Ruthless Mate

3

He choked and coughed as he placed the glass on the table a little too hard, trying to play off his shock. Then he cleared his throat and blinked a few times, his angular face somehow appearing sharper. “You want to take your sister’s place and be at my beck and call?”

When he put it that way, it sounded even worse. That one phrase exposed what marriage to him would be like: being controlled. But my sister had turned eighteen last month, in April. She deserved to go to college and enjoy this time of her life. Though I was supposed to start my formal premed education in two weeks, I’d had four years of college and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. I’d had more time to live—granted, I’d spent most of my time, including weekends, either studying or working at a local coffee shop, but at least I’d had the choice.

I straightened my shoulders. “I’m not kidding. The offer is sincere. I’m older, and…” Spilling my heart out to anyone, let alone a peculiar, good-looking man, wasn’t something I was comfortable with. I sighed. “Does it matter why? Besides, you should know that Eva and Elliott are twins and very close. If you take one, the other will be there all the time.” Maybe if I focused on him having a frequent visitor, it would sway him to my side.

Pursing his lips, he rubbed his finger along the rim of his glass and stared into space as if he were deliberating. Finally, he exhaled. “I hadn’t considered that. But won’t they do the same for you?” He observed me.

The question was legitimate, but it felt like he’d stabbed me in the heart. My throat went dry, and I tried to school my expression. I wanted to lie, but I suspected it wouldn’t do me any favors. If I wanted him to trust me, I had to be honest. “No, they won’t. Though I believe my siblings care about me, we aren’t close. If I didn’t come home, I would never see them.”

He steepled his fingers and tapped them against his lips. “And your father wouldn’t—”

“Stepfather,” I interjected. I didn’t want him to get confused about my relationship with Peter. He was the only parental figure I had, but he was upfront about not wanting me to view him that way. “And he doesn’t care about me.” I cringed. Maybe I should’ve left that last part out. If taking my sister was a way of collecting the million Peter had embezzled, then Drake might be seeking someone Peter cared about as punishment.

“This gets more interesting.” He scratched at his scruff. “How old are you?”

I wasn’t sure how that was relevant. He was drinking at a bar, so we were close enough in age that it shouldn’t matter, but I didn’t want to risk sounding ornery. “Twenty-two.”

He smirked. “An older woman by a year.”

My blood turned cold. He was truly considering this, which was what I wanted, but it also terrified me. Though I didn’t want Eva trapped in that situation, I didn’t want to be, either.

But I’d made a promise.

Dropping his forearms onto the table, he nodded. “In a way, it’s better that you’re volunteering. We’re closer in age, and you seem more mature, seeing as your nose isn’t shoved in some video game.” He rolled his eyes. “I won’t have to contend with a disgruntled teenager who pouts about being locked in with me or visiting family since you’re estranged. You’ll be all mine, which is exactly what I want.”

He stood, and I took a step back. I didn’t want us to be too close, which, given the circumstances and the offer I’d made him, was somewhat ironic, but I didn’t know him. My gut screamed that the more I learned about him, the more I’d dislike him. Though he was attractive, he was intense in a disturbing kind of way. There was something animalistic and raw about him, like a predator circling its prey. Unfortunately, I was that prey.

Placing a finger under my chin, he tipped my face up.

His pupils slitted as he surveyed me from my face to my toes.

I swallowed hard. That was the second time they’d done that. But when I blinked and looked again, his eyes were normal.

The stress of exams, missing my graduation next weekend, and coming back here where Mom’s memory haunted me even more must have been getting to me.

He nodded. “Your face is symmetrical. Your light gray eyes are alluring. And your full rosy lips will make many men jealous of me.”

Then he turned my head to one side and the other, evaluating my profile.

My skin crawled. I felt like an animal in a show. I couldn’t believe he was judging my attributes as if I had no feelings. My hands clenched, ready to punch the jerk in the face, but I couldn’t. Then he would take my sister.

He continued without a pause, “Your fair skin is a little much, but we can fix that. Your alignment and body shape are sufficient, though I don’t much like the golden shade of your hair. Still, the length and fullness are adequate.”

Heart pounding, I swallowed the anger swirling inside me. I’d inherited my golden hair from Mom, and I wasn’t willing to change it, not even for him. “Thanks for listing all my pros and cons.” I couldn’t hide my disgust.

“Watch that tone, dear. After all, you came here looking for me.” He smirked and dipped his head closer.

This guy was a narcissistic asshole, but he had all the control, and he knew it. Stomach souring, I swallowed again as bile inched up my throat.

He dropped his hand and nodded. “Overall, I suppose you’re pretty enough, and with my dominant features, my heirs will stand apart from all others.” He held out a hand. “I accept your offer. You’ll be picked up in three days, as I informed Peter. After all, I am a man of my word.”

I’d heard rumors of his arrogance among some of the people in the city. How their rent would increase, and Drake would laugh when they complained, asking what they were going to do about it.

I’d assumed they were making him out to be more villainous than he was, especially since he was so young, but now I was certain they hadn’t made Drake sound horrible enough.

“That’s only if we don’t come up with the money.” He was acting as if there weren’t an alternative, but I wouldn’t just hand over my freedom without a fight.

His dark eyes lightened with mirth. “Of course, darling.”

The back of my throat burned. He enjoyed making others feel inadequate.

There was no way I could marry him.

“Good.” I straightened my back and shook his hand, sealing the deal. As soon as I could, I released him and pivoted toward the door. “I’d better get to work.”

He grabbed my arm, jerking me back toward him. His fingers dug into my skin. The urge to get out of his grip was damn near uncontrollable, but I had to be complacent, or he might change his mind.

“I want to be clear. If you plan on keeping our agreement, make sure you don’t do something disgusting and soil the goods.” He waved a hand from my mouth to my crotch, his insinuation clear. “I won’t accept someone who sleeps with people for money. I don’t share what’s mine. Do you understand?”

My cheeks burned. “Isn’t that what you’re forcing either my sister or me to do?” I wasn’t good at keeping my mouth shut when I was angry. Since Mom’s death, I tried to let Peter’s indifference and the twins’ obliviousness roll off my back. I didn’t want to alienate myself from my family more than I already was. If I stood up to my stepdad and became too much of a nuisance, I wouldn’t be welcomed back. So, for the most part, I took it.

But I’d just learned that I had my limits.

“No, darling.” He lowered his mouth to my ear, his hot breath hitting the sensitive shell. “You’ll be treated like a princess. It’s not the same, so don’t try to cheapen it.”

I shivered, but it wasn’t from desire. I wanted to get away from him. “That thought hadn’t crossed my mind.”

His grip went slack, and the blood rushed down my arm, causing it to tingle, but his mouth stayed right next to my ear. “That’s a good girl.”

Something was seriously wrong with him. I had to leave before I did something I regretted in the morning. “I’ll get Peter to contact you when we get the money.” I inhaled as I walked toward the door, refusing to look back. I was certain I would vomit if I did.

“Remember, three days, darling,” he cooed, then broke out in loud laughter.

It was the last thing I heard before the bar door whooshed shut behind me, chilling me to the core.

I rushed to my car, shaking from the meeting. There was something sinister about Drake, and it unnerved me.

As I approached my vehicle, I looked for the man with striking blue eyes, but the spot where he’d been parked was empty.

Somehow, that chilled me even more.