Page 27 of Vengeful Union

Those gorgeous green eyes of hers fill with defiance. "Not in your lifetime, Psycho Boy."

I run my eyes over her luscious body, and she squirms beneath my gaze. Oh, she is definitely interested.

"Keep telling yourself that, Dest. We both know that when the time comes, my cock will be buried so deep inside of you that you'll be screaming out my name."

She shakes her head, her hands gripping the sides of her chair so tightly her knuckles turn white. "Whatever you say. You must be shit in bed if you're having to fuck me against my will."

I bark out a laugh. God, she's fucking hilarious. "Not one woman has ever complained. In fact, they've all wanted more. But don't worry, Destiny. Your virtue is safe for another day."

Her eyes narrow. "Asshole."

I merely smirk as I walk away.

"Finn?" she calls out, and I stop in my tracks but don't turn. "Did you find out anything more about your brother?"

I grit my teeth at the mention of Patrick. "Nothing yet."

"I hope you're wrong. There's no worse feeling than being betrayed by your own family."

Once again, I'm left with even more questions about Destiny and her past.

I move back toward the house, my mind reeling from what she said about Patrick. I know the fucker is planning something, but no one has been able to get anything out of his close allies.

Soon. We'll find out the information we need soon.

I just hope it'll be before he takes any of us out.

11

Destiny

The house is buzzing with anger, excitement, and apprehension. It's been two days since I last saw Finn. I hate that every time the door opens, excitement blooms in the pit of my stomach, but that excitement soon turns to disappointment when I see it's not Finn. I haven't asked for him. I don't want to give him any more reason to believe I want him.

He's so set on having me that I don't think he's thought of the consequences. Me and him will never work. He's a Gallagher, and while that's all well and good, I'm a Carter. Something that can't be changed. I have a feeling that I won’t be here for much longer. I’m pissed that it’s been over two weeks already and no one has even thought about looking for me. It won’t be long until Levi finds out I’m gone. As soon as he realizes I’ve been taken, he’ll come looking for me.

Since my mother died, I've been building a case against my father. I know who he truly is and what he's done. The moment she died; he sealed his fate. We had to flee from our home because of him. She never got to start over. He killed her.

I know the truth. I've always known the truth. She did not die in a carjacking gone wrong. No, she died because she was leaving my father. She died because the man was losing grip on reality. The fear of losing everything was eating at him. Losing his wife… well, that was one step too far and he needed her gone. So, he made it happen.

Before my father held me captive, I sent everything I gathered against him to the one person I can trust most in this world. The one man I know isn’t on my father’s payroll. My cousin, Levi. He is my mom’s nephew. Our families were always close, but after my mom’s funeral, my father forbade them from seeing me. Told them that the reminder of her was too much for me to bear. But the truth was, he didn’t want anyone close. For anyone to know what he had planned for me.

Levi’s been travelling. He’s not part of my father’s empire, but he’s not exactly foreign to this life. He grew up around it. His father was part of my father’s organization. But when my mom died, my father stopped inviting him to the meetings he was holding, effectively phasing Uncle Conrad out of the Carter Syndicate. Since I found out how long it’s been since my father kidnapped me, I’ve been on countdown. Levi was due back two days ago. I know my cousin; he likes to explore, so he could’ve extended his vacation. But I'm praying he didn’t and that he’s home. I’m hopeful that he's found the evidence I sent to him and now he’s working tirelessly to find me.

The door opens, and my heart skips a beat when Finn strides into my room. I watch his every step in the reflection of the mirror as I brush my hair. Every time I see him, I want him. There’s no denying his sex appeal. But that damn smug smile of his and the way he stares at me; it’s as though he’s a man on death row and I’m his last meal. He scares me to death. I have lived a life of fear. My father instilled it in me over the past few years. I know that one day I’m going to die, and I have no doubt in my mind that it’s going to be painful. But with Finn, the way I feel at ease around him… it makes me want to hope for a better future. One that’s not filled with fear. Then I remember that not only did Finn buy me like I was a whore for sale, but he’s got an end game for me. I hate the unknown; despise that he’s going to push until he gets what he wants from me. He’s going to try and break me until I become pliable. He’s got another thing coming if he thinks it’ll be easy. If my father couldn’t break me, then there’s no way Finn will be able to.

“Morning.” His words are smooth, his Irish accent deep and gravelly. It washes over me and makes my stomach clench.

“Morning,” I reply, not bothering to turn to look at him.

I watch his brows raise in surprise. Ah, it seems Psycho Boy thought I’d be happy to see him. I’d never show him what I’m feeling. Why give someone hellbent on owning you, more ammunition?

“I see the men were right,” he comments as he comes to stand beside the dressing table.

I don’t respond to him. I just continue to brush my hair and get ready for the day. With the buzz that was in the house this morning, I knew Finn was on his way back. The same buzz used to be in my house growing up. It meant the boss was coming. My makeup is done, and I’ve dressed to the nines to show Finn just what he’s not allowed to touch. I’m baiting the monster, and I know that sooner or later, he’s going to react.

“So, this is the game you’re playing?” he asks, his voice vibrating with anger.

“I’m not playing any game, Finley. The only one here who’s playing, is you.”

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