Page 146 of The Devil's Heir

I remain in almost a comatose state for a long while afterward. People come and go, but I pay them no attention. I just want to be left alone to die, but they won't let me. Why Carmen is keeping me alive, I don't know. She could be rid of me and have it all, but for some godforsaken reason, she wants to torture me.

The days and nights run into each other, and soon, I've lost all track of time. Finally, Carmen comes in and tells me that if I ever want to get out of my cell, I will agree to marry her. I'm told I must put a statement out telling everyone that I've had amnesia and that when I finally came to, I had fallen in love with Carmen after months of her taking care of me.

I want to laugh in her face. I want to spit on her caked-on makeup and tell her to go to hell. But most of all, I want to make her pay. I want revenge for her taking away the only thing I've ever loved.

So, I agree.

SIXTY-FIVE

Jarek

When I agreed to marry Carmen, I hadn't realized she planned to do it immediately. I wanted time to plan the bitch's demise first. However, she had different plans.

My life is completely over. Without my pauper or my son, I have nothing to live for. Carmen can do whatever she wants with me; I no longer care. I will never love again, never mind have an heir with anyone. The Falcon name will end with me.

A few hours after I agreed to marry the bitch, Carmen came back to my tiny cell and ushered in an older man, who looked none too happy about being here, and forced him to marry us. I was too weak to fight it, so I laid here as the judge spoke the dreaded words that I only ever wanted to hear with one woman.

Once the judge was done and I signed the license, I thought I'd be freed, but that wasn't the case. A day later, I remain in my cell, pondering Carmen's next move. I can't believe I let her pull this over on me; I thought I was smarter.

I had let my guard down because I was so enamored with Lily and knowing she was having my child that I let things slide where others were concerned. I was untouchable, after all—but that wasn't the case at all.

The door opens and in walks my new bridezilla. Carmen grins at me as her eyes devour my form. Bile builds up and threatens to come up at the thought of where her head is at. There's no way I'm fucking this bitch; she can forget that.

"You know, Jarek. You could make this easy on yourself by just giving in. Be the doting husband in public, and I'll be your devoted whore behind closed doors," she says, licking her lips lasciviously.

"I may have married you, Carmen, but I will never stick my dick in you." I scowl at the woman I've known for years—the woman I had once called my aunt.

She perches herself on the edge of my bed and sighs. "That's too bad. Really. I had exciting plans for you and me. We could be good together, Jarek—all you need to do is try."

"Fuck off," I growl.

Carmen blows out a breath, then says, "Fine, but I will need you to be on your best behavior when I bring you out tonight. There's a party being thrown in our honor and you will have to act the part. If you choose to try and do anything, just know that I've got men on Lonzo, Elliott, Koval, and even your ex-bitch’s two friends. My men are on standby to take them all out if you make one move against me."

My heart races with this news. Of course, I won't do anything to put my friends at risk. However, I find it odd that she hasn't mentioned Joey or Jackson's name; I wonder why. I will play the good and obedient husband she wants me to be. Only then can I start earning her trust enough to carry out whatever plan I come up with.

"Fine," I grit out. "Just release me already, will you!"

"Patience, dear boy—all in due time." Carmen caresses the beard I've grown over the last few months. "One more thing, Jarek. You will need to make a statement, or more like a toast, as you toast your new bride. You must tell everyone how much I was there for you after the accident and after learning of your whore and her brat's death. It's why you fell in love with me."

I hold back the sob when she mentions Lily and my child the way she does. I have to play her game. When she grips my jaw, I brace myself for what I know she's about to do.

"You will kiss me in front of the guests to show that you really mean it." Carmen brings her mouth to mine and kisses me, running her tongue over the seam that I refuse to break.

Pulling back with a chuckle, she taps my cheek, stating, "You will learn to bend to me, Jarek. You're young and will need a release every now andthen. If you think I will let you out of my sight so you can go to one of those submissives at the clubs, you can think again. I will be the only one you fuck from here on out."

Once she's gone, I turn my head and spit on the floor. I'm such a pathetic Mafia Boss. I can't even protect myself from an old conniving bitch like Carmen. It's okay, though. I will have the last laugh.

My guard dog brings me in a nice steak dinner. I could only finish a quarter of the meal since they'd pretty much been starving me. I've got to be down forty pounds or so by now, and my muscles are weak.

Dog, the name I call my guard, had to help me to stand and then walk over to the small table he brought into the tiny room. It's where I ate my first good meal.

When I'm done, Dog informs me that I need a shower, and if I try anything funny, he'll break my leg. I have no doubt he could do it with the state I'm in, but I'll remember him when I get my revenge.

Looking around the room and getting a better glance at my surroundings, there's something familiar about it. I haven't thought much about it in all this time, but I don't dwell on it now, either. I'm too worked up about getting out of it. However, as soon as we exit the tiny cell, it hits me like a brick.

We're in the attic at my house!

Son of a bitch! All this time I've been home and didn't even know it! I bet nobody else knew it either; otherwise, Lonzo or Joey would have gotten me out.