Her cheeks heated as she recalled all the things her mother told her to do. How she told her to spread her legs whenever he needed it. To never go to another man. To make him want her so badly he couldn’t think straight.
She hated each and every single detail her mother had given her.
This was the life she had to live now. To be a billionaire’s sex toy. And for what? So she wasn’t thrown into some kind of hospital.
She didn’t even know why she’d listened to them.
You know what happened to your sister.
Her older sister, Maggie. The one she couldn’t talk about.
Pushing those thoughts aside, she stared at James.
Even though he was still giving her dirty looks, the hatred had seemed to lessen quite a bit, so she no longer felt sick to her stomach by being near him.
The silence stretched on, and he didn’t let her go.
From one song to the next, he kept holding her. His thumbs teased the base of her back, and she didn’t look away, staying trapped within a dizzying moment.
For a split second she could imagine this man was the love of her life. He was rich, sexy, and, from what reports said, good in bed. She’d hit the jackpot, and yet even as she thought it, there was more to this than even she was aware of; she was sure of it. Her parents had done something that would make this man marry her.
She didn’t know what exactly. She’d not been privy to that kind of information, and it pissed her off. Her family was not wealthy, not even nice, and yet here she was, married to one of the richest men, and he hated her.
As the dance came to an end, she was really tempted to run, to make her escape now before anyone could find her.
“Honey bear,” her mother said, grabbing her arm.
Was she that easy to read?
James turned his attention to her mother, and the hatred there was clear to see.
“I just need to talk to my daughter right now. Come on, sweetheart.”
She was pulled away from the dance floor and herded toward a private bathroom. The moment they were inside, the caring mother that had shown outside disappeared.
“He’s about to take you away, and when he does, you will make sure he fucks you tonight. Don’t ever allow him to wear a condom either. You need him to come inside you.”
Heat flooded her cheeks as she stared at her mother. “Are you crazy? What the hell did you do?”
The slap to the face startled her.
Placing a hand where her mother had just hit, she stared at the woman that she’d hated all of her life.
“You listen to me, you little bitch. You will do as you’re told. That man out there, he’s our meal ticket. Don’t you mind what we’ve done. You will do as you’re told or would you like to see the rest of the world out of a window?”
Tears filled her eyes, but she shook her head. She hated being like this. Hated being weak and afraid.
“Now, when he takes you home, you will make sure that he fucks you. I don’t care if it hurts. You will take his dick day and night and get yourself pregnant.”
“I’m on the pill.”
“No, you’re not. I’ve taken them away. You will get pregnant and soon. Do you understand me?”
She only nodded.
She wasn’t about to tell her mother that she didn’t want kids. There’s no way she could willingly bring them into the world.
Keeping the tears at bay, she waited for more threats.
Her mother took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief. “Ah, that’s it. There’s my big girl.” Her mother cupped her face. “I’m so proud of you right now. Come on, let’s get you all ready.”
She wasn’t ready to go out there and face her husband. There was no doubt in her mind something had happened to make this marriage go ahead, and she was almost afraid of what it was.
Abby knew she’d find out. She wouldn’t let her parents control her like this. She only hoped she had the strength to deal with what was possibly to come.
****
James wanted to kill something. Instead, he’d opted to drive. To break every single road law known to man and hope there was a cop somewhere that would put him out of his misery.
Any other night he was sure someone would have pulled him over, but not tonight. Instead, he had his wife in the car with him and the perfect journey home. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed she was uncomfortable, and he felt glad about that.
Make her be uncomfortable.
He didn’t give a fuck.
He had to marry her when he didn’t want to.
She was probably exactly like those pieces of shit she called parents.