Page 60 of The Marriage Bargain

He did not know my Delle, I thought with amusement.

My father reeled backwards, his grip on her arm loosened enough that she was able to wrench free. I leapt to my feet and dove in front of her, pointing the stagger at my father, who had grabbed a nearby table to steady himself.

“That’s enough,” I growled, holding the weapon level. “This is over. You have your answer. You didn’t need to physically attack us. Delle and I are married. We are mates. We have chosen one another. Your heritage and your power and your seat on the council be damned. Get out of here before I use this on you like I did on him,” I warned, jerking my chin towards Abidah, motionless, on the floor.

My father’s chin was bruising already, but he still managed to look utterly disdainful.

“This is far from over. Now your wife has assaulted an Overlord. Charges will be brought unless you submit to my demands.”

I quirked a smile. “You’ve lost your mind, Father. There are laws. Even Overlords cannot assault humans without cause. And humans are permitted self-defense. Which is what Delle did.”

“Not when I tell my side of the story,” he countered. “It will be my word—a senior Overlord and member of the Interstellar Coalition—against yours. And hers.” His voice dripped with disdain. “Who will believe you?”

“Do you think I’m so foolish as to meet you here without a secondary plan?” I laughed.

Surprise flashed across my father’s face. Still holding the stagger on him with one hand, I reached into my pocket with the other to withdraw my phone. Pressing the button to speak, I said into it, “Drayke, come in, please.”

A side door opened and Official Drayke stepped inside. I heard Delle gasp. “Was he there the whole time?”

“I was,” the Official replied. In his hands, he held a recording device. “Overlord Caide messaged me during his journey from his home to here. He felt he needed a secondary plan. I agreed. Also, insurance, as the humans say, to be sure my wife is certainly put on the next ship from Asterion to Earth, Overlord,” he said to my father.

My father’s surprise had turned to disgust.

“What is this about? You would threaten me?”

“All I need do is press send,” the Official shrugged. The entire Coalition will know of your indiscretion,” he said tactfully. “I think you would rather keep this silent. I know the Flight Commander would rather his spotless record not be tainted by this…ugly business.”

There was nothing more to say. Even my father knew when he was bested. Ice froze his features; rime stained his voice.

“Very well, then,” he said. “I concede. You’ve outwitted me, son. Keep your human bride. Keep your lowly station on Earth. I will find another to serve as my heir on Asterion.”

“I wish you good luck, Father,” I said, with a mocking bow. “However, I am not finished yet. I would have something from you.”

He arched a brow. “Something from me?”

“Oh, yes,” I asserted firmly. “The Official wants your assurance that his wife will be permitted a space on the next ship from Asterion to Earth. He has your assurance that this will happen, hasn’t he?”

My father’s mouth firmed, his jaw clenching. Finally, he nodded sharply. “He does.”

Excellent.

He was conceding. The threat of blackmail was making him give in. I decided to press him further.

“Then I have another request. You swear upon your life, and upon your mother’s life, that you will attempt no retribution on me, Delle, or her family because of this matter. You will leave us in peace.”

“You have my word. And now—”

“Wait!”

I held up a hand, forestalling him when he attempted to leave.

“I have not finished. I have one more request.”

“Another?” my father nearly spat. His fury was growing, but my heart was hard. After what he’d attempted to do to me, to my mate, why should I care for his wrath?

“Well, Father, it seems the Official and I hold your fate in our hands. Yours and the Flight Commander’s, as well. Are you truly comfortable walking out of here without having heard what I would say?”

My father grimaced but kept silent. I had called his bluff. I knew he would deny me practically nothing with the evidence of his crime in my possession.

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