Chapter 25
Haylee
He had known I had had a phone. He had known all about it. That was why he gave me his number early when I hadn’t had a phone.
God, was there anything this man didn’t know?
I watched the video again, knowing he now wanted an answer to the question. Did I see marrying him as me repaying my debts of killing? Did I really see this marriage as my punishment?
I tried my best to think of an answer and when I had finally come to one, I opened up a message and sent him the answer he wanted to know. I assumed he was avoiding me till I made up my mind.
Locking the phone, I walked into the bathroom and ran the water into the bathtub. My muscles were aching and the head ache I was getting from the stress of watching a roofied me ask a madman questions really did bring on the brain ache.
Slipping out of my clothes, I lowered myself into the tub. The hot water washed up my body as I sank into it. God, it feels amazing. I close my eyes, enjoying it, relaxing, putting everything that had stressed me out aside for a few minutes. Just enough of the running water on my thigh and bathing in the calmness of my decision.
* * *
Wrapping a towel around me, I walked back into Lucian’s bedroom to find him sitting on the edge of the bed. His eyes stayed focused on the carpet.
“Everything okay?” I asked before moving towards him.
“No and yes,” he replied. I made the connection of him saying that after I gave him the same answer at the black wedding.
He placed an arm around me, his hand gripping the towel and pulling me towards him.
“You said no.” He looked up at me. His eyes echoed the honest relief he felt when he read that message.
“It was the truth.”
“Then it makes this bit a bit easier.” He ran his spare hand through his hair. “But you may be changing your mind when I tell you where we are going.”
I frowned. “Didn’t you say the bay?”
“Yeah I did, which we are but . . .” he paused, “I’m taking you to see my parents. My family is having a gathering together, and I have to make an appearance, however, and I can’t leave you here unprotected.”
My stomach dropped. “You can’t be serious. I’m your property!” The words came out in a rush. He was taking this commitment to me too seriously! Was he mad? Of course, he was! Why the hell was I even asking myself that question when I already knew the answer!
“You’re my wife,” he gritted out and stood. “And I take that serious.” He ripped the towel from me, leaving me naked.
“Just leave me here. I’m not a good people person.” I nervously took a step back. There was a reason I was good at sex because it was nothing but connecting physically with people. But relationships . . .? When was he going to see I wasn’t capable of that! I was as much of a monster as he was.
He eyes darkened, and I wondered if I had crossed a line and if so, how far had I crossed it.
“Don’t make me pull rank.”
I swallowed sharply. I supposed he wasn’t going to ever realise that I wasn’t good with people.
“You’re making a mistake taking me.” I wanted to change his mind. “Take Angeline,” I added, “I don’t mind.”
“I do! The bitch is trying to get my custody pulled!” He stood to his full height, reminding me of the beast that laid inside him.
“Okay, I’ll come,” I said quickly before he ordered me. I knew he couldn’t cope with ordering me. “I’ll come, I’ll do as I’m told.” But if he thought I was making small talk about the weather, he had another thing coming.