Heartless Ending Book 3 of the Heartless Series

Chapter 27 - Fire

Maxwell's POV

I was pissed when I caught her watching the men train. I was the one that protected her, watched over her and ate with her. She never gave me much attention and I didn't push her or force her into anything I knew would break her further. I wanted her to have that fire back, from that day we shared while training and hooded. That day she beat me in a fight. I had seen her fighting and training the day before, I watched her from the shadows, and she didn't even know I was there. I was visiting with my father for business. I was impressed that a tiny little thing such as herself could move with such speed and precision. Her perfect pink cheeks flushed as she fought hand to hand against her trainer. She had good footwork and planned her attack wisely, it made me eager to go up against her.

I had just turned eighteen and was trusted enough to go with my father and take part in fighting against Vincent's granddaughters as a sign of respect and alliance. Neither of them were good enough to beat me, neither of them possessed the strength and smarts to win me in a fight, until she did. When she jabbed that kendo stick into my ankle and got me off balance she lunged her body and pinned me. Her curse sounded forced on her tongue, perhaps the first time she'd cursed at anyone but I was in awe of her. I'd never been beaten before, accept by my father. I wanted her to have that fire back, that fight in her but life had twisted her up into this muted weak woman. That day in the office when I saw her again and grabbed her, I expected her to fight me with the fire I knew she had, but she just shook violently in my arms and I knew something was wrong with her. I silently promised myself that I would get her back to that stage, make her strong and glow with fire again.

I had to fight everything in me not to take and break her that day, I wanted to and I could have and no one could have stopped me. She was always going to be mine from that day we spent fighting, it was part of the deal my father and Vincent had made. Instead I kissed her and got a little carried away but I stopped myself and have continued to be patient with her but now I was reaching the end of my tether. I pushed her up against the wall face first and ran my hands greedily up and down her slight body revelling in her fear as I hardened against her ass. "It's been a long time since I've seen you fight piccolo gioiello."

"That was you." Her voice was hoarse with fear but it still was recognisable to the last time she spoke to me. It took a minute for my mind to process that she had spoken to me after all this time, that she wasn't actually mute. But had chosen not to speak to me. I span her around keeping her pinned against the wall and my body. "You spoke." Shock widened her eyes, she hadn't meant to say that out loud but forgot herself for a moment and now I knew. I knew that she could talk to me instead of stupid yes and no questions. I knew she was smart behind those beautiful brown eyes. I smirked in delight, now when I took what I wanted she would be able to scream my name. "Please don't hurt me." She whispered.

I knew exactly why she said that, she thought that I would punish her for choosing not to speak to me all this time. And I should, I should punish her for it. I heard shouting coming from the training room and an idea clicked in my mind. I could punish her in a way that might bring her out of this weak shell. "I'm not going to punish you in the traditional sense. No, you will join me in my training room every day and you will sleep in my bed until you can beat me in a fight." She gulped down the knot in her throat and nodded her head in agreement, but I wasn't going to let her not talk to me anymore. "Use your words." I demanded. She gulped again. "I accept." I started to slowly move my hand over her side again. "On one condition." She quickly added. "Hmm... and what is that?" I asked as I now ran my nose along her jawline testing the boundaries between us. "That you don't touch me unless I say you can." I laughed a single chuckle. "Then you better beat me quickly." I teased. "Please." She breathed in pure panic.

I completely backed away and let her go, stepped back in one huff trying to calm myself. "Bene, preferirei scoparmi una donna di fuoco, piuttosto che una ragazza timida, piccola gemma." She looked at the floor embarrassed. "I don't speak Italian." I was a little confused by that, she was Sicilian by heritage was she not. "We never had to learn it." She confessed, I just shrugged. "I agreed to your condition but as I said you will have to beat me quickly then." She didn't make eye contact with me but I could tell she had something else she wanted to say to me but didn't have the balls too. "Just say it." I snapped annoyed at her. "Will you teach me to speak Italian." I smirked. "That's two things you have asked of me. What do I get in return?" I could see her sharp mind ticking over as she thought about it. "My friendship." I rolled my eyes and stalked up the corridor ignoring her offer. "Fine. My obedience. All you men of power want obedience, you will have mine." I stopped at the glimpse of fire she just showed me.

