Page 11 of Forbidden Love

“I don’t know what my brother sees in you, but I will ruin you for every other man. No one will look at you by the time I’m finished.”

“What do you want from me, Colton? I’ve agreed to be here with you. I’ll play my part.”

His grip tightens on my chin until it causes pain. “You will do as I say… always. You will appear to be the perfect wife. The caring mother. If I see you shedding a tear for my brother, I will kill him. What goes on behind our marital doors will remain between us. Do I make myself clear?”

I nod as much as his grip will allow.

“I can’t hear you, princess,” he growls.

“Yes, Colton. I understand.”

He rips his hand away from my chin, making it hurt even more. I know this is only the start of what’s to come, and I’m genuinely petrified of how far he will take things. He’s a ruthless monster who doesn’t deserve to breathe the same air as me. I know I’m better than him and this life, but I’m not strong enough to break away. I’m a nobody in the eyes of Colton Collinson. He would never just let me walk away without major consequences to me or death to my family.

This is my life now.

***

Colton pulls me along behind him to his father’s office. I come to an abrupt stop, banging into his back when he stops dead. His grip tightens on my hand until I think he’s going to crush my fingers. I give up trying to pull away because it only makes it worse. I just manage to look around his broad shoulders to see what he’s looking at.

Clark. Of course. The only thing that would cause such a reaction from him is his brother.

My heart rate picks up at the sight of Clark dressed in his shirt and tie. He looks sophisticated, smart, and bright, but I can’t help but see the murderous glare in his beautiful brown eyes. The glare I never wanted to see on his handsome face. Damien is here too.

“Here to finally congratulate us?” Colton sniggers and lets me go.

I take my hand into my other and squeeze it gently to allow the blood to circulate again. Colton walks over to the side of the room beside his dad, and all eyes are on me. I’m stuck in the center with nowhere to hide. I feel like a little mouse being preyed on. I’ve never felt so insecure.

“You okay, honey?” Damien walks towards me and takes my hand in his.

I nod weakly. Tears fill my eyes at his kindness, but I know I can’t cry. I won’t get Clark killed. I’ve caused him enough pain. I need to toughen up to protect both of us.

“What brings you here, son?”

“I’m not your son,” Clark starts and turns to face his father. “If I meant anything to you, you wouldn’t be doing this. What do you want from me? Tell me, and I will do anything to stop this from happening. I will marry Kally in a heartbeat. Just tell me what to do!” I can hear the desperation in Clark’s voice, and it’s killing me.

“It’s too late,” Colton says. “She’s already mine. I’ve already had her.”

Clark flies at him. Damien is too slow to stop the attack, and Clark knocks Colton to the ground, punching him once, twice… and on the third time, I scream Clark’s name and he pauses mid-punch.

“Please, Clark! Don’t!” I sob.

I can’t bear to see the man of my dreams get into trouble because of me and my family. I would never forgive myself. Enough damage has been done.

“You’re defending him?” He looks at me with hurt and pain evident all over his body.

“I’m not. I will never defend him. I’m just stopping you from making the biggest mistake of your life. I won’t watch you turn into a monster like him. You’re better than this. Better than him.”

Clark pushes Colton to the ground further then lets him go. He shrugs Damien off and stalks over to me. He takes my cheeks in his hands and caresses the tears away.

“The biggest mistake of my life was not asking you to be mine before you turned eighteen.” Clark swallows deeply. “Tell me he was lying. Tell me he hasn’t touched you.”

I nod. “He was this time, but it’s going to happen, Clark. You can’t beat him to a pulp every time he says something that pisses you off.”

“What do you want me to do, Kal?”

“Walk away. This is killing me. It’s destroying you.” I point between us.

Clark has been the one man I’ve loved since he was a boy. He was my best friend. He was going to be my husband one day. I know he was.

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