by Stone, Piper
When my mother finally walked into the space, she gasped, placing her hands over her mouth. I was shocked she’d been allowed to even come and see me. My father certainly had her on a short leash.
“You can leave now,” my mother instructed, giving the attendant a harsh look.
“As you wish.” When Maria left, she closed the aging door with a hard thud, the sound reverberating in the room and matching the constant thudding of my heart.
“You look so beautiful, Genevieve.” She walked closer, adjusting the long train before squeezing my shoulders. “I’m so proud of you.”
“You’re proud of me? What does it matter if I look presentable, Mother? Why bother going through with a fake ceremony of until death do us part? This is a total farce and you know it.”
Sighing, she fiddled with my veil, another glow and show piece covered in rhinestones and sequins. I could only imagine how much the dress had cost.
“Nonsense. You will have a happy life,” she insisted.
“How can you say that? I’m marrying a savage. There’s no way I could ever love him.”
“Love isn’t the most important aspect of a marriage, although you will be expected to perform. To obey.” She issued the last two words in an entirely different tone.
A cold shiver rushed into my legs. I was nervous and exhausted, finding it impossible to sleep. “Perform? I’m not an animal, Mother. I’m a human being with rights. I don’t want to do this.”
She gripped my shoulders again, only this time, her fingers dug in. The reflection of her face and angry eyes shocked me. My mother had never looked at me with such rage.
“Don’t be a fool, little girl. It doesn’t matter what you want. You can’t back out. The decision has been made. Your father has sacrificed so much for you. This marriage will ensure not only your future, but ours as well. You should be grateful for the opportunity.”
Her words pissed me off. I jerked away from her, the swish of my dress as I tried to walk away only fueling my anger. “Grateful? To marry a monster? To be forced into a life of servitude? Is that what you did, Mother? Did you sell your soul in order to have all the pretty little trinkets that you couldn’t seem to grasp? I know you gave up everything you told me you wanted. I guess the lure of money was far too significant to ignore.”
I hadn’t been prepared for the hard slap across my face. My mother had never raised a hand to me. I reared back, cupping my cheek as a wash of pain and sadness trickled into every cell.
“How dare you!” my mother exclaimed. “I’ve also made sacrifices in order for you to have everything your heart desired. You’ve wanted for nothing. Nothing!” She turned away, dropping her head into her hands, her chest rising and falling.
I reached out, immediately yanking my arm away and fisting my hand. The light tapping on the door forced me to close my eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Rose’s voice floated into the room. “I didn’t mean to interrupt but they’re waiting for you.”
“We’ll be right there. Close the door on your way out.” My mother’s direction indicated she wasn’t finished with admonishing me yet.
“Yes, ma’am.” Rose gave me a worried look before closing the door.
Exhaling, my mother turned to face me once again. “Now, you listen to me, little girl. You’re going to marry Lucian and you will obey him. He’s the best choice you have.”
“You mean other than Lazaro Vitali? I’m well aware that Daddy dearest was planning on selling me off to the horrible savage. I guess I’m nothing but a possession to you. This is simply a change of ownership.”
She lifted her head, her mouth pinched. “In time, you might learn to love Lucian as I eventually did with your father.”
A realization settled in. My mother hadn’t chosen to leave her career. She’d been forced into doing so. A wave of images, visions of the past floated into my mind. I barely remembered my grandparents on that side of the family, their tragic death occurring when I’d been six. What I did remember was the tension the entire house had been under, the lack of joy. I hadn’t realized until I’d been older how dysfunctional my family truly was. Now I knew the pattern had started years before.
Women were truly nothing but a possession to be bartered and sold to the highest bidder. Sickened and appalled, I yanked the roses from the dressing table, refusing to lower my veil. “Let’s get this over with.” When I reached the door, I stopped for a few seconds, my heart aching. “Do you really love my father?”
There was a slight glitch in her voice, a hesitation that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Your father is a good man. I know you find that difficult to believe but he does love you. He’s merely a complicated man. But he’s changed since we were married. I like to think I was at least part of the reason. You’ll find the decency inside of Lucian. Explore and exploit that single trait and eventually, you’ll enjoy some level of happiness.”
“And what if I can’t?”
She inched closer, unable to look me in the eyes. “Then the only thing in your life that is constant will be misery and pain.”
As she walked out the door, still keeping her head held high, I allowed an anguished whimper to escape my lips.
It would be the only one I’d make. I refused to allow a man like Lucian King to break me.
And if he tried, he would face my wrath.
I tried to emulate my mother’s stance, to keep my head held high and a plastic smile on my face. When my father took my arm into his, his grip was hard and cold. There were no wishes of an incredible future, no father-daughter moments that I would remember for the rest of my life. There was only the pomp and circumstance of walking down the red velvet carpet that had been placed after the guests had been seated. White petals already adorned the pathway and as the guests stood, I found myself clinging to my father as if he would erase his decision.
But I knew better.
