Page 18 of Bones

She hands me a stack of cash. “Don’t let him find this.”

I stare at her in shock. “Why are you doing this? You don’t know me.”

Penelope shrugs as she walks to the door. “I love my brother, but I overheard him talking to my dad, and I can’t let this happen. It’s not right.”

After she leaves, I run to the bathroom to hide the money until later. I go between putting the money in the toilet tank and under the counter. I don’t have anything to put the money into to protect it from the water, so I decide to open the box of tampons, and place it in there. Hopefully, he won’t look there. Opening up the pill bottle, I stuff it with toilet paper so it doesn’t make noise, before placing it in the back of the drawer while I take a shower. Turning the water on, I spot the lingerie hanging from a silver hook, and realize he’s even controlling what I wear underneath the dress he picked out for me.

I get undressed and step under the shower spray as I smile. I’m going to get away. His sister saved me. No more cages. He’ll be my husband, because I can’t knock him out with a house full of people, but that’s okay. I have the cash I need, and I’ll go far away. By the time he wakes up, maybe I’ll no longer even be in the state. And of course, he’ll look for me, which will take more time. I bet it’ll be several hours before he even gets outside and begins hunting for me. Freedom. I can almost smell it. There’s the tiniest part of me that thinks I’ll somehow miss him, but I dismiss it. This might be my only chance, and I’ve got to take it.

BONES

I laugh, watching the video with my father as he puffs on a cigar.

He shakes his head. “Penelope. She always has been a little snoop.”

We sit in my office, sipping on whiskey while Athena gets ready. Poor Butterfly. I know she thinks she’s found a way to break freefrom me. Not even close. Of course, I have cameras in my bedroom, and was watching to see her behavior before our wedding. Did I know my sister was going to try some stupid shit? No, but I’m also not really surprised either.

“What are you going to do?” My father asks.

Taking a gulp of my drink, I set it down on my black desk and look at my father on the other side. “I don’t know yet.”

I’d really like to give Penelope a piece of my mind, but I can’t, because I need her and my bride to not suspect anything. I’m not mad. On the contrary, I’m excited as fuck.

“You have three weeks until you’ll take over, assuming you actually are married by the end of the night.”

I nod as I flash him a serious look. “I will be.”

My brothers walk into my office, and Kage tosses me two ring boxes. I open them with a slight smile.

One has a platinum wedding band for me with diamonds, but it’s the other one I want to see. Opening the box, I spot her band that matches mine, and an engagement ring with a large square shaped solitaire diamond. Six carats for my naughty little Butterfly. She may not have a choice in marrying me, still I will make sure she has the best of everything in this life. My three brothers all settle on the couch together, and Psycho starts laughing like someone told a hilarious joke. Apparently one only he can hear. I raise an eyebrow. “Care to share with the class?”

He drags his hand down his face as the laughter continues. “Just never thought I’d see the day. Bones, you getting married is a joke. I guarantee you, within six months, she offs herself just to get away from you.”

Kage joins him in laughter. “No. She won’t do that, but she might chew her arm off to escape from the shackles.”

I glare at them both as my father puffs away on his cigar. There’s normally at least a little truth to jokes, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s how it will go down. Will she be so miserable she’ll take herlife? I can’t be that bad. She took worse from that piece of shit, Manny. I’ll never hit her.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ATHENA

His staff came in two hours ago and helped me into the dress he chose, as well as styling my hair and makeup. I don’t understand all the fuss. It’s not actually my wedding day. I’m being forced to marry him. This isn’t a story with a happily ever after. Why on earth we couldn’t go to a Justice of the Peace or something is beyond me. Then again, his mother apparently doesn’t know what’s going on. Maybe this is for her. I sit waiting for Bones to come and get me, in a white dress that is really gorgeous. It’s strapless and falls just above the knee. It’s not overly fancy, but it’s more than I expected for a fake wedding.

I rise from my seat on the edge of the bed, when Bones walks into the room and suddenly stops. “Fuck, Butterfly. You look ravishing.”

He looks handsome as hell in a black suit, showing only the tattoos on his hands. His dirty blonde hair is styled slightly to the side, and his face is clean shaven. If this weren’t all forced, I’d be attracted to him. A woman would need to be blind to not see the way he’s drenched in sex appeal, but I dismiss it, because I don’t have time for anything other than hatred for my future husband.

“Ready?”

He smirks at me. “You aren’t going to tell me I look good, Butterfly?”

Rolling my eyes, I laugh. “I don’t think I need to tell you, you cocky bastard.”

Reaching out his hand, I take it as he chuckles. “Always thinking about my cock, naughty girl.”

“You haven’t seen the outside yet. That’s where we’ll say our vows, but don’t get any ideas.”

I take in a deep breath as I tell my lie. “I won’t. I promise.”

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