“I’m not asking, Victoria. I’m telling you.”
I snort and turn away from him, facing the windows overlooking the garden.
“How is your arm?”
I shake my head, turning to face him again.
“You killed that man.”
“I’m sorry you had to see it.”
“But not that you did it.”
“Do you expect me to be? Because if you do, you will be very disappointed with your new life, love.”
Butterflies spring to life in my stomach, and I frown as my pulse hikes. “Don’t call me that.”
His lips lift with that barely noticeable smile of his that makes me feel exposed. My cheeks warm up. He’s so close, and we’re alone, and now I’m his wife. Officially.
And that kiss… that long, possessive kiss in the church made me feel things I’m not ready to accept about myself.
His knuckles brush my warm face. “I asked Corinne to bring you dinner. Be good and eat. And get some rest. I know the ceremony wasn’t easy for you.”
He’s right. It wasn’t. Seeing my parents there, looking so helpless and humiliated… It hurt more than I’ll ever admit to him.
“Since when do you care how I feel?”
“I’ve always cared about your wellbeing. I told you before, I take care of what belongs to me.”
“You took me away!” I explode. “You stole my life away from me. Locked me in a room with no human contact for days on end. Is this how you take care of what belongs to you?”
Compared to mine, his tone is calm, endearing almost. “Actions have consequences, Victoria. I made you aware that you will be punished if you don’t obey me. And I also told you I’d reward you if you did. The choices you make are yours. You dictate what happens to you.”
I grab his arm and squeeze, looking him dead in the eye. His gaze lowers to where our bodies make contact, and the smile returns to his face.
“Neverlock me in a room again,” I say, lowering my voice. “If you do, the second you open that door, I promise you, Wolfgang… I’ll kill you.”
He waits, letting the silence stretch between us long enough for my confidence to start to perish. His lips part, and my hand on his arm loosens. My body fills with unease because I know I just issued my first threat.
“I don’t need to lock you in a room to keep you in check, love. Remember that.”
He turns to walk away, heading for the door.
“You’re… leaving?”
“I have something important to take care of tonight.”
I don’t know why I’m surprised. He seems to come and go without any given notice. This was all just a big transaction for him. Our marriage is a complete sham.
I cross my arms and walk deeper into the room. I don’t wanthiscompany, anyway. I don’t. I’m just so fucking sick of being treated like an object he wants to dispose of but can’t, so he just stuffs it in the attic and hopes he never has to see it again.
I take a seat and stoop to take off my heels, dropping the first one to the floor.
“You’re upset.”
“Nope. You can go now. I want to be alone.” As soon as I straighten up, he props his arms on either side of the armchair and lowers his head until I can feel the tickle of his breath against my face.
“Were you hoping we’d spend our wedding night together, love? Is that it?”