As I headed in the direction of the altar, I was unable to take my gaze off my future groom. He stood stoically, his hands clasped together and his eyes piercing mine. A flutter of butterflies in my tummy indicated the surge of electricity the closer I came. He was so handsome in his tuxedo, his dark eyelashes framing his chiseled face. With his angular jaw and high cheekbones, eyes that cut through steel, he could command any room.
However, there was no warmth to him, his passion derived from his need for utter domination.
If I had any courage, I’d run far away, finding a new life in another city.
The monster’s words slipped into my mind.
Lucian would scour the ends of the earth until he found me.
After my capture, he would discipline me.
Taste me.
Use me.
Then he would stop at nothing to fulfill his promise.
He would break me into little pieces, shattering the last of my resolve, and there was nothing I could do about it.
Chapter 5
Genevieve
“Love rules without rules.”
Italian proverb
Rules.
My father had often told me that strict rules were the cornerstone to any relationship, whether in business or in pleasure. Without them, the arrangement was destined to fail. Little had I known he’d been doing nothing more than prepping me for a life of servitude. I was no longer in control of my destiny on any level.
I’d remained terrified since the day in my studio; today was no exception. I wasn’t certain I could go through with my requirements on our wedding night. Even though he’d taken me before, I had no doubt Lucian would be even more brutal, unforgiving. Now I truly belonged to him. There was no reason for niceties or pretense that he gave a damn.
I closed my eyes, a single tear still managing to slip down my cheek. After brushing it away furiously, I tried to calm my nerves. At least the bastard had allowed me the decency of privacy if only for a short period of time. I’d turned on several lights, hating the darkness, but now I stood in it, basking in the anony
mity as well as the shadows.
While the storm had ended, the dampness remained. I stood on the balcony of our hotel in the exquisite white silk gown that I’d found on the bed in a box covered in gold foil. A gift from my husband, the matching thong oh-so thoughtful. But as required, I’d changed from my tarnished wedding dress into his desired attire, preparing myself for what should have been a romantic evening. Then I’d tossed the box aside out of anger, almost succumbing to tears.
As the light breeze floated across my shoulders, my skin remaining covered in goosebumps, I twisted the rings on my finger back and forth. They were beautiful, just like every other aspect of the glorious party.
Yet nothing seemed real any longer.
The reception had been a blur, the flower-adorned six-tiered cake delicious, but I’d been unable to eat a single thing other than the obligatory bite. At least I hadn’t attempted to smash it into his face. My mother had certainly made certain the fake wedding had all the niceties the upper tiers of society expected. My parents had spent a pretty penny in their efforts to sell off their daughter. I also had no doubt our picture would be on the society pages in the morning, tweeted out with color pictures remaining on the internet for weeks to come.
We were a hot ticket in New York, a glorious couple that seemed like a Cinderella story to some. It didn’t seem to matter that Lucian was nothing more than a vicious criminal. He was wealthy, powerful, and if I had to guess, there wasn’t a person who’d been in the room that hadn’t been terrified of him. That meant he could get anything he wanted with a single beckon of his finger.
When I heard the sound of the door opening, I gripped the railing until my fingers ached. I couldn’t move, my muscles paralyzed. He inched closer, allowing me to gather the scent of his cologne. Exotic and reeking of masculinity, the fragrance was entirely too enticing. I dragged my tongue across my lips, remembering the kiss at the church.
He’d refused to allow me to pull away, taking his time to spread my lips, exploring my mouth. He’d tasted of peppermint and a hint of scotch, the combination creating a pool of wetness in my lacy thong. I honestly wasn’t certain why he’d bothered, especially if he was planning on shredding them into tiny bits.
Maybe money meant nothing to him.
He remained quiet as he walked closer, but I heard the rustling sound of his clothes. When he placed his tuxedo jacket around my shoulders, I cringed even from the kind gesture.
“You must be cold. You should come inside, Genevieve.”
“I’m fine.”
Chuckling, he shifted against the railing. “I’ve always enjoyed coming to New York, but it’s definitely not my home.”
Until that minute, I hadn’t thought about the fact his entire family lived in New Orleans. Only his brother had attended the ceremony, another powerful man who’d kept watch over the guests.
“When are you taking me from my home?” I noticed he was carrying a gun and I shivered realizing he’d worn the holster at the wedding. I couldn’t take my eyes of the cold, hard steel, trying to catch my breath.
He noticed my gaze. “It’s necessary in my job, Genevieve. I’ll remove it if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Of course it did. How many reminders did I need to know what kind of a bastard he truly was? “Please.”
“All right. To answer your question, your home is with me now.” He unsnapped the holster, moving back into the hotel suite.
Exhaling, the sound ragged, I tried to keep from screaming out to the world that I didn’t want this, but no one would care. Not a single person would come to my rescue for fear of what the great King family would do to them.
I sensed his return and bit back a retort, unable to keep from trembling as he slowly removed the clasp and hairpin I’d used, allowing my blonde curls to fall across my shoulders. From his tender touch and the velveteen of his voice, I could feel myself swooning. Everything about him was oppressive.
“But to answer your question,” he continued, “we’re leaving tomorrow early afternoon for our honeymoon.”
