This chapter is rated MA. Read at your own discretion.

Madeline sat in her office and scanned the latest updates on current missions. Nothing required her immediate attention and her mind kept wandering to the young recruit by the name of Michael Samuelle. A truly exceptional man whose potential, she was sure, they were only beginning to discover. He would have to be watched, of course, as soon as they approved him for field work. But the right combination of punishments and rewards would guarantee he didn't stray from his true purpose. Such a born leader could — in time — raise as high as the new Operations or someone even more important.

The chief strategist bit her lip and opened the report Amelia had submitted after her first — and only — night with Michael. 'Three orgasms: clitoral, G-spot, deep vaginal. Skilled with his tongue and hands, responsive to signs of displeasure, adaptive to requests. A natural dominant with no affinity for violence. Length of intercourse — 28 minutes.' It was almost hard to believe and if Madeline had not seen Amelia's cheeks blush under the heavy layer of powder as she was giving her the report, the older woman would presume it was an ill-devised prank. So few men were good at sex, especially handsome men like Michael who never had to work hard to get laid. It looked like he was exceptional in everything. But she had to see for herself, of course, before jumping to any conclusions.

Madeline sighed and crossed her legs in frustration. It had been five days since she gave him the assignment. She had been wondering how he would approach it… probably try and talk to her more, linger in her office after each progress report, try to invade her space, as was the standard seduction mode. But none of it happened. Michael had been as detached as ever. He didn't seem to make any moves at all except study her very carefully with his eyes. She felt naked under his stare, almost uncomfortably so, but it also stirred something unfamiliar in her, something she didn't want to look too closely at. Instead, she let herself feel the disappointment at his obvious blunder — Simone. Every young operative sought some kind of refuge from the ruthless existence under the Section rules. Most dived head over heels into money-spending or sexual pleasures, the females tended to delude themselves with visions of undying love while the males slept with as many as they could. It was quite rare that two people formed a real attachment and became a couple. When that happened, Madeline always kept a close watch: some relationships proved harmless and actually brought out the best in both partners, others had to be nipped in the bud. Just what kind of a relationship Michael wanted to have with Simone, the chief strategist did not really know, and it bothered her to no end. She was downright shocked when Michael had mentioned his request and was only able to hide her emotions due to long years in Section. What exactly did he see in a street urchin like Simone? She was plain at best, with neither good looks nor a beguiling personality. A dull little wallflower who, thankfully, could kill in cold blood and not even flinch. Perfect material for some types of missions, but other than that — totally boring. So why her?..

The intercom buzz interrupted Madeline's thoughts and she pressed the button to answer.

'Yes?'

'They're waiting for you in the White Room,' a male voice sounded.

The Cairo mission must have finished early, Madeline though. She turned off her monitor and proceeded out of her office down a bleak grey passageway to level three. A few operatives said hello to her on the stairs and she graced them with a hint of a smile, not paying any real attention. She was still thinking of Simone and Michael when she opened the door to the White Room and stepped inside.

Blinded for a moment with stark white light, she was not ready when someone twisted her arm behind the back and pressed her to the wall. He was breathing hard down her neck and she could feel the slight smell of cedar cologne… No, it couldn't be!

'Are you aware that it is grounds for cancellation?' she said coldly.

'Shut up!'

He reached out and squeezed her nipple through layers of clothing. Despite her anger, she felt wetness pooling in her underwear.

'Let me go immediately!' she ordered.

'You asked for it.'

He bit her earlobe and twisted her arm a little higher sending a spasm of pain through her body.

'Michael!..'

It was her last plea and both of them knew that it rang with desire more than with threat. Michael ripped her jacket sending the buttons flying everywhere and freed her breasts from the lacy bra, making them hang over the cups. His fingers twisted the nipples just hard enough for her vision to blur and then she found herself bent over the torture chair with her skirt above her thighs. She could feel his erection pressed stone hard against her buttocks and her lips mouthed a tiny 'Yes'.

Michael ripped her pantyhose and gave her a slap that reverberated through the small room like an explosion. She pushed her thighs up to him almost ready to beg. His fingers moved the wet cloth of her panties aside and found her clit. He scratched it with his nail and then took her by the throat.

'Take your punishment,' he whispered hoarsely.

She felt a swift searing pain penetrate her body and screamed as each brutal stroke stirred something hot and immense inside of her. She had never known it was there but it was, like textbook psychology: the guilt over her sister transforming into the need to be punished, the need so primal that it promised the biggest release.

'You disgust me!' he rasped pounding into her. 'You don't deserve any better!'

The metal chair handles dug into her pelvic bones and she was sure she'd find bruises there later. She stopped caring though as her clit rubbed against one of the cold knobs and Michael's harsh thrusts sent crushing waves up her spine.

'Yes! Oh yes! More!..' she begged feeling her arms and legs go numb.

Michael grabbed her by the hair and sunk his teeth into her bare shoulder. His hips gave another deep thrust as she started to collapse around him and writhe with pleasure. She felt destroyed and reassembled all at the same time, the tiniest cells of her body exploding and then coming to life, again and again. White-hot flames devoured her mind leaving only one thought — More! More!

He threw her to the cold floor disposing of her skirt and panties in the process. She was still shaking from her last release as he did the unthinkable and penetrated her anus. The pain was more real this time, almost sobering. But she was his slave now and he wasn't letting go.

'Forgive me!..' she screamed into his palm as he held her tight. 'Please, forgive me…'

He was demolishing her, going steady and merciless. Hot tears sprang to her cheeks as she shivered in the chaos of conflicting emotions.

'I didn't want to…' she mumbled. 'I didn't…'

His fingers twisted her clit and the pain bloomed with velvet petals of pleasure. It grew bigger now like dark wings approaching from the horizon, enveloping her from the light. Each thrust sent her deeper, closer to the oblivion. Closer to the end of the world — or the beginning of it. The life's primal core where nothing really mattered.

'Yes!' she breathed out hard, almost voiceless, falling into darkness.

She was no more. Her body did not exist. She was no one and she was the whole world, empty and hollow, then bursting to smithereens.

Michael disengaged and sat next to her on the floor. Heavy lead filled his stomach and his throat was locked in an attempt to turn itself inside out. He watched as Madeline's body quivered with the last shocks of pleasure and then settled motionless on the cold tiles.

In several long minutes her eyes regained consciousness and she raised her head. Michael gathered her clothes strewn around the room and helped her get dressed. A strange silence hung between them as if they had learned each other's deepest secret and now found a new respect for each other. Madeline, Michael saw, was not at all ashamed of what had happened. Her face was gathered and controlled, only a bit more relaxed at the mouth. The pity he had felt for her at the beginning of this encounter gave way to awe. Yes, something truly terrible happened in her past. Yes, she was so wrecked with guilt that she could only draw pleasure from pain now. Yes, she had not known it herself, not until he showed her. Still, she got through it all, all of this pain, only to emerge on the other side as the master of her life, the iron maiden everyone knew her to be. It required true strength, and he knew it now.

'Consider your evaluation complete,' Madeline said straightening her hair.

Michael nodded and followed her out of the White Room.