Chapter 36 #2
He chuckled. “I believe you’re right. Have you given my proposal any thought?”
While laughing in his face and saying I wasn’t desperate enough would convey how I really felt, I didn’t want to tempt him to level up his insanity. I chose to carefully feed his delusion instead.
“I have. The prenup doesn’t tempt me even a little because I’d need to survive to make use of it. What’s the survival rate of your ex-wives again?”
As I’d guessed, a refusal that showed intellect didn’t offend him. He smiled.
“All accidents, I assure you.”
“Let me guess. Fell down the stairs? Tripped into the pool while intoxicated? A brake malfunction? No, that’s too third-world.
An engine malfunction in your private jet.
Loss of a jet would be a business write-off, a reason to buy a newer model and still save millions in legal fees and divorce settlements. ”
The humor faded a little from his eyes, and I knew I was hitting closer to home than he would like.
“Your kids aren’t smart enough for you because you chose easy victims. Intelligence comes at a price that you’re obviously not willing to pay.”
The hint of anger in his expression vanished as he studied me thoughtfully.
“It seems I have much to consider. I will return in the morning.”
I watched him leave and hoped I wouldn’t still be there in the morning.
Very rarely did I ever stop to care what people thought of me. I lived according to my own rules. If I drank myself silly, I owned it with zero regret. Walk of shame? What shame? Men didn’t feel it after a one-night stand. Why should I? Tripping in public? Everyone trips. I laugh and carry on.
Humiliation wasn’t something I acknowledged. It didn’t serve me in any way.
Yet, that’s all I felt after having to use the bedpan after breakfast. The fire in my face as Marta cleaned me up wouldn’t leave, and I swore on my life that I would make Hestian pay for the degradation.
Marta patted my hip gently as she straightened my pants, a small show of compassion and understanding, then went to get rid of my waste.
My face was still hot when Hestian entered a while later.
“I assure you the food is clean,” he said, taking his seat.
When I didn’t respond, he changed topics.
“I’ve given your concern consideration and believe I have a solution that will give us both peace of mind.
A prenup stating you will not be entitled to any assets if we divorce with the exception of a single account that will be yours alone.
Prior to the wedding, I will transfer ten million dollars to that account.
Another deposit of equal amount will be made for each live son you birth.
And should you pass while wed to me, which I sincerely hope does not happen, the funds will not go to me or our children, but a designated beneficiary of your choice. ”
I stopped imagining gouging his eyes out and pretended to think it over.
“That’s a small piece of a very large picture. Once I’m pregnant, how will my life change? Will I be expected to eat differently? Take special supplements? Will I have a voice in my attending physician and general healthcare or will that be dictated by your preferences?
“Once the child is born, what role will I have in their lives?
“You say you want to marry me for an heir, but I’m not simple enough to believe that will be my only obligation. Will I be allowed to fill my time as I please? Work outside the home if I choose? Socialize as I choose? Or will I be limited to pre-approved activities?
“Will intercourse be limited to attempted pregnancies or an expected obligation? If expected routinely, how routinely? Since monogamy is a word that tends only to be used for wives and not husbands, are you willing to be tested routinely?
“I can’t take any offer seriously without specifics—my freedoms, obligations, compensation for meeting those obligations, and penalties for either of us not meeting the set requirements.”
He was quiet for several seconds.
“I will meet with my lawyer later today and draft a marriage contract for your review.”
“Be thorough,” I said. “I’m tired of being tied to the bed.”
A hint of annoyance flashed in his eyes as he stood to leave. He wanted intelligence, but only if it came with a side of subservience. One I had. The other I didn’t.
Time passed. And the monotony of doing nothing eroded my fear, which was dangerous. I started thinking of trying to get out of the cuffs again. I’d warned Hestian I didn’t like them. Would he see it as an attempt to escape? Defiance?
Would he even see it, or would I be dealing with Javier, who hadn’t made an appearance since that first time? Did I want to find out?
Marta came and went a second time, taking the untouched food with her.
I wasn’t okay. The need to do something was clawing at me. My thoughts were all over the place, bouncing between wondering where Konni was and what I would do if he didn’t come soon.
Time wasn’t my friend. The longer I lay there, the more I realized help might not be coming.
