Page 141 of Tell Me Lies
Ludovico’s laughter was deep and resonant, tying itself around her innards and squeezing in a way she couldn’t decipher. His hand slipped around her throat, firmly. She gasped loudly. Crushing her windpipe ever so slightly, he lifted her off her toes. Tears bit the back of her eyes.
“I could kill you, Gigi. It would take me seconds. You wouldn’t even put up a fight, unlike that other guy. But just like him, I would get rid of all evidence, and no one would be the wiser. Don’t make me kill you, Gigi.” He set her down and she heaved forward, coughing. She clasped her neck. There was no pain, just humiliation.
“Get dressed, Gigi,” he ordered. “I will not repeat it again.” Ludovico leaned against the wall, arms draped across his chest. Today, he hadn’t bothered to tie his shirt all the way to the top or wear a tie. His neck was exposed, his bloody rose visible to her and anyone who dared look.
Shaking she slid the long skirt she’d originally chosen down her legs.
It could be worse.
She slipped on the other garment and zipped it. The skirt was barely mid-thigh length and indecently hugged her ass.
“Not bad,” Ludovico commented. “Take off the underwear.”
She spun around.
“What?”
“You heard me, Ms. Evans. Take off your panties. They make an unseemly line across your ass. I won’t have it.”
“But—”
“I cannot spend all day here lecturing you on how to get dressed, Gigi. Either you do it or I’ll do it.”
Shaking, she slipped her hands under the skirt and pulled down her underwear. Her skin burned with shame.
“Good girl. Now, take off that horrendous turtleneck and put on the white shirt.”
She hesitated. Would she want him to take off her bra too? Her pussy throbbed unexpectedly at the idea, and her nipples hardened. Ludovico smirked as if he could read her thoughts.
“Today, Gigi.”
She shrugged out of the suit jacket and slipped off the turtleneck. Grabbing the white shirt, she quickly put it on.
“Wait. Maybe you should take off that bra.”
“What?”
“Yes. No bra.”
“But everyone will see—”
“Precisely. Take it off,” he demanded.
She shook her head. Tears began to stream down her face.
“Your crying merely makes my cock grow harder. Take off the bra, Ragazza.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because I can, because I want to. Because I have tired of all the women who fawn over me because I’m head of the Ludovico family. You, on the other hand…” He grasped her chin, forcing her gaze upward. Using the pad of his thumb, he brushed away one of her tears.
“You have no choice. You will take what I give you and do as I tell you for the sake of your life and those you love. Your parents, your sister, your friends.” Ludovico grinned. “I know who they all are, Ragazza, and I could have them killed tomorrow.”
“Please, no.”
“As long as you obey, they’re safe.”
She nodded. Eyes downcast, she undid the straps. She attempted to cover her breasts, but it was impossible. He took her arms and pressed them to her side, forcing her to jut out her chest and expose herself to him.