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CHAPTER11
Odette
Picking the lock to my father’s office is an old pastime of mine.Holy taught me how when I was seven because I was tired of being locked out of the room.Entering and finding the father of the girl who has been tormenting me for so damn long nearly had me faltering.
I held my head high and kept my back straight, projecting a confidence I didn’t contain in that moment.Watching Malice go from possessive man to protector in the blink of an eye made me forget about the others in the room and seek out his approval by both submitting to and challenging him in the same breath.
“Well, what’s it going to be?”the man in question asks the spawn of Satan’s sperm donor.
“You can’t be serious.”Mr.James expels a half-laugh, half-choked sound that resembles a squealing pig.If Malice has his way, I’m confident that’s what he’s going to sound like.
“You want my money, I want digits.Three to begin.”I wasn’t sure if Malice was serious at first, but studying his face, I can tell he’s reining in what he truly wants to do.
Kill Owen James.
Glancing over at Holy, he’s barely restraining himself from the same desire.Holy has always been the big brother in my life, so I’m not surprised he’s enraged about Mr.James wanting money from them.
Malice has spent more years avoiding me than not, and his vicious threat leaves a warm trail of conflict racing through my chest.On one hand, I’m flattered he would go to such lengths to get vengeance for me.On the other, I don’t think he’ll stop at the man’s fingers.I think he’s going for his heart, and the thought that Malice could be taken from me strikes fear through my core.
“Malice,” I whisper in his ear.“Will you take me out?”If I can distract him, he’ll want to leave before he does something he might regret later.
“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go as soon as this asshole gives me what I want,” he snarls.
“ButIhave what you want, Malice.”Kissing along his neck, I know I’m not playing fair.
His fist tightens in my hair as his eyes slide down to mine.“After,” he hisses when I pout up at him.“Don’t, Odette.”
“Pretty please.”I rub my hands up and down his chest, trying to soothe the rage rolling through him in mighty waves.
“Go on, Mal, take your girl out,” Holy says as he stands and comes closer.Hopping off the desk, I wander over to the door and wait for Malice to make his choice.From experience, I know I can’t do anything to question his authority when he’s dealing with someone outside of the family.His enemies would see him as weak if they found out he listened to a girl.Especially knowing that it’s only been the last year or two that my father has begun to give him more responsibility.
Slowly, my man’s eyes rise to meet mine.I don’t move, barely breathe.Waiting is brutal.I’ve never been very good at it, if I’m honest.I realize if I want to believe the things he says, that I’ll one day be the woman at his side, I need to learn to curb my impulses, negligible as they may be.
“Owen.”The growled word makes my heart race.“If I so much as hear about Margo going within twenty feet of Odette again, she’ll be making her way up the river.Are we clear?”I wonder if he’d do it.I’ve never known anyone in my family to hurt a woman, but Malice is so different.He’s the most volatile man I’ve ever encountered, and I don’t think gender would curtail his wrath.
“She’ll stay clear, Mr.Sinclair.I promise.”The fear in Mr.James’ voice is apparent as he gets to his feet.When he bows, I bite my lip to curtail the giggle.Holy doesn’t hold back, earning himself a glare from Malice as I open the office door for the older man to leave.
One of my father’s men is there to escort him out of the house and off the property.Holy whistles a jaunty tune as he leaves the room, spearing me with a flirtatious wink as he makes his exit.Idon’tbite back the smile this time.
“Go get ready,” Malice snaps, and I recognize he’s on the edge.
“Where are we going?”It won’t really matter, I already know the dress I want to wear.
“Clandestine.”Biting my lip, I don’t know what to make of that.I’ve heard of the club, but it’s elusive on details.
“And if they won’t let me in?”I raise an eyebrow at him.
He smirks, the dimple in his cheek popping out.“They will.”
I want to argue with him, drag him away from what just happened in here, but he’s too keyed up.So, I smile brightly and walk away.Slipping into my room, I call my sister CJ and prop the phone against a jewelry box on the counter in my closet.
“Odette!”She sounds tipsy.“What’s up, baby sister?”
“Are you drunk?”Stripping out of my clothes, I glance at the screen to see she’s lying down somewhere.Her hair’s a mess, and her mascara is smudged.“Who is Daddy going to kill?”I ask, ignoring the fact that she’s been drinking.Not much rattles CJ, so I know it must be bad.
“Why are you naked?”Way to change the subject.
“Well, I was getting dressed to go on a date and wanted your help, but I think we need to talk now instead.”I hate seeing either of my sisters upset.
