Page 36 of Possession

“I bet you would. And don’t speak of an annulment again unless you want to cause a stir in the family.” He lifts his mug and motions around the expansive space. “They might not be watching and listening in here anymore, but to everyone around us, you and I are husband and wife in every sense of the word. Got it?”

As if the aroma of coffee draws me in, I move across the room, but stand behind a chair positioned perpendicular to him. “Stir?”

“Nic wanted you. I’m sure he’s not the only one, even if he was the only one who had the balls to say so. The first rule I need to make sure you understand is no one can know there’s trouble in paradise.”

“Paradise.” I roll my eyes. “Right.”

“Sit and eat, Landyn. I’m sure it’s cold.”

I don’t like obeying his every word, but I’m starving. I choose the chair so we don’t have to share the sofa, even if it is my bed. The first plate I uncover is a spinach omelet with cheese and a side of potatoes. I’m not usually a breakfast eater, but I also don’t have meals like this delivered to my sofa either. I grab a roll of silverware and throw the napkin over my lap before I dig in.

“Coffee?” he asks.

I nod and speak with my mouth full. “With all the cream and sugar. Load me up.”

“Load you up,” Boz mutters. I wonder if this is him being sweet as I stuff my mouth while he spoons sugar into my steaming mug.

He sets it on the table in front of me and leans forward to rest his elbows to his knees. “I need to make sure you understand my expectations.”

My jaw freezes mid-chew, and I’m caught in his intense stare. My mother would kill me for talking with my mouth full. “Expectations?”

“Yeah, about us.”

I’m finally able to swallow. “What about us?”

He pulls in a deep breath.

I hold mine.

“This room is the only place we can be ourselves.”

My fork falls to the plate with a clank. “You’re going to have to expand on that, Boz.”

He stares at me for a long moment before leaning closer and lowers his voice. “Outside of this suite, we’re being watched. Every corner of this house is under surveillance twenty-four-seven.”

I fist the material of my dress. “You, ah, hinted at that last night.”

“Consider it more than a hint. The way you act and what you say outside of this room is your lifeline, Landyn. Don’t trust anyone but me. Don’t go anywhere with anyone if I’m not with you. And when we’re out there,” he lowers his voice another octave and tips his head to our bedroom doors, “you’d better act like you’re so fucking into me, you can’t see straight. It’s the one thing that will keep you safe.”

Just when I think I’ve gained some footing with him, he whips the rug out from under me all over again. My heart pounds in my chest. I can’t help but raise my voice in desperation. “I thought marrying a Marino would keep my family safe—all of us. That’s what my dad said.”

His words aren’t careful or measured. They’re as blunt as an old rusty knife. “Your father made that agreement with Alamandos to save his ass. Alamandos was pissed about the load being taken down, but he never threatened you or your mom. I was in the room, Landyn. Your fucking father was quick to take the deal and hand you over as payment.”

I feel like I’ve just been hit in the chest by a linebacker and am forced to lean back into my chair. The last week has been a tsunami. I’ve been going through the motions, pushing forward—moment by moment—doing everything I could to emotionally make it to the next day.

To stay alive and save both my father and my mother.

But when it comes down to it, I wasn’t given a choice.

Learning that I’m only here so my father could save his own ass with no regard for me is…

I swallow over the lump in my throat.

This is more heart-crushing than anything I’ve had to deal with yet. And it’s been a long week.

“I want to leave.” The words spill from my lips for the first time. “Do what you want to my father. I’m not a part of his business. If he messed up, make him pay. But, please, let me go.”

Boz drags a hand down his face before shaking his head at my plea. “That can’t happen. Not now. The deal is done.”

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