Page 32 of Wicked Spite
“Ah, you’re in one of the Blackwood summer homes. Mine, to be exact. Ours, really, if you want to get technical, I guess.” His casual revelation sends a shiver down my spine as I realize I really missed a lot when he did whatever he did to me. I try to remember the last thing that’s clear in my mind, butall that comes to me is Penn scaring the shit outta me in the alleyway.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” My voice is thick with disbelief, and my chest feels crowded with a growing sense of claustrophobia.
“Would I lie to you, Reagan?” Penn’s grin widens, and I want nothing more than to wipe that smug expression off his face. But I know better than to let him see how much he’s getting to me. Instead, I grit my teeth and focus on maintaining my composure.
“Get out,” I growl, fighting to keep my emotions in check.
“Aw, don’t be like that, Mrs. Blackwood,” he taunts, the title making my stomach churn. “We’re family now.”
“Stop calling me that!” Anger flashes through me, igniting a spark of defiance. I won’t let him control me—not here, not anywhere.
“Sorry, sweetheart, but that’s what you are.” Penn’s eyes gleam with a mix of amusement and something darker. “You’d better get used to it.”
“I’m not playing this little game with you. I’ve got shit to do. I don’t skip around town all day like a demonic leprechaun sprinkling misfortune on everyone I meet,” I spit the words at him, but he just chuckles and the glint in his eyes tells me he thinks all of this is fucking funny.
My gaze falls to my left hand, where a glint of black and smoky gray catches my eye. Panic bubbles up in my chest as I register the wedding ring snugly encircling my finger. My breaths come in short gasps as I try to remove it, but the spokes sticking out from the band dig painfully into my skin every time I push it upward. Frustration and confusion wash over me as I wonder how the hell I ended up married to someone like Penn Blackwood.
“Having trouble there, Rae Rae?” Penn’s voice oozes sarcasm, his smirk widening into a full-fledged grin as he watches me struggle with the ring.
“Cut the shit, Penn,” I snap, my fingers still fumbling with the stubborn piece of metal. “What the fuck is going on? How did this happen?”
“Ah, well, you see,” he drawls, leaning against the wall nonchalantly, “I married you as a…let’s call it abackup plan.”
“Backup plan?” I echo incredulously, my heart hammering in my chest. “For what?”
“Because,” he says, his tone mocking, “you saw us kill someone.” The words send a chill down my spine, making me more determined than ever to escape this situation.
“Are you out of your fucking mind?” I retort, my voice laced with disbelief. “You think trapping me in a marriage is going to keep me quiet?”
“Actually, yes,” he replies smugly, clearly enjoying my turmoil. “You see, I have this all figured out. You can’t be forced to testify against your spouse, after all.”
I swallow hard, anger simmering just below the surface. This isn’t happening. It can’t be. But as much as I want to deny it, I can’t ignore the weight of the ring on my finger or the cold, calculating gleam in Penn’s eyes as he walks closer to the bed.
My hands tremble with barely contained fury as I clutch the bedsheets, trying to find the words to express my disbelief. “You’re honestly telling me that you went to these extreme measures over some frat boy who deserved what he got?” My voice rises, laced with righteous indignation. “You think trapping me in a marriage is going to keep me quiet about someone like him? Newsflash genius, they can’t force a spouse to testify, but a spouse can still testify if they fucking want to.Jesus Christ, could you not have done a little research? I don’t know, maybe just talked to me about that night and asked if I planned to snitch. I don’t care about him. Any of them. Burn down the entire fraternity for all I care.” I see Penn’s eyes darken the same way they did when I stripped my clothes off for him. This motherfucker really loves fire.
Penn leans in closer, his eyes glittering with arrogance. He murmurs, his breath hot against my cheek, “the marriage is my insurance policy. This way, I know you can’t hold the information over my head or tell anyone about what you witnessed.”
I glare at him, hoping my eyes convey the depth of my anger and disgust. Did he really not just listen to a word I fucking said? He’s got to have taken way too many hits on the field. The desire to lash out at him, to scream and shout, burns within me, but I know I need to stay somewhat composed if I want to survive this.
“I’m not going to be a pawn in your sick game,” I fume, bristling at the idea of being used by this man.
He smirks, clearly unfazed by my fury. “No, you’re going to be my wife,” he replies nonchalantly, running a finger along the curve of my jaw. “But who knows? Maybe you’ll be my little fuck toy as well. I haven’t decided yet.”
“You’re like a fungus,” I retort, unable to suppress my snark.
His laughter sends shivers down my spine, the sound haunting.
My fingers tremble as I run them over the cold metal of the wedding ring, trying to wrap my head around the reality that it’s there. My gaze snaps back to Penn, defiance blazing in my eyes. “We can pretend this never happened. I’ve got enough bullshit going on in my life that I’d never get involved inwhatever little murder club you have going on,” I suggest boldly, hoping to find a way out of this hellish situation.
Penn shakes his head, his refusal swift and firm. “Not an option, Reagan,” he replies, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “That ring stays exactly where it is—a constant reminder of your entrapment. Your devotion to me.”
“God, you’re insufferable,” I mutter under my breath, feeling my anger rise even more.
But before I can let my fury get the best of me, Penn’s voice takes on a more conciliatory note. “Look, I’ll make you a deal,” he offers, leaning back against the wall. “I know you want nothing more than to relocate with your sister, away from your father. If you play the good wifey, I’ll help you make that happen.”
My heart pounds in my chest at the mention of my sister. He’s done his research. It’s an opportunity I’ve longed for, but the price seems too high. The idea of submitting to Penn’s whims leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. But isn’t the price of letting my father use me or keeping Reese in his orbit higher?
“Are you serious?” I ask, disbelief lacing my voice. “You’d help us escape my father if I…played along?”
