There’s a moment, maybe the length of a heartbeat, before the playful light in his eyes goes flat and cold. That’s when I know I’ve underestimated him. “Fine. We’ll have it your way.”
He picks up a folder from the desk, which I hadn’t noticed until now. With a grim smile, he hands it to me, and I open it, out of curiosity, if nothing else.
Yes. I underestimated him. The pictures inside are a punch to the stomach, but they’re very real. There’s no pretending I don’t understand what they mean.
“Mariella.” He carefully pronounces the name of my sixteen-year-old half-sister while I stare down at her smiling, cherubic face. Her mom is walking her either to or from school in one of the pictures—there’s a pink backpack hanging from her shoulders. In another, she’s playing volleyball. In another, she’s waiting in line at the movie theater.
“Dear old Dad was fucking the housekeeper,” Liam murmurs while I stare in horror at the images. Nobody is supposed to know about her. That’s how Dad always wanted it. Because yes, her mom was our housekeeper. She’s not good enough for us, at least in his mind. She’s always been his dirty little secret. One of many, I’d guess.
“In order to put the rest of my plan in place,” Liam explains while I reel from the shock and horror. “I need you alive. I do not, however, need her. So I would think long and hard about defying me, Aurora. Or else sweet Mariella might get hurt. Understood?”
How could he threaten an innocent teen? I wouldn’t say I’m close with her—Dad would never allow that—but she is my blood. She’s sweet; she’s pure. She deserves a chance at a life. Something I never had.
But all this maniac cares about is his plan. A plan that involves me. And now her life is in my hands. He’s taking away my options. I’ve seen what he’s capable of—I doubt I’ll go to sleep anytime soon without hearing Dad’s screams. I doubt he’s bluffing. Which means there’s only one thing I can do.
Setting the folder on the desk, I take the pen from him and grit my teeth. He grins before murmuring, “I knew you would see things my way. It seems like you care a lot more about blood than your old man ever did. Remember how he handed you overso willingly to save his own ass? Do you think there was a single moment when he ever loved you?”
I will not let him break me. I might let him make me sign on the dotted line, which I do, even as everything in me screams not to, but he will not break me down. I’m going to find a way out of this, and I’m going to make him pay.
The lawyer lets out a satisfied little grunt before examining the marriage license. “There we are. You are now officially Mr. and Mrs. Knight.”
I suck in a gasp when Liam takes me by the back of my head and tilts it until my face is upturned. “You know what? It might sound corny, but this really is the happiest night of my life.” I don’t have time to pull in a breath before he crushes his mouth against mine, bruising my lips, shoving his tongue inside my mouth, and claiming it as his the way he’s claimed me as his wife.
4
LIAM
Her sweet taste still lingers on my lips as I wrap my fingers around her slender arm and tug her along beside me. She has been fairly cooperative and would probably walk with me on her own, but I enjoy having my hands on her too much to let go.
Eager to get her alone, I take long, hasty strides toward my bedroom, not caring that Aurora has to speed walk to keep up.
When we finally enter my room, Aurora looks around the space with surprise. I release her arm and move to stand in front of her.
“No prison cell for me?”
“I have one ready if you prefer it,” I quip with a grin. “Or you can sleep here… with me.”
Nick tried his best to talk me into keeping her in the small isolation cell for now, but I decided to keep her with me instead. It’s going to be much more fun this way.
She stares at me with her nose scrunched up and her eyebrows drawn together like she is really thinking about it. For a moment, I worry that she might actually prefer the cell.
After a long pause, she finally sighs before murmuring, “I guess this room will do.”
The corner of my mouth lifts up. “Great. Now strip for me,” I order, excitement filling my veins. I can’t wait to have her in my bed, naked, her small body beneath me as I pound into her tight cunt. My cock is already straining against my slacks, ready to be freed and used.
Her spine straightens slightly at my request, but she keeps a carefully constructed mask of indifference over her face. I know she is nervous; the quickened rising and falling of her chest giving her away, but she is trying her best to hide it.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she looks me straight in the eyes and says, “You first.”
I can’t help but laugh at her boldness. She is clearly trying to gain control of the situation. I shouldn’t let her. I should make it very clear who makes the rules around here, but something about her brassiness makes me want to play her game.
“You’re not in charge…butI guess it is your wedding night too, so you can take this as my gift.”
“How generous of you,” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
She is about to say something else, but her plump lips snap together when I start to unbutton my shirt. Her eyes lower to my chest as I push my shirt off my shoulders. Her gaze remains there, roaming over my skin like she is trying to map out my tattoos.
When I unfasten my pants, her eyes drop even lower. She watches me take the slacks off in an unashamed way, her expression curious. I continue by taking my boxers off, letting my half-hard cock swing in front of me proudly.
