“Not exactly.” He takes another step toward me. “I plan on killing your mother, but not you. I have bigger plans for you.” He eyes me over in a way that makes me want to squirm, butI refuse to do that. “Here’s the thing. All of these documents and papers about the history and the crown are so tangled up in curses, legends, and a lot of mystery, so I’m going a different route than eliminating your bloodline.” The haunting smile he gives me makes fear pulsate through my veins. “I’m going to mix our family bloodlines. I’m going to make a child born of Everford blood and Averson blood.”
It clicks what he’s saying, that he’s going to rape me and try to impregnate me.
Anxiety clutches at my throat as I trip back, bumping into the guys standing behind me. I shake my head, searching for a way out of here. But cloaked men are blocking every route. Doesn’t matter. Like I said before, I’ll die trying to get out of here.
“You’re not going to touch her,” Finn growls out, and then he charges at his father.
But as he slams into him, Mr. Averson pulls out a taser and zaps his son with a charge of electricity strong enough for Finn to cry out. As Finn struggles to regain control of his body, Mr. Averson shoves him off and gets to his feet with the taser still in his hand.
“You’re right. I’m not going to touch her. I have no desire to impregnate anyone, as pretty as she is.” Mr. Averson grins at me, causing vomit to burn in my throat. “I have my own life, and the last thing I want is to be a father again. I already hated it the first time around.” He crouches down beside Finn and, in a low voice, says the most chilling words I’ve heard. “You’re going to do it.”
Finn stands up straight, his mouth opening, an appalled expression consuming his face. But then the shock morphs into fury.
“I won’t fucking do it.” He steps back and clutches onto my hand.
Mr. Averson gives him a hard look. “If you don’t do it, then I’ll follow through with my earlier threats.”
Finn’s hold on my hand loosens as the severity of the situation seeps through him. My shock mirrors his, and a wave of panic crashes over me. If I don’t do this, he’ll kill Noah and ruin Lily’s life. If I do do it, then there’s a chance I’ll get knocked up by Finn. I don’t want that. I don’t want any of this. I want to go back and be northside trash Maddy with no ties to Royal blood.
But I can’t do that.
Just like I can’t let Noah die.
Just like I can’t let Lily get sent to that damn island.
“We’ll do it,” I whisper through a loud gulp.
Finn’s gaze snaps to mine, and a series of complicated emotions wash over his face. He doesn’t want to do this, but he knows he has to, and he feels bad about it. However, he’s relieved I’m being cooperative.
“Maddy,” he starts to say.
I shake my head and whisper, “I’m not going to let Noah die, and Lily get sent to that island. I can make it through this.” I drop my voice to a hushed tone. “We both can.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re not as stupid as I thought you’d be,” Mr. Averson beams with a shit-eating grin, like he’s won.
I make a promise to myself to one day punch that smile off that jackasses face, but for now, that plot will have to wait. The society members in this room are too eager to go along with this insane plan.
Mr. Averson opens a folder, picks up a pen, and clicks. “Now, before we do this, I just need your signatures on these contracts, and we’ll be good to go.”
“What contract?” I ask, not moving.
“The one that states the Aversons basically own you,” Mr. Averson explains in an exaggerated, tired tone. “Oh yeah, and the marriage contract, of course.”
“Marriage?” I sputter, slipping my hand from Finn’s grip so I can inch away. “No way, dude.”
Finn’s jaw nearly smacks the ground. “You never said anything about marriage.”
“Well, I thought it was self-explanatory,” he says with an eye roll. “Now get your asses over here and sign the papers. And if you’re thinking about changing your mind, then let me give you an extra incentive.” He picks up a remote and points it at a television hanging above a small fireplace across from where I’m standing.
The screen clicks on, and what I see makes fear soar through my veins.
It’s a view of Noah sitting in what looks like a hospital, and a red dot is on his head, from what I’m guessing is the scope of a gun.
CHAPTER 11
FINN
When I was younger,I used to try to impress my father, but it never worked, and eventually I realized it was pointless to try. As I got older, I started seeing him in a different light, that he was a dark and corrupt man, and that I should be glad I’m not like him.
