Page 30 of Betrothed in Fury
What am I even thinking?
I don’t want to blow him, but he still holds all the cards because without his protection, my family’s fucked. But if my family isn’t fucked, then I will be. And it sounds like a lot.
I push to my feet, getting in his face. “You love this. You know I don’t have any options and that this is what I’ll end up having to do. You’re getting off on knowing I’m trapped. You think this is an easy thing to figure out? You think I’m eager to sacrifice my life?”
“We’re the firstborns, Logan. Our lives were never ours to begin with.”
For the first time since we started this, I detect something else in his expression—not the confidence or certainty or even the predation I’ve seen before; something more fragile, and familiar too. We do share one thing, and that’s our place in families with expectations and needs. We both stand as the ones designated to keep our families safe.
“I should go,” I say.
“You haven’t finished your breakfast.”
“You’ve ruined my appetite.”
“No, please. You have a lot to consider, and I’ve said what I needed to.” He pulls my phone from his pocket and passes it tome. “Your clothes are at the cleaners. I’ll have them delivered to Hayward this afternoon. When you’re finished eating, Jaime will provide you with your shoes.”
His entire demeanor has shifted—he’s not the brash, offensive man he was all morning. There’s something else there, though I can’t read what it is.
I start to sit back down, but he seizes my arm. “Logan, I do understand…more than you realize.”
It’s all he says before he releases me and starts for the door.
I glance over my shoulder as he rushes past Krychek, leaving me utterly confused.
What in the hell was that about?
11
KILLIAN
After Logan leaves,I spend the morning in the greenhouse, among Dad’s plants.
Sometimes working in the garden quiets the pain my busy mind can plague me with. Those thoughts were quieter at the start of the morning, after having the privilege of seeing Logan torture Sik Vik, witnessing him change into something so much greater than his mortal body.
Something inhuman.
Something magnificent.
When all this began, I saw it as my duty to uphold the contract Logan was bound to by blood.“Sometimes blood has to be pushed into doing the right thing,”Old Terror always said, and he pushed me plenty, so I pushed Logan, trapping him, as he said, wanting to possess him out of obligation to my family.
That’s not how I felt when I saw him at breakfast.
I’ve tried to convince myself it’s because he’s had my seed inside him, but that can’t be true because I’ve killed guys who’ve swallowed me before, and they meant nothing. Seeing Logan worshipping my cock was different. It might’ve been one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. Still, it’s not enough to explain this irritation he’s triggered within me, gnawing at me like a feral wolf.
The morning light filters through the windowpanes along the greenhouse walls and ceiling, illuminating the vibrant green hues of my companions, as well as the red, pink, blue, and purple of the fresh, healthy blooms. The birds that inhabit the enclosedspace flutter between branches and the creepy ivory cherubs. A finch I call Willie pecks at the bird feeder, and a chickadee and wren bristle their feathers in the nearby birdbath. They’re so peaceful, enjoying the sanctuary, no longer aware of all the dangers lurking beyond the safety of these glass walls. It settles my heart as I come to Dad’s white roses, which I begin pruning. These were always his favorite. I’m clipping a few to take to him, when the greenhouse door opens.
My brother Rage saunters in, in only a pair of short swimming trunks, his hair damp, his nipples perked up. As much as I want to be alone right now, I’m hoping he can distract me from my wayward thoughts.
“Chilly for a swim this morning?” I say.
“Just how I like it.”
As he approaches, he’s smirking, like he’s been up to some mischief.
“Good night?” he presses. He must already know the answer.
“I’m guessing you heard about our visitor.”
