Chapter 5 - Annika #2
He wants to be in that position of power, where he can easily pick me up at the first sign of flight.
I'm a flight hazard, but I won't be giving him the satisfaction of throwing me over his shoulder again. I snatch my arm out of his grip, suspecting that his fingers weren't wound around my arm as tightly as he's capable of, because he's half-expecting me to run again.
“That won't be happening again,” I huff, lifting my chin in defiance.
Henry chuckles lightly and nods toward one end of the hallway. “We're not leaving the cabin. My father will oversee the signing of the documents.”
My brows furrow because I can't possibly understand what the need for the dress is if we're not leaving the cabin.
My mind goes somewhere I wish it hadn't, and my heart sinks.
No…
That can't be why…
Clearing my throat, I nod diplomatically and follow Henry into his living area.
An older man is seated at the head of the table, his expression tight and unreadable, his fingers steepled in front of his face.
The only thing that moves are his eyes, scrutinizing my every step until I'm at the opposite end of the table, stopping beside Henry.
“Father…this is Annika Singh.”
Henry's father stands up, then saunters forward with the kind of grace befitting ancient rulers of kingdoms seen in the movies.
He doesn't take his eyes off me, even as he reaches out a hand, and I notice how strikingly similar his features are to his son's. I place my hand in his, and the shake is curt, as business-like as meeting anyone in the office.
I can't read his facial expression, and I'm not sure how much he knows—if he knows I'm being forced into this.
If I say something, will he take his son's side? Or will he defend me? Does he even know I've been kidnapped, held against my will?
Will saying something make things worse for me?
I can't tell.
What I do know is that his presence feels very strict, very commanding, much like Henry's, and I keep my lips pursed, because quietly, I'm fearful of the part of this that remains unknown.
I still have the lingering fear that I'm being sacrificed, even as Henry's father pushes the marriage certificate across the table. Henry holds out a pen for me, and my fingers tremble around it as I lean over and press the tip to the dotted line.
Pausing to get my fingers to stop shaking, I take a deep breath before signing my name away on a piece of paper that feels like I'm signing my soul away. When I'm done, Henry nimbly takes the pen back and then signs on his dotted line.
“Done,” he says, straightening up and turning to me with the broadest, most condescending smile I’ve ever seen on the man.
My stomach twists, and that’s when Henry wraps an arm around my shoulders and draws me into his side.
I throw up a little in my mouth when he presses his lips to my forehead, and I’m too disoriented to make an audible protest when he guides me back down the hallway.
“Goodnight, Father!” he throws over his shoulder as he leads me to his bedroom, closing the door behind him with a deliberate thud that feels like theatrics for the sake of the only other person in the cabin.
“You didn’t tell your father that you kidnapped me, did you? You didn’t tell him that you forced me into marrying you?”
Henry turns slowly toward me, eyes dark and sinister when they meet mine, an amused glint flashing in them. He appears almost manic, and a shiver courses down my spine, and I’m not even interested in taking a look around his bedroom.
“No, I didn’t tell him,” he admits. “As far as he’s concerned, you wanted this as much as I did.”
“You lying bas—”
“Husband. I am your husband now, remember?” he smirks, and I’m about to lose my mind when I remember that going crazy isn’t going to get me very far. I need to be smart about this, especially now that the marriage license has been signed.
Shifting gears, I straighten up and clear my throat, being completely detached when I slowly remove the thin silk strap from my shoulder. “Okay, husband,” I purr seductively as I take a step closer. “Since I’m your wife now, what do you want?”
There’s a moment when I believe that seducing my way out of this might actually work, and that Henry will remain unguarded enough for me to slip past him, because his eyes glimmer with deep, dark hunger when they land on my exposed shoulder.
I see him gulping, his lips parting slightly on a surprised gasp, and my heart races.
If I catch him off guard, distract him long enough, I can probably escape. But when Henry's eyes meet mine, his expression softens, and he takes a step forward, removing his suit jacket.
He doesn't just hold the jacket out to me, but he places it over my shoulders, covering my chest as he stares at me with softened eyes.
“I didn't marry you for this, Anni,” he whispers, his tone gentler than ever.
I'm the one gasping this time, in shock, the tiniest flicker of disappointment sparking deep inside my chest when it feels like I've just made a fool of myself.
Henry Ralph is many things, but he isn't the type of man who would play with my honor. I should have known. This was the silliest idea, and now I'm left feeling defeated, heat rising to my cheeks.
As he stares into my eyes with solemn conviction that he doesn't plan on touching me, and that this isn't that kind of marriage, I notice the golden flecks in his eyes swimming like a vortex.
I frown when I notice that he isn't moving, he's barely breathing, he isn't even blinking, and for a moment, it feels as if he's staring beyond my eyes.
“Henry…?” I whisper, wondering what has him stunned. A few seconds pass before he blinks again and then takes a step back.
“Sorry…I have to go…” he says almost hesitantly, turning on his heel as if I just made him uncomfortable.
I'm left frowning after him as he proceeds to the door, and he pauses, hand on the handle, barely glancing over his shoulder when he says, “I'm leaving the doors unlocked, Annika. There's no need for me to keep you locked in a tower. You're no damsel in distress.”
My jaw drops, embarrassment flooding my being when he leaves through the door and doesn't even close it behind him. I just tried to throw myself at him, and he didn't bite. Now, he's leaving the doors unlocked.
Damn right, I'm not a damsel in distress!
And I'm not choosing to stay in this tower, even if it's not locked.