Levi didn't like Erwin's new bride, but he had to admit that his boss had exquisite taste. Levi had never chased skirt, not even when he was young and horny. Just didn't feel like doing all that work. But this girl, fuck, she was nearly a child wasn't she? This girl was pretty.

Levi saw a lot of women in his job. He saw statuesque goddesses almost six feet tall with cheekbones that could cut diamond. He saw lush girls with wasp waists and generous hips and breasts. Beautiful women, sexy women, he saw them all. But he rarely saw pretty.

This girl, she was pretty. She had big eyes and a small mouth, short red hair, a thin, kind of sweetly curving body. She was the sort of girl you imagined in a blue dress with a white sweater wrapped around her shoulders. She was the type you could picture taking out on a summer night, getting an ice cream cone with, walking the streets and kissing under a lamppost. Small town, small life shit. Levi knew they'd picked this girl up from a potato farm or something. It's where she belonged, a simple farm with earth on her hands and sun on her cheeks.

She was wholesome, this girl. She was also a righteous pain in his ass.

They were in the motorboat, puttering out to the yacht as the sun rose fully. Levi enjoyed the salt wind in his hair; the breeze was still slightly warm even this early in the morning. He wore his customary dark suit and kept his fedora in his lap so it didn't get blown away. Always liked to dress smart, no matter the occasion. He always wore black. It was his color.

The girl, Petra, Mrs. Smith, she sat near the front of the boat. She'd made a face when Levi showed her the outfit she was to wear, the purse she was to carry, the shoes and earrings. She didn't get a say in the matter; Erwin wanted her to please him.

Erwin did have good taste in all things.

She wore a classy white dress that fell to just above the knee and left her shoulders bare. She was wearing a gold tennis bracelet, and diamond earrings sparkled when the sun hit them. Her heeled sandals were dainty on her delicate feet. She'd also tied a gauzy green scarf around her neck; looked like an Italian movie star when that thing fluttered in the breeze.

Both she and Levi knew Erwin gave her the scarf to cover up the love bites.

Levi thought of her standing in front of him yesterday, naked and crying, begging him to help her.

The thought hurt his head. If it'd been anyone other than Erwin, he'd have knocked the guy out and taken the girl. Levi didn't hurt women unless he had to, and he never believed in rape. Not after the childhood he'd endured. But Erwin was so much smarter than anyone else, than him or Petra. If Erwin wanted something, knew it was for the girl's own good, Levi would go along.

But he still felt kind of shitty about it.

Mrs. Smith said something. He hadn't been paying attention.

"What?"

"I said, where are we going?" she yelled.

"Don't know. Erwin does."

She muttered 'of course' and scowled into the sea as it rushed by. She had a delicate, cream-colored leather purse on her lap, and she slipped a pair of ritzy sunglasses out of it and put them on. Erwin would make this girl into a queen. She'd be stunning, of course, but Levi couldn't help but think this style was wrong for her. She was a country mouse; she ought to dress simply. She'd be pretty even without designer gowns.

She was pretty. Fuck, she really was. Levi admired the slim ankles and the tempting profile. He'd never gotten hard for a woman before. At least, not when they were both still clothed and he hadn't touched her yet. The few times he'd had sex with women, Levi had taken a while to rise. He just didn't find it all that interesting. Sex, that is.

But already, much as he wanted to smack the new Mrs. Smith, ideas percolated in his mind. He wondered how she looked naked. Erwin was a lucky man.

"Why are you staring at me?" She scowled at him. Not so pretty now.

"Boss wants me to look after you."

"I'm not going to jump off the boat."

"Better not. I'd have to jump in as well, and it'd be a pain in the ass."

"You're so charming." Ah, sarcasm. She laid it on light as mortar for a brick.

"You're not so charming yourself, sweetheart. Just do what Erwin says, and you'll be happy. My advice? Don't let him see you frown."

"So I don't get to have emotions now?" Her cheeks were flushed pink with outrage. Levi shifted, uncomfortable as his, er, rod stiffened for an instant. Maybe he was getting sick or something.

"You're rich. What've you got to feel bad about?"

She ignored him then, turned to look at the yacht as the motorboat pulled up to it. La Dolce Vita was painted in black lettering on the side. The Sweet Life. Levi had always thought it was an odd name for Erwin's property. Too whimsical, too carefree. Then again, Erwin hadn't named it. He'd taken the yacht off another, ah, businessman. Yeah. "Businessman." It'd been collateral when the guy couldn't pay Erwin back.

That guy was snuggled down in the Mariana Trench right now. Levi wondered if concrete shoes eventually crumbled underwater.

