His to Own (His to Own #1)

by Autumn Winchester

  “You are not to talk to me like that,” I stated, my voice surprisingly calm despite the fear and hatred I felt inside. “You are no longer someone that can tell me what I can’t and can do. It’s a good thing that my mom ran off when she could. You were just waiting for the perfect time to finish her off. You killed her soul, and you would have killed her heart too if given the chance.”

  “Watch it, Avidya,” Cody spoke, spraying spit from his mouth in the process.

  “Don’t you dare,” Zachariah said, glaring at my father. “There is nothing else I can do; therefore, you do not need to be here. We are done. Shemoli, please take out the garbage.”

  The man gave out one last nod before quickly grabbing Cody around his chubby neck from behind, forcing him from the room. He protested all the way out the door.

  I turned my attention to the man, meeting his heated gaze. My eyes widened at the look, as I expected a look that was . . . . well, not hot with passion.

  In the next breath, his lips crashed to mine and his hands pushed me into him. The kiss was rougher than the previous ones that we’ve had as his tongue instantly searched out, asking for entrance. I gave in, letting him take total control as our breaths grew ragged.

  My eyes slid closed as I felt his hardness underneath me. My core grew warm, demanding attention.

  A cough made us break apart and he shot a hot melting glare to the one that dared to interrupt us. I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle, letting my head fall against his shoulder, my body shaking. Out of all places to get caught making out, it had to be here in the worst place possible.

  “What?” Zachariah barked out.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” a man replied, his voice quiet but yet loud enough to carry around the room. “The dirt that caused a mess this morning. . .”

  Was it a normal occurrence for Zachariah to be here with a woman on his lap? No one really seemed all that surprised. Or was it just me that they weren’t surprised about?

  “Fine,” the man grunted out, shifting underneath me. I giggled again, pressing a light kiss to the side of his neck in the process. He froze under me before relaxing. “Avidya,” he whispered in a half grunt. I took that for him liking what I did, but let my head fall back to his shoulder.

  “Why did three of my girls die when I was out?” Zachariah asked, holding me tightly to him as he addressed the man. My face was pressed against his shoulder, causing me to not be able to see who it was that was dragged into the room.

  “It was an accident,” the man answered with a high-pitched voice, clearly fidgeting.

  “It was not just an accident,” Zachariah stated, his voice hardening and darkening. “Gem, Sal, take this rat to the trap. Death would be too kind.”

  “Please. It’s won’t happen again,” the man begged, pleading for his life.

  “Or throw him to the dogs. They’d love to tear into him,” Zachariah said, his posture relaxing. He seemed as if he didn’t care about the man’s well-being.

  Within seconds, the man was dragged away, crying and begging for anything else as a punishment. I wasn’t sure what to make of it all.

  Zachariah was a deadly man, so why didn’t he just kill the man right here?

  “Why didn’t you just kill him?” I asked, my voice muffled against his shoulder.

  “Because you are already on edge,” was his answer. “I don’t want to push you over the edge. He’ll get death, but it’ll be a slow one.”

  “Do you always draw out . . . .” I didn’t want to say death, as it didn’t’ feel right.

  “Sometimes,” Zachariah answered. “Sometimes I make it quick if I’m in the mood. People fear me for a reason, Avidya.”

  “I don’t fear you,” I said, lifting my head to meet his. Fear for him was the farthest thing I felt.

  “I know,” he said, giving me a wide grin that transferred his no-nonsense face to one of relaxation. “You trust me more than you should.”

  Chapter 27

  Zachariah

  On the way back home, I finally got to know a bit more of my bride to be. If I could have, I’d certainly take her and elope somewhere. Avidya wouldn’t have minded either. But if I did that, my entire family would have thrown fiery flames my way without a second thought. Mom was looking forward to seeing me finally married since my brother already had. Next, she’d be pushing children on us, which was not in my plans any time soon.

  To get my mind off of my raging hormones, I asked her questions, and in turn, she opened a bit more. I knew she wasn’t entirely sure how to act in my presence since she sensed my dominate nature. My dominate side was coming out more with each passing day as I spent time with her. It was something I wasn’t trying to hide but I didn’t want to overwhelm her more than she was already with everything.

  “What have you done for your birthdays?” I asked first.

  “Nothing, really. Mom would make me a cake, and that was about it. No gifts since Cody always said we couldn’t afford it,” she answered.

  It was a sad thought that Cody and Lynn both had enough money to give Avidya almost anything her heart wanted, yet they couldn’t spend money to buy her a simple birthday gift. It may have been my father’s idea to help out the Ray family, for whatever reason he did so for. But no more. Cody Ray didn’t deserve handouts now that his wife was missing, and Avidya was safe with me. He had been taking far too much from us without a return service.

