My mental pep talk is cut short as Simon knocks on one of the two wooden doors at the top of the stairs. I look at the plain door in front of me. My heart races as my breath hitches in my breast having heard heavy footsteps on the other side.

"Come on in, darlin'," Negan says as he opens the door, replacing Simon's hold on me as he steers me towards a sofa on the opposite end of the room. Simon wasn't lying when he said that most of the upstairs was Negan's. He practically has an apartment on this floor with an open concept layout.

There's a living area with a sofa, arm chair, TV, and fireplace. I glimpse at the kitchen off to the side of the living room with large appliances and a granite island. Cherry hardwood floors appear to cover the entire apartment. I spot something leaning against the wall near the door that we just entered. A barbed wire baseball bat? Could that be…?

"What'd you think of the place?" Negan asked grinning widely as if he already knew the answer.

"It's impressive," I finally answer, taking a seat on the sofa. That's a truthful statement, I'm in awe of the space. If I'm being honest with myself, I would consider this a dream apartment. I guess that goes to show what you can afford when you're a successful dealer.

"You can go now Simon, I got it from here. We have some shit to go over. Today was a productive damn day and you deserve some good fucking shut eye." Simon doesn't argue with that one. He's quick to nod in thanks towards Negan and heads towards the door.

"See you in the morning, princess. Enjoy your first night!" His voice trails off as he closes the door.

I sit in silence as Negan's trademark smirk reappears. "Where are my fucking manners? You thirsty?" he asks as he strolls into the kitchen and starts pouring himself a shot of whisky.

I'm not much of a drinker even though I'm in college; it's never been my thing.

"No thanks," I reply.

"Suit yourself, more for me," Negan says as he downs another shot. He places the glass on the counter and moves to come sit across from me in the armchair. "Jesus fucking Christ, I'm tired," he says as he plops down in the chair. "Driving for hours and beating the shit out of your old man really did a fucking number on me," he teases.

I want to immediately stiffen as flashbacks of earlier creep into my mind. No, stay strong. I can't cave in now. I give Negan an angry look in response to his comment.

"Did I pluck a nerve, sweetheart?"

"I'm going to ask you again, what do you want?" I sneer at him. The sudden boost of bravery egging me on.

Negan is visibly surprised by my brash confidence. "Looks like someone has more balls then their daddy. I can dig that, but don't fucking push it too far. That shit is already getting old," Negan says sternly. He leans forward with his elbows now resting on his knees, his face just a few feet from mine. "It's late, so I'm going to make this quick and give you a short rundown of how this is going to go.'

'You will stay here, in my apartment, until your dad makes the first payment. I don't care how fucking long it takes. You will not venture down onto the production floor; I don't need my men getting any ideas or trying to fuck what's mine," he says in a possessive tone.

Mine?

"What the hell do you mean by 'mine'? You don't own me."

"See, that's where you're mistaken," Negan says, pointing at me, "I do, in fact, own your sweet fucking ass. And I will continue to own said ass until your father pays me back all my fucking money that he owes me. You will do whatever I say, when I say it. I tell you to jump, you say 'how high?' Understand?"

"This is bullshit!" I roar in his face, rising off the sofa. "I didn't ask to be brought here by some fucking arrogant, piece of shit. I'm not 'princess' or 'doll' and I am certainly not your fucking pet!"

Negan's smile slowly disappears from his face; his jaw tightens as he lets out a slow, fuming breath. I can see the rage burning in his eyes. I have no time to react as he wraps his hands around my throat, squeezing off my air supply.

"I tried to be nice, I tried to be fucking patient. But I see that you're just as god damn stubborn as your prick of a father. Now, I don't believe in laying hands on a woman, but you are just so content on pushing my fucking buttons. I think someone needs to be knocked down a few pegs."

"Y-you s-said you wouldn't h-hurt m-me," I wheeze using the bit of air I have left in my lungs.

"You forced my hand, princess. This is on you."

I begin to feel dizzy due to the lack of oxygen as Negan tightens his grip on my neck. My attempts to struggle out of his grasp are in vain with having my arms still secured behind my back, preventing me from getting any leverage. Dark splotches dance around my vision as I feel myself slipping away. This is it. This lunatic is going to kill me.

Negan suddenly releases me and I collapse onto the floor, struggling to refill my empty lungs. He towers over me, chuckling at the sight.

He grabs me by my hair and proceeds to drag me towards the door. I attempt to regain my balance but he only shoves my head to the floor and continues to drag me like a dog. Holding onto me with one hand, he reaches over and scoops up the bat that I was eyeing moments before, as he passes through the exit.

My scalp, neck and tailbone are soon in excruciating pain as I'm mercilessly hauled down the stairs. Negan's refusal to slow his pace only causes more harm.

