DOMENICO

Prologue

Somewhere in Chicago…

The chains chafed my wrists, making me wish I were still in my cage. Though it lacked privacy, the cage at least had a bed, and in there I wasn’t restrained with my arms above my head. But I was in Domenico’s domain. The small bedroom-like area was created from a previous office. There was a lamp and a mattress with a blanket, but those were the only creature comforts. The rest of the room retained both the look and smell of the rest of the decaying structure.

With no way to tell time, I wasn’t sure how long I’d been there. All I knew was that I was tired. Being held against my will caused spikes in my adrenaline, and the subsequent crashes left me drained. The small panic attacks had lessened over the past few weeks, but there was an undercurrent of strife, and I feared what would happen if things got out of control.

I stared at the bed, wishing I were on it. All that did was cause the memories of him inside me to come slamming down. The absolute owning of my body by him and him alone. The way he made me come undone.

Feelings that I shouldn’t have with his touch, but I did.

Feelings I drowned in as he consumed me.

I am Domenico’s…for now.

And that was the thought that always sent questions spiraling out of control and a spike of fear to run through me.

I was a caged bird. A pet awaiting a sentence bound to be more grim than any fairy-tale horror.