, afraid of the smouldering intensity in his eyes that holds secrets I'm not ready to face.

It's so much easier to embrace the unknown than to brace myself for the reality of his intentions. If I didn't know better, I'd say I'd rather be caught off guard than fully aware of what could unfold. Deep inside, a flicker of defiance sparks; I am resolved to fight for my freedom, even if my size feels utterly insignificant against him.

Derek towers over me, a formidable presence with broad shoulders and a chiselled physique that his shirt clings to, speaking volumes about his dedication to the gym. His muscles seem to ripple beneath his skin, a clear testament to countless hours of intense training that leaves me dwarfed in both height and strength.

"Turn to the bath, Bianca," he instructs, his tone leaving no room for argument. I feel the weight of his authority pressing down on me, suffocating and debilitating all at once.

I comply with his request once more, positioning myself to kneel at the bath's edge, the tiles' coolness sending a shiver up my spine. Just as I settle in, I am taken by surprise as he crouches down behind me. I feel his hands, rough and unexpectedly cold, as they sweep my hair away from my face, gently gathering it at the nape of my neck. His fingers work with deliberate precision, weaving strands of my hair together as he braids it down my back, each twist and turn tender yet firm, creating a delicate pull on my scalp.

"Will you give me what I desire?" he murmurs, his breath a warm, tantalising whisper that dances against my ear. It sends a shiver down my spine, an intoxicating blend of fear and urgency that makes it hard to resist his command.

"I don't possess what you seek; my father deceived you. I'm merely the secondborn, standing in the shadows, stripped of any value or promise. I have nothing to offer you, Derek." I admit, despite knowing it would have been better for myself if I had had the information he desired.

"You wound me deeply with your blatant disrespect, Bianca." His fingers tangled delicately below the braid at the nape of my neck, grazing my scalp with a feather-light touch that caught me off guard. With a sudden possessiveness, he cupped the base of my skull, his warmth seeping into my skin.

"I hate to do this," he breathed, a weary sigh escaping his lips, mingling with the tension in the air. "But you leave me little choice, and my patience is wearing thin with the day's events. Did you honestly come all this way of your own accord to give me a hard time once you arrived?"

"I—?"

He suddenly plunges my head into the frigid water, the shock of the icy liquid enveloping my face with an unexpected ferocity that steals my breath away. The sensation is jarring; the cold seeps through my skin, sending a shiver down my spine as I instinctively gasp, only to inhale a mouthful of the chilling water that rushes in like a tidal wave. Panic grips me, and in that moment of pure instinct, I repeat the motion of trying to breathe below water—gulping down more water than I can handle. As I sense I might take one final breath, poised on the brink of despair, he yanks me back above the surface. The sudden rush of warm air from his breaths brushes against my face, starkly contrasting with the icy water clinging to my skin. Water runs from my nose, choking me, yet I manage to draw a ragged breath, but before I can fully register my surroundings, he hauls me back down into the depths once more. As my face submerges again, I realise with dread that I am unprepared for this merciless assault, the surprise echoing in my mind like a haunting refrain.

"My most loyal men usually last five or six rounds before desperation overwhelms them, prompting heartfelt pleas for forgiveness as they relent and grant me my desires," he bellows, his voice echoing ominously above the surface of the water.