He saw Petra up safely to the deck. Erwin was waiting, as were Hange, Pixis, and Zackley. Levi's favorite band of degenerates and pedophiles. Great.

"Erwin! Is this the new missus?" Hange beamed at Petra, even went to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you! I'm Hange, Hange Zoe."

"Hi." Petra looked momentarily stunned by the woman. Women these days could wear pants, but Hange was outfitted in suspenders as well over a crisp white shirt. Her Italian leather shoes were men's style as well. She liked being comfortable, and this fashion added to her comfort. Levi got a little mad thinking Petra was going to scoff at his friend, but the girl seemed to enjoy the older woman's laughter.

Levi didn't have many friends, but he counted Hange among them. It was nice to see that Petra might like her, too.

Pixis and Zackley looked the same as ever, bald and bushy-headed respectively. Pixis liked a young girl now and again, but he knew better than to look at Erwin's wife. Zackley, however, looked like he was about to start drooling. Dumb bitch.

"Welcome, Petra." Erwin appeared impeccable as always in crisp pants and a white polo shirt. His summer tan was healthy against the brightness of his clothes, and his expression was inscrutable behind his sunglasses. Erwin kissed Petra's hand while she lowered her eyes. "You've met Hange, and Levi. May I introduce Dot Pixis and Darius Zackley? They're my business associates."

Tch. More like your money men. And Hange's the brain trust behind only the most designer narcotics.

Levi kept those thoughts to himself. He was the type who didn't like crime or criminals, but was still a thug. Nurture, not nature. He'd been a sweet kid.

That sweetness had soured when his mother died and the nightmare truly began.

You look sweet, boy. Hold him down. Shut your crying, you little bastard.

"Levi?" Erwin's voice broke the horrible spell. Levi was grateful.

"Yeah?"

"Petra's on her way to the cabin. I'll brief you on a few things, and then I want you to look after her."

Mrs. Smith sashayed away down the long deck of the yacht, following a uniformed attendant. Tch. Why did Levi have to babysit a brat? Even a pretty one.

But if Erwin asked, Levi would accommodate him.

"Sure thing, Erwin." Levi walked with Erwin and the Idiots Three as they updated him on what he'd missed.

"It's a shame you couldn't be on hand for the Tybur meeting," Pixis said, a glint of mischief in those blue, wrinkled eyes. "Though marriage to your fresh, young missus is a valid excuse. She's beautiful."

"Thank you." Erwin seemed proud. "She's such an innocent."

Not such an innocent after yesterday.

Shit, that'd sounded judgmental. What the fuck was Levi's problem?

"She must be gorgeous in bed." Zackley chuckled. "Virgin, wasn't she? I'd bet any money she was."

Erwin stopped, as did everyone else. Fuck. Zackley realized his error as the boss removed his glasses. Blue, ice-cold eyes issued a warning from within that almost horrifyingly handsome face.

"My wife's body is not your concern, Darius. If I even suspect you of entertaining lewd thoughts about her, we will fall out."

Last guy who 'fell out' with Erwin ended up falling out of an airplane at twenty thousand feet. Levi suppressed a smile.

"Of course, Erwin." Zackley gulped.

"Er. Like Pixis was saying, the Tybur meeting went fine, but not the way we hoped." Hange took over the conversation quickly while Zackley loosened his tie. "We can't ship the new, ah, product into northern Italy without his agreement, and he doesn't want to shake with us. Not until terms are more favorable to his family."

Levi listened with hands in his pockets, only vaguely interested. He wasn't the plan guy. That was Erwin's domain. Currently, Erwin was attempting to sell Willy Tybur on another of Hange's miracle drugs, a potent hallucinogen that made you feel like you were orgasming out of every part of your body at the same time. The scientific name was technowoozleatic iambic toratora something or other. Way too long, way too complicated. They'd simplified it to the acronym T.I.T.A.N, which worked much easier when you sold it on the street. Take a hit of Titan, you'll feel six stories tall and horny all over. Talk about leaving you with a smile on your face, even if the drug was dangerous. But Tybur controlled much of the Italian peninsula with an iron grip. Half German, half Italian, all petty asshole who saw himself as bigger than Erwin Smith. Willy was the only guy in all of western Europe who could take on Erwin in a fight.

Though Erwin would win, especially with Levi at his side.

"That offer on a partnership percentage was generosity itself." Erwin sounded smooth and calm, which meant shit was dangerous.

"Er. Ah ha. Yeah, Tybur said that if he could discuss with you in person, maybe you could strike a deal."

But Erwin shook his head.

"I don't go to Venice unless I have no other choice."

