Page 15 of Beneath Scarred Vows
A leather-bound sketchbook. Charcoals. Pencils. Paints.
Ares catches me noticing.
"I know you like drawing, so I arranged to have some things brought in for you."
I glance at him. "How did you know?"
He watches me closely. "Your uncle has a big mouth and likes to hear himself speak. A weakness I think."
Even if my uncle does run his mouth, I'm surprised he cared to listen to that fact about me.
"Interesting,"I say, forcing my voice neutral. "So, your brothers and sister are coming for dinner?"
"Yes." Ares moves deeper into the room. "Theo, Dimitri, and Calli. They're eager to meet you."
"To meet the woman their brother was forced to marry?"
His eyes snap to mine. "You think I was the one who was forced?"
I shrug. "Weren't you?"
"I could have said no."
"Maybe," I say, tilting my head. "But you didn't."
His mouth tightens into a hard line. "Neither did you."
I hold his gaze. Steady. Unflinching.
"I didn't have a choice, Ares," I say. "You did."
I turn away, looking out the window to the guards below, watching their patrol patterns.
"The bathroom is through there," Ares says. "There are clothes in the closet that will fit you."
"Okay."
"Unless you would prefer to meet my family in what you wore on the plane?"
I glance down at my wrinkled blouse and pants. "Maybe I would."
He takes a step closer, and I can smell that expensive cologne he wears on his skin. "This isn't a game, Katerina."
"I never said it was."
I can see him starting to get a little frustrated—or maybe upset. I haven't learned him well enough to know yet.
"Well, they'll be here soon," I say, moving toward the closet. "I should get ready."
Ares takes a few more steps toward me and slides his hand up my back, gripping my neck from behind.
"My family is loyal to me," he says, voice low. "And now that you're part of this family, I expect?—."
I meet his gaze. "If you want my loyalty, Ares, you'll have to earn it." I say cutting him off.
He studies me. His fingers flex slightly.
"I don't want anything right now expect your obedience."