Honeymoon? I laughed before realizing, pressing my hand against my lips as I turned my head. As usual, I expected a quick reaction from him, a reminder that I was required to obey at all times. He appeared amused, which pissed me off. “Why are you bothering?”
“It’s funny. You’re the second person who’s asked me that question. Because you deserve it. Unfortunately, we’ll only be able to spend a couple days, but later this year, perhaps we’ll schedule another trip. Wherever you’d like to go.”
We. I doubted I’d have any say in a single aspect of my new life.
Come here.
Do this.
Suck my cock.
Spread your legs.
“I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to stay here where my life is, my friends and my work are.” I couldn’t believe I’d bothered to even say anything.
“Your work?”
“I’m an artist. I know it doesn’t matter to a great man like you and certainly didn’t to my father, but all I’ve ever wanted to do is create beautiful things.”
“Yes, that’s right. You studied abroad.”
I couldn’t keep from laughing. “For less than a year. Then my father simply stopped paying my tuition. I think his words were something like, ‘You aren’t talented enough, Genevieve. You’ll need to get a real job.’ However, I never stopped, at least until recently.”
When he reached out, brushing his fingers against my cheek, I flinched. I knew instantly I’d made a mistake. He grabbed my arm, pulling me against the heat of his chest. “Then at some point, it may be possible for you to earn the items you need for whatever method of artistry you prefer. However, that time has yet to come. You haven’t proven yourself to be anything but a disobedient little brat.”
I tried to jerk my arm away, his coat sliding to the patio surface from the force. “Just let go of me.”
“That’s not something I can do. Not now. Not ever.” He fisted my hair, dragging me onto my toes. This was the brutal man I knew.
Gasping, I pushed my hands against his chest, but I realized that whatever I did would be to no avail. He was far too strong. The world seemed to dim around me, jolts of current skittering down my legs. I was shocked at our intense connection, an unbridled savage need that filled both of us. I was dead set on fighting, furious that my panties were already soaked. How could such a horrific beast have this kind of effect on me? “I will always hate you, Lucian. There’s nothing you can do to me that is going to matter. You will never truly own me.”
“Hate me, Genevieve. That’ll only fuel our passion even more. I can’t wait to devour every inch of you, using every hole just as I promised.” A growl erupted from deep inside of him seconds before he crushed his mouth over mine.
I clamped my fingers around his crisp white shirt, able to feel his rapidly beating heart through the thin material. As he rolled his hand down my naked back, forcing me into an arc, the feel of his throbbing cock pressed against my stomach was breathtaking.
While it seemed impossible, I yielded to him, parting my lips, allowing him to thrust his tongue inside. He swished it against mine, shifting his hips back and forth, his actions creating an entire world of butterflies. I was lightheaded, fighting the intense urges continuing to build. His scent was more intoxicating than before, his powerful arms holding me in such a way I knew he’d never let me go.
The kiss became more passionate, my mind swirling in possibilities as he dominated my tongue, taking what he wanted, making good on the promise he’d made. I kept my eyes closed, imagining all the amazing and sinful things he was going to do, envisioning his chiseled naked body.
As he rubbed my back, keeping tremors dancing in my body, I slipped one arm around his neck. I could lose myself in the man far too easily, succumbing to his brutal desires. That wasn’t like me. I wasn’t that kind of girl. A sense of reality shifted in, the desperate hunger turning to shattered fear and I slammed my hand against him, t
rying to get out of his clutches.
But he held me fast, his fingers digging into my skin, grinding his hips back and forth until I moaned into the kiss. The feel of his rigid cock was scintillating, but it further fueled my determination. I pummeled my fists against him, wiggling in his rough hold. When he finally broke the moment of heated passion, his kept our lips only centimeters apart.
“Don’t fight me, my brat, or you’ll find yourself on the other end of my belt.”
“You’ll always be a bastard, hateful and evil.” My words were little more than a breathless whisper.
“Don’t kid yourself, Genevieve. You hunger for me just as much as I do for you.”
“I will never want you. Ever.”
“Then your body betrays you.”
His wry smile and calculated laugh were nothing more than a statement disregarding my claims. I balled my fists, stretching as far away from him as I could get.
Lucian yanked my hair, forcing my head back then lowering his head very slowly. I struggled to watch what he was doing. The instant he pressed his lips against my neck, I thought my legs were going to give way.
“Mmm…” The single admittance was the worst betrayal, adding to the shame that I’d felt the first time he’d touched me.
“Imagine all the filthy things I’m going to do to you.” His hoarse whisper permeated the air around us, echoing in my ears. “I can’t wait to taste you, licking every drop of your sweet cream.” When he dragged his tongue up to my jaw, sliding the tip back and forth, I no longer had any strength left.
“No…”
“Yes.” He nipped my earlobe then blew into my ear, his whisper another promise made. “I can’t wait to drive my cock deep inside, filling you with my seed.”
All I could do was shiver, the embers I’d felt at the engagement party igniting all over again. “And nothing I say matters. Does it?”