Venice was Willy's summer home, a labyrinth of waterways and secrets. Difficult to move guns and men around a place that didn't allow cars. Willy knew that turf in a way Erwin never would.

"What do we do?" Pixis asked.

"Contact his sister. She's his capitana in all things. Pixis, oversee negotiations."

"I will. Should you be joining us?"

"Have a report made up for me later today. We'll discuss over dinner. Business never sleeps, gentlemen, but I'm on my honeymoon. This is a special time for my wife and me."

Erwin's three gurus took their orders and marched off to negotiate. Meanwhile, Levi followed Erwin into the yacht's main salon. Floor to ceiling glass doors made up most of the walls, allowing a spectacular view of the sea. The place was decorated with taste, the walls pale blue and the furniture cream colored with wavering ochre stripes. The coffee table was made of glass. Erwin sat, pressed a button, and ordered his usual breakfast from the attendant. Levi sat on the edge of an armchair.

"You worried about Tybur at all? I mean, if he beats us into the Russian market—"

"I'm not worried about business. I worry about Petra."

"Tch. You got me watching her. She'll be fine." Levi frowned. "What're you worried about, anyway? Think Tybur'll nab her, or Zackley'll try putting her in a Japanese school girl outfit?"

"That's such a specific image." Erwin chuckled as the attendant laid out a pot of French press coffee and two soft boiled eggs with some fruit. Erwin poured a cup, didn't offer one to Levi. He knew Levi hated coffee. "I want Petra's innocence to remain intact. Her experiences should be mine and mine alone."

Levi couldn't resist asking.

"Why her, Erwin? I'll do whatever you say, but why'd you pick her?"

"Many reasons." Erwin sipped his coffee and lapsed into a sort of reverie. "I've ascended to the top of my particular, ah, field. When Tybur capitulates, I'll have the European market cornered. I want to leave behind a legacy, and that includes children."

"So you needed a baby maker. Okay. Well, getting 'em young is a good idea in that case. But you could've had any twenty-year-old you wanted. Some high society princess with connections and shit. Why'd you grab some farm girl?"

"Because even if my 'society princess' were a virgin, she wouldn't be pure. You know these girls, Levi. They have all the secrets of life figured out by the time they're fifteen, and it makes them bored and cynical. But Petra…" Erwin rarely looked wistful, but Levi swore the man seemed almost ready to sigh with happiness. "She's fresh as rain water. She knows nothing, and that means I can mold her into anything I wish. She'll become my perfect wife. The perfect mother of my children. My perfect lover."

Levi's mouth twitched in a smile, and he shook his head.

"You always were a romantic sap."

Erwin laughed. Levi was the only one who could make that severe god of a man laugh, and he liked that about himself.

"Not jealous, are you?" Erwin seemed amused.

"Why should I be? You've always had your needs, and me? Getting tied to anyone's not my style."

"That's true. Though I can't do without you. You do know that?"

Only Levi ever saw the tiniest shred of hesitancy in Erwin's eyes. He leaned down and kissed him just to let him know to shut the hell up. Erwin cupped his jaw as they kissed, and Levi enjoyed the taste of coffee on his lips. Only way he liked to drink it.

"I never wanted this to be anything more than it is," Levi said. His eyes shut as Erwin kissed the corner of his mouth. Levi had never wanted any other man like this. The first night he and Erwin had been drinking and talking and it suddenly turned into them ripping each other's clothes off, Levi had been almost surprised. Tried to figure out the steps that got them into bed together. Waited for the moment he'd come to his senses and tell Erwin to get off him.

But that was the only time he ever slept with someone and didn't immediately want to throw up afterwards. Lying side by side in Erwin's big ass bed after, both trying to catch their breath, Levi had shrugged.

'Guess I'm a little fuckin' gay. Who knew?'

Erwin had laughed and laughed. And Levi had slept against his chest that night, and in the morning they'd gotten up and dressed and been easy and never talked about it again. Every once in a while they had sex, and the rest of the time they were partners. Friends. Life was simple, and Levi liked simple.

"So Ginger's gonna be your brood mare and sex doll. Got it. But still, we're heading into difficult times with Tybur's people. You should be my focus right now, not her."

"I don't want anyone else to touch her." Erwin seemed disgusted at the thought. "I'm the only person who will ever know her body. I need that the way I need oxygen."

"Then get Hange to hang with her. Hange doesn't have the parts that'll knock her up."

"Hange's attractions stray in Petra's direction. I don't want anyone else to have her," Erwin snapped. Levi had never seen the guy this intense before. "She belongs to me completely." Erwin took Levi's hand and kissed his rough palm. "You are the only person in this world I trust implicitly. I've trusted you with my life, and now I entrust you with my second most important possession: my wife's chastity. If I know you're watching her, ensuring she's mine alone, I'll be able to focus on Tybur and the coming meetings."

