Page 54 of Vicious Vows

“Did you mean what you told Weselton? Will you take care of his family?”

“Yes, I meant it.”

I nod, my eyes misting over. “Thank you.”

He dips his head before leaving. I wait a beat and go to my dresser, grabbing my book with the pills inside. Discreetly, I open it and pull out two. In the bathroom, I toss them in my mouth, swallowing them. Thankfully, they do their job and I fall into a dreamless sleep moments later.

11

Anna

Things have been eerily calm since the night in the basement, mostly because Odin has been too busy with helping Mother plan the wedding to waste time tormenting me. I’m not allowed out of my room, but I’ve heard them speaking about it as they walk past my room, to the study. Odin hasn’t been to see me since the night in the basement, either. I should be glad and I most definitely shouldn’t be hurt.

Stepping out of the shower, I grab a towel, wrapping it around my body. Tonight is one of many events that I’m dreading. The engagement party. Where anyone who’s anyone is going to come out to wish the couple well. All while I’m going to stand there, knowing that this is wrong. That I’ve been a horrible daughter. That I want my soon-to-be-stepfather.

I groan. And then there’s the stupid dress that Odin sent for me to wear. It’s a blue ballgown in Grandmama’s signature color, but it’s the undergarments that he picked out that are scandalous. Crotchless panties and a bra that can hardly be called a bra, both inhiscolor of blue. A warning and a reminder all at the same time.

Padding to the closet, I find the baggie with my pills and grab three, tossing them back. I need all the help I can get tonight.

* * *

I meet my mother in the foyer. She looks beautiful, but that’s no surprise. She always does.

“You look stunning, Mother.”

She ignores me, scrolling on her phone. I might be more bothered if the drugs hadn’t kicked in. I’m not sure what I took, but I’m feeling light and…happy. I couldn’t stop smiling even if I wanted to.

“Ladies, we should leave. Elsa is waiting.”

Turning, I find Odin strolling toward us dressed in all black. My god. He looks so sexy, and my body comes to life for him. Odin brushes past me, like I’m not even there, kissing my mother on the cheek. She looks so freaking happy as she looks up at him. His gaze flickers to mine and I look away, my cheeks flaming. No! I’m not going to be that person tonight. I refuse to.

The elevator arrives and the three of us step inside. Mother chatters happily about who all is supposed to be in attendance while Odin listens. They seem…at ease with each other. I don’t know why this is surprising, but it is. Maybe it’s because he’s so intense when he’s with me.

We reach the first floor, where two SUVs are waiting.

Odin asks, “Selma, would you like to ride with me or with your mother to the party?”

“Would it be okay if I rode with Mother? I have some things I need to discuss with her.”

“Of course. I’ll take Anna to give you some privacy.”

She beams, touching his arm. “You know me so well.”

He helps her into the SUV before going to the second one, not offering to help me in. Glaring, I climb inside, closing the door. Odin ignores me, as he has for the last few days, so I look out the window, watching the city fly by. The engagement party is at Beekman Tower, on the twenty-sixth floor at Ophelia’s. Before I was a prisoner in my room, I overheard Grandmama saying it would make everyone jealous to have the party there. So, of course, that’s where the party had to be.

“I’m sure I don’t need to remind you to be on your best behavior tonight.”

I glance over at Odin, who’s still on his phone, and roll my eyes. Screw him.

“Anna,” he warns.

“I’ll be a perfect Mafia Princess,” I mutter.

We finally arrive at Beekman Tower. Even through the tinted window, I can see that there are more paparazzi than normal. My pulse thrums in my neck. What are they going to think when I step out with Odin instead of my mother? I’m about to ask when he tucks away his phone.

“You will stay in the SUV until your mother and grandmother are at my side. Understand?”

“Yes,” I grit out.

---