Page 91 of Coercion

“Tell me what?”

“Your wife invited me for dinner.” He states as if it’s the most natural thing to come out of his mouth.

I blink, wondering if I’ve misheard him but I know what he said. “What?” I snarl, just as I sense her, as I see her from my peripheries.

Ruby

Iwander down the hall, frowning at the sound of voices. Preston has been gone all day and I didn’t expect him back so early, or that he’d be with visitors.

Only when I spot them, I freeze. My heart physically stops and it’s all I can do not to run. Not to scream.

“Hello, Ruby.” Gunnar says, tilting his head the way a predator does.

Preston narrows his eyes like he’s as pissed about this as I am.

“I would have thought you’d be more forthcoming with your husband…” Gunnar continues and I swear my stomach lurches at those words, at what awful things he’s about to divulge.

“About, about what?” I stammer.

“About me being here, about you inviting me to dinner tonight.”

My eyes dart to Preston. Is that the lie he spun? Is that what Gunnar said when he showed up here?

“Ruby?” Preston asks, but Gunnar cuts across him like this is his house, his domain.

“It must have slipped her mind, what with Levi’s passing.”

I draw in breath and I get a mouthful of his stench but that fear, that old lingering panic is steadily taking over.

I don’t know what to say.

I don’t know what to do.

Mentally, I can feel my body shutting down, my mind withdrawing, going back to that same place of safety in my own head.

Preston walks up to me, murmuring in my ear. “Is this what I think it is?” He asks coldly.

I blink up at him, even more confused.

“Are you setting this up for me to take over?” He half-growls.

I can hear from his tone that he’s not amused. That right now he must see this all as some sort of conspiracy, like I’m some conniving bitch pulling strings behind the scenes to get what I want.

I shake my head quickly. “No.” I whisper.

He narrows his eyes before turning away and gesturing for Gunnar to follow him. When we walk into the dining room, I sit beside Preston and I don’t say a word. I don’t look at either of them.

I want so desperately to be anywhere other than where I am. And more than that, I hate the fact that he is here, in this place I considered a sanctuary.

Gunnar seems to talk away, discussing the alliance, how he wants to continue it as if Preston works for him now, as if the three of us are part of the same family.

I spoon a mouthful of food up, shovelling it in, and somehow manage to swallow.

When Preston slides his hand over my thigh, I physically jolt like I’ve been shot. Like someone has electrocuted me.

“Ruby?” He murmurs quietly, studying my face.

“She was always like that.” Gunnar says leaning on his elbows. “She’s skittish, aren’t you, Ruby?” He teases.