Page 23 of Good As Hell

Looking up, I don’t miss the malice in his gaze. He’s laughing at me.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Mustering as much nonchalance as I can, I cross my arms over my budding nipples. Looking away from him.

A firm hand cups my chin, lifting my face towards him. Still, I refuse to look at him. His grip is unyielding, conveying all that I’ve come to know about this man. He can break me anytime he chooses.

“You will look at me, Lyric. I won’t marry a coward, no matter how beautiful she is,” he murmurs quietly. Shocked surprise has me meeting his jade green eyes, to see he means it. I can smell the heady scent of his masculine cologne. Everything about him drips luxury and menace and my weak ass body can’t help but respond.

“You’re lying.” Eyes dipping down as if he can see the nipples I’m desperate to hide, not to mention the wetness forming between my thighs. His gaze lingers for long moments before lifting to meet mine again.

“I bet if I checked, I find you dripping for me. Isn’t that so, jameela?” Swallowing, I meet his gaze, saying nothing. I refuse to let him win in this. He’s taken so much from me, already.

“So be it.” Dropping his hand from my chin, he grabs the ties to my dress. Slapping his hands away, I scramble back into the cushions.

“Oh, you’re playing now?” Huffing in exasperation, he grabs my ankle, dragging me forward.

Something sick drops into the pit of my tummy. “Hassan, no.” I don’t know if it’s the panicked fear in my voice or the way I start fighting him, but he immediately steps back.

In the ensuing silence, I scramble back again, pulling pillows round me in a protective cage determined to shut and this entire nightmare out.

“This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine. This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

“Lyric.” I’m almost done with the song by the time his voice registers. “Lyric.” My name a litany on his lips.

My gaze reaches his through the pillow fort I barely recall erecting. My fortress of solitude always during the after when I had to go into myself. The only place I had that was safe.

Maybe for the first time he sees me. I mean, really see me. And I don’t like that shit one bit.

“Can you leave now?” My voice is pleading with anger — small, so very small. I have a bubble in my throat like it’s clogged up really bad. I need Fi, but she’s been gone for hours and by the time she gets back here, everything will be fine.

Not that he’d let me have her. My only friend. I’m alone in this place. I have no one here for me. I have to be here for Ayaan. Just like I had to be there for Song, Kadence, and Harmony. I don’t have time to collapse in on myself. I just need a moment. A moment of peace. Humming to myself, I wait for him to leave.

“Yes, I can.” Solemn words reach me, but I don’t bother looking up from my haven. I just need him to be gone.

But he doesn’t and I just want to sink into myself. I feel so rubbed raw, like I’ve been scoured by a wire sponge laced with acid. Burying my face into my bent knees, I rock myself, trying to reach for a safe place.

“Lyric,” there is a sternness in his voice now. So much so I dare not refuse him. I meet the banked darkness in his eyes. “I will never take what you do not freely give me. I promise you that.” His stare is unwavering and I know he means it.

After a long moment, I nod.

Then he dips down to his hunches. He’s so tall, I can still meet his gaze over the pillows.

The muscles tick in his jaw even before his mouth moves. His words are low, this promise much darker, and I know he’s going to keep every word. “One day I will ask you who hurt you and you will tell me. Then I will kill them.”

With that vow, he rises smoothly to his feet, leaving me in my safe place.

Chapter Eight

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

HASSAN

“Your Highness, Mistress Khadijah has asked to speak with you.” Looking up from the plans of the new housing that has been just approved of the revision of the housing project that we are constructing in a rural community that will include school, hospital and other vital services my father has long fought for only to run into opposition at every turn. He however is not willing to go the lengths I will when I want something done. I have very little patience for those with more than they need trying their best to horde or worse exploit those who are less fortunate. I will bring all these motherfuckers to heel or they will die begging for my mercy.

“Tell her I will join her shortly.” Standing, I inform the attendant as I move from my desk to step into my private bathroom the take care of my needs and give myself a hard once over. Looking anything but regal the first time you see your ex-fiancee after you spoiled her life long dream is intolerable.

“Habi—” she cuts herself off when she sees me approaching. A soft tan blush stealing across her face in the most adorableway. Khadijah is a beauty. Stunning in every way. Pity the only feelings I ever had her were always more familial, never sexual.

“Do not worry yourself.” Clasping my hands behind my back I watch as several emotions play across her countenance.

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