"She got you bad, huh?"

"Yesterday was the most erotic day of my life."

"Ouch." Levi grinned. "That hurts, Eyebrows."

Both men chuckled, and Erwin kissed Levi on the mouth again.

"Guard her well, my friend." Erwin stroked Levi's cheek with his fingertips. "My own Levi."

"Tch. Don't get sappy on me, you bastard."

Levi strolled out to the deck, hands in his pockets, and headed to the Smiths' cabin.

Petra should've known her room would be the epitome of elegance.

She entered a wood-paneled chamber with cream carpeting and a lush, king-sized bed against the far wall. Before the bed was a round coffee table flanked by overstuffed chairs, and the cream silk curtains were pulled back to reveal a private terrace. The Mediterranean stretched out to the distant horizon. Handsome black-and-gold accents gave the room an elegant touch; Petra recognized them as Art Deco. She'd seen a movie called The Great Gatsby before. She'd pretended for weeks afterward that she was a rich woman like Daisy Buchanan, dressed in silk and pearls with a private beach at her disposal and wealthy men dying for love of her.

She should never have wished for something so stupid.

"Mrs. Smith? Your breakfast is ready, ma'am." The attendant, a pretty girl with brown hair, gestured towards the terrace. There was a table and two chairs. On the table, they'd placed a tray of yogurt and berries, along with what turned out to be a pot of herbal tea. There was multi-grain toast and no butter or jam. Petra frowned.

"I'd like something else, please," she said. If she was going to be here, she was going to drown her sorrow in sugared crepes.

"Oh. Beg pardon, Mrs. Smith. Mr. Smith has very specific instructions as to your diet." The girl looked at her feet, knowing that what she was saying was awful. Petra didn't blame her, this wasn't her fault, but she wanted to take her rage out on someone right now.

"Fine." She shoved back the chair and planted herself in it. "I also want…a martini."

The attendant blinked. "A martini?"

"With vodka. And olives." Petra laid her napkin in her lap, and fought against the tears burning her eyes.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am, but I don't believe Mr. Smith will allow you to have one for breakfast."

"Why don't you tell Mr. Smith I need a stiff drink after yesterday?" Petra cried. The space between her legs still felt raw and swollen, and it felt like she was plunging down a shaft into an endless void, watching light disappear the farther she fell.

"Please, ma'am? I…" The girl's cheeks were pale. "I don't want to cause you trouble."

"I want. A. Martini!" Petra had never tasted one before, but they were always the epitome of elegance in movies. "And if you don't get me one, I'll talk to my husband about you!"

She knew she was being rotten, but Petra wanted to be rotten. She wanted someone else around here to hurt, too.

"Oi."

Levi appeared out of nowhere, leaning against the edge of the open door. How did he move like that? He was a damned shadow, or a cat.

"Mr. Ackerman?" the attendant whispered.

"Get the lady her drink."

That took Petra by surprise.

"S-Sir, Mr. Smith said—"

"I speak for Mr. Smith. The girl's under my care. Now get her a damned martini." Levi sat in the chair opposite Petra. "No breakfast for me, but get me my usual."

"Certainly, sir." The attendant almost ran away.

"Uh. Thank you," Petra muttered. Levi had taken off his hat and jacket, and sat before her in a black button up shirt. He shrugged at her as he stared out to sea, one arm resting casually upon the railing.

"Figured you'd earned yourself a drink."

Earned it. Erwin must have filled Levi's ears with tales of Petra's first sexual exploits. She remembered why she hated this man…even if he was handsome. When Levi looked away from her, when that scowl of his softened into a neutral expression, she noticed how perfectly sculpted his sharp features were.

He looked almost too fine to be real. Ethereal in a way Erwin was not.

"So." Petra cleared her throat. "You don't have to babysit me if you have other things to do."

"I don't. You're my top priority now. Boss's orders."

Petra scowled. "I don't need a bodyguard."

"Sweetheart, you got any idea the kind of 'business associates' Erwin deals with?" Levi snorted. "You want all the protection you can get."

"And I suppose you're the best we've got?"

"I am."

The cold self assurance and the glacial look in his eyes made Petra shiver even as the Mediterranean sun washed over her. The attendant returned with a tray, and placed a martini glass before Petra as well as a teapot and cup before Levi.

"Tea?" Petra tried not to laugh.

"What's wrong with that?"

"You seemed like the kind of man who drinks straight whiskey all day long."

"Tch. Juvenile fantasies. I don't like to drink. Tea's good, though."