He finally unceremoniously drops me into a heap on the gravel covered dirt outside of the warehouse. I land awkwardly on my right shoulder, causing a stabbing pain to radiate through it. Negan circles me like a wolf circling its prey, swinging the barbed weapon from one hand to another.

"On your knees," he orders.

My bound wrists and now injured shoulder prevent me from being able move from the prone position that I was dumped in. I try propping up on my good shoulder and using my forward momentum to sit up, but to no avail. Negan grows impatient with my pathetic attempts. He stomps over to me, grabs me by my bruising shoulder, and yanks me to my knees. I yelp in pain as his grip lingers on my shoulder even after I've assumed the position.

Negan waits for a few beats before he resumes circling around me while whistling a haunting tune. My head stays bowed, terrified to meet his intimidating stare. I shiver in fear as I see his black combat boots halt in front of me. The cocky confidence that I had displayed in his apartment was long gone by this point.

"Look at me."

My brain tells me to obey his command, but my body is frozen in fear. Negan takes the sharp end of the bat and situates it under my chin, forcing my head up to meet his burning glare. I feel warm drops of blood descend my neck as he pulls the bat away.

"I didn't want tonight to go this way. I figured I'd show you around, we would go over a few fucking rules, and we would have a merry fucking time. But you wanted to come at me all cocked and guns a blazing. Let me tell you something, sweetheart, you want to act like a badass? Fine! I'll treat you like a fucking badass!" he says swinging the bat inches from my face.

"This, this is Lucille," he says, squatting in front of me, displaying his weapon of choice, "and she is fucking awesome. You see, Lucille is very particular. She's not too fond of folks who don't know their fucking place. In fact, I don't think she likes that look that you're giving her right now ... Well, I'll be dammed, looks like someone still has a little fight left in her. Don't worry, Lucille will shut that shit down real quick," he utters in a menacing tone as he returns to his feet.

My heart is beating out of my chest as Negan continues to swing Lucille dangerously close to me. Any attempt to lean away from her prickly surface results in a swift kick from Negan.

"Did I tell you to move?"

I cannot hold my composure any longer as tears begin to stream down my cheeks. I try my best to keep still, but I involuntarily flinch as Lucille makes another pass by my head. Once again, Negan's boot connects, this time to my ribs. I double over face first into the dirt in pain, dirt stuck to my tear soaked face.

"Where are those big lady balls now, huh?" he mockingly sneers. "Back up you go," he says as he grabs me by my hair and forces me back onto my knees. I can't take it anymore. Everything hurts, I'm petrified for my life.

"I'm sorry, I understand now. I'll listen, I promise," I sob, pleading for my life.

Negan laughs at my worthless attempt of an apology. "Oh I believe you, but it's Lucille who needs convincing, I don't think she buys the whole 'boo hoo' act. I've got an idea. Lucille will give you a choice; either you let her take a swing at you or she'll go pay daddy a little visit. I think then she will believe that you're fucking sorry!"

I can't make a decision knowing that both options will probably lead to the deaths of my father and I. What's to say that Negan won't go and kill my dad after I choose to take a hit myself? Or vice versa? It's a lose – lose situation either way.

"Not making a decision is a big fucking decision," Negan roars. "Suit your-fucking-self !"

Negan roughly pushes me face first into the gravel, placing a heavy boot on the small of my back, holding me in place. I begin to shake as I turn my head and see him begin to raise Lucille above his shoulders.

"I'm sorry that it had to end like this, darlin, but Lucille is thirsty for blood and you've left me no other choice."

"Please! Please! Don't do this! I'm sorry! I won't defy you again. I know my place! I'll be good –," I sob into the ground, absolutely begging for mercy.

I close my eyes as I see Lucille swing down. Wham! - landing just inches from my skull. Negan removes his boot from my whimpering, shaking body and kneels in front me, he grabs my chin so that my eyes meet his. I'm nearly hyperventilating, I can't calm myself.

"You answer to me. You provide for me. You belong to me. Speak when you're spoken to!" Negan commands, tightening his grip on my jaw. I try to speak but I couldn't find my voice. Negan's glare tells me to find it fucking quick.

"You answer to me!"

"I a-answer to y-you."

"You provide for me!"

"I p-pr-provide for you."

"You belong to me!"

"I-I belong t-to you," I tearfully acknowledge, accepting the facts. Tears and snot roll down my face as I whimper in absolute fear towards Negan.

"Now that is the look that I wanted to see." He was right. He successfully extinguished the flame that had previously burned in my eyes. I was broken and defeated. "Was that so hard?" he grins.

"Let's get you cleaned up, can't have you tracking all this dirt and shit into my apartment," he says as he pulls me to my feet, significantly gentler than before.

I pause and wait for directions before making any moves, afraid to have to endure hell again. He snickers in delight at the sight of my submission as he places a hand on my healthy shoulder and ushers me back towards the warehouse.

Edited by Spitfire47.