Page 49 of Unseen

Azriel chuckled softly, pouring himself more wine. “Waiting until it is an inevitability, eh?”

I slammed my cutlery down on the table, wanting to drive the knife through his hand. “Why are you enjoying this so much? Do you know what they will do? Not only have they been left penniless, but now they are to find their daughter ruined, no more good name to speak of.”

He rubbed a hand across his chin. “What makes you think I would leave them penniless?”

Hope sparked within me, breaking through my drunkennessand giving me a small moment of clarity. “You do not intend to abandon them?”

“They are your family, it is your ancestral home, and therefore they shall be my family, a home that I, too, have ties to.”

I didn’t trust a word he said, he was too much of a monster for that. But I had to believe it, somehow. I had borne his father for three years, perhaps I could bear Azriel too, if only for my family’s sake.

“You will continue to support my father?”

Azriel nodded. “Certainly. If you show me just how ardently you desire it.”

A chill ran straight to the base of my spine. “What do you mean?”

Azriel pushed his chair back from the table, his long legs spread out before him. “I want you to show me just what you would do to secure your family’s place. Perhaps, if I can be persuaded, then I shall continue to send your father the money he so covets.”

“I am to be your wife, is that not proof enough?”

“No.” His eyes darkened. “Words and titles mean nothing. But getting to your knees, and begging for my mercy, showing me with that sweet mouth of yours just what you are willing to give… That, beloved, would indeed convince me.”

“You want to defile me like your whore?” My eyes dropped to his crotch, where I could already see him swelling obscenely. “You want me to take that thing in my mouth, like she did when you forced her?”

“Rebecca was more than willing, you could learn something from her.” Azriel’s mouth spread into the most vile grin. “I could point out the brothel in Stepney next time we are in the area, if you like.”

I clenched my eyes shut and looked away. “You are disgusting.”

“So, you do not wish to secure your family home? Hmm.”

I snatched up my wine glass and downed the remaining wine in one gulp. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, all effort to be ladylike now long gone. “I did not say that.”

“Then go to your knees and show me just what a dutiful daughter you are.”

“What kind of man would ask his wife to do such a thing?”

His eyes flamed. “My wife? You are not yet my wife. For now, you are still my whore, little viper, and I will treat you as such. Now, on your knees.”

“Absolutely not, the servants will see.” My eyes flitted to the door, and I shook my head. “At any moment, someone could walk in, and to see me so-”

“Very well.” Azriel rose to his feet, straightening his jacket. “I shall write my lawyer then, and tell him to cut off the endowment to your father.”

I gawped at him. “You would not dare.”

He flashed me another venomous smile, and moved to walk past me. “Have it your way, Evie.”

“No!” I jumped to my feet, and took hold of his arm. “Stop! Please, you cannot do that to him!”

“I can and I will, as I see fit.”

“Is this how it is to be?” I squared my shoulders as I stared up at him, unable to stop my lip trembling. “Whenever I do not do your bidding, you will violate me?”

“You are a fascinating creature, Evie.” He put his hand over mine on my arm, holding fast as I tried to yank it free. “You spent years allowing my father to do with you as he wanted, simply lay back and allowed him to force himself on you, in order to secure your family, and your own comfort,of course. And yet, now, you resist.” He slipped an arm around my waist, and drew me closer. “When you have me, a young man, a man who is utterly enraptured by you, you resist.”

“It is not the same.”

“How so?” He lowered his mouth to my cheek, brushing his lips against my skin. “He did not fuck you as well as I, did he? You never felt pleasure with him the way you have with me?”

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