He poured himself a cup and sipped, looking back to the horizon. What a charming man. Petra took her martini glass and swallowed.

She spat half of it back out as her throat burned and her eyes watered. Shit, she'd gotten vodka all over her dress. The worst part was Levi's delighted laughter as she bent over the railing, spitting into the sea.

"Figured you'd do something dumb like that."

"And that's why you had the girl get me a martini?" Petra rasped. God, she was starving now, hungry enough that berries and yogurt looked delicious.

"Eh. You're the boss's wife. I figure you ought to get what you want, within reason."

"How sweet," she muttered. Petra pushed the glass away and turned her attention to breakfast. They ate and drank in silence for a minute. She kept sneaking glances at Levi. Mr. Ackerman, the girl had called him.

"Ackerman." She nibbled a strawberry. "What kind of name is that?"

"German. Jewish. Not like I practice or anything." He shrugged. "I was born in Berlin."

"So that's your hometown?"

"No. I don't have a hometown. Left Germany when I was five, traveled all over the world."

Levi's gaze became distant when he said those words. Petra felt uneasiness settle along her spine. Best not to push the line of questions.

"You must speak a lot of languages."

"I speak what I need to get by. I don't talk much."

No kidding.

"And you?" he said. "You're the potato farm girl."

"My father is a grocer. He grows vegetables in our garden." Petra rolled her eyes. "If that counts, then sure."

"This your first time being away from home?" Levi frowned. Petra realized then how his whole appearance shifted when his expression changed. He looked almost boyish now, though his sharp features were still beautiful. She hated that this man was beautiful. Well. At least he was short; that marred him in most women's eyes.

Though perhaps not in hers.

Shut up, Petra.

"I guess." Petra drank some herbal tea and tried not to weep. "I was planning to go to college, or maybe to Vienna with the guys after school. But when Erwin said he wanted me, I became a prisoner in my hometown. None of the boys flirted with me anymore. My best friend, Oruo, wasn't allowed to be alone with me from then on. I stopped thinking about places like Rome or Paris or maybe America. I wasn't going to see any of those places, at least not on my own." She shrugged, felt empty inside. "I was going to be someone's pet."

"You ought to be grateful." Levi tapped a fingernail against the side of his cup in increasing irritation. "Plenty of people in this world would kill for someone to take care of them the way Erwin's taking care of you."

"Maybe we shouldn't talk about this," Petra snapped. "In fact, maybe we shouldn't talk at all. You're just the help."

"Playing a rich bitch so fast, Mrs. Smith? I knew you'd be a quick study."

Petra just wanted to have some power over this evil, ugly-beautiful little man. The longer he gazed at her in challenge, the faster her heart beat. She wished she could claw his face with her fingernails.

"I don't want you to forget your place."

"You're the one who needs to learn her place, kid. Not me."

"Why do you have to be such an asshole?" Shit, her eyes were filling with tears. Petra tried to wipe them away. "I guess it's who you are. No good person would've stood outside that door yesterday and done nothing when I—"

"I have a job to do." His words were crisp and sharp. "Erwin knows what he's doing."

"And I knew what I felt, and I asked for your help! And you let him…"

Petra lost the fight against her tears and buried her face in her napkin. She felt herself split down the middle again, the memory of being violated as strong now as it had been when Erwin was on top of her.

"Oi." Levi's voice was softer now. To Petra's surprise, she felt his hand on her shoulder. "Oi, stop."

Petra rose to her feet, knocking the chair back, and slapped his face as hard as she could. Levi appeared stunned as he rubbed his cheek.

"What the—?"

Petra yowled and lashed out at him again, slapping him two, three, four times. Levi put up his arms and stepped backwards while she continued to rain blows on him. Petra should have realized he was only humoring her. That when he decided to play, he'd play for real.

She cried out as he grabbed her by the upper arms and drove her forward, against the railing. He could easily push her off the yacht if he wanted to. God, if only he would. They were too far from the coastline for Petra to be able to swim. If she couldn't have freedom, she could at least have death.

"Go on," she hissed. She was still crying.

"I'm not pushing you out, brat." Levi grabbed her wrists when she tried to shove him off. He held her hands against his body. Their faces were close, noses almost touching. She looked into his pale, empty eyes and felt herself forget how to breathe for a moment.

"You'd be doing me a favor."

"You're going to live. You're going to be Mrs. Smith. You're going to do a good job of it," he hissed. "And if you don't, I'll be there to keep you from running away or getting any fancy ideas about killing yourself. I have to safeguard you for Erwin. That includes against yourself."

Petra shut her eyes so she didn't have to be stunned by that face so close to hers. Erwin was handsome, but this Levi Ackerman was beautiful in an almost elfin way. He wasn't even human. She could feel the insane strength in his arms and his body.

