Page 11 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

I had to keep my damn temper in check. I’d made a promise to myself I would not interfere in Remi’s life unless it was strictly necessary.

“Is that what you care about? Whether a woman is attractive enough to fuck?”

He smirked.

“I have no intention of touching your property, Z.”

The fact he’d worked it out without me saying a damn word about my deal with her pissed me the fuck off.

“Better stay that way.”

I wasn’t just talking about Ari. If Penn fucked with Remi, I would kill him myself. I didn’t care how useful he was. She deserved better than what life had thrown at her.

That smile of Penn’s grew wider.

“I see how it is. You planning on keeping her forever?”

I rose from my chair and gave him a dark look.

“Deal with the fucking phone and have it back to me before morning.”

“A woman got under your skin, Z?”

I had him shoved back against the wall with my hand around his throat seconds after the words left his lips. He put his hands up, the tumbler of whisky he’d poured still between his fingers.

“She’s not up for fucking discussion. I’m not above slitting your throat and leaving you in a shallow fucking grave. Keep your opinions to yourself and your damn mouth shut.”

The psychotic fuck had the audacity to laugh in my face. I released him, paced away and wondered when the fuck I had become possessive over that girl.

Since she offered herself up to you on a silver fucking platter.

The images of her on the bed, legs spread and chestnut fucking eyes telling me she’d let me do anything crossed my mind. I ran my hand along my jaw, shoving them away.

“Just tell me one thing.”

“What?” I all but barked.

“Why’d she do it?”

I didn’t turn around to look at him.

“Sick fuck tried to rape her. Can’t blame a girl for defending herself.”

Penn didn’t need to know about Justin’s plans to give her to McGovern. I was keeping that piece of information to myself for now. And I had respect for the girl. She wasn’t a wallflower. No, Ari had grit and determination. She wasn’t blind to the life her father was involved in. Probably why she made me want things I shouldn’t.

“Glad the cunt got what he deserved.”

I nodded. Rapist scum deserved to be put in the ground. Forcing women held no interest for me. I had Ari’s agreement. She was mine to do what I wanted with. While I admitted she was at a disadvantage and had little choice but to agree, didn’t change facts. A deal was a deal.

“I’ll drop this through the letterbox.”

He didn’t bother saying goodbye. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him drop the tumbler on the side table before he walked away. I listened to the front door slam a minute later. Taking another drag, I sat down and let out a long sigh.

Knowing she was upstairs had me rubbing my thumb over my bottom lip. Tomorrow I’d have a conversation with her about my expectations. She wasn’t going to like them. I’d remind her of why she’d agreed to be mine. And if she protested, well, the lesson she received wouldn’t be pretty.

This would only end one way no matter what she did.

My way.

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