Eva noticed the smell first. It was like leather and sandalwood. It was not a hospital. It was something. Something that smelled like danger.
She tried to move her hand. It was an idea. Pain shot up her arm. It was sharp enough to make her groan.
"Do not move. You will make the bleeding worse " Kevin said. His voice was smooth. It was like velvet.. It was hard underneath.
Evas eyes opened. She was in a room. It was cold and bare. It was like a fortress than a home. Kevin was sitting in a velvet chair by the window. He was wearing a silk shirt. It was undone at the collar.
"Where am I?" Eva asked. Her voice was scratchy. "My director... The set..."
Kevin stood up. He was tall. He moved calmly. His shadow stretched out across the room. It was like a warning. He stopped next to her bed. He was close enough for her to see his face. He was studying her.
"The set is closed " Kevin said. "Your director has been paid to let you go." His words were low. They were dangerous.
Evas heart was beating fast. "Paid? You cannot just take me. I have a life. I have bills. I have..."
Kevin cut her off. "You have a body. You keep throwing it in front of danger for money." His jaw was set. His fingers brushed her cheek. It was too gentle for his words. Eva pulled away.. Kevin gripped her chin. It was not hard enough to hurt.. It was hard enough to keep her from moving.
"I do not repeat myself " Kevin said. "You belong to me. Your debt is paid. Your rent is paid. Everything is taken care of. You are mine. I will protect you. I will command you."
Eva was angry. She had worked hard to get where she was. She was not going to be someones. She hit Kevin with her hand.. He was faster. He caught her wrist.
His skin was hot against hers.
"Let go " Eva said. She was angry.
"Make me " Kevin said. He was smirking.
The air between them was tense. Evas rage met Kevins obsession. She felt his heat. Her body reacted. She was tense. Her nerves were alive.
"Why me?" Eva asked. She was whispering. Her eyes were heavy. "You could have anyone. Why a stuntwoman who is broken?"
Kevin leaned in. His lips were near her ear. "You are the thing I have hit that did not break " he said. "I want to know what it takes to make you give in. Not with pain. With surrender."
Later Kevin left. Eva was alone. She looked at her hand. She felt like a bird in a cage. The cage was pretty.. It was still a prison.
The door opened. A maid came in. She was young. She was nervous.
"Miss Eva Mr. Kevin says you should eat. He left this for you."
The maid put a velvet box on the bed. Inside there was a gold bracelet. It was delicate. It was thin. On the inside it said: PROPERTY.
Eva was angry. She wanted to throw the bracelet. She wanted to scream.. Her body was too weak. She understood. This was not a rescue. This was an invasion. Kevin was not helping her. He was taking her apart.
Eva slept. She felt the bed move. Kevins arm was around her waist. He pulled her against his chest. Eva knew it was him. She should have fought.. She was too tired.
In the darkness Kevins voice was, in her ear. "Sleep, my fighter. Tomorrow the real training begins."