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Delaney

He doesn’t want people to see the bruises because he wants to keep up the facade that we are the perfect couple. Everyone envies our relationship, but if they knew what actually happened behind closed doors… I stand in front of the mirror, retouching my makeup. My blonde, wavy hair is elegantly styled. I know his rules and what happens if I break them. I didn’t want this life for myself, but here we are. I try to make the most of the situations I am in, but I cannot seem to find a balance with Logan. Nothing I do appeases him because I am the enemy. He hates me. His family hates me. The relationship is a farce. It is just a way for our parents’ companies to be joined together in a massive business deal. I always knew my marriage would be arranged like this. Not that Dad had any other choice, I just wish he had chosen someone who didn’t hit quite as hard.

All I am is a trophy to him. He parades me around in expensive clothing and dotes on me, but the second we are alone, I am just a fat, gold digging whore who he has to fuck from behind to not go limp. I have always been a bigger girl with wide hips and big breasts. I never had an issue with my body until him. Hell, he is the only one who has ever said anything negative about my body. Now he has me counting calories and running on the treadmill for two hours every morning. Two fucking hours. I thought he had lost his goddamn mind when he first told me I had to, but nope. He was serious. I got whipped with a belt until I was running fast enough for his liking. Two years of pure hell, and next week it’s going to get so much worse.

We get married on Saturday, and then first thing Monday morning is the business merger. His mistress will be joining him on our honeymoon, so I will be locked in the house for two weeks and only allowed to communicate with his parents. That wouldn’t be so bad if his dad didn’t fuck me every time he has me alone. The sick part, other than constantly being raped by these people, is that Logan knows that his father does it. He has seen it, encouraged it, and even helped him hurt me. He even put me on birth control so that I didn’t end up pregnant with his half sibling.

The door opens, but I don’t react. Instead, I continue fixing my makeup until Logan appears in the bathroom behind me. He doesn’t say anything; he just stands there and watches me. I fucking hate when he does this because it makes me so goddamn nervous. I hate when people look at me for extended periods of time and although I have done well internalizing my anxiety, I can’t seem to find a way to make my hands stop shaking. I try to focus on what I am doing so I don’t fuck up. He will just get angry if I do.

“Are you done yet?” Logan asks simply. Logan is thirty-three and, unfortunately, handsome. When he wants to be, he can be the sweetest and most charming man. The truth is he is devoid of emotion and is the cruelest man I have ever met. His kindness is all for show and his soul is dark and ugly.

“Almost,” I say softly, trying not to make waves. I can’t tell what kind of mood he is in, so I will just play it safe and be soft-spoken.

“You look like a fucking clown in a fat suit.”

“I’m sorry. Would you like for me to wear something different?” I ask.

“No. Cheryl wants you to wear that hideous thing,” he says. “My entire family will be there tonight, so be on your best behavior. If you can manage to not fuck up, you can read before bed tonight.”

“I’ll be good,” I say with a smile. “Thank you.”

I hate the books that he chooses for me, but it’s better than nothing. I used to read a lot of romance, but now I am only allowed to read things that will educate me. He considers smut cheating, so that’s a no go. I find it interesting that he is so concerned about me cheating when he has fucked his mistress in the same room as me… so many times. I didn’t approve of that shit, but I am also not dumb enough to say anything. Honestly, though, he can have fun. The more he fucks others, the less he fucks me. He always shoves me face first into a pillow and fucks me dry, so it is massively painful. I am always the bad kind of sore for days after. I call her his mistress but really, she’s just some dumb bimbo that he fucks and doesn’t really interact with.

“Come on,” he says. I set everything down and follow him out of the bathroom. I quickly slip my feet into my heels and grab my bag. I am not excited about this dinner. His stepmom, Cheryl, hates my fucking guts and is a raging cunt every chance she gets. Logan’s stepbrother, Talon, is supposedly coming tonight too. I don’t know much about him, and I’ve never met him. All Logan has said is that he is in a gang and belongs in jail. Chances are that means he isn’t a haughty asshole with a stick up his ass. Cheryl doesn’t say shit about him, though. Her own son and he is never mentioned, even in passing.

“Stay away from Talon tonight, got it?” Logan warns as we get into the car.

“Uh. Okay.”

“Is there a problem with that?” he snaps.

“No. Not at all. I’m just confused. No one ever talks about him, and you make him seem dangerous. Why would he be coming?”

“His stupid father left him a certain number of shares to the company, so we’ve been trying to get him to give it to me,” Logan says. “Actually… I think I could use you to give it up.”

“Uhm… Whatever you need,” I say.

The silence allows me to daydream while staring out the window. I like to imagine what life would be like if I didn’t have parents that sold me off to some psycho to marry. A fiancé that didn’t hurt me. A job or at least free will. I’m not even allowed to drive because he thinks I’ll leave him if I have access to the car. He’s not wrong. I totally would pick up and move across the country. Not that I could afford it, since I have no money. I’m just a prop to him. A sad, lonely prop that just wants to be able to read when I want to.

When we get to Vince and Cheryl’s home, I get out and wait for Logan. I am going to assume the matte black motorcycle is Talon’s. Logan and his family wouldn’t dare ride a motorcycle. We walk inside and are immediately greeted by Vince. “Hey, son.”

“Hey,” Logan says.

“Good evening, Delaney,” he says, looking me up and down.

“Hey, Vince,” I say sweetly. “How are you?”

