Page 2 of Cruel Devotion

Cohen grabbed my arm, reminding me he was still there. I’ve only known him for a couple months, and already hated everything about him. He was a self-absorbed asshole who was so used to having everything he wanted. Women flocked to him thanks to his bottomless wallet. He expected the same from me, and when I didn’t fall to my knees, he thought I was playing hard to get.

The clock was ticking. In less than a week, I would be his wife. I spent the rest of the evening ignoring his existence and pretending to be intrigued while my parents talked business. It wasn’t until they started talking about grandchildren and securing the future of our line as if we were royalty that I zoned them out. When all was said and done, my face hurt from smiling.

I just want to go home.

The itch to wrap my fingers around that little blade and cut into my inner thigh was strong. I bit my lip as we walked, ready to feel the release only cutting gave me. Cohen walked us out and I quickly pushed Archie into the car my parents had sent for him. He pouted and I waved until he was out of sight. Cohen stepped into my space, but I held my ground as I glared at him.

Ignoring what I’d said about my body not being his, he leaned in and puckered his lips. Ugh. I dodged, and he kissed my cheek instead. His arms slithered around me, and I was pulled in close. His scent reached my nose as a hard little bulge dug into my pelvic bone. We both groaned, him with desire and me withdisgust. Not only would I be stuck with him, but I’d be severely disappointed every night underneath him and the little finger between his legs.

Fingers to his chest, I pushed him away, but he refused to let me go. His hands traveled over my curves. Instead of letting the fear that coursed through my body affect me, I slid my hands down his body. As his grip slowly loosened, I trailed lower. As much as it sickened me, I grabbed him with my fingers. His breathing quickened as he misinterpreted the situation. Leaning forward, he took my actions as an invitation. He pressed a slobbery kiss to my cheek. I squeezed with all my strength, and he grunted in pain as slobber oozed down the side of my face.

Gross.

“I don’t know what part of today made you think I was interested, but the next time you try to force yourself on me, I promise to remove this.” He slumped against me as I leaned back.

“Do you hear me?” He opened his mouth, but only a squeak came out.

“I’ll wait.” Only when he nodded did I release him. He stumbled back, adjusting himself as he glared. Using his hands to slick his hair back, he stepped toward me. Then he grabbed my arm and threw me up against his car. My parents hadn’t arranged one for me because they wanted him to take me home. With his chest to my front, he used an arm to steady himself.

“Let’s not forget I know your little secret.” His hand gripped my thigh, fingers digging into my wound. My body sagged at the pain and I closed my eyes to the onslaught of memories of that night. When he walked in on me and caught me with my dress above my waist and my legs spread.

“Get off,” I hissed. It was all I could say. There was no denying what we both knew.

“That’s what I was trying to do.”

“You just don’t fucking get it,” I hissed.

“No, you don’t get it, sweetheart. If you play nice, I won’t have to tell mommy and daddy about how twisted you really are,” he threatened.

“Cohen,” I warned. His nose pressed into my hair as he inhaled. My stomach dropped.

“Shut up. When you go home and reach for that blade, you’ll think of me when you try to get off on your pain.”

Fuck you, asshole.

He trailed kisses up the side of my face and I closed my eyes to block him out.

“See? I knew you could be a good girl.”

Once he released me, I pried the door open and threw myself in. He climbed in after me and closed it. Signaling his driver, we peeled out of the parking lot. I moved to the other end of the seat and crossed my arms.

“You make this harder than it needs to be, Ellie. If you would just do what you’re supposed to—”

“Fuck off, Cohen. I’m only here because I have to be. I don’t want to talk to you and I sure as hell don’t want to look at you.” I hated that nickname. Turning toward the window, I ignored him for the rest of the ride. He didn’t say a word and I thanked whatever deity was out there.

I let out a little sigh of relief as the cabin came into view. The 3.5 million dollar property was a small two-story cabin with a wrap around deck that sat on 10 acres. By far the humblest home we owned. When the car finally rolled to a stop, I practically flew out and slammed the door. The window rolled down and I refused to look at him.

“You can only run for a week. Try not to bleed to death until then.” I flinched at the reference before flipping him off and turning my back on him. His laughter was only cut off when I got inside.

I don’t want to marry him.

As I went down the hallway, the living room lit up. My mom sat by the fire under a massive fur blanket. My father was thankfully nowhere to be seen. Every house we owned had a special room for his mistress. He was probably upstairs with her right now. The floor creaked and I froze as my mother’s bloodshot eyes locked on me. She brightened up when she realized it was me. Once upon a time, I felt bad for her, but not anymore. She could leave, support herself, and start fresh. The three of us could live a life without my father, but that never happened. She chose this life. Content staying with him to avoid the stain a divorce would have on her reputation. It blew my mind how she could want to push me toward a man I didn’t love or chose.

Why would she want me to have the same life she did?

“Ellie?” she asked hopefully.

Ignoring her, I continued down the hall. The sound of her footsteps reached my ears as she followed. When they stopped, I turned down mine and Archie’s hall. I passed my door and stopped at his. His door was cracked open a little. Sneaking a peek, his blue bird nightlight illuminated the room. He’s afraid of the monsters that hide in the dark, but as long as that thing’s shining, he’ll sleep. Hyperfocusing on his chest, I waited until it rose and fell before slowly closing the door.

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