Page 33 of Wicked Spite
Penn nods, a sly grin playing on his lips. “That’s right. You just have to be my dutiful wife until we graduate. If you can do that, I’ll know I can trust you to keep your trap shut and I’ll help you move wherever you want.”
“Playing house with a psychopath,” I murmur, my sarcasm practically dripping off each word. “How could I possibly resist?”
“Watch your tone,wife,” he warns, his eyes narrowing. “I’m offering you a chance to change your life for the better. “
I grit my teeth, hating that he has the power to dangle my desires in front of me like this. But as much as I want to tellhim where he can shove his deal, I know that agreeing might be the only way to secure my sister’s future and escape my father’s grasp.
I glare at Penn, my heart pounding with fury and desperation. “You can’t seriously expect me to play the happy wife while you hold me hostage,” I say, my voice shaking.
“Actually, Reagan,” he replies coolly, “I do.”
“Then you’re out of your fucking mind,” I snap, my fists clenching at my sides. But as I open my mouth to unleash another wave of anger, a chilling thought floods my mind. If I refuse to comply, if I fight him every step of the way, what will that mean for my sister? For our escape from our father? He could help me, but he could also make things way worse than they already are. Just like anyone else in this world, nothing is as black and white as it seems.
“Remember,” Penn says, his voice low and threatening, “you’re bound to me now, whether you like it or not. And trust me, you don’t want to find out what happens if you don’t cooperate. This isn’t the worst thing to happen to you. You might even fucking enjoy it.”
I swallow hard, my throat tight with fear and frustration. He’s right—as much as I hate to admit it, I have no choice but to play along. To bide my time and look for a way out, all while keeping my sister safe from our father’s wrath.
“Fine,” I grit out, my hands trembling with rage. “But don’t think that this means you’ve won, Blackwood.”
“Ah, there’s that bitchy spirit I married,” he interrupts smugly, cutting off my threat. “I look forward to seeing how long it takes to snuff it out.”
“Go to hell,” I hiss, but the words taste like ashes in my mouth. Because for now, at least, I’m forced to play the obedient wife.
Penn’s grin is nothing but smug as I glower at him. He’s so infuriatingly confident, so certain of his control over me. But I refuse to let him have the satisfaction of knowing how much he affects me, even as my heart races in anger and confusion.
“Tell me, psycho,” I snap, unable to keep the edge out of my voice. “If you’re so ruthless, why didn’t you just kill me when you had the chance?”
Penn chuckles, pushing off the wall with an amused expression. “Now, where would be the fun in that?” he counters. “Besides, our fathers are... well-acquainted, shall we say? They’ve got their hands in each other’s pockets, business-wise.”
My eyes narrow as I process this revelation. It makes sense, given the reputations of the men my father runs with, but it only serves to fuel my resentment toward Penn.
“Fine,” I concede, my voice dripping with disdain. “So, I have to play wife until we graduate. Then what? How do I know you’ll keep your end of the deal?”
His smirk widens, the hazel in his eyes darkening with something akin to hunger. “Oh, Reagan. Don’t underestimate me. It will be my pleasure to get you out of my town. You’ve become quite the distraction, but I’m sure we’ll find plenty of ways to entertain ourselves during our little arrangement.”
Heat rises in my cheeks at his suggestive tone, and though I want to lash out at him, I know that doing so will only give him more ammunition. Instead, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to remain calm and collected.
“Alright, Blackwood,” I say, gritting my teeth. “I’ll go along with your demented plan. But don’t expect me to make this easy for you.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he replies, his grin never faltering. “In fact, I’m counting on your rebellious streak to keep things interesting.”
As much as I hate to admit it, Penn holds all the cards right now, and I have no choice but to play by his rules. I’ll endure this nightmare of a marriage—but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.
“Enjoy it while you can, psycho,” I warn him, my voice low and dangerous.
“Are you sure you’re not just feeling a little... possessive?” Penn’s voice cuts through my thoughts, his smirk landing like a punch to the gut. “I mean, it’s not every day you find yourself married to someone as fun as me. You honestly hit the husband jackpot. Imagine having someone with more wrinkles than a Shar-Pei hunching up on you.”
“Fun isn’t exactly the word that comes to mind,” I shoot back, disdain dripping from my words.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, wifey,” he responds smugly. His arrogance is annoying, and I can tell he’s confident in his ability to manipulate me. Penn’s gaze never leaves mine. “In the meantime, though…welcome to married life, Mrs. Blackwood.”
Chapter 13
Penn
“Stabler’s face when Benson drops the bombshell—” I can’t help it, I’m cracking up. Cheerios half-chewed and milk dribbling down my chin. The chaise beneath me groans as I shift, stretching out my legs. Law and Order SVU marathons are my guilty pleasure. There’s something about crime and punishment from Mariska Hargitay that just tickles my balls.
“Jesus, are you for fucking real right now?” Reagan’s voice slices through my amusement. I glance up, barely holding back a smirk. Her silhouette fills the doorway, all bitchy attitude. She’s got this glint in her eyes that screams ‘stay the hell away,’ but lucky for her and me that wouldn’t stop me.