  “That will change,” I stated, already forming a plan to show her just how special she truly was.

  “I don’t want anything,” she said, a light in her eyes as she shook her head. Just because she said the words didn’t mean she didn’t want things. Everyone always wanted something, no matter who they were. I’d certainly try to give her the world if she so desired it.

  I simply threw a smile and a wink her way. I’d get her something she’d least expect.

  “Why don’t you want kids?” Avidya asked out, taking me by surprise. Maybe she was more comfortable with me that I gave her credit for. I didn’t think she had picked up that little bit of information that I let slip.

  “I don’t much care for them,” I answered with a shrug. “I have never seen myself having any, let alone getting married.”

  “But you are going to be married,” she stated without question. “So maybe we will have a child or two in a few years.”

  “I’d prefer not to,” I said, glancing over at her. Did she want children? If so, I’d make sure she could have them around, but I just wasn’t the type of person to cater to children. I didn’t want a child to grow up like I had, or worrying about its safety. It would be bad enough worrying about Avidya. “I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to babysit, or work in a daycare or something like that if you’d like,” I added.

  I had seen her work with the children at the church on occasion, and she did wonderfully. Children adored her. I couldn’t quite call her a child magnet since I didn’t know how well she did with children on a daily basis.

  I wasn’t a kid person, as children tended to make me uncomfortable more often than not. My brother and sister-in-law were trying without any success. I knew they were both looking into other options now as a last resort.

  “Maybe,” she replied, turning her attention out to the window.

  I felt bad that I made her upset.

  “I’ve seen you work them – children, I mean,” I mused. “Surely you know I have seen you before that night.”

  “I figured as much,” she huffed out. “You know me better than I know myself.”

  “That’s not all that hard to figure you out, Avidya,” I said, my voice letting my desire seep through. “You’re so easy to read. Just like how I can read your expression on how you react to just my voice.”

  She shrugged in reply, her face still turned from me. I still saw her small smile and blush that covered her cheeks.

  “How was the wedding planning with my mother?” I asked out, turning a corner.

  “Okay, I guess,” she re
plied. “I don’t see what the big deal is. I mean, I don’t want that big of a wedding, and always figured it would have all been planned out so I didn’t even have to do anything but stand there. I don’t want something big, let alone stand in front of total strangers, you know. I’m not a big people person, and I don’t think your mom will let me have a say over the guest list.” She rambled on, and I couldn’t help but laugh, amused that she at least felt comfortable enough to do so.

  “I take it you aren’t happy with planning a wedding, then?” I summed up.

  “What gave that away,” she said with an eye roll.

  “I’ll let mom know that she can plan it however then,” I said. Mom wouldn’t really care one way or another. She was just happy I was getting married to a girl I chose, and not family chosen.

  “Can’t get out of the dress part,” she grumbled with a pout.

  “I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll like. Mom was determined to take you later this week to look at the bridal store,” I stated. “Of course, you will have a few of my guards tagging along, for safety reasons.”

  I was pleasantly surprised that she didn’t argue. I didn’t want to risk her safety to let her go alone, even with my mother. I had enemies, and they wouldn’t stop at anything to get to her.

  “Have you found any style that you like yet?” I asked, trying to get her to open up.

  “Not really. Some things here and there,” she answered while looking at me. Not only could I see, but also feel, as her eyes took me in. “I don’t know if the mark should be covered or not.”

  I could hear the question in her statement, and I was quick to answer. “That’s up to you. Everyone will know you are mine either way. I will be marrying you, Avidya Ray, and no one will dare question it.”

  “You’ll find something,” I declared after a brief pause, knowing that she’d find the perfect one soon enough.

  “So . . what do you expect of me?” Avidya asked out.

  “I’ve told you,” I said, glancing at her. “To be who you want to be. If you like to cook, then cook. If you want to find a hobby, do so.”

  “I mean, what do you want me to do? I’ve always been told what I should be doing if I wasn’t already,” she said.

  “Be yourself,” I answered. “I don’t expect anything from you. I want to live as one together. I’d like each of us to bring the other one up, helping with stresses and all that.” I paused, letting that sink in before I went on. “I’d still love to teach you how pleasurable it will be to be my wife, but I can wait until you are ready for that step. As I have told you, I am a Dominate and I like certain things a certain way sometimes but we will discuss that at length when you are ready.”

  “Oh,” she responded, still in thought. I knew it’d take time. It had only been a few days that she’d been in my house, and I hadn’t demanded anything, let alone asked. I purposely left out that we’d have to consummate our marriage the night after the wedding, knowing it’d possibly bring up more unsettled issues.

