Page 14 of Odium

“He won’t need it. If he tries again, I’ll cut his throat.”

“Like I did with the whore.” I nod.

“With the whore… About that. Carwen, what do you remember about the woman you found down there? Did she say anything? Look familiar at all?”

“Don’t,” Father spits from the living room. “Don’t cross that bridge, Leiv. If she was the one who killed thatwomanand not you or Haden, don’t say what you are about to say. Carwen doesn’t need to carry that weight. She didn’t know.”

“Oh, it wasn’t me, old man.” Leiv pulls me into the room beside Father, pushes me to sit on the couch, and kneels in front of me, placing a hand on each of my legs.

“Now?” I smile, leaning back into the cushion, excited for him to play with me again. “I want children.”

“Yes, of course you do,” he chuckles, holding my dress in place when I try to tug it up my thighs. “But not just yet. There are a few things we need to discuss first.”

“Do we have to?” I huff.

“Yes.” He pinches my face in his hands a bit tighter than I expected, and I resist the urge to argue with him. “I should beat your ass raw right now for all the irritating shit you’re throwing at me. The attitude, the disobedience,andthe mess you left in the cellar. But I’m not. This is it, Carwen. I’m ready to put this all behind us and start our family, so we’re airing it all out right here. Right now. I’ll assign punishments where necessary, and then you three will take them and thank me.”

“Thank you?” Father snorts, and I eagerly bounce in my seat, ready for him to set things right for all of us.

“Yes. You’re going to thank me for sparing your worthless life, Alastor. For some reason, she still likes you, but she’s going to have to earn each and every breath I allow you to take.”

“Thank you!” I practically sing.

“For what, Wild One?” He licks his lips, looking me over.

“Everything.” I nod quickly with wide eyes.

“The pleasure?” he murmurs.

“Yes.” I drawl out the word on a moan when his hand inches up my thigh and under my dress.

“The pain?” He reaches up and tangles my hair in his free hand, yanking it hard, and I hiss out another, “Yes.

“The torture that will save his pathetic life?” He releases my hair and draws back, slapping me across the face, and I gasp, tasting the fresh blood slowly filling my mouth.

“Yes, sir.” I lift my chin, giving him the same wide, bloody grin he gifted me earlier, and he smashes his lips against mine, shoving his tongue into my mouth and devouring the coppery taste of my penance.

“Mine. No matter what happened to us or where we went, nothing was able to break this. You were fucking made for me, Wild One. No one else. Ever again.” He looks from Father to me. “You don’t think she can handle the truth of what she’s done? She poisoned you and then strapped you to this chair, didn’t she?” He laughs loudly when Alastor’s eyes snap to mine. “Oops, you didn’t know about the teas, did you?”

“No. No, he didn’t.” I grin, tucking my face against Leiv’s chest.

“You’re simply incredible, Carwen, and so damn smart. He may have been oblivious to it, but I’m not. Enjoy the win, because it’s going to be your last. I won’t fall for the innocent act like Alastor did.” He nudges me gently, pointing to the kitchen. “You’ll be storing all of those fucking herbs in the cellar, but don’t worry, they won’t go to waste.”

“She’s already dead.”

“Mother? Yes, I know.” He chuckles when my face pales. “Who did you think that was, Wild One?”

“A whore…” I stutter, clinging tightly to his t-shirt.

“Well, you weren’t wrong there.” He takes both of my hands in his, sitting beside me on the couch, and Father curses under his breath. “She may want to keep you around, Alastor, but I will still gut you right where you sit, and she will just have to get the fuck over it. I suggest you shut your damn mouth while I get through this with her. Take a nap. You’ll need the energy later.”

“You little shit.” Alastor hisses but quickly closes his mouth when Leiv stands.

“What- what did I do, Leiv?” I whisper, reaching for his hand once again. “Leiv?”

“Calm down, Carwen.” He pins Alastor with another murderous look before returning his gaze to me, and his face softens. “I told you I had a plan before you showed up. Honestly, I had no intention of letting you get your hands bloody, but you acted so impulsively.” He shakes his head slowly. “It’s a damn good thing you look so fucking gorgeous in red, Wild One.”

“You saw me?” I gasp.

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