The lock turned.
Leia's grip on the bed tightened, the rope hidden beneath the sheets like a secret heartbeat. Her pulse thundered in her ears as the door swung open and Jake stepped in, bringing the storm with him.
He shut the door behind him, slow, deliberate, the sound echoing like a gavel in her chest. His dark eyes swept over her, wet dress clinging to her skin, defiance burning in her stare, and a dangerous smile curved his mouth.
"You're learning fast," he murmured. "Throwing drinks. Fighting my men. Very spirited." He took a step closer. "But spirit doesn't equal freedom, Leia. It equals punishment."
She didn't flinch. She refused to. "Then punish me," she spat, "if that's the only way you can feel like a man."
His jaw ticked. In an instant, Jake's hand shot out, grabbing her chin, forcing her face up toward his. His grip was iron, his gaze like fire.
"You think I enjoy breaking you?" His voice was low, dangerous. "No, Leia. I enjoy watching you break yourself."
Her breath hitched, but she met his stare head-on, her body trembling with rage more than fear. "Then you'll be waiting forever."
Something flickered in his eyes. Not anger. Not amusement. Something darker. Something raw.
The air between them burned.
Jake's thumb brushed her lower lip, slow, almost absentmindedly. She gasped at the audacity, but before she could bite his hand, he released her, stepping back.
"Change," he ordered, nodding toward the gray dress. "Or I'll change you myself."
Leia's laugh was sharp, unyielding. "Touch me again, and you'll bleed."
Jake froze, then he laughed. A real laugh. Low, husky, lethal. "God, you're going to ruin me. You are literally a clown."
He moved closer again, so close she could feel the heat of his body, smell the danger rolling off him in waves. For a second, it wasn't hate in the air. It was heat. Forbidden. Electric. The kind that could destroy them both.
Leia's fists tightened at her sides. She wanted to scream. She wanted to strike him. She wanted, God help her, to kiss him.
"Careful," Jake whispered, leaning so close his lips grazed her ear. "If you keep looking at me like that, I might think you actually want me."
Her fury snapped. Leia shoved him with everything she had, the move so sudden he staggered back a step.
Her chest heaved. "I'd rather die."
Jake straightened slowly, his smirk wiped clean, replaced with something sharper.
"You just might," he said softly.
Then his eyes dropped, sharp as blades, and Leia froze, because the corner of the rope was peeking from beneath the bed.
Jake's gaze lingered. Then rose back to hers.
Silent. Deadly.
Leia's blood iced. Her secret wasn't a secret anymore.
And his smile, the slow, devilish smile spreading across his face, told her the game had just tilted.
Jake's eyes lingered on the rope for a heartbeat too long. Then, without a word, he prowled toward her, slow and deliberate, like a predator who already knew his prey couldn't run.
Leia's pulse hammered, but she held her ground. Her defiance was all she had left.
He stopped in front of her, close enough that his shadow swallowed hers. Then his hand shot out, gripping the neckline of her coffee-stained dress.
"Don't," she hissed.
Jake's answer was a sharp rip.
The silk tore like paper under his strength, sliding down her shoulder in jagged pieces. Leia gasped, clutching the fabric to her chest, fury igniting every nerve in her body.
"You bastard!"
"You had your chance," Jake said calmly, though his eyes burned. "You refuse to obey, so I'll make sure you learn what disobedience costs."
He tore another strip, baring more skin. Leia shoved him with all her strength, but he didn't budge. His grip only tightened, his mouth curving into that cold, infuriating smirk.
"Stop fighting me," he said softly, dangerously. "You'll lose."
Her voice shook, but it didn't break. "I'd rather lose than be your doll."
Jake's smile vanished. He yanked the ruined dress off her shoulder, forcing her against the wall. His body caged hers, heat and danger pressing in from every side.
"Then prove it," he murmured, his voice a blade against her throat. "Prove you're stronger than me."
For one wild second, she thought he might actually strip her bare. The thought burned through her, fear and anger and something else she didn't want to name.
But then, Leia's hands shot up. She grabbed what was left of the dress and tore herself free, fabric ripping in her own fists.
Her chest rose and fell, her skin flushed, her eyes like fire as she snarled, "Fine. I'll change."
Jake froze.
Slowly, deliberately, she snatched the gray dress from the bed and clutched it to her chest, chin high, refusing to let him see shame. Only fury.
He stepped back, lips curving into the most dangerous smile yet.
"There it is," he murmured. "Good girl. That fire. That's what I want."
Leia glared at him, breathing hard, every inch of her trembling with rage. "Enjoy the show, Jake. Because it'll be the last time you ever win."
Jake leaned closer, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.
"Leia…" His whisper was dark silk, a promise and a threat. "I've already won."
And then he left, slamming the door behind him, leaving her shaking, half-dressed, and burning with fury so sharp it was almost pain.
But as Leia pulled the gray dress over her body, one thought burned brighter than the humiliation:
She would make him regret this.
______________________________________
The rope hit the ground with a soft thud.
Leia didn't look back. She swung one leg over the railing and started down, her breath fast, her hands slick from the rain. Every drop felt like it was counting down her time.
She touched the ground and ran.
No shoes. No plan. Just pure panic and defiance.
Lightning flashed, guards by the west gate. She ducked behind a tree, her soaked dress clinging to her skin. She waited. One… two… then sprinted again.
Her heart was a drum. Her body, a live wire.
Freedom was close. So close she could taste it.
She went into the garage and beheld Jake's fleet of expensive cars. She scanned and selected a car that she feels Jake won't notice if it goes missing.
Then she saw it, Jake's black car.
Parked, gleaming under the storm lights. Keys still inside.
Her pulse jumped. "Thank you, God," she whispered and ran for it.
She yanked the door open, slid in, and hit the ignition. The engine roared to life. The sound tore through the silence like a gunshot.
"Move, move…"
The tires screeched, water spraying in every direction. She sped down the driveway, headlights cutting through the storm, the iron gates coming into view.
Almost there.
Then, out of nowhere, someone stepped into her path.
Leia's breath caught. Her hands jerked the wheel. The car spun out of control, skidding hard and crashing into the stone fountain.
Metal crunched. Steam hissed.
Her head hit the seat. Pain exploded behind her eyes. She blinked, dazed, trying to move.
The door wrenched open.
Jake.
Standing there, rain-soaked, calm, terrifyingly composed. Standing beautifully in his devilish glory. His eyes found hers, cold and burning all at once.
He leaned down, resting one hand on the car roof, his voice low and sharp enough to slice through the thunder.
"Well, well…" he murmured. "Who do we have here?"