Page 42 of The Fighter who Needed Me
But they were all she could think about now. They made her stomach hurt with how badly she hoped they were not true.
Pushing those thoughts away and trying her best to keep positive that she was back again, she got settled in her room and Kitty knocked softly and walked in.
Persephone was in her chair by the window, and when Kitty walked in, she pasted a smile on her face and turned toward the woman she thought was her mother.
Kitty nodded, “All settled in?”
Persephone nodded, “Yes, thank you.”
Kitty nodded again, “Good. Reginald had a talk with your father and I. He seems to believe that you are lying to us. That you are only here for your own personal gains. And I tend to believe him.”
Persephone raised her eyebrow, “I do not know what you wish for me to say. I told you why I wanted to come here, so I could finish the season and that was all. I need more time to reconcile the fact that I am marrying Reginald. I told you why I tried to sneak away in the first place.”
Kitty crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips. “I wanted to believe you about that. But there are holes in the story you told us.”
Persephone said nothing, and Kitty pushed on, “You see, I looked into it. That ‘ball’ you wanted to attend. And there was not any such ball. You lied right to my face, you horrible girl.”
Persephone stayed passive, “I do not know what you are speaking of. I told you why I wanted to leave and if you do not believe that, then that is your fault and not mine.”
Kitty sneered at her, “You little liar. You used us to get back here so the first chance you get you can leave us high and dry and escape. I have news for you little miss. The only reason we came here was so you would uphold your end of the agreement we made. That is it. I wanted to believe you, but I know you too well. You don’t lie well.”
Persephone glared at her, “I will not wed him. I refuse to do that.”
Kitty slapped her across the face again, “I care not for your arguments. You have given your word and you are going to marry him. Bruce told you what would happen to your friends and your maid did he not? If you did not go along with what we want?”
Persephone grit her back teeth and nodded, and Kitty pushed on once again, “You brought this on yourself you know. If you had just been the malleable girl that you always were, we wouldn’t have this issue.”
Persephone felt her eyes grow hot, “I want nothing more than to leave this place forever. I have lived a life of nothing but pure misery at your behest and you care nothing for me, nor my wants and wishes. I found someone who loves me, cherishes me and treats me like I am not a commodity or a nuisance. And that is all I am to you. Not someone you love, not someone you chose or wanted, but someone to better your social standing. Someone to fill your pockets with. Why can’t you let me be? Let me live the life I want? All I want is that small bit of happiness I found. Please let me leave. Let me go to him. Please.”
Kitty started laughing a horrible grating laugh at her expense. “Men like that don’t stay with crippled, sick, weak women like you. He has probably been with a hundred women by now. And a hundred women before you. Its what men do, you stupid innocent creature. Did you truly believe he was waiting for you? That he loved you? Who would want a girl like you?”
Persephone had to bite her lip to keep the tears at bay. She had those same fears, but knew Brooks was different.
Kitty went on, “You truly think you can survive out there? You cannot even walk. Are so weak and pathetic that a real man would not want you. You should resign yourself to that right now. You have nothing without us, and I am telling you right now that if you try to do anything that isn’t what we wish, it will end badly for your friends and the so-called ‘man’ that wants you. Bruce is not afraid of killing them all to get you to acquiesce, and neither am I. You will do what is expected of you. And you will do it without complaint. Do I make myself clear?”
Persephone did not answer. She was angry, and Kitty grabbed her chin roughly, “Do I make myself clear?”
Persephone glared at her, “You cannot get close to those who I love. So, your threats don’t work on me.”
Kitty’s eyes flashed and then a look came over her face that frightened Persephone more than anything else.
“You believe that do you? That there is no way we can touch them?”
Persephone gave a nod and Kitty shoved her back into the chair and stormed from the room.
Within moments, she was back, with Bruce at her side. Persephone did her best not to flinch away from them and when Bruce roughly grabbed her out of the chair and brought her downstairs, she also had to keep the cry of pain in her mouth.
She was shoved into the carriage and night had fallen, because it had taken this long to get settled again.
She sat quietly while Kitty, and Bruce climbed in behind her and she crossed her arms over her chest.
Bruce gave her a chilling smile, “Kitty tells me you do not believe us. That you lied to get back here and have decided to once again be disobedient. I am here to prove to you just how deadly I am. You do not think I can touch them? Is that right? I have ways.”
Persephone felt her stomach drop to her toes and they pulled up in front of Cole’s townhouse.
Bruce went to get out of the carriage and pulled a large knife out of his boot, clenching it in his fist and looked over, “The Marchioness is so beautiful. I would hate to change that. So, tell me Persephone, what finger do you think I should take to prove to you just how willing I am to hurt those you love?”
He started to open the door of the carriage and Persephone yelled, “Wait! Please. Wait. I apologize. I will do whatever you say. Just do not touch them. They did nothing wrong. I did.”
