Page 27 of Forgive Me For I Have Sinned

I face the room like I'm in a congregation and respond, "Of course."

Everyone in the room takes in the dress my father selected for the vote. It is black lace with blood-red inserts. It must have cost him a fortune, but it makes me feel cheap with how my breasts are pushed up, almost spilling out of the neckline, and my waist is cinched. I feel like I'm being sold in an auction to the highest bidder.

Jess's eyes soften, and so do Gia's, but I look away, feeling someone's heated stare, and know instantly it's Alaric. Tonight, I'm not lucky like Gia or Jess. They got to marry someone they love and were accepted by the Order. Men that loved them back. Fought to be with them because they mattered. Tonight, my father chose because that was my fate all along. Only one man has the power to override a decision tonight, but like he said, he prefers me to be buried in the cemetery right outside this church. I won't be saved tonight.

"Veronica Devlin is the oldest heir of the Devlin estate, and so it is required, dated centuries before me, that she be married before her graduation at Kenyan University. Since she has no other prospects, it is required for her father to choose a husband so that an alliance can be formed. It has come to our attention that someone has accepted the proposal to wed Miss Devlin." My chest is tight, and I try to breathe and not collapse in front of everyone, waiting to hear my fate. The man that will have my life in his hands. "Dorian Black, will you please come forward."

No! The sound of hideous laughter begins overtaking my senses. The memory of that night and the way he began to chant the word ‘whore’ replays in my head. My vision blurs and then refocuses, like I'm warping between the present and the past. People are staring at me and the man I hate, as he steps forward, his eyes full of lust, making my skin crawl.

"Does anyone have cause to object to this union?" Mr. Clarence, the oldest member of the Order, announces.

My eyes quickly scan the room, hoping for a miracle, but God has always checked out, and his angels are laughing in agreement.

My eyes land on gray ones pleading, wishing for anything to stop it. For him to say something. To help me. But he stares straight ahead. The small candle of hope I kept in a secret spot in my heart for him dying forever. He could have said something because of that night.

But he didn't.

He let the sound of the wood echo as Mr. Clarence congratulated Dorian Black, telling him he was a lucky man, while my soul shattered into a million pieces when most of the room clapped.

A tiny tear threatens to fall, but I turn my head and wipe my eye like I got something in it and see Valen mouth, I'm sorry. Jess's mouth is pinched in a tight line, whispering to Reid, and I watch his gaze land on me, but it's interrupted by the man's voice that will use me to his advantage when the time comes.

"I'm sure you're surprised, but I couldn't resist." He lowers his voice, but I don't miss the evil glint in his eyes. "I'm going to have so much fun with you. I hear you can take pain." I swallow thickly. "It's okay, sweetheart. I can make you bleed too."

"Fuck you. How dare you. You disgust me," I hiss.

He slides his hand behind my neck and grips the skin when he lowers his lips to my ear as everyone begins to leave. "Be careful how you talk to me, wife."

"I'm not your wife," I grit.

"Yet." He chuckles. "I'm surprised no one objected. Everyone must have thought you were a bad lay, but I can work something out with you. Teach you how to pleasure me and whoever I need you to spread your legs for."

"It's gonna be hard with a small dick."

His grip tightens again, and my vision feels fuzzy, but no one can tell because the long blonde tresses of my wig cover his hand wrapped around me.

"Congratulations, Dorian. I'm sorry about your brother." I hear Alaric's voice behind me.

Dorian’s hand slithers off my neck and rests on the curve of my ass, and I want to burn it off as he smiles at Alaric, but I avert my gaze. Alaric is nothing to me. Just some stupid girl fantasy that tore me apart.

"I appreciate that. My brother's accident hit us all hard, and when Mr. Devlin mentioned that he needed to marry his daughter off, I couldn't resist. She was always a pretty girl. Everyone thought so." He caresses my ass, and I want to throw up when he continues, "I was surprised she was still available, and listen, I know there is a history, and I have no hard feelings."

I push Dorian's hand off me, not wanting to listen anymore. Fuck them. "If you'll excuse me, I think my father is looking for me."

I run out of the church and notice my father deep in conversation with other members and run toward the cemetery, so I can clear my thoughts. Everything is starting to make sense. I know how my father plans to achieve more power. With me by Dorian’s side, he has Dorian's vote and will counter Alaric, Reid and the Bedfords in practically everything before Valen gets closer to graduation. Everyone knows that Dorian Black and Alaric don't see eye to eye. They never have. In business, sports, or at Kenyan. They are opposites, but there is one thing they both are in my eyes, men I hate.

CHAPTER 11

Alaric

"I can't believe he can still beat you!" Garret cries, splashing water at Valen.

"What…did you think you pussies could still beat me? I'm the fucking champ at Kenyan all around. None of you have a better time."

"I'll beat you," Valen says with determination.

Out of all the sons of Kenyan, Valen's time is the closest to beating mine. If he would put the work in, he might have a solid chance to beat me and every asshole he goes up against. He might also have a shot of getting on the Olympic team.

"Get wet in the pool instead of pussy, and you might have a chance," I shoot back.

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