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“You!” he says like some third-rate streaming service villain. “Where’s Red?”
“He set this meeting up for me.” I wave to a chair in front of the lone table. There is only one table in this windowless room that Red uses for all his “talks.” The walls are padded with red velvet, and there’s a well-stocked bar along one wall. The floor is concrete, but under the table is a hand-woven rug that is rumored to be from Versailles during Louis’s reign. There’s not a spot of blood on it, as Red boasts. That says more about the quality of tarping that is used during his talks than anything.
Edward scowls at the setup and refuses to move. “You have something that belongs to me, and I want it returned,” he demands.
“And my aunt wants her daughter back.”
The other man’s face grows red. “That was a mistake, and I said I was sorry.”
“My aunt does not accept your apologies. You will need to find a way to compensate her for her loss. She wishes payment in kind.”
“Payment in kind?” His brows clash together. “Your cousin is...”
“Dead? Yes. My aunt requires the same in return. The man who killed my cousin must deliver himself to my aunt by next Sunday, or we will come for all of you.”
“It was an accident,” he protests.
“I do not care, Blackstone. For my aunt and for all of my family, there is only one form of compensation. The one responsible for her death must also die. You have ten days.” I toss the towel onto the table and walk toward the exit. At the doorway, I stop. “Also, you will need to cut off the hand that you used to strike my wife. That sort of insult won’t stand.”
13
AURORA
I think my husband was right. I needed to get out of the house. I’ve been holed up inside of it for a few weeks already. Ever since the wedding. Actually, I’ve been there since Mikael had taken me there after he found me. I haven’t stepped outside of it except for the few times I peeked out into the backyard. That had been before we wed.
Once I learned about Mikael and Blackstone having a history, I’d shut myself in more, sticking to our bedroom and the kitchen. I often slept in so I never had breakfast with Mikael, but he all but demanded I have dinner with him. He hadn’t said it, but when it was time for dinner, if I wasn’t there he’d come and get me.
I’ve been blaming the sleeping in late on my new husband’s insatiable need for me throughout the night and when he wakes up for the day. That might be a small part of it, but the truth is I have been slipping into a dark place.
A place I went when I lost my father. That feeling of being all alone again has started to pull me under. I thought I’d found someone only to think I lost them as quickly as I’d found them. Leaving me all alone once again. I made myself believe that Mikael’s touches were only because we have an undeniable physical connection. I wanted them just as badly. When he touches me, there is only pleasure and nothing else. I was able to get lost in it.
I smile as I walk through the mall, thinking about how Mikael not only noticed it was happening but was worried for me. He cares. It’s been a long time since I had someone in my life that genuinely did that.
I feel lighter now. My heart is no longer heavy. Getting out today has been as good for me as he suggested it would be. But I know that the biggest reason I’m feeling better is because of Mikael's words. I believe him. He has no reason to lie to me. I offered him an out that would still give him what I thought he really wanted, but he wasn’t having it. He truly wants me as his wife.
When I spot a lingerie store, I head inside. Mikael set me up to spend the afternoon at the spa. It was incredible. After I was rubbed down and soaked in some magical soaking tub, they’d gone about doing my hair and makeup along with my nails. I might have added on a service that Mikael hadn’t set up for me. I thought it might be a fun surprise and worth the pain. I’m now hairless down there.
When the woman asked me if I wanted it all gone, I nodded my yes. She went on to clarify what that meant. I honestly didn't realize there was much hair on your backside, but my mind went back to our wedding night when Mikael’s tongue had gone all the way down to the crease of my buttocks. When I tensed up in surprise, he pulled back. I’m not sure if that's something that I would enjoy, but I won't know until I try it. I also know Mikael is a very possessive man when it comes to me. If it was up to him, no part of me would ever be kept from him, and I don’t want to keep any from him.