Petra felt herself responding to this man in the way she'd 'responded' to Erwin yesterday. Except with Levi, there was no fear mingled with the desire. Only curiosity.

She had to stop this shit now.

"Let me go."

"You hit me again, I'll tie you up and leave you on the bed for Erwin."

"I bet you'd enjoy that, huh?" She sneered.

"Don't flatter yourself, angel. I don't have a huge appetite for pussy." But something moved within the depths of his eyes that made Petra think he wasn't being entirely truthful. "And even if I wanted under your skirt, Erwin's got dibs."

Dibs. Like Petra was a piece of candy or a bottle of soda.

"I won't hit you again. Now let me go."

Levi hesitated, then turned and released her. Petra stumbled backwards, catching the edge of the door to steady herself. Levi watched her closely, hands in his trouser pockets. The summer wind tousled his hair. It was so sleek and black; she wondered how fine it would feel beneath her hands. He styled it oddly, with a severe undercut that went all the way around the bottom of his head.

Petra also noticed, when Levi took one hand from his pocket to fix his hair, when his sleeve was pushed down by the motion, that something was on his wrist. It might have been a tattoo of some sort. But then it was gone again.

"Believe it or not, kid, I'm trying to help you here."

"Your help's worthless to me. Just like it was yesterday, when I needed you."

His thin, beautiful mouth contorted in a sneer. "You need to get this through your pretty skull, sweetheart. You belong to Erwin Smith now. Everyone on this boat does. When you belong to him, you either please him or you don't. If you please him, you'll have a sweet time of it, but if you don't then things'll get tough for you. Don't be a stubborn asshole about this."

"Speaking from experience there, Mr. Ackerman?"

"Yeah, Mrs. Smith. I sure as shit am."

They stopped talking as Erwin appeared in the doorway. His enormous body and presence seemed to fill the whole space. Petra leapt backwards, away from him. She leaned against the railing with Levi.

"Petra. Anka told me that there's been some commotion in here." Even though he was smiling, fury radiated from him. Petra wanted to jump off the boat. She would've if Levi weren't there to stop her. "That you've been insulting Levi, and that you forced her to bring you a vodka martini at nine in the morning."

"I okayed the martini," Levi said. "It's my fault."

"It is, Levi. But you're not alone in this." Erwin stepped forward and wound a hand around Petra's throat. She swallowed as she felt his thumb stroke up and down, pressing on her windpipe. "Now you're going to stay in this room for the rest of the day. When I return tonight, we'll see about punishing you."

"I'm not a child!" Petra should've stayed quiet, but the hatred she felt almost overwhelmed her. "I'm your wife."

"You're both," he hissed. Erwin pulled Petra against him, turned into the room, and deposited her on the bed in one smooth motion. Levi lingered in the doorway, refusing to watch the domestic spat. "Now. I'll be in here at eight thirty PM on the dot. Eat every bit of lunch and dinner they bring you. By eight thirty, you're to be naked except for your panties, and you'll be kneeling on the floor with your hands in your lap, stationed at the foot of the bed."

"What?" This had to be a nightmare. Erwin gripped her face, squeezed a little too hard. Petra froze, the panic of yesterday freezing her muscles once more.

"If you ever say 'what' to me like that again, your punishment will be severe," he growled. He let go then and walked out of the room. "Remember where you're to be at eight thirty. If you disobey me, you will not like the results."

Levi followed after Erwin while Petra lay shaking on the bed.

"Word of advice." Levi didn't turn to her from the doorway. "Don't disobey him."

Then Levi was gone as well. Petra fell upon the bed, pulled at her hair and clothes, and sobbed until she fell into a merciful, dreamless sleep.

When Erwin entered their cabin, he found her as he'd ordered her to be. Petra's nipples were hard in the cool night air. She forced herself not to shiver as her husband walked to a cabinet on the wall, the one Petra had tried before out of curiosity only to find it locked.

"My hope is there won't be too much occasion to open this," he said. Her breathing came harder as she heard him take something down and shut the doors. He came and stood before her. When she tried to raise her eyes, he ordered her to look down.

She saw his expensive Italian leather shoes and the cuffs of his pants. And she saw, in his hand, a riding crop.

Petra gave a muffled scream deep in her throat. In response, Erwin placed the tip of the crop against her lips.

"Shhhhh."

He played it over her mouth, and she finally opened up. He had her close her lips around the end of the riding crop. It tasted like good leather and something bitter, almost lemony. Perhaps cleaning product? She felt like she was going to gag.

"I'm a generous man, Petra."

