I only have a split second to decide what to do, knowing neither one of my choices is going to be pleasant. I grab her wrist first, slamming her hand on the table, making her drop the knife. She whimpers, her eyes attempting to meet mine.
I don’t know why she’s crying. She knows what’s coming.
She should’ve listened to me. Fucking Christ.
My uncles are laughing like they’re watching some comedian on a stage, but I know none of this is a laughing matter. Keira played right into my brother’s hand, and now I’m left with no choice in the matter.
Now I have to show them I have her under control. I have to hurt her.
I grab the knife she dropped and force her hand flat onto the table. She struggles in my grip, but there’s no fighting my hold. I tighten my hand over her wrist, watching as pain contorts her features. “You really shouldn’t have done that.”
I hoist the knife in the air and bring it down to stab her hand. I use such force, the tip of the knife embeds into the wood of the table between the knuckles of her index and middle finger.
“Next time, you’ll lose a finger,” I warn, releasing her wrist as I push her to the floor behind me. I don’t dare look at her face. If I see her tears or even fear, my mask will crumble to the ground, giving us both away.
I take my seat, keeping my back to her. “You are done eating with us. Go upstairs to one of the bedrooms and wait for me, naked and on your knees.”
I clench my jaw, and when I hear her soft footsteps leave the room, I damn near exhale in relief. She’s gone. She’s safe. For now. My brother has the biggest fucking grin on his face, and I decide right now I’m going to kill him someday.
“Well, that was fun,” he snickers. “She’s a bit of a feisty one, brother. I’m glad you’ve trained her well.” He pauses, taking a sip of his drink. “It will make her transition into my care that much easier—since she technically belongs to me.”
My uncles nod in agreement, and I clench my fists under the table. “She is mine. You won’t touch her. I don’t give a fuck what you had going on with her brother. She is under my protection now.”
Dom shakes his head. “Damon, you know it doesn’t work like this. The only way you can keep a woman under your protection is to make her family.”
Why the fuck didn’t I think of that?
“Fine, then I’ll marry her.” I don’t think of the repercussions. I simply think marrying her will help her, give her the protection she needs.
Xander scoffs. I can tell he’s shocked, but he doesn't let on much. Only his eyes widen a little. “You’re going to marry your play thing…just to prove a point? Fuck, her pussy must be made of gold—or she can suck some good cock.”
When I don’t respond, he laughs. “Suit yourself…I guess, but that doesn’t bring my money back. It doesn't right a wrong, brother.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll pay you whatever Leo owed you, but I’m sure this isn't about the money.”
I know my brother far better than anyone in the room. Money isn’t what he’s after. He has a reason for calling me here. He just used Keira to ensure I would follow through.
“Yes, you’re correct. I don’t really want the money, but there is something else I want—besides your pet.”
I wait for the blow to come…
“You could start working for me again.”
My blood runs cold.No fucking way.
Before I can utter a single word, Uncle Dom cheers, lifting his glass in the air. “Well, perfect. I’m glad we were able to come to an agreement so quickly. You get to keep your pet, and the two of you are working together again. All's right in our world, and the Rossi empire will prosper another year.”
Xander smirks like the fucking monster he is before excusing himself and getting up from his seat. I know there is no point in fighting him. There’s no point in any of this, actually. I basically gave myself back over to my brother—all toprotect the fragile woman who owns a sliver of my heart. I did this for her. I did this for…
Love?
Another glass of whiskey is set beside me as the main course is brought to the table. I decide now that Keira is safe, I may as well drink myself into a drunken stupor. Since I just signed up to marry her—and fucking work for my monstrous brother again—I think I deserve a drink…or maybe twenty.
Chapter 17
Keira
I think I may have had a mild heart attack. I clutch a hand to my chest, my heart beating so fast, it hurts. Even now, as I walk around the mansion by myself, it doesn't seem to want to slow.
