My lip tucked between my teeth, I bit down hard as my gaze refused to leave the image of the soft fabric and delicate lace before me. This was it. I was about to become what I’d never wanted to be. A mafia wife was precisely what my sister wanted. It seemed like a cruel joke that I would live out her dream rather than mine. I crossed my arms.
As if I’d conjured her from my thoughts, a voice spoke from behind me. “Are you just going to stare at it all day, or are you actually going to put it on?” Jackie’s catty tone filled the room, bringing with it a fresh wave of irritation.
I’d been so focused on my thoughts that I hadn’t heard her come in. Glancing over, I found her leaning against the opendoor frame with crossed arms and pursed lips. The tone of her words and stance wasn’t lost on me; she’d always seen situations differently than me. There was always an angle to use to her advantage. No matter how convoluted or difficult, she’d make the most out of it and come out on top and this was no different.
“I’m waiting for Gertie,” I explained, facing her fully. I didn’t want to think about the monumental moments I’d be enduring in a few short hours.
“Of course you are,” she muttered, sighing.
“Is there something you wanted?” I asked, wondering why she’d come if she had nothing to say.
“Not particularly. Just wanted to see if you had any questions. You know, about what will happen after the reception is over.” A cruel smirk curled her lip. “I’m sure you know what comes after getting married, right?” Swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced myself not to rise to the bait.
“Sex, yes, I’m aware,” I stated, forcing my back straight. I uncrossed my arms. “Thanks, but I’m good.” Far from good, I think I knew a little too much about it at this point. I pressed my thighs together at the memory of that night in the hotel. I reached up and rubbed my throat. The bruises—which I’d been hiding since with makeup—had faded enough to not need more than a thin layer now.
“Are you ready for it? It’s okay to be afraid,” she murmured, sauntering forward. Her dress split open, revealing a long expanse of thigh. She pursed her lips and smirked at me, the red lipstick making her lips look thin. “A man like Gaven whose tastes I’m sure are more … violent than you’re expecting.”
She had no fucking idea. A shiver worked down my spine, but I refused to acknowledge it. I’d seen more than a hint of Gaven’s tastes, but she didn’t need to know that.
“I figured,” I told her. “I’ll do what needs to be done.” I wanted it to be a lie, but I knew it would happen whether Iwanted it or not. I was still angry about what Gaven had done—both in the hotel and in the dressing room. He was quickly filling up my thoughts, day in and day out. He was vicious and, yes, he was violent. What was worse, though—more so than anything he’d done to me—is what I had to admit to myself. A small, dark part of melikedit. I couldn’t deny the power that Gaven seemed to wield over my own body. The speed with which he’d made me come on his fingers that first night, our first date, and then the night in the hotel when he’d punished me for running away by making me come around his fist as he stood over me and showed me just how dominant he could be. It was impossible to refute the influence he had on me. While I couldn’t stop the strange desires building toward Gaven Belmonte, I could pretend that piece of me didn’t exist. For now, at least.
Chuckling, Jackie started to circle me, and my focus pulled from my internal crisis to her. “Really? Precious little Evangeline Price is going to satisfy the needs of a violent hitman?” When I didn’t answer, she continued to prod me. “He’s not going to be nice or gentle. I’ve seen the two of you together, the way you react to him. How he watches you like an animal prepped for slaughter. Any hint of sweetness or tenderness? Ha!” She waved a dismissive hand in front of my face. “This may be your first time, but it’s not about you,little sister.This is solely for him, and if I’m going to be quite frank”—as if she would be anything else,I thought—“he’s going todestroyyou. Rip that virginity of yours to shreds right before he takes you apart. Mind, body, and soul.” She finished with a shrug and a “That’s just what men do.”
I didn’t say a damn word. She had no idea that Gaven had already done all of that and more. Hehadripped my virginity to shreds. Pulled the safe and protected insides of my mind apart, and now he had me questioning everything I’d ever wanted.