Erwin slid the crop from her mouth and ordered her to keep her eyes forward.

"I want to spoil you. I want you to have what you want."

Petra's eyes widened as she felt the wet tip of the riding crop rub in circles upon her left nipple. She winced with how sensitive it felt, and how good. Erwin repeated the process with her right breast. Petra wanted to cry, and she could throw up with him standing before her. But she was also wet.

"But when you choose to disrupt my peace and embarrass me with your behavior, I need to teach you a lesson."

He traced the crop along her naked body and slipped it under the band of her panties. Petra whimpered as she felt the crop part her folds. Erwin began rubbing it back and forth against her clit, and then in little circles. Fuck, it felt heavenly.

"You are my wife. You are to set an example. You represent me and my name now, not just yourself."

Petra's eyes squeezed shut and the colors of the orgasm flashed through her brain, bright oranges and flowering magentas. She moaned and moved her hips as Erwin rubbed her sensitive clit again, and again. It almost hurt when she came twice more. Finally, he took the crop out of her.

When he put it to her lips this time, she opened her mouth at once. She tasted the earthy musk of her body as Erwin made her suck the tip of the riding crop.

"I'm willing to be charitable this one time. Everyone should be allowed a mistake." He took the crop out and whapped it against his palm two times. "But the next time you make a fool of me, your punishment will be severe. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes, sir."

She wanted to throw up.

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now remove your underwear and lie across the bed on your stomach." Erwin brandished the riding crop over her, looking nothing so much like a god of judgment. "You need a few strokes to understand that I'm very, very serious."

Petra obeyed mechanically, crying as he struck her bottom and the back of her thighs ten times.

"Now in an arrangement such as this, we'd usually need an organized system." Erwin's voice was raw as he unbuckled his pants. "We'd have an agreed upon 'safe' word that stops all punishment when it becomes too much."

He shoved her further up the bed, parted her legs, and slid inside her from behind.

"But that's not how I do things." He began to ride her, his hips twisting as he worked her hard. "I am the only one in control now. Your body belongs to me. You belong to me." He sounded choked with excitement as he picked up speed. "I'll do whatever it takes to bend you to my will. I do mean whatever it takes."

Petra shut her eyes and let him use her, and while he fucked her Petra's thoughts drifted away from the yacht, away from her body. She tried to think of home, of her friends.

But for some reason, Levi Ackerman's face flashed before her. His cruel eyes, his twisted mouth…his beautiful face.

She had to punish these men. Petra knew that if she wanted revenge, she needed to play the game. Be Erwin's submissive partner until she'd seen the way to wound him fatally. No more tantrums. No more tears. Only smiles and sex; she'd eat what she was given; she'd play his game until she was a master.

That gave her some relief, that she had a plan.

And while Erwin fucked her for the next hour or so, she kept picturing Levi Ackerman on top of her or beneath her. For some reason, she was only able to orgasm when she saw his face.

"I don't like this."

Hange had a half-empty bottle of beer in her hand, and her glasses on top of her head. She watched the moonlight shimmering on the water. Levi kept flicking his switchblade open and shut. It let him think of something besides that girl's face.

"Don't like what, Four Eyes?"

"Don't be an idiot." Hange wasn't usually this pissy. "I don't like what's going on with Erwin's wife. I talked to some of the guys on the security detail. They told me he did twisted things like order her to stay a virgin for him, take her away from her family, lock her up in hotels with guards outside the door. This isn't good."

"It's not our marriage. Not our problem."

He didn't want to become surlier than he already was, thinking about Petra Smith. She'd been so open with him at breakfast, even when she was angry. There was no deceit with that girl, no guile. She was brave as hell. Stubborn, too.

Yet Levi could feel that there was true sweetness there, too. When he flicked his blade open this time, he saw himself reflected in its silvery sheen.

The man who'd left a clearly terrified girl alone for her 'punishment.'

Levi didn't like kinky shit, but he didn't begrudge those with different tastes. He and Erwin, well, their sex was as vanilla as sex between men can be. Levi didn't want to be tied up or some shit. But if Erwin and his wife liked it, that was fine.

But the girl didn't like it. You could see in her face she didn't want it.

"Erwin's always had his own tastes," Hange said, echoing Levi's thoughts. "But this feels gross. It feels wrong."

"We're criminals, Hange. Wrong is our version of right."

"There's wrong, and there's wrong. This isn't about making money or protecting the organization. We're letting Erwin torture some poor kid, rape her—"

"Watch what you say," Levi growled, standing and leering over her. "I didn't hear that. Say it again, ever, and I'll report it to the boss."

Hange glared up at him, but returned to her beer. Levi walked across the deck and leaned upon the railing.

