Chapter 29
Chapter 29
I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked over my naked body with a breathless awe and curiosity I never had before.The baby in my belly was a beautiful and twisted reminder of the damning ecstasy that the devil gave me before he took my soul. My heart was beginning to steady as my hand gently touched my belly.
My mind wandered to white carnations, the flower that represented maternity. My mother always told expectant mothers to grow them in a garden, and Our Lady would bless them with a healthy and happy baby.
I looked down, smiling wistfully despite it all."I can't grow carnations right now, but I will always protect you," I whispered, not entirely used to the full and warm feeling.My body was beginning to change in the smallest of ways, naturally following the rhythm of life. I had always been self-conscious about my slender and shorter frame. The curve of my waist was the only thing that ever made me feel remotely womanly.
This little burst of appreciation for my own body was new. My curls were shining, slightly damp, and elongated from my long bath, falling around me and framing my face. My skin was glowing, soft, and smooth, and my eyes were bright despite the sadness I could still see in them.
Yet, I had never felt more powerful, more mystifying, and a little in love.
Something was growing inside of me, in my womb, the pieces of a new life expanding with every breath I took. Despite the hellish world of pain and confusion I was in, the thought of this baby was the only thing that could make me smile.
Hearing the bedroom door creek open, I quickly covered myself. It was Meroveo's imposing reflection in the mirror.I was more terrified of him finding out about our baby than the deal I made with Agent Aethra.
I met his eyes in the reflection that connected us, knowing that facing him was the only way to the other side of this.
"You look as beautiful as ever, Dove," he said, his deep voice washing over me like ice-cold water.
I tapered down the vile hate I felt towards him. The tip of my ears grew hot as I bit my tongue, welcoming the pain as a distraction to the rage I held back.The newfound protective instincts gave me courage and reminded me that I had to execute my plan flawlessly.I had to hold on for one more night, one more night, and I would be free of him. He chuckled behind me, his eyes lighting up in pleasure at my silent challenge. The deep, vibrating sound felt like a sliver of his tainted touch on my skin.
Meeting his gaze unflinchingly, my heart raced as I watched him undo the cuffs of his white shirt. He moved calmly, as he always did - movements that were always sure and steady.He placed his watch on the bedside dresser, taking off his rings and watching me.
"No words for your husband this evening?" he stated, amused. The dark stubble on his face was more than usual, and his eyes were more tired than usual as he moved to stand directly behind me.
That unnerving trickle of unholy fire began to spark in his eyes.
Want.
Lust.
Dominance.
Something else simmered in his dark gaze, which I couldn't place. I quickly looked away from his invasive gaze, hoping this would be a quick exchange between us, but knowing Meroveo and understanding the look in his eyes, I knew this would be anything but.
Keep calm, Dove. I whispered over and over to myself, steeling myself, hating the sound of the hitch of my breath when his fingers gently laced around the back of my neck.
"I've missed you," he smiled warmly, kissing my head.I haven't been having the best time," He said. I looked into his eyes, searching for any reaction, any acknowledgment of what had happened that night."Unfortunate circumstances for your family." It was a mocking glint as he rubbed my neck languidly, lovingly keeping his face straight.
"Unfortunate?" I scoffed, unable to contain the sarcasm at his nonchalant attitude.My nails dug into my flesh under the vanity, reminding me to stay calm and focused and to let the aching anger go for now."You know it was no accident," I sneered, meeting his eyes in the mirror, no longer containing myself. The accusation left my mouth before I could stop it.
Meroveo just smiled back, lifting one dark eyebrow, incensed by my sudden change."I don't know what you mean?" he smiled, serene and stoic in the face of my animosity. His hand still rubbed soothing circles behind my neck, and the pressure slightly increased.
"Not only are you a coward, but we can add a liar to the list."Somewhere in my brain, I was screaming at myself to be quiet, to be gentle, to be submissive for one more night, but the hurt made a whip out of my tongue."Just tell the truth, husband ," I mocked him, soothing some of the pain in my chest. His grip on my neck became harder, firmer, not enough to hurt, but his touch threatened what his words didn't.
"If you want to play brujita, then so be it, but be careful of the things that come to light," he whispered, bending down in my ear. His words were deceptively soft."You want the truth?" He said cruelly, pulling my hair suddenly so I could do nothing but stare at him, holding me firmly in place. "The excuse of a man you call your uncle was broke; he was going to lose it all, the land, the factory, the things your family hold so dear," he said, the smile on his sinister face."I let him think he could entertain me for one night. Indulge him, see what he can offer me to save him from ruin. I wasn't expecting much," he chuckled mirthlessly, a ruthless coldness in his eyes.I tried to free myself from his grip, but he held me effortlessly in place, one hand in the mass of my curls painfully, the other holding my jaw."Then I saw you, and I knew when you looked up at me that night you were the only offer of salvation I would get in this life."
I felt a sole finger catch the tear that fell backward, running into the mass of my hair. The sharp ache in my chest and tears surprised me. His fingers that held my jaw slowly snaked down to my neck. "I knew I would never let you go."The dark declaration found my watery eyes in the mirror. His hand slid to wrap around my throat, his fingers losing their gentleness and becoming firm. "Did your uncle not tell you?" he laughed."He offered you to me that same night." I could smell the cigar on his rough fingers and the taste of whisky on his breath."Franco assured me he would handle your mother, no one would interfere, and you could leave with me on the plane that night where we would be married in Castillo."His eyes grew darker, simmering with the truth, terrifying me to what could have been.
"It wouldn't have mattered to me if you were willing, but you and I know you always were," he said wickedly."But Demitria got involved. She begged me to let you finish school. She wanted to be a grandmother someday, after all." I felt his smile, his words cruel, fingers pulling down my robe, exposing the very tops of my breast to his possessive gaze.
"So I did something I never do, Dove, I compromised. I granted your mother the time she needed to understand and gave your uncle what he wanted, paying three times the asking price of both the rum business and your family's land combined. That's how much he sold you for."Despite his calm and steady projection, he took on a cruel, malicious smile.
"You did it," I confirmed out loud, my voice barely above a whisper as I rose, turning to face him.
He stepped back, relishing in the way my body shook, his eyes taking on a cruel and malignant light."You were worth every penny."
I slapped him.The sound echoed in the ominously silent room, my palm stinging from the force, feeling myself weaken in fear but refusing to back down. His jaw ticked as he looked down at me, black anger bleeding into his eyes.
He grabbed my face, bruising my skin, roughly pushing me back into a wall."I complied with the hit on your cousin. He wasn't as innocent as you think," he said without hesitation."I ordered and watched as my men lit the match that destroyed your family's legacy, burning it to the ground, finally putting your uncle in his place. That was me being nice, brujita. " there was no remorse in him."Hate me if you need to feel better. You know I'm never letting you go."He let go and never looked back