Page 162 of Dirty Husband

It would be terrifying if I worried about technology.

But computers aren't dangerous. People are. The darkness that lurks in certain hearts, waiting to consume anything that comes close.

Somehow, he hears my thoughts. Somehow, he knows there's a parade he can rain on.

Because the second I join my bride and her family, that bastard walks through the door in his three-piece suit and his easy smile.

"I'm sorry I'm late." Lucien's voice is matter-of-fact. Like everyone expects him to be here. Like we've been waiting for him to really start the party. "I hate to keep a beautiful woman waiting."

Jasmine looks to me for an explanation. Did I really invite my stepfather to this dinner?

No. But maybe Lock or Key… it's what a normal person would do. So I nod. "He is the closest thing I have to a parent." My stomach turns. The words are true. They shouldn't be true, but they are.

This man is the only father figure I've ever known.

The only parental figure I have left.

The only mentor I ever trusted.

And he's here, once again, to ruin everything.

Chapter Forty-Two

Shepard

Even with Jasmine next to me, I can't hear anything but my pounding heart.

This event isn't for us. It's for our families.

I stay quiet as Jasmine's aunts share stories about her childhood. The time she and her mom started acting out scenes from their favorite TV drama. Jasmine's impatience when her mom taught her to cook. She always wanted to eat right away. It was impossible for her to wait for beef bones and herbs to mix into a tantalizing broth.

And, now, she's still impatient. Rushing into marriage. But for reasons they understand.

"He's so handsome. And she's so satisfied. I would rush too." Quyen holds up her drink to toast. "To true love."

"To true love," Aunt Mai says.

Her dad holds up his drink.

Nick holds up his glass too. It's just him now. Lizzy made an excuse to leave.

He told her the truth about Lucien. That's fine. It's his right.

But telling her what happened to me—

It was in her eyes. That look of pity. I'm no longer a monster who tried to destroy her relationship. I'm not even an asshole who needs to watch himself.

I'm a victim.

A pathetic creature who can't fend for itself.

Who doesn't deserve the respect full-fledged humans get.

She doesn't look at Nick that way. It's different. Almost tolerable.

How did he manage that? How did he claw out from under that sickening label?

"To true love," my brother says. "Or true lust." He winks at Jasmine's aunt Mai.