  Was she possibly feeling like she needed to do something? I thought it was pretty laid out, although thinking of how submissives have behaved in the past, mostly to draw my attention, Avidya wasn’t like that. No, she needed some sort of routine, as she obviously grew up with one. Maybe that’s what I needed to do to make her more comfortable.

  It didn’t take long for us to get back home, thankfully, and without any tagalongs. It wasn’t often when someone would try to trail me, trying to figure out any weakness I had.

  Avidya shot me a small, shy smile as she walked into the house before stating she was going to go look through the journals a bit more.

  Chapter 28

  Avidya

  The orange and yellowish brown leaves fell from the trees like snow as the wind blew through the treetops. My blond hair that wasn’t pulled back in a updo with a blue sapphire clip blew across my face as I stood, staring at the grave before me.

  Despite the warm autumn air, my cold hands were stuffed into the light gray knitted jacket that fell to my thighs. Zachariah stood just a few feet behind me, letting me have a moment alone at the grave that had yet to have grass planted over the top.

  I refused to cry. There was nothing I could say, nothing I could do, to change how things are now. I couldn’t look away from the words that were etched to the simple headstone.

  Becca Rights

  Beloved daughter

  1989-2007

  There was nothing about who she was as a person. Had anyone that actually knew her say anything to remember her by? Did they even have a grand service for her?

  Becca was not just a normal person. She was full of life and wanted to fulfill her desire to do more than what her parents wanted out of her. She planned to explore the world till she found a town that she could call her home. A home that would as far away from her overbearing parents as she could possibly get.

  I’d have gone with her, too, if I had the chance to do so.

  Now, though, I was here and about to marry a man I hardly knew. A man I could see myself falling in love with.

  My heart thumped in time to the pain that she no longer had to suffer through. I knew without question that her parents didn’t know her. All they had was two simple words on the piece of stone. Becca would have wanted something more wrote there to show the world that she was more than a simple girl who wanted a simple life.

  A strong gust of wind blew past, causing my hair once more to whip me across the face as I stood there in self-misery.

  I’d never see my best friend again.

  I could still hear her silent scream of pain as someone pushed the sharp knife deep into her back, right into her beating heart. I could feel the warm blood ooze from the wound before I was roughly knocked out.

  Would I have to relive that memory for the rest of my life now?

  With a heavy heart, I turned away before any tears fell from my eyes. If I had known she would lose her life all because of me, I would have done things differently.

  The question of if I was the target, or was Becca the main target, popped into my head. Maybe I was merely just a pawn when Becca was the one that should have been where I am today. Maybe she was going to be the girl that had to pay off a debt. Had Becca possibly gotten into trouble and didn’t tell me?

  “Ready?” Zachariah asked, waiting patiently for me. I knew he had things to do, but he offered to bring me here himself.

  Becca’s parents were clear about not wanting me anywhere near them, thinking I was the cause of their daughter’s death. They didn’t even want me to come here to visit her grave.

  “Yeah,” I answered, letting him bring me against his chest. I wasn’t going to let this one thing bother me, as it could have been much worse. Not sure how, but it certainly could be. At least everyone had closure instead of wondering where Becca possibly could have ended up.

  “Did you want to say anything to her?” Jonas asked as he stood, leaning against the nearest tree, arms crossed over his chest.

  Zachariah was adamant about having a bodyguard wherever I went, fearing for my safety. I hadn’t complained but wasn’t happy it was Jonas who had to tag along. Yes, it was better than a few other men that my husband-to-be employed, but I wasn’t too pleased about Jonas either.

  Jonas had briefly explained on the way here to the cemetery that there was a number of threats out there, waiting to take me out already. It would die down once I married Zachariah but even then, Jonas would still tag along for extra protection when I would want to go out.

  I didn’t see myself wanting to venture out if I didn’t need to, though. I wasn’t the adventurous type as it was.

  “There’s nothing to say,” I deadpanned. It wasn’t like she could hear me, so there was no point.

  “Alright,” Jonas said backing off.

  “Shall we go meet up with my mother, then?” Zachariah asked out before kissing the top of my head lightly.

  “Do I have to?” I nearly whined out. I didn’t wan
t to go dress shopping even though I didn’t have much of anything else to do either.

  “Yes,” he laughed as he pulled back to meet my eyes. “It can’t possibly be that bad.”

  “When I’ve never actually gone clothes shopping before for myself, yes. It can be horrible,” I grumbled out.

  “At least let my mom get the measurements and she can pick out something your style then,” Zachariah said, lifting my face to his. Before I could respond, he pressed his lips to my own, banishing my train of thought.

  I melted into him, letting him take away my fears and pain. Somehow, he was able to make things seem better when life was crashing down around me. I could never figure out how it did it, but he just made life better.