“I’m well,”

“Let’s go sit, sweetheart,” Logan says to me. He leads me with his hand on the small of my back to the couch. There is a massive man sitting in the armchair, watching me intently. He has jet black hair and a full, well-trimmed matching beard. He is at least six and a half foot tall and has a delicious dad bod. I can tell by his physique that he is strong, but also a great cuddler. Fuck, is that Talon? Why didn’t I end up with that brother? I want him instead. I don’t even mind that he looks like he would fuck me to death. It would be a novel death.

Talon sits up a bit when he sees me, and we make eye contact. “Who is this, Logan? Surely you didn’t pull this pretty girl all on your own,” he says. “Oh… That’s right. Our dear sweet parents bought her for you.”

“Nice to see you too,” Logan says flatly as we sit.

“What’s your name, pretty girl?”

“Delaney,” I say kindly. “You must be Talon.”

“I am,” he smirks. “Logan has mentioned me, huh?”

Ah, that’s going to get me in trouble. No matter what I say, it will make Logan look bad. Does Talon know how cruel his brother is? “On occasion.” I smile.

“Hmm,” Talon says simply. “Funny, because he’s never mentioned you. How long have you been with him?”

“Uh. Two years,” I say, glancing at Logan.

“This isn’t twenty questions, Talon,” Logan says tightly.

“Why haven’t you mentioned her?” Talon asks. “I talk to you once a week.”

“Because she didn’t want to meet you, Talon. Look what you do every day,” Logan says almost gently. “We are trying to include you in our wedding, man.”

“Wedding?” Talon asks.

“Yes. We get married in a week. It took a lot for her to trust me when I said you’d be chill. I want you there, but her comfort is more of a priority.”

Talon looks at me with a tight expression, as if suddenly I am the enemy. “You are scared of me?” Talon asks.

“You can’t be too sure these days,” I say with a forced smile.

“Now it makes sense,” Talon laughs. “She’s a stuck-up little bitch just like you… Too bad. She has great tits.”

“She’s a good girl,” Vince says. “She loves to please others.”

Disgusting asshole. Who the fuck says that? I maintain my composure and stay quiet, but Talon won’t stop staring at me. “Why am I here?” Talon says, looking at Logan. “It’s been years and none of you have bothered to invite me for dinner. Why now?”

“We need you to sign over your shares,” Logan says. “We have a lot we are trying to do and you aren’t an active part of the business. Whatever the price is, we will pay it.”

“Ten million,” Talon says with a smirk. “And I get to fuck your wife.”

“Ten million? Be real for real, Talon,” Logan sighs. “You can have a night with her if you really want, but I’m not spending that much.”

“Nice to see where your priorities are,” Talon laughs. “Fine. Tell the bitch to come over here and suck my cock, and I’ll sign whatever you want.”

Logan looks at me and I fuck up. When I shake my head, I immediately regret it. He’s going to kick my ass for this. Fuck, I’m so stupid. It’s not like I haven’t sucked dick before. Logan looks angry, but just shakes his head at Talon. “She shouldn’t have to suck your dick to get you to sign something.”

“No, you’ve offered now,” Talon laughs and abruptly stands. He grabs my arm and pulls me up, but once again, I’m an idiot. I yank my arm away from him, and he laughs dryly.

“Would you rather me force her, brother? What would people think if you let me rape your wife for a business deal?”

“No,” he says through gritted teeth.

My whole body is shaking now as he grips onto my arm. Talon isn’t the one I’m afraid of, Logan is. I’d let Talon do whatever he wanted if it meant not having to go home with Logan. Logan stands and takes my other hand and tries to pull me back from him, but Talon doesn’t let go. Vince stands and it’s subtle, but Talon flinches. It all makes sense suddenly. They were awful to him.

“You’re hurting me,” I say softly to Talon. He loosens his grip and just looks at me for a moment before letting go.

“I’m not selling anything to anyone. Not for a pretty girl’s mouth around my cock. Not for ten million. That company can burn to the fucking ground for all I care,” Talon says harshly.

“Seriously? Why in the fuck do you need thirty percent?” Logan asks.

“Because I deserve all of it,” he growls. “That entire goddamn company was built off my father’s back. None of you fucking deserve it, and if I really wanted to, I could take you to court and take it all back. It was taken from me before I was ever old enough to legally sign,” Talon booms. “Maybe I should do that. Maybe I should go and rip it all away from you.”

“Over my dead body,” Logan cackles.

“Oh, little brother,” Talon grins. “That can be arranged.”

“Talon, that’s enough,” Cheryl barks. “I think it’s time for you to leave.”

Talon chuckles, but he looks broken. “Is that all you wanted? You just wanted to take the last bit of him I had left.”

“Talon… go,” Cheryl says.

“Some fucking mother you are,” Talon mutters. His eyes meet mine for a second and all I see is pain. It’s suddenly gone, and a harder version of himself takes over when he looks back at Logan. “I’m not selling.”

Talon abruptly turns and walks out of the house, and everyone is silent. “Fuck,” Logan shouts, breaking up the silence first.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.

“You’re sorry?” Logan turns and asks me.

“Logan, I won’t defend her often, but he never would have sold. He would have just fucked your fiancée in front of you and left anyway,” Vince says.

“He’s right,” Cheryl says. “I don’t know where we went wrong with him.”

“You know what…” Logan says, thinking. “I’m done.”

“What do you mean?” Vince asks.

“It’s time the fucker went to jail,” Logan answers.