He could see the craggy outline of islands against the moonlit sea. The Greek Islands, most romantic spot for a honeymoon.

He thought of Erwin's cabinet, of all the finely oiled leather and polished iron trinkets that could delight or terrify the new Mrs. Smith.

He saved your life. You owe him everything. He's the only person who knows you for who you are. The only one who loves you.

But it was getting harder to make those excuses to himself. And the problem wasn't Erwin. It was Petra with those wide eyes and that innocent mouth.

Her plaintive ghost haunted his dreams that night.

Petra lay upon her back, head tilted to one side while the sun beat down upon her. She'd gone up to the top deck of the yacht where the pool was, and lounged in a beach chair. The pool water shimmered, all turquoise and bright. Hange was taking a swim, doing laps to get her heart rate up. She waved to Petra when she hit the wall, and Petra waved back.

One week. So far, so good.

After that first night, Petra had been submissive and dutiful. She'd suppressed her natural fire and played Erwin's perfect little pet. And to be fair, he'd been generous in turn. Every morning, he presented her with some stunning piece of jewelry. He'd even allowed her off the boat for a dip in the sea, or jet skiing with a scowling Levi seated behind her. Listening to him grumble as they skidded over waves had made her so happy.

How to hurt Erwin? And Levi?

Petra looked across from her. Erwin stood by the diving board, dressed in his neat summer clothes, a glass of whiskey and ice in hand. He stared at her, smiling proudly. Appreciating his investment.

Every night, when he climaxed inside of her, he whispered how beautiful she'd look pregnant. How he wanted his seed to take root in her. For all they knew, she was pregnant already.

Would she be able to endure it, watching his child swell inside of her?

One step at a time.

Petra flipped onto her back, untied her bikini strings, and waved to Levi.

"Lotion, please. I don't want to burn."

"I ain't your fuckin' maid."

He sounded ready to burst, but he obeyed her. As Erwin's dog, he had to do what Erwin wanted. And while Petra was a good girl, he wanted to please her. Levi had become less of a bodyguard and more of a grouchy servant. She liked ordering him to run her bath or inspect the pool for her. She made him swim with her, and laughed as he bobbed in the sea, flailing around.

'Never learned how to swim properly!' he snarled at her. Petra had splashed water in his face.

Truthfully, even though she hated him, Petra felt less alone with Levi by her side. The worst part of her day was the evening, after dinner, when he left her and Erwin alone. Or sometimes when Erwin pulled her into their cabin in the afternoon because he was too horny to wait.

She missed Levi then. But she still thought about him. His image was what made nights with Erwin bearable. Even though her husband was an extraordinary lover, the way he regarded her, some lusty receptacle of his seed, made her not want to climax ever again.

Levi was different. She felt like a person to him, even if she was an annoying person.

When she felt his hands on her back, rough yet slippery with lotion, she almost purred with pleasure. He massaged the lotion into her skin, diligent as ever.

"You have nice hands," she said.

"I can't wait till we get you a girlfriend or a dog to talk to," he replied.

But Petra liked how he stroked her body, rubbing the sunscreen in. The way his fingertips trailed across her naked back felt almost deliberate. She clenched her legs together; she felt aroused by that mere contact.

"Levi!"

Erwin waved him over. Petra saw that Hange had gotten out of the pool and was dripping next to Erwin. Pixis was also there, and looked concerned. Shit.

Levi joined them. Petra tied her top back on and went to the railing to gaze at the island of Mykonos. She'd always wanted to travel here and sample the nightlife. If only Erwin would let them go ashore, just once.

Petra ignored business meetings; Erwin had made it plain they didn't concern her. She suppressed a shudder of revulsion when her husband came to her side, his shadow blocking her from the sun.

"I'm afraid there's been some slight alterations to our plan."

"Oh?" She forced herself not to make a smart remark.

"There's a boat with some associates coming here from Santorini. They want to speak onboard the yacht."

"You want me to wait in our room?"

"I want you off the boat until they're gone."

Petra's heart began to thud. That could only mean…

"I can go to Mykonos?" She couldn't let him hear her excitement.

"Not alone, of course. Levi will go with you."

Petra went into her head, too joyful to move or think. She could be on land with other people. Erwin had taken her phone away, but maybe she could find a phone and call her parents or Oruo. At the very least, she could spend time with people who didn't want to control her every breath.

And…Levi was going with her.

He sidled up to her, looking like a grim raincloud.

"Aren't you excited? We could go dancing," she drawled.

"This is gonna be a pain in my ass," he growled.

Petra grinned. Upsetting Levi would be a delight all on its own. Maybe his punishment could start tonight.