Page 85 of Coercion

“No.”

“Why not?”

“It would overwhelm her.”

He narrows his eyes. “Did you fuck her on your wedding night, did you lie to me from the beginning?”

“No. I fully intended for this to be what we agreed. I fully intended to just keep it business but she won me over, little by little.”

“I knew something was up.” He growls. “I could see it. The way you watched her, the way she reacted to you. I thought it was just a crush.”

“It’s so much more than that.”

“Apparently so.” Nico snaps, getting to his feet.

I look up at him then get to mine.

“Car’s ready.” He says, not looking at me, just turning his back and once again expecting me to follow him.

I get, in half expecting us to be going somewhere discreet, out of the city, somewhere he can dispose of my body without too much hassle, so it’s more than a little surprising when we pull up to my house instead.

Both of us get out. For a moment I wonder if Nico’s going to demand my wife goes with him, that that’s the reason he’s brought us back here.

The front door opens, Ruby comes running out, throwing herself into my arms and I only just catch her in time.

“It’s okay.” I say, more than aware that Nico is seeing all of this.

“I was so worried.” She whispers, pulling back enough to check me over. Her hand cups my jaw, seeing the bruises Nico gave me hours ago.

“I’m fine.” I say.

She lets out a huff before she turns her head, finally seeing Nico stood watching us both intently. He stares at her for a second then meets my gaze, gives a tiny nod, and to my complete shock, he just leaves.

Ruby

“What happened?” I feel like I keep saying it. Keep asking it.

Preston lets out a sigh, sinking into the chair. He looks exhausted. He looks like he’s taken a hiding. He holds his hand for me and, as I take it, he pulls me into his lap. “It’s been a long day.”

I grab his chin, pursing my lips as I see what is unmistakeably bruising across his skin.

“I thought the bar was blown up so how did you get these?” I ask. Wouldn’t he be burnt, not bruised if he’d been near the epicentre?

He blinks. “Nico did it.”

“Nico hit you?” I gasp.

“He knows, Ruby. He knows about us.”

I scowl at that. “You’re telling me Nico hit you because you slept with your wife?”

He lets out a chuckle. “Since when did you stop calling it fucking?”

“You know what I mean.”

“It’s okay. It’s sorted.”

“Right.” I mutter, turning in his lap, getting to my feet.

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