Page 106 of Devoured By Peace

“You didn’t seem to mind shoving your cock into my mouth that time.”

“I don’t want to discuss that. This is about you taking advantage of a minor.”

“I heard no complaints from him.”

“He was a fifteen-year-old boy. You knew that.”

“So what? I was a fifteen-year-old when your father fucked me senselessly.”

Bile reached my throat. “So that makes what you did right? Is that how you justify it?”

She rolled her eyes. “Fuck you, Lachlan. What is this?”

“I’ll tell you what this is. It’s either we have this sham marriage annulled, and you leave this house forever, or I go to the cops and have you charged with having sex with a minor. You’ll be known as a pedophile. Am I that worth it?”

Britney turned off the television. “That’s ridiculous. He looked so much older.”

“The authorities won’t buy that. You should know that since you were going to sting my father with the same charge.”

She paced about. “You’re a nasty cunt teaser.”

Her voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes. I felt sorry for her. After all, my father had started the rot.

“Britney,” I said, keeping my tone calm and understanding. “I know that without your help, underhanded though it was, I would’ve ended up locked up for my dad’s malpractices. But you can’t force me into this bullshit marriage. When I marry, it will be for love.”

She rolled her eyes again. “Oh God, that fucking fairy-tale shit.”

“You’re a very attractive woman and filthy fucking rich. You can have whoever you want.”

“I can’t. I want you.” Her mouth trembled, and a sob escaped. She turned away from me. Her tough façade had crumbled.

“You can’t have me,” I said. “I don’t want to go to the cops. But if I have to, I will.”

“You can fuck Miranda. I don’t care.” She stared at me, wide-eyed. “I regret the day I hired her.”

“I don’t. But even without Miranda, I still wouldn’t stay married to you. Don’t you see, Britney? I’m not in love with you.”

“But that weekend in Aspen.” She sounded like a young girl. “You fucked me all weekend. You were fucking hot. Greedy.”

I rubbed my jaw. “Well, I’m not proud of that. That was me then. I’m not him anymore.”

“Pity. You rocked.” Her sad smile melted away. “If it weren’t for me, we wouldn’t be billionaires now. You do realize that.”

“Yeah. Drug money.”

“You took it,” she said.

“I’m going to use it to develop low-cost housing for victims of drugs.”

“Aren’t you good.” She shook her head.

I glanced at my watch. “I need to be somewhere. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss an annulment. Yes?”

“Whatever.” She turned away from me.

After I left Britney, I headed to a little bar downtown. By midnight, after downing a few more drinks and with Miranda blocking my calls, I decided to pay her a visit.

I called Harriet and got Miranda’s new address and where her apartment was in the building. Determined to see her at any cost, even if I had to scale the building.

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