Beautiful Monster (Dark Lies Duet 2)

“I’m good…considering,” Cynthia says hesitantly. “Are you okay?”

Siân shrugs and lets out a breath. “Considering someone tried to murder me, yes.”

Cynthia’s eyes grow wide. “You bastard,” she snips in my direction, her sight boring into me like a dagger.

She lounges for me only to be dragged back by Tony. Siân jumps between us, holding up a hand to stop her. Meanwhile, I look on, watching as she goes through every emotion under the sun. She wanted to protect Siân, to keep her safe from monsters like me. I can appreciate that, and it’s the only reason I didn’t get rid of her the way I did everyone else.

“Cynthia. I’m okay, really. I am. Christian saved me.”

Cynthia frowns. “What is happening?”

I step closer, taking my place beside my woman, then wrap my arm around her waist. “You can pull back the bulldog attitude. Siân’s protection is the only thing that matters to me.”

“You’re the only reason she needs protection.” Cynthia grabs Siân’s wrist and yanks her behind her, separating us with her body as a shield.

Tony is about to intervene but a mere shake of my head stops him. Instead, he positions himself behind Cynthia with his hand on his gun. I laugh internally, knowing how badly he wants to hurt her for shooting him. The shot was clean through, and he’s mostly healed, but his resentment remains. I’ve had to put someone else on watch at the cabin because I was certain Tony would have tortured the old broad.

“I won’t let you touch her.”

“And you’re supposed to be able to stop me?” I ask with a raised brow.

“With every fiber of my being.”

I chuckle. “You know, I admire your bite, that’s for sure. It’s cute you think you have any control over this.”

Siân darts her gaze at me, disapproval flashing in her eyes. I ignore her expression and step farther into the room. Walking around the large Victorian-style furnishing, I approach one of the many bars we have on the estate. I flip four tumblers onto their bottom, then fill them with two fingers width of scotch.

Tony steps up to me, immediately taking one of the glasses while I take one for both Siân and Cynthia. Sauntering over to them, I watch the way Cynthia follows my movement while still holding her arms out as if she can really keep Siân away from me.

Cynthia flinches when I hold the tumbler out to her, but when she notices that I’m not threatening her, she reluctantly accepts it. Her grip is shaky even though her face says she’s not affected by this at all. She has a great poker face, that’s for damn certain.

After handing the other over to Siân, I head back to the bar to grab my own. “Have a seat,” I turn and say, using my chin to point toward the sofa.

Tony sits first, but Cynthia continues staring between us, refusing to sit. When Siân sits in the closest chair, Cynthia plants herself next to her with her hand on her shoulder—anything to keep her ward close. Who can blame her? It’s been over a month since they’ve been able to be this close without someone trying to pull them apart.

I notice Siân taking Cynthia’s hand. She needed to be just as close to her caretaker. A small part of me dislikes that I’ve done this to her made her feel so deprived of something she clearly needs. But it's the only way to secure our future together. She will be my wife today and needs to know that if they want this type of time together, then they both will have to comply.

Turning my attention to Tony, I swallow down a large sip, and they all seem to follow my lead, though the women don’t seem nearly as confident doing so.

“Did you get everything in order?” I ask while adjusting in my seat, my cock still semi-hard from my shower with Siân. I didn’t fuck her like she begged this morning, and my dick won’t be satisfied until it gets a taste.

Tony nods. “The priest will be here at five.” He checks his watch. “In about three hours.”

Damn, I hadn’t realized how late we stayed in bed. Finishing off my drink, I stand to pour myself another.

“Priest? What are you talking about a priest?” Cynthia asks. She and Siân are both on alert.

Siân’s brows draw together as Cynthia tightens her grip on Siân’s hand.

I stare for a beat. “You’ve got a lot to catch up on.”

Just as I begin to tell them about my plans for the day, Helga enters the living room carrying two garment bags. With a look in her direction, I saw confusion written all over their faces. I knew Siân would be thrown off by today’s event, but she also knew this day was coming.