Hestian’s sudden appearance in the doorway pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. Not showing my surprise, I studied him as closely as he was studying me.
Something had changed. He looked stressed.
But I couldn’t pinpoint why. His hair was still neatly combed.
His tailored suit was still impeccably wrinkle-free.
My gaze shifted to the grip on his cane.
Usually, it was in one hand, off to the side.
He was holding it like he did when he sat.
In front of him, both hands on the silver head, gripping it, but not tightly.
Was that his tell?
My gaze met his.
“Did the lawyer have issues with the contract?” I asked.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to meet with him in person as I’d hoped. I will have to trouble you with my hospitality for a while longer. Unless, of course, you’re willing to strike a verbal agreement.”
“You wouldn’t be interested in me if I were that gullible, would you?”
He sighed. “No, I would not.”
He thumped his cane on the floor. “Check her mark.”
I was expecting Marta to walk in. Instead, Javier entered and stalked toward the bed. When he reached me, he roughly pushed me forward and pulled on the cut in my shirt.
“Gently, Javier,” Hestian said, walking closer. “It looks the same.”
“What were you expecting?” I asked calmly before shrugging off Javier’s hold.
The way Javier looked at me as I straightened sent a chill of warning through me. Something told me Hestian’s presence was the only thing stopping Javier from giving me the back of his hand.
“I was told that, if you had a mark, it would fade with time.”
“Either they purposely misled you, or you misunderstood. Marks can fade with time, but not in days.” I didn’t add that it also depended on how the person who wore the mark felt about the one who gave it to her.
“How long will it take for your mark to fade?” he asked.
“I honestly don’t know. I was led to believe it would take months, but he said he would never let it happen.” Tilting my head at Hestian, I added, “Do you know what this mark is?”
“The start of a dragon bonding.”
Was Hestian stupid or oblivious?
I decided it didn’t matter. Either way, he’d get what he deserved for robbing me of my basic human rights.
“Nothing more to share?” he asked.
“You chose to kidnap a dragon’s bonded mate. There’s nothing I can say or do that will help either of us.”
His gaze noticeably heated before he reached out to touch my face. I jerked back and held his gaze calmly.
“I bite,” I said.
The sick bastard smiled.
“I’m looking forward to having you under me, Sophia.”
With a final sweeping look that made me wish for a bleach shower, he walked away. I turned my attention to Javier and arched a brow.
The look he gave me promised a level of pain that would leave me broken in some way. Then, like Hestian, he turned and left the room too.
If Konni didn’t hurry, I would be in deeper trouble than either of us could handle soon.
I went back to doing leg lifts and tucks, twisting and moving any way I could to keep myself from getting stiff. That included opening and closing my hands, rotating them this way and that.
Javier appeared in the doorway after only a minute of that. I swiveled my hand to flip him off and continued what I was doing. He didn’t leave until I grew bored moving and closed my eyes for a nap.
A gentle nudge woke me, and I looked up at Marta’s bruised face. Her dull, hopeless gaze held mine as she offered a glass of water. We stared at each other for several long moments.
Movement from the corner of my eye drew my attention from her to Javier in the doorway. His mean smile and the way he lifted his hand to rub his knuckles told the story he wanted me to hear—Marta would be his punching bag in my place whenever I gave him the urge.
“I used to think men were good for one thing, but you’ve changed my opinion, Javier. Please tell Hestian you made me angry and he can go fuck himself with his cane. I’ll ask if you delivered the message the next time he visits.”
The gloating superiority vanished behind an unreadable mask. We stayed in a silent stare down for an eternity until he finally turned and left the doorway.
When I looked back at Marta, the hand holding the water out was shaking violently. Fear or exhaustion from ignoring it for so long?
I nodded and drank but refused the food again. Unfortunately, I couldn’t refuse the bedpan. When she moved to stand between me and the camera, a sharp word came from the hallway.
Marta immediately repositioned herself, no pity in her gaze. I didn’t blame her. She was in survival mode.
I kept my legs together, uncaring how much of a mess I made for her. She cleaned me up as best as she was able, and I ensured the only view the perverts got was a closed one.
After she left, I closed my eyes but didn’t sleep. I moved my hands. I moved my feet. And I started questioning what choices I’d make to survive.