Page 25 of Her Alien Beast
Chapter 16
AMIRA
“Stop scowling,”Gregory hisses. “People are staring at you.” He takes a bite of his sandwich and chews vigorously.
“I’m not scowling,” I insist, and glare around the restaurant. “People are just staring because I was missing, that’s all.” How will I survive a day on the lake with Gregory? How will I survive marriage to Gregory? I look down at the table, wishing I could just disappear.
I hadn’t been able to handle my growing feelings for Vlann on top of knowing my family was likely worried about me, so I’d returned home earlier than planned, thinking everything would be fine, if only I was brave enough to tell Gregory I didn’t want to marry him. But he doesn’t care that I don’t want him; he only cares about appearances.
I think about the crimes Vlann claims Gregory has committed and repress a shudder. I’m sure they’re true. Every last one. But even if I tell my parents, it won’t make a difference. Gregory is determined to marry me, even if he must force me, even if he must harm my parents in the process.
“Where’s your ring?” he demands, gesturing at my naked hand. It’s the first he’s noticed that I’m not wearing it. I took it off the night I ran away and haven’t put it back on since.
“I forgot to put it on after showering,” I lie, glancing around at the other diners who are still staring at us. My face heats and a wave of self-consciousness hits me. I don’t like having so many eyes on me, and I’m especially embarrassed about the recent newsfeed articles that have sprung up about my disappearance and my impending marriage to Gregory.
“I sure as hell hope that’s the truth,” he sneers, taking another bite of his sandwich.
“It is!” I reply, louder than necessary, my good girl persona slipping.
Gregory reaches under the table and under my dress to dig his fingers into my thigh, hurting me in the same place he did last night. “Smile,” he whispers through clenched teeth.
I start to smile, but I stop myself. I can’t. Then I remember the witnesses who watched me sayyesto Gregory’s marriage proposal, when I could have easily saidnoand put a stop to the whole thing. I feel as if I’m watching myself from afar as I stand up so fast my chair crashes to the floor behind me. He stares up at me, his expression a mixture of shock and anger.
“Gregory Whitworth,” I say, loud enough for the whole restaurant to hear. “I will not marry you. It’s over between us. I’m sorry.” I add the apology for my own benefit, so I at least appear somewhat human as I dump my well-liked fiancé in public. I glance around the restaurant. It’s crowded and I see at least three people quietly recording our interaction. Well, in a few hours this video will be on all the most watched newsfeeds. Good. That’s exactly what I need. It’s my only escape.
“Amira,” Gregory says with a kind smile, but I know he’s faking. “Sit down, my sweet, and we can discuss this like adults.”
“No. I won’t discuss this with you anymore.” I think of the cameras and Gregory’s threats against me and I take things a step further, not giving a damn about the consequences. “Yesterday you threatened to drug me and force me to marry you if I tried to back out of our wedding. You also threatened to drug my parents to erase their memories if I told them I didn’t want to marry you and tried to cancel the wedding. I can’t marry a man who threatens me and the safety of my family.” Each word is spoken loudly and clearly. I’m putting on a show and the whole fucking planet is probably going to see this video before the day is through, but that’s the point. Gregory won’t dare harm a hair on my head now, let alone try to force me to marry him, after this kind of public spectacle. He’s not that stupid. At least I hope he’s not.
As I stare down at Gregory, I see the unbridled rage filling his cold dark gaze and I know he wants to hurt me. But he can’t hurt me. Not with so many witnesses. He cares far too much about his reputation.
He smiles again, all for the cameras. “Amira, my love, surely you aren’t remembering what happened correctly. I would never, ever do such a thing. I love you with my whole heart, and I adore your family as well.” He reaches for me, but I back away from the table and head for the exit.
My performance is over and now I need to get the hell out of here. Thank goodness there are always taxis lined up in front of this busy restaurant. No way in hell am I getting into a hovercar with Gregory again, especially now that I know about all his crimes. I think of Vlann and silently thank him.
I’m not sure what I’m going to tell my parents when I return home, but I suppose I need to stick to the truth as much as possible. I didn’t get lost in the forest. I ran away and for good reason. Will they believe me when I tell them about Gregory’s crimes? My stomach flips at the thought because I realize I’m going to have to tell them about Vlann too.
As I round the corner for the door, I collide with a large, hard body.
“Oh.” I gasp. “I’m so sorry.” But when I look up into familiar blue eyes set in a handsome, green armored face, I gasp and take a step back.
It’s Vlann D’Zorr. What is he doing here? Then I remember that his house isn’t far from here. Perhaps he’s simply here for a bite to eat.
“You’re coming with me,” he says, tugging at my wrist.
I stare up at him, confounded. Why does he want me to come with him? Just yesterday he dropped me off at my home and sped away. At the time, he wouldn’t even look at me. I think of how coldly he treated me during the ride to my house, how I felt like he was punishing me with silence, all because I’d decided it was time to return to my family. Yet he hadn’t told me he would miss me. In fact, he hadn’t given me one tender word or any indication that he harbored any affection for me. Our tense good-bye had left me crushed, and as the painful memory resurfaces, in my anger I try to escape Vlann’s grasp.
“Let go of me!” I say, pushing him away.
His eyes darken and he grasps for me, tossing me over his shoulder in one swift movement. At first, I’m too stunned to fight back. I’m even too stunned to scream. What the hell does he think he’s doing?
“We need to talk,” he announces. “Alone.”
Blood rushes my head and my frustration grows. I can’t help but wonder if anyone from the restaurant will step outside in time to catch this interaction on a recording device.
“Vlann, put me down!” I curl my hands into fists and start pounding on his back and wiggling around, trying to escape his firm hold. Before I can fully process what’s happening, he’s shoving me into the backseat of his hovercar.
He grasps for my flailing hands and secures the manacles around my wrists.
