Aled stiffens beside me and I make sure my father’s gaze remains on me as I pick up the jug of water the staff left out on the table. Pouring myself a glass, I glance at the doorway to see if there’s any distraction to help us from having to discuss this.
Taking a sip of the cool liquid, I make eye contact with Maddox, who shakes his head slightly.
“Tradition is important,” Maddox simply says instead and Dad smiles happily.
This is why he deals with him more than I do. I can be more reactive than Maddox is.
“Dad,” Gareth says, entering the room with his hand on Olivia’s lower back to propel her inside.
She’s wearing a black pencil skirt with a high slit, a long sleeved burnt orange sweater that’s off the shoulder and is sexy as fuck, along with high heels. Gareth obviously ordered all of it, and this doesn’t seem like Olivia’s usual fashion choices.
Damn. She looks good enough to eat.
Her hair is wet from the shower and pulled up into a braided bun, and she’s even wearing jewelry. Gareth is made of magic, I swear to god.
“She’s prettier than you told me she was,” Dad mutters to Maddox, standing.
What the fuck did he tell him?Olivia is a bombshell, just typically a very modestly dressed one. Maddox doesn’t show any signs of weakness, and I decide I’ll ask him later.
“This is Olivia Quinn, Dad,” Gareth introduces her. “I apologize for being late.”
“Not at all,” Dad murmurs, smiling at Olivia. It’s meant to be a distinguished look, but instead showcases how eager he is to get her alone. “I’m pleased that you’ll be joining our family this week as my sons’ bride.”
“Bride?” Olivia asks, her eyes narrowing as her hand fists her skirt. Gareth’s hand moves to squeeze hers, and I wonder if he gave her any weapons. That would be really bad. “I don’t think that’s going to happen, sir. I’m sorry to have to inform you that they rejected me.”
“You don’t need to have a bond to be properly married and fucked by them,” Dad chuckles. She was trying to appeal to his logical side, but my father doesn’t have one of those even on a good day. “Gareth, get the girl under control. Explain her place.”
“My place,” Olivia growls. It would be adorable if I didn’t know how close to death she is.
My brothers and I stiffen, watching as Gareth’s lips get close to Olivia’s ear as he lifts her as he walks to a corner of the room to talk. Her head is shaking while he continues to speak urgently to her.
Gareth used to work directly with Dad. He made sure the union received their money, helped to keep people in line, and killed when necessary. He knows what Dad is capable of, but I think he’s hoping it won’t come to that. He brought her into this situation, I hope he’ll be able to survive when she proves she can’t handle it and is killed.
Dad sits down again, his eyes darting to the water jug while Gareth and Olivia are distracted. Pulling out the bag, I use the back of an empty glass to crush them up quickly before dumping half into the jug. I don’t know how much is needed, but this is the best I can do.
Hopefully, there will be a reason to get Olivia to drink this. Picking up the jug, I swish the water and ice as quickly and quietly as possible before filling up all the glasses so that it’s less noticeable. I make sure the first glass I pour is at the only empty seat available.
Shaking my head at my brothers, I pocket away the drugs, ignoring their warning glares. I was told to do something, I can’t ignore the direct, wordless order from our father.
Gareth drags a breathless, tearstained omega back to the couch, forcing her to drink the glass of water on the table. He does it without knowing that it’s been doctored, and I make sure to look innocent and dispassionate as I gaze at them.
“I’m not marrying them,” Olivia says, pushing Gareth away once he practically drowns her with the water. “I would like to watch you force me down that aisle, Mr. Behan. It’s not fucking happening.”
Dad smirks, getting up slowly and snatching her hair to pull her onto her feet. Her heels wobble for a moment before she regains her footing, her gaze showing her hatred toward all of us. I don’t know that Gareth will be exempt either after this.
“Dad, that’s not necessary—” Gareth begins.
Our father pulls out a knife and effortlessly cuts open Olivia’s shirt and bra, sneering as he slaps one of her tits.
“You will learn to heel,” he snarls. “Maybe I should take you with me to teach you some manners. Cai, should I?”
I don’t know why I’m suddenly his child of choice, and I can feel Gareth’s hot, angry gaze on me as he squeezes Olivia’s hand,now standing and plastered against her body. She was reaching for something, and I once again worry about her life expectancy.
“Maybe you should explain what that would entail so she can get herself under control,” I reply to my father.
“I’ll fuck you raw,” Dad says conversationally to Olivia, twisting her nipple so hard that she wordlessly screams. There’s no arousal, simply terror as the scent of burned cake fills the room. “Of course, I need my boys to have an heir that shares some biology with me, so I’ll have to fuck your ass instead. Then, I’ll gather my favorite men to fuck you. You’ll be a broken shell in no time, begging to be returned to my sons.”
Olivia’s gaze is empty as she stares at my father, a clear sign that she’s checked out. Gareth sighs, but it makes my veins run cold. There’s anger in his gaze, and I know that he’s going to make us pay for this.
