Her eyes searched his, looking at him in confusion and fear, how did he know? "I had Clara take you to the garden," he explained, his voice a chilling purr. "And I told the guards not to go there. It was a test, and you fell right into it."
Evangeline felt the color drain from her face, her heart sinking with the realization that her hope had been nothing but a cruel trick. "You...you knew?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above the bubbling water.
Vincent's smile grew colder, his eyes gleaming with a triumph that made her stomach twist. "Of course," he said, his tone smug. "You think I would leave any part of my mansion unguarded ?!" He leaned closer, his breath warm against her wet skin. "I knew you'd try to escape. It's what all the little birds do."
"But...why?" she choked out, the words barely a whisper.
Vincent's smile grew wider, a chilling sight rom. "Because, my dear," he said, his voice a velvet-wrapped blade, "I needed to know if you could be trusted." His grip on her wrist tightened, his thumb pressing painfully into her skin. "And look at what you've done."
Evangeline felt her heart sink further, her eyes filling with fresh tears. "What did you expect?" she managed to ask, her voice barely above a whisper. "You've taken everything from me."
"Exactly," Vincente said, his grip on her wrist tightening. "You think I would allow you to leave so easily?" His smile was a twisted mockery of affection, his eyes cold and unforgiving. "You're mine, Evangeline. In every way."
"But...why?" she whispered again, her voice cracking with pain. "What have I done to deserve this?"
Vincent's eyes narrowed, his smile fading into a cold, hard stare.
Without warning, he grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back.
The pain was blinding, stealing the breath from her lungs.
He leaned in close, his breath hot and venomous against her face. "You dare to question me?" he hissed, his grip tightening until she thought her scalp might tear.
Her eyes squeezed shut against the onslaught of pain, tears mixing with the water as he dipped her head under the churning surface again.
This time, he held her there longer, his fingers digging into her scalp like talons.
She could feel the water filling her nose, burning her throat, the desperate need for air building in her chest.
Vincent's expression was a twisted knot of anger and satisfaction, his eyes alight with a sadistic glee as he watched her fight for her life.
His teeth were bared in a snarl, his cheeks flushed with the thrill.
Her struggles only fueled his rage, his hand never faltering in its cruel grip.
Her face was a mask of terror, her eyes wide and unseeing as the water distorted her features. Bubbles streamed from her nose and mouth. Her skin grew pale.
Vincent's expression was one of dark satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with a hunger that went beyond physical need.
He watched her fight against the inevitable, the power he had over her a drug he craved more than any other.
With a sudden, violent motion, he threw her onto the cold, tiled floor from the jacuzzi.
The impact sent shockwaves of pain through her body, the tile unforgiving against her bruised skin.
She coughed water out of her lungs. She cried out in pain. No energy left to even cry.
Water droplets glistened on his chiseled features.
Her wet underwear clung to her, outlining her shivering form, and her beautiful hair fanned out around her like a soggy halo.
Vincent emerged from the jacuzzi, his powerful frame gleaming with water droplets down the contours of his muscular chest and abs.
He grabbed a towel from the nearby rack and wrapped it around his waist, tying it with a swift, angry motion that spoke volumes of his fury.
His hair was plastered to his skull, the wet strands sticking to his forehead and neck.
The water sluiced off his body, pooling around his feet,
His jaw was clenched, a vein pulsing at the base of his neck as he stared down at her, his eyes narrowed into slits of cold anger.
"Get up," he barked, his voice made her flinch.
Evangeline struggled to her knees, her legs trembling, her eyes cast down in defeat.
"Please," she whispered, her voice shaking. "I won't try to leave again. I promise."
"Your promises mean nothing to me," Vincente spat, his eyes a chilling shade of blue that sent shivers down her spine. "Get up," he repeated, his voice a dark thunder that rumbled through the room.
With a force that belied his words, he yanked her to her feet, her body colliding with his wet, muscular frame.
he sneered, the words cutting through her pleas . "You've made your choice, and now you'll face the consequences."
The cold tile felt like ice against her skin as he dragged her through the hallway, his hand wrapped tightly around her arm.
She stumbled, trying to keep up with his fast pace, her feet leaving a trail of water.
The sound of her bare feet slapping against the marble.
"Please," she begged again, her voice hoarse. "I won't do it again."
Vincent's only response was a harsh laugh, the sound of his amusement bouncing off the walls like a hammer against glass. "You think apologies mean anything to me?" He sneered, the twisted smile never reaching his eyes.
Her knees buckled, but his iron grip kept her upright. "You will not escape me, again I will make sure of it." he growled, his voice low and deadly.
"Sir, please," she sobbed, her voice barely above a whimper as he tossed her onto his bed. The softness of the silk sheets was a cruel mockery of the harsh reality she faced.
Vincent's eyes raked over her trembling form, a smug satisfaction in his gaze.
her eyes filling with fresh tears. She was acutely aware of the dampness of her underwear and the way it clung to her body, revealing more than she ever wanted to show him.