I looked back at her from over my shoulder and saw that she had pushed off the wall and was stood in the middle of the corridor in a defiant stance, fists clenched at her side, shoulders squared and her jaw set into a hard line. This spark sent a flame of desire through me, this is who I wanted her to be. I turned and quickly stalked back towards her in 3 quick strides, watching her revert back to the little gem she is as I caught her by the arm before she would have tripped over. I pinched her chin to look up at me and raised an eyebrow at her. "Then give me what I want and seal your fate." My lips were an inch away from hers but I wanted her to come to me. We stared at each other for a long moment before she closed the distance and pressed her lips to mine in a delicate shy kiss. I swiped her lips with my tongue wanting access, to which she gave at my surprise and I deepened our kiss.

I ordered Tina one of the maids to help Emilia collect her things from her room and to bring her straight to me. When Emilia arrived she only stepped into the room and then stayed by the door silently. I dismissed Tina, and remained sat in the chair by the window with a drink in hand just watching her. She looked scared but curious, I could see her eyes roam over my room from under her lashes. Nerves had overtaken her feet and she fidgeted with them rubbing her left foot over her right and chewed on her bottom lip. Once her eyes had found me she stilled, gulped heavily and cast her eyes to the floor.

"Come here." I commanded. After preparing herself she tentatively walked my way and stopped in front of me still refusing to speak or look at me. "Sit." She silently lowered her body to the floor, I stopped her half way. "On the chair Emilia." I was getting annoyed, but quickly did as she were told. "What do you know about me?" She softly cleared her throat and clung to the small bag she held tighter. "That your smart and strong, you don't take any nonsense and you have little patience and have a temper. You are kind but you don't like to show it to anyone, and that you protect me, but I don't know why." She stopped after catching a glimpse of my emotionless eyes. "You really don't know why I protect you?" Again refusing to use her words she shook her head. "Your mine." Her eyes widened at my statement and I could see her fear. Just the reaction I wanted.

"Why?" She asked in a small voice, I remained silent just watching her squirm in discomfort.

"Go to the bathroom over there..." I pointed to the far side of the room and she followed my direction with her head. "...There is training attire for you to change into. Come out here when you're done."

After Emilia had closed the bathroom door behind her I went into my closet and changed into my own workout gear. I battled with my own mind when she emerged, her body was wrapped in tight black yoga pants with a sports bra to match. Her hair was up in a ponytail on top of her head and she actually had footwear on. "I'm ready." Nerves were clear in her tone, and her discomfort showed as she tried to cover her bared stomach with her arms. I led the way down the hall and into my personal training room. Windows lined one wall to the left and her running equipment and weight benches in front of them, mats and other fighting paraphernalia were to the right of the door and in the opposite corner were a boxing ring.

"Today you will run." I point to the treadmill. Emilia climbs up onto the equipment and just looks at the control panel. I walk to the right of the equipment and press the start button, before going to the weight bench and laying down. After 5 minutes I upped her speed and inclined the based of the machine to a slight slope. I could see she were struggling but I wanted to push her limits. We never spoke but once in a while I could sense she were looking at me, but I didn't acknowledge her. Again I silently upped the speed and incline for her, she whimpered but continued. Sweat poured off her forehead and illuminated off her pale skin under the florescent lights. I had stopped my reps and watched her, her teeth were clenched and her face contorted in pain, she finally broke the silence. "Stop, Please." She heavily panted, begging me to stop the machine. I left her for another minute before walking over and pressing the stop button, the machine slowed and lowered back into its original position. Her legs were like jelly as they carried her off the treadmill and she collapsed in a heap on the floor. I sauntered over to where she lay and stood over her bending at my waist while smirking. "Enjoy your run?" I laughed. Her eyes narrowed at me and I could tell she wasn't happy, and if she could, she would hit me. "Get up, weights are next." We continued around the room going from different equipment, until she could barely stand, only then did I call it a day. "Time to shower.

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Bene, preferirei scoparmi una donna di fuoco, piuttosto che una ragazza timida, piccola gemma. – Fine, I'd rather fuck a women of fire, than a timid girl, Little gem.