Page 13 of Coercion

To her left is Levi and then Gunnar. I’m on her right, our chairs placed close enough that my leg should be touching hers and it takes a lot of effort to keep it twisted at an angle so I’m not. Nico is beside me with Eleri placed on the nearest table to ours.

I wonder if they did that on purpose, to try to goad Nico. To insult him further.

Eleri doesn’t make a fuss. She takes her place beside Blaine and they seem to make conversation. If anything, I wish I couldjoin them. I bet they’re having a far better time than all of us sat on the top table.

It’s a five course meal. Each one seems to drag out. I don’t speak, I just eat, wanting this damned day over with. I don’t think Ruby has more than a bite the entire time. The cutlery shakes in her hand so much I can hear it chinking against the plate like a fractured little tune. By the time desert comes, Levi is making blatant innuendos about his niece; comments no decent uncle would say.

“She comes from good breeding stock.” He says, slapping Ruby’s thigh as she jolts like she’s been hit by lightning. “I expect you to use her well, after all, this is about binding our families together.”

Ruby physically recoils, except there’s nowhere for her to go; she’s caught between the monster to her left and me, her new husband, a man over twice her age and one she clearly doesn’t trust.

My eyes fix on her face, I study the way she reacts, the way she falls apart further as insult after insult lands.

“Her mother was easy enough to train.” Gunnar says, leaning right over his plate to look at me. “In time, I’m sure you’ll get her to behave exactly the way you want. Turn her into a proper whore for you.”

My fists clench at the way they just spoke about my now wife, even though she clearly does not want me as a husband. I’ve never been this emotional, this reactive before. I don’t know why now, why here, I seem to be taking complete leave of my senses.

“Keep it together.” Nico mutters beside me, low enough that only I hear.

“Alright for you.” I say back through gritted teeth. “Would you do the same if they spoke of Eleri like that?”

Nico tilts his head, his eyes flashing. “The situation is not the same.”

“Eleri is your wife just as Ruby is now mine.”

He shakes his head. “No…” He begins but Gunnar cuts across him.

“As a wedding gift, from our family to yours, we booked you the honeymoon suite at the Astoria.”

My eyes connect with his as I take in the words. “What?” I half snap.

“Come now, Preston.” Levi says. “Surely you want this wedding to get off to a good start? Afterall, my niece is used to the finer things in life, I expect you to treat her with respect.”

Like they have up until now? They’ve already stated how much they want me to fuck her brains out. Hardly the words of a respectful family.

It feels like the room tenses.

I can’t read the expression on Nico’s face as he side eyes me. “The honeymoon suite?” I say, acting like I’m suddenly so honoured.

Beside me, Ruby looks like she’s crying again. Like the prospect of spending the night with me has sent her right over the edge. God, this is fucking awful.

My anger spikes and, before I can stop myself, I’m on my feet. Levi looks at me like he wants this fight, like this was the entire point of today’s proceedings.

My eyes drop to Ruby. She’s huddled up like she just wants to disappear entirely and I can’t say I blame her.

“Fine.” I growl back. If they want to play this game, then I’ll meet them head on. I grab Ruby’s arm, hauling her to her feet more roughly than I mean, and she lets out a yelp. “Enjoy the rest of the party.” I say before leading her out to what feels like a frat house round of applause.

Ruby

Itried to keep it together. I really did. I even drank down the champagne at breakfast, knocked it back like it might make this all better, like it might numb everything, but as soon as we pulled up to the church everything went to shit.

The closer I got to the altar, the harder every step took. It felt like I was trying to swim through liquid concrete and the fact that Levi had to drag me the last few metres – yeah I doubt anyone will forget that in a hurry.

I couldn’t look at them. At any of them. And especially not at my new husband.

Now, I’m sat beside him in the car, barely daring to breathe. I know he’s angry and I’m more than aware what happens when men like him get angry. I bet Gunnar did that on purpose, made those remarks to get him as irate as possible. What a nice final fuck you now that he can’t hurt me any longer.

I’m trembling so much he must see it, but he hasn’t said a word.