Kailler hestitates.
“What is it?”
“You won’t hurt her, will you?”
I narrow my eyes. “What kind of man do you think I am?”
My second bows her head. “Sorry. Too many books, I guess.”
I shake my head as I go back inside the apartment. I need to get my hands on this book and figure out what Lawson did. Kill a cat? Maim a dog? Throw his grandmother off a truck and run her over? The bedroom door is closed, and the rest of the space is empty. I knock once and then open the door. Cora turns from the mirror and looks over my shoulder.
“Is the priest here?” she asks. There’s a slight tremble in her voice and she hides her hands in the folds of her full frothy skirt. She looks like the white champagne cake. Jason knew what he was doing when he bought me that cake all those years ago to cheer me up.
“Not yet but soon. You look good enough to eat.” I stride over to her. From my height, I can see straight into her deep cleavage, her juicy tits pushed together and lifted up almost like an offering. I wonder what she would do if I scooped one out of its lace and satin prison so that I could suck on her nipple.
“I thought you weren’t touching me until after the wedding.” A slow creeping flush spreads down her neck to paint the tops of her breasts pink.
Temptation can only be resisted for so long. I whisper a thumb across that heaving flesh and watch as the color deepens. The column of her elegant neck is bare. Something flashy and heavy belongs here. I pull a string of diamonds and pearls from my pocket and drape it around her throat.
Her hand flies to finger the jewels as her gaze meets mine. “What is this?”
“It’s a bridal gift. Worth quite a lot, so if your life here turns miserable, take this and sell it. You won’t go hungry.” It’s a peace offering of sorts. She can try to leave me, and I won’t stop her. What I haven’t said yet but that she’ll soon come to learn is that I will find her, no matter where she goes, and I will always bring her home.
“I haven’t gotten anything for you,” she says quietly.
“Oh, but you have.” I glance at her breasts again. “Your soft cunt will be wrapped around my aching shaft in a few hours, and that is all the gift I need.” I grin. At this rate, she’s going to be tomato red. It’s adorable.
“Why a few hours?” she says, trying to avoid the rest of my statement. “I thought we were getting married within the hour.”
I chuckle. “Plans have changed. We’re waiting for your mother now.”
Chapter 15
Cora
I pace back and forth. This isn't going to turn out well for anyone. I think Aidon is underestimating my mom. He still doesn't believe I’m really her blood daughter. I am my mom’s weakness. That’s a hard pill to swallow. I don’t like that I make her vulnerable. It’s why she’s kept me locked away from the rest of the world. To keep me safe.
I don’t think she’ll let this wedding happen. I have no doubt that my mom would die to save me. My stomach tightens at that thought. I have no idea what to do. I stop pacing to look at myself in the mirror. The dress that Aidon had made for me is breathtaking. I reach up to touch the necklace around my neck. It’s one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve ever seen.
He told me I could leave him. That I could sell the necklace if I needed to in order to get away. I don’t understand what he is doing. Why would he say that? Wouldn't that just mean I could walk away after the wedding? I let out a long sigh of frustration. That man is truly a mystery. I guess that’s why he’s so powerful. He’s unpredictable.
I spin around when I hear a door open. My eyes lock on my mom. I immediately run toward her. She opens her arms and then wraps them around me. She hugs me tight to her.
“Are you okay, amoureux?” She hasn't called me that since I was a little girl. It’s sweetheart in French.
“I’m okay.” My eyes meet Aidon’s over my mom’s shoulder. “They have been good to me.” I let my hold go, stepping back. Her eyes sweep down me and back up, inspecting every inch of me. I can see worry in her eyes for the first time in my life, which scares me. Her face may seem stoic to others but not me.
“I want a moment alone with my daughter,” my mom tells Aidon without turning around. Her voice remains firm, showing no sign of emotion.