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“It’s our wedding night,” Alexandra announces, grinning at Valentina with vengeance. “And your funeral, I guess, so dig in. It’s probably going to be your last meal.”
She turns back to me, softly nuzzling into my neck. I grit my teeth and flash an apologetic look at Lenny, who stares back in shock.
“Alexandra,” I whisper, my voice low and steely, “I don’t want to marry you. This is insane. You need help, the type of help I can’t give you, and this… this isn’t the way to do it.”
Valentina sighs deeply across the table, shaking her head slightly. Alexandra’s head whips up from my chest, her eyes boring into mine. The look is unhinged, deadly—I can tell she’s deeply disconnected with reality, and for once in my life, I’m frightened.
“Alexandra!” Valentina’s voice rings out from across the room. It’s dripping with faux sadness and defeat. “You win. He’s yours. You deserve him more than I ever did.”
Alexandra’s rage deflates, and a triumphant smile replaces her scowl. She rises from my lap and wanders over to Valentina, her wine glass dangling from her fingers.
I hold my breath as she gently strokes Valentina’s hair.
“Finally,” she whispers, leaning down to her. “You finally admit it. Tell me you stole him. Tell the truth.”
“It’s true,” Valentina chokes out, shaking slightly as Alexandra’s fingers curl into her hair again. “It’s all true… I brainwashed him. I took him from you because I was… jealous. You’re perfect, you’re everything he’s ever wanted.”
“Bravo,” Alexandra says happily, unwinding her fingers out of Lenny’s hair to clap. Wine splashes onto the ground, and I realize that’s not her first glass.
“Get her drunk,”Valentina mouths in my direction. “Play along.”
“Since the truth is out in the open now,” I rush to play along, “let’s toast to… second chances!”
“Excellent idea!” Alexandra proclaims. She grabs a bottle and pours a glass for Valentina, pushing it at her, none too gently.
She pours a second glass for me, but when she notices my hands are bound, she pauses. I shrug helplessly, flashing her as charming of a smile as I can manage.
“Untie him!” she commands no one in particular.
I feel the cold blade of a knife glide between my wrists, snapping the ropes that bind me. When my hands are free, she thrusts a full glass of wine at me and raises hers in a toast.
“To second chances!” she cheers, smiling at me. Her eyes are glazed and her movements slow, making me wonder if she’s mixing her wine with something a little stronger. She spins and glares at Valentina. “And untimely deaths!”
I raise mine in the air, nodding at Valentina, who follows suit. As Alexandra throws her drink back, Valentina and I take fake sips, quietly letting the liquid drip onto the floor.
“And my daughter?” I ask Alexandra as she straddles my knee. She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls herself closer, moaning lightly. I grit my teeth but force myself to stay still. “Can I see her one last time?”
She acts like she hasn’t heard me, picking up her pace, moving her hips against me and grinding her pussy against my thigh. Her breathing picks up, and her face flushes. I glance helplessly at Valentina, my eyes widening as I realize what’s happening.
I swear if she makes herself cum on my thigh, I’m going to lose my cool. There’s no way I can sit here and let her do this.
“Alexandra!” Valentina’s voice rings out again. That seems to get her attention, and she slows down, the veil lifting from her hazy, alcohol-fueled movements. “He wants to see his daughter! Please?”
“Ugh, you’re so fucking needy,” Alexandra moans, pulling herself off me.
I discreetly use the tablecloth to wipe my thigh, but I don’t think I'll ever be able to erase the memory of that deranged scene from my mind.
“Let’s have a family dinner,” I plead, knowing that I’m making no sense but grasping for straws.
“A family dinner,” Alexandra repeats slowly, stumbling around the room and searching for a full wine bottle. “That’s a brilliant idea.”
She staggers to the stairs, and a plan hatches in my mind. I eye the big, hired guns she’s got posted at the door and call out to her.
“Without the security detail, sweetie,” I say lovingly, smiling at her. She melts at my sudden change in mood, grinning happily. “I want it to be intimate.”
“You’re right, darling,” she calls out, motioning for the security guards to follow her up onto the deck. “I’ll be right back! Don’t miss me too much.”
“Already dreaming of you,” I call out as Valentina stifles a laugh. “We may be able to get out of this,” I whisper to her as soon as the doors slam closed, hope soaring in my chest for the first time tonight.