Stopping before me, Jackie stared at me. Her expression was cold. She cocked a brow. If she expected me to respond withfear, she was going to be sorely disappointed. I was beyond fear. Anything I could’ve kept from Gaven was already taken, gone. But she was doing what she always did; trying to get into my head and make me second guess.
Normally, I fell for it. Every. Time. But not this time. I steeled myself, shoving the doubt away.She won’t get the pleasure of watching me spiral from her words,I vowed.
“I know what to expect,” I told her.
Her brows arched. “Oh, so you’re ready to give up on your dreams then? No more college for you? After your sad little runaway adventure, which you couldn’t even manage, you’re just going to roll over and spread your legs?”
“I didn’t say I was giving up on my dreams,” I snapped, crossing my arms once more.
This time she didn’t chuckle or smirk; she fully laughed in my face. Grinding my teeth, I continued to stare at her instead of looking away. We’d always been at odds, two sides of the Price Family coin, but after everything I’d dealt with that week, I wouldn’t let her undercut me. Not without pushback.
“Your naiveté is astounding,” she scoffed. “Don’t you get it? Unless you leave this life behind. The family. Gaven.Everything. There is no future for you, not in the way you want. You’re a simple broodmare that father offered up to someone he thinks is worthy of taking over his position.” There was hatred in her voice, her expression twisting into anger before smoothing out once more. I didn’t need to ask to know that she was bitter that he hadn’t offered it to her. As much as our father’s misogynistic views hurt me; they also hurt her. “You need to get that through that pretty little head of yours before you end up with a bullet in it.”
My fists tightened, hidden beneath my crossed arms, and I had to blink back the burn in my eyes at her harsh words. I hated it, but she was right, there was no going back after today.Still, I latched tight to my dreams, and no one—not even her, our father, or Gaven—would take them away.I could be a boss’s wife and still have freedom,I told myself.
Gaven had told me to think about it, and I had. If I gave him something he wanted, he would give me something I wanted. Perhaps, I couldn’t be one hundred percent free, but that didn’t mean I had to be wholly chained down and miserable.
“Aww, precious princess, don’t cry,” Jackie cooed, patting me on the shoulder.
I shrugged her off. “I’m not fucking crying,” I growled.
She merely blinked at me, feigning innocence. “I’m sure you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spend time away from the family. Perhaps after you’ve popped out a few heirs, Gaven will release you from your chains and let you go to a spa or something.” There was no hiding the mocking tone in her voice, and I refused to rise to the bait again, glaring at her as she leaned forward. “Have a good afternoon, Angel,” she whispered. “It’ll be the last one you have for a while, I guess. You’ll be too sore after your wedding to enjoy much of anything, I’m sure. And afterwards…” She drifted off with a faraway look in her eyes. “Well, I suspect you’ll be on your back for a while. Enjoy the dick. Hopefully, he’s not a selfish man. Most are.”
With that, she spun on her heel and strutted out, Gertie stumbling out of the way as she swept through the door.
“My, my, someone sure is in a hurry,” Gertie muttered, eyeing down the hallway where Jackie had stalked off. There was a moment of silence, and then Gertie turned back to me, a bright smile plastered into place. “Suppose she’s going to prepare for the wedding herself. Are you ready to get into your dress, Miss?”
I wasn’t. Not by a long shot, but there was no fighting back now. So, instead of voicing the truth, I merely nodded. Whatever worry and doubt my sister had attempted to weave over me was shoved into the recesses of my mind. I stepped towards the bedand Gertie shut and locked the door as I began to undress. She helped me into the gown, both of us moving and working in silence. As kind as she was, she was even more powerless than I over my fate.
"You look beautiful, Miss,” Gertie said as we finished buttoning up the back and arranging the dress into place.
I stared at myself in the floor-length, tri-fold mirror in the corner of my bedroom. It showed all sides of the wedding dress save for the back. I took a shaky breath and gave her a tight smile. "Thank you, Gertie."
