Page 3 of Wicked Vows
“Don’t speak her name.Your sister is dead to me, and you’re to take her place.”
His words slice through me.
What does he mean I’m to take her place?
The surrounding air thickens.The walls appear closer and my father larger than normal as he takes a swig of his liquor.“The wedding must go on.”
“Are…wh-what are you saying?”The words get caught in my throat, but I manage to spit them out.Has he found them already?
“There’s not much time.Your mother will help you prepare.The car will be here in an hour.”
An hour.My heartbeat increases, galloping like a wild horse.
Chill bumps fan up and down my arms as my father stares at me, expecting me to comply, knowing that I have no choice.Lynette made sure of that, and I won’t leave Gissette to pay for her sins.
“I’ll do it,” I say, my voice sounding as though it belongs to someone else.
He raises an eyebrow, the only sign that he’s surprised.“You’ll do what?”
I swallow hard, the words threatening to lodge in my throat.“I’ll take Lynette’s place.I’ll marry Nico.”
My easy submission hangs between us, sealing my fate.Father studies me, his eyes searching for any sign of weakness, but I’m resigned to the choice that was made for me.
“On one condition.You don’t punish Lynette or even Frankie.You’ll welcome them home.”
“This isn’t something you can take back,” he warns, his voice lower, sounding almost as if he cares.
I know better, but there’s still a part of me that seeks his approval.His love.I’ve always been his greatest disappointment.My first mistake was being born a girl when he yearned for a son.My second sin was not being nearly as beautiful as Lynette.Then Gissette came along and became the shining apple of his eye.She’s the baby and can do no wrong.
I used to hate her for being his favorite.
Now I pity her.
He leans back in his chair, finishing off his drink.“You realize what this means?Once you leave this house, you leave my protection.”
I nod.
I do.I realize what this means.A life I never wanted or asked for with a man who may or may not be a monster––a killer.But it will be a life where my family lives on.One where my sister doesn’t pay the ultimate price for her happiness.
If she ran off with Frankie out of love, then I want that for her.One of us should have the choice, even if it means losing mine.
“I know,” I assure him.My words come out sounding stronger than I feel.“I know what my duty is to this family.”
A ghost of a smile plays on his thin lips.One that almost holds a semblance of pride.“Things will move fast.I know you won’t let me down, Odette.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Good girl.”He dismisses me, and my heart stutters in my chest knowing this is the last time I’ll be under his roof.Under his rule.
I move from the chair, my feet carrying me to the door as I pray I can keep my word.
Pray that I can survive these wicked vows I’ve promised.
Chapter Two
Ireturntomyroom, my lungs filled with anxiety.I’ve stepped over the edge of the cliff.Trading one prison for another.Whitewood Manor has a reputation for being impenetrable.The only way one leaves is in a body bag, and it’s to be my new home with a man I don’t know.A man I am to marry in my sister’s place.
Did she know this would happen?Would she care?Does she care about me–our family, at all?
