Read Topping the Domme (Crime and Punishment) for Free Online

a box cutter.”
    His gaze lifted to hers. “Where else are they?”
    She turned and lifted her shirt so he could see her back. Brayden feathered his fingers over the scars that crisscrossed her skin. “Son of a bitch,” he murmured.
    “They cover the upper part of my butt, as well,” she said softly as she turned and showed him her hand and the curved and jagged scar that ran between her thumb and forefinger. “I did this sliding my hand through the handcuff. The skin was just barely hanging by the time I got to the ER. Once I had one hand free, I was able to use a hairpin to pick the lock and free my other one. I suppose that’s the one good thing my jaded past gave me…the ability to escape.”
    Brayden gently touched the scar, and Karina had the oddest desire to cuddle within his embrace again, just like she’d done on the plane.
    “Did you see his face?” he asked.
    “No. He wore a leather face mask. It even covered his hair. About the only things I can tell you are the size of his dick and his body type, but that could’ve changed over the last ten years. He could be heavier, thinner.”
    Taking a deep breath, Karina unzipped her jeans and opened them so he could see the side of her hip. “Look familiar?” she whispered.
    Brayden’s eyes zeroed in on the bite mark scar, and his eyes narrowed in anger. “It’s the same as… Damn it, Karina!”
    “I didn’t realize it until you talked about the bite marks on the other bodies.”
    He stood and glared down at her. “Why the hell didn’t you say something?”
    She scowled and snapped sarcastically, “And have you act like you are now?”
    He sighed in aggravation as he dragged his hand down his face. “Do you think this is the same guy?”
    She took a step back, surprised at the anger emanating from his eyes. “If it is, he’s gotten a whole lot more brutal.”
    “Or maybe he would’ve done all that to you if you hadn’t gotten away,” Brayden snapped. “You shouldn’t be doing this case, Karina.”
    “I meant what I said. If you say anything, I’ll shoot you,” she snarled softly her own anger rising at the tone of his voice. “We don’t know it’s the same guy. The bite mark could be a coincidence—”
    “Or a signature!”
    “You’re not having me thrown off this case, damn it! Shandra was my best friend. And on top of that, it’s doubtful the agency would be able to find someone else willing to do this, and you know it.”
    Brayden shoved his hand through his short hair as he paced around the table. “This goes against my better judgment, and if the director finds out about it, it will be both our heads.” He stopped and frowned at her. Karina adjusted her jeans and top to cover herself back up. “What if it is the same guy? What if he recognizes you?”
    “Why would he? When I was seventeen, I had jet black hair and Goth make-up. I wouldn’t even recognize me back then.”
    Brayden’s lips twitched. “Goth, huh?”
    She pointed a finger at him. “Don’t make fun.”
    He snorted and began to once more pace around the table, but this time in the other direction. “I wasn’t gonna.”
    “You’re making me nervous with all that pacing. Would you stop?” she snapped.
    He stared at her wide-eyed. “ I’m making you nervous? You’re making me nervous. I don’t like this, Kay. Not at all.”
    “Like I do?” she cried. “I could be hunting down the man who destroyed me ten years ago. I may have to come face to face with a man who still gives me nightmares.”
    She covered her mouth and drew in a deep breath through her nose. She needed to calm down before she started crying, and that was something she refused to do again. She’d done that enough on the plane. She wasn’t one to resort to tears, but it seemed like today, that was all she could do.
    Brayden walked over and tried to pull her into his arms, but she backed away from him. “I worked so hard to bury this, to forget. And now I’m right back in the