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ryth
They’re goingto get married…you need to be ready for that.
Nick’s words haunted me as we walked into that little diner, ate cheeseburgers and drank colas, then drove home. I spent the rest of the day trying to focus on my assignment, feeling numb and empty after seeing dad, until the thud of the front door sounded and mom’s voice rang out.
“RY! RY, HONEY!”
I shoved my chair backward and raced downstairs, to find the kitchen island loaded with bags.
Mom spun, her eyes shining with elation as she held out her hand. “Dresses.”
I stepped closer, confused.
“For you, as my bridesmaid.” She rushed forward. “Now these are all from the same place that has my dress, so when we settle on a design you like, we can get you fitted with me on Saturday.”
“Saturday?” I glanced her way, mentally calculating how much work I still had on that damn paper to get the passing grade.
“Yes, Saturday. The wedding is a week away.”
I swallowed hard. Of course it was. This was really happening…
“So, Saturday.” Mom stepped closer to grip my shoulders. “You’re okay with this, right? You haven’t changed your mind?”
“Changed her mind about what?”
I flinched at the sound of his voice, turning to watch Tobias saunter into the kitchen, wearing nothing more than tight black jeans. Mom’s gaze widened as she took in his hard stomach and muscled chest before looking away, a slight red blush rising to her cheeks. “The wedding, of course.”
Tobias grabbed a glass from the cabinet and slowly made his way to the sink to hit the tap. He didn’t need to do that. I knew he had a small refrigerator in his room, knew he kept it well stocked, too…so why the display?
He switched off the tap and turned, his gaze fixed on me. “Now why on earth would someone want to stand in the way of true love, right, Ryth?”
“Right,” I answered carefully, watching the glint shine a little bit brighter in his eyes.
“Oh, shoot, I forgot the shoes!”Mom yelled as she raced from the kitchen to the door.
Tobias just casually placed his glass on the counter behind him and sauntered toward me. “I heard your little drive with my brother was…interesting.” He glanced toward the front door and my pulse stuttered as he stepped closer, leaning down to murmur in my ear. “This is your last warning, pack your gold-digging whore of a mom up and get out of my house.”
His words burned like acid in the pit of my stomach. My mom might be a number of things…but a whore wasn’t one of them. I turned my head, meeting his gaze. “Or else?”
His lips curled, revealing a chilling smile. “Or else all bets are off. I’m giving you until the wedding, Ryth…then you’remine.”
He expected me to cower from him, expected me to scurry away like the little mouse he thought I was. He thought he could scare me. I straightened my spine, looked him dead in the eyes, and answered. “I think you’re nothing more than a hurt little boy and you miss your mom. I get that. But taking out your anger and pain on me or my mom isn’t the right way.”
There was a twitch in the corner of his eye, one tiny tell. “You think I’m in pain? Oh, how cute. I’ll show you fucking pain, little mouse.”
Mom’s rushed steps drew my gaze.
He moved before I knew it, pinching my nippleharduntil I flinched and cried out. Then he was gone, leaving me to hide the agony as mom hurried in, her cheeks flushed, breaths panting. “Oh, has T gone?”
His heavy steps thudded on the stairs. I fought the need to scream at him, to fight and kick…and cry. He was abastard!A cruel, manipulative bastard who thought he could bully me into breaking my mom’s heart.
I’m giving you until the wedding…
I fisted my hands, fighting the urge to stride up those stairs, bang on his door, and scream in his goddamn face,“Fuck you! And fuck your ultimatums!”
My nipple throbbed like hell, aching and swollen. I hated how it echoed between my thighs. I hated how hehatedme,andhow he thought putting his hands on me was okay. I squirmed at the discomfort and fought the need to rub my breast.
He wanted a goddamn battle?
