Page 36 of Bartered Innocence

“Were you killing someone?” I whisper.

He pushes his knuckle between my lips, and the metallic taste immediately hits my tongue. I scream, pushing him away and spitting it out. Rian chuckles, sucking the same knuckle into his mouth. “No, my curious little wife. I wasn’t killing someone. What gave you that idea?”

Fed up with his teasing and the turn this evening has taken, I glare up at him. “This is why I didn’t want to get married, at least not to a Made Man. I wanted my husband to respect me, respect our vows, and have a fucking conscience.”

Rian stares at me, the darkening of his eyes the only sign of his anger. My chest rises and falls fast as I try to control my emotions. It’s irrational, but I was hurt when he slipped out of our hotel room without another glance. I hadn’t expected the man to cuddle, but I also didn’t think I’d spend my wedding night alone.

A throat clears and I look over Rian’s shoulder. The man that caused a scene at my reception stands in the doorway with a grin. I can make out the smears of blood under his nose and the swelling of his semi-shut eye. My heart skips a bit, knowing Rian left to defend my honor after the disrespect that man showed at our union. I want to roll my eyes at men and their pride, but a flicker of appreciation worms its way inside.

“A lover’s quarrel? Honeymoon already over?” he says, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it as he laughs at his joke.

Rian sighs, rolling his shoulders. “What did I say?”

The man holds up his hands. “Wasn’t looking at yourwife.”

I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my stomach. Rian tracks my movement and takes his keys out of his pocket, nodding to a car behind me. “Let’s go home, Isabelle.”

While it feels like our conversation is unfinished, I follow him silently. As I climb into the passenger side of the sleek sports car, I glance back over at the man smoking in front of the bar. He gives us a two-finger salute before stomping out his cigarette and heading back inside. Something tells me that whatever transpired tonight, it won’t be the last I see of him.

* * *

To untrained eyes, the subtle shift of shadows along the walls could easily be missed. But I’ve been to Luca’s house with Ricky enough times to know where to look for guards. It doesn’t surprise me that Rian’s house is equally protected, but as the gates close behind the car, my heart drops with an impending sense of dread. This is my prison now, and who knows when he will let me back out?

“My parents won’t be happy I’m missing in the morning,” I say, trying to calm my nerves as we head down a long driveway.

“And?” Rian retorts. His tone is even and almost bored.

“Neither will Luca.”

His hands flex on the steering wheel. “If Luca has a problem with me taking my bride home and missing their god-awful tradition of showing off bloody sheets, then he can bring his complaints to my door. I’ll be here to welcome him with the devil’s knuckles.”

“If you already opposed the tradition, then you could have said you didn’t care for apurewife.” I spit out between clenched teeth.

Rian flashes me a smile drenched in wicked sin. “But I wanted you. And if I asked, you wouldn’t have come willingly. I’ve been watching you for the past few weeks, Isabelle. Ever since I found out your name and learned who you were.”

I straighten my shoulders. “You don’t know the first thing about me.”

His head tilts back as he laughs. “You sure? Because I have my ring on your finger, my cum dripping out of your pussy, and I’m going to have you sleeping in my bed every night. And all it took was a single conversation and you agreed without hesitating.”

He parks the car, turning to face me as I tremble in fury. My eyes lift to his, hoping he can see the absolute determination brimming inside. “You know what you’ll never have? My love. There will never be a day where you can say with confidence that your wife loves you wholeheartedly, that she stays with you willingly, out of devotion and loyalty.”

Rian’s smile only falters for a second before he leans forward, his hand wrapping around the back of my seat. His lips are a breath away from mine. “I can’t wait to make a liar out of you. You know why, Isabelle?”

“Why?” I whisper, unable to resist his baiting question.

His hand cups my cheek, his thumb pressing down on my bottom lip. “Because my dear wife, family is your weakness. You will do anything for family, and when I get a couple heirs out of you, you’ll watch our children grow and you’ll see how much they love theirda…your walls will come down and you’ll love me for them. I’m a very patient man. If I have to wait for your love, I will.”

Rian lets go of me and climbs out of the car. Through the windshield I watch him walk up the steps of the large house, disappearing through the front door without a backward glance. His stiff gait is the only real indicator of his anger. The thought of having his children should disgust me, but I can picture the image he painted. The idea of little girls with his eyes and little boys with his hair make me feel a foreign yearning. My hand brushes against my stomach, it’s possible he could have knocked me up tonight.

My door opens softly, and I flinch from the chilly night air before I turn to blink up at Aodhan. He holds out his hand, and I grab it as I climb out of the car.

“There’s no escaping this, Isabelle,” Aodhan says grimly.

I glare at him but before I can reply, he shakes his head and continues.

“Rian has never taken anything for himself. He puts the needs of our family and all the families we are responsible for above his own. This is the first time he’s ever done anything selfish, without a care or thought of the consequences. If you think he’ll ever let you go, you are either in denial or delusional.”

“So what do you suggest I do? Just take it? Become an obedient little housewife? That was never my dream,” I seethe.

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