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And Alice was the one who saw the cane first, and her cheeks went a little dark as she stared at me testing it out. She didn’t need to say that she enjoyed the way it looked and maybe what I could do to her with it.
My precious, depraved little thing.
I slip the ring box into my pocket alongside my phone and resolve to make tonight the night. I will slip this on her finger, and I will touch my lips to hers. I won’t take her—not until we stand before God and the universe itself to declare our union, but after that, nothing can hold me back. There will be no force in existence that will keep me from her once we’ve spoken our vows.
Leaning on the cane, I let myself out of the office and disconnect from business for the night. Ari will need some attention, which means that it’s likely James or Phoenix won’t be attending the evening meal, and it’s only my extreme ego and selfishness that I’m glad to have Alice to myself.
They are part of this—they are my family and her lovers, and their souls belong to me—but I want to be the only one who looks into her eyes when she realizes what promise she’s going to make me.
’Til death do us part is something I intend to take absolutely and completely literally.
God save her.
Passing by the kitchen, I take a peek inside, and I’m happy with the fact that dinner looks almost finished. The sky beyond the window is already dark, so I let myself into the dining room and find Alice seated at my right, nursing a glass of wine. She looks at me, her eyes a little dark and tired, and she’s definitely wary.
I approach, leaning heavily on the cane, and she watches my every move as I set it aside and sit.
Silence hangs between us, heavy as the last harsh words I spoke to her, so I offer her my hand, and after a beat, she takes it. Her skin is warm under my kiss, and I hear her lose a breath to it.
“I owe you an apology.”
She sighs quietly as she withdraws. “It’s fine. You’re in pain. This is all…new.”
“And you were stolen and forced to bargain your life and your future for my revenge plans,” I counter.
She flinches, but I need her to hear it bluntly.
“I’m an old man, Alice. Not as old as some—not a fucking crypt keeper you would have been sold to by Romano, but I’m stealing something from you.”
She meets my gaze, and I pick up the wine that’s been left by my plate. It’s a Beaujolais—not anything expensive but still rich on my tongue as I take a long drink while she contemplates my words.
“Lesser of two evils. Didn’t you say something like that to me before?”
Did I? I honestly can’t remember, but it sounds right. I drink another mouthful and say nothing as dinner is served. It’s some sort of white fish and a cream sauce with steamed runner beans seasoned to what I know is perfection. I’m not hungry, but I’ve had manners drilled into me since I could speak, so I pick up my fork and take a few bites.
Alice follows.
The servers only wait a moment to make sure we’re satisfied, and then they let themselves out as silently as they entered, and I let myself breathe a little easier.
“Has James been…are you,” I stutter, which is unusual for me, but she’s new, and she changes our dynamic.
“Satisfied?” she offers.
I nod stiffly, and she looks like she’s holding in a laugh.
“Or are you asking if I regret saying yes to the whole getting-me-knocked-up thing?”
It’s so fucking crass, and I want to kiss the tart words off her lips. Instead, I take another drink of wine. “You have to have at least given some thought about what it’ll be like to raise a child here.”
“Children, if James’ breeding kink has any say,” she mutters, and I allow myself a chuckle because I know it well.
The few times I’ve allowed him to put me on my knees, that part of him comes out. He ruts against me and talks about forcing me to carry the evidence of what I’ve let him do. It’s not something I’ve ever craved, but I still see the appeal.
And frankly, I’ll do anything to make my boys happy.
Anything.
“Your obligation to me is one child,” I remind her. “Anything beyond that will be a—”
