Page 9 of The Villain We Tempt

Cupping his crotch. Stroking a knife as if it were a hard cock. Wrapping around his own throat. Running a thick finger downhis chiseled eight-pack before sliding it into the waist of his black jeans…

“That was quite a show,” he growls. “I can see why your followers love you.”

He regards the phone in his hand.

“I'm a fan now myself. So big a fan, actually, that I simply don't think I can wait until you choose to release this content at some point.”

I can’t see his face. And yet, somehow, Iknowhe’s smiling when he waves the phone.

It hits me like a punch to the stomach. Not only did he see everything, including me changing from Galina to Velvet Villainess, but…

He filmed it.

Holy fuck.

He’s got proof of Galina being Velvet Villainesson camera.

Everything goes still. Sound becomes just a high, thin whining alarm in my ears. When I blink, it feels like it’s happening in slow motion.

He could reveal me to the whole world.

Visions of my life crumbling to dust around me fill my head. A cold sensation crashes over me like a wave. My vision blurs and dims.

I imagine my friends distancing themselves from me. School kicking me out. Papa and Dad…oh my God.

Just thinking about the disappointed looks in their eyes if this got out…

“Breathe, Galina,” the mask crackles. “Just breathe.”

I draw in a shaky, gasping breath, trying not to think about the fact that I just did so at hiscommand. When I do, I realize Iwasholding my breath. Instantly, the black spots swimming at the edges of my vision melt away.

“I’m not going to show this to anyone.”

I blink rapidly, staring at him as my arms tighten around my body.

“Y—you’re not?” I squeak out in a voice so haggard, scared, and weak that I don’t even recognize it.

The Ghost Prince shakes his head slowly.

“No. Because you’re going to be a good girl and do something forme.”

That same sickeningly confusing mix of arousal and fear runs excitedly through my system. I turn, my gaze landing on my bag as I wonder how fast I could grab it and get out the door before?—

“Don’t.”

The voice is robotic, but somehow cold.

“Take one step toward that bag or make any attempt to cover yourself and…” He lifts a shoulder and holds up the phone again.

He doesn’t have to spell it out.

If I don’t do as he says, he’ll make sure the video he just took of me transforming into Velvet Villainess goes out to the whole world, and I’ll be destroyed.

“So,” the voice rasps. “Arms at your side.”

I tense,loathingthe way my core tightens and my nipples harden to achy pebbles against my arms across them.

I glance at the phone in his hand again, my throat bobbing up and down.