Page 83 of The Mistake

I nod my head but I never called it home, not out loud. No, it was always silently in my head.

“I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

“You didn’t embarrass me.”

Pressing my lips together, I clench my hands into fists.

“You’re not going toask me what happened?” I asked, forcing myself to look up.

“I don’t need to. I put two and two together. Your dad forced you to say it enoughto that question that it’s became a natural response to you. You were distracted at the table. When asked, you went back to your default answer.”

I swiped at the tears. “Itwas so stupid.”

“No, it’s not stupid at all. What is stupid is that he got to die quickly and you didn’t get to see him suffer.” Ive took hold of my hands, locking our fingerstogether and he pulled me close. “You didn’t get to see him beg and cry and look as ugly as he begged for his life. You deserved to see that.”

“My father wouldn’t beg.”

“You wouldn’t think so, but I know he would.” Ive kissed my lips. “And not a day willgo by that I don’t regret you didn’t have that chance. You’re not trash, Charlotte. You never were and you never will be.”

I want to believe him.

“You’re my fucking queen.”

I want to sob.

“What are you?” he asked.

It was on the tip of my tongue to tellhim I was nothing but trash. I force myself to look into his eyes, but there’s something in that blue gaze that warns me not to.

“I’m your queen.”

“That’s right, and as my queen, we’re going to go and enjoy dinner. No one will say anything. Do you understand?”

“How can youwant me by your side?”

He let go of my hands and wrapped his arms around me. One cupping my face, the other on the curve of my ass. “Tell me, Charlotte, how can I not want you?You are my wife. No one will say anything. Trust me. Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

He takes my hand and leads me out of the bathroom. I feel like there’s a lead weight in my stomach, and as I approach the table, I don’t dare look at anyone.

Ive pulled out my seat and I sat down, and he nudged it beneath the table.

Ivan speaks first andalerts the waiter it’s time to bring out food.

Lifting my head, I look at the table, and even though everyone is staring at me, not one appears to be judging me. I don’t know what has been said, butconversation starts again when the waiters bring the food to the table.

Chapter Seventeen

Ive

The honeymoon has come to an end. Last night’s meal was the final evening, and apart from Charlotte’sincident, it went by without a hitch. I left Ivan to talk to everyone at the table while I went to my wife.

Shehad been so freaking nervous going to dinner. I had to calm her down. I didn’t need her to explain to me what happened. The scars on her back, and the few faux pas she’d had during our honeymoon, told me everything I needed to know.

Her father had causedher pain so that she responded naturally to a simple question. I didn’t like it, but I knew Demon had done a number on Charlotte. She was a woman who had never known true kindness or a loving touch. I’d caught sight of her in some mirrors as she hugged me, how happy that simple action was. A kiss. A touch. She loved it. She craved it more than anything.

And right now she was back at my penthousesuite, while I was out in the middle of nowhere, on one of the lands I owned, where both Hank and Benjamin were enjoying their stay. This was not a five-star accommodation. I liked to think the rats had more luxury than my prisoners. Ivan was with me, as was Victor.

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