I bite the inside of my cheek and nod, as it’s all I can do. The fear he inspires in me is like nothing I’ve experienced before. Normally, I’d give an asshole like him a smart retort, but the look in his eyes warns me against it. If I’m going to survive this man, then being a brat won’t get me anywhere.
He grabs hold of my hips, making the air escape my lungs in a whoosh. “How about we practice?” He tilts his head. “Do you understand what I’m telling you?”
I swallow hard, searching those eyes, and nod.
“Say it,” he growls.
“Yes, I understand.”
His eyes narrow. “Yes, sir.”
Motherfucker.
This man is something else, and yet I know that if I deny him, I’m going to make my life more difficult. We’re not even fucking married yet. “Yes, sir,” I grit out.
He tightens his grip on my hips painfully for a few moments, making me wonder what he’s going to do. Finally, he releases me and nods. “Good.” He gestures up the path. “Carry on the tour.”
His voice is even and detached, as if he didn’t just growl at me in anger or grab me forcefully. I walk a few steps ahead of him, leading him further down the path toward the lake, wishing I wasn’t so afraid of this man.
A prickle of awareness races down my spine with every step I take. I have always been a good judge of character. My sister says I can detect what someone is like within minutes of meeting them and I’m more often than not correct.
I hope beyond hope that with this man I’m wrong, because the man walking behind me is no man at all. He’s a monster if my instincts are correct, and I’ve barely seen the true darkness that lies within.
2
ADRIK
Beautiful. Innocent. Breakable.
The three words that came to my mind when I set eyes on my bride to be. There’s a thrill I feel at the fear sparking in her irises every single time she looks at me and the way she shudders when I speak. I bet if I wrapped my hands around her throat and squeezed, I’d feel her heart race beneath my palm.
It appears Eliza can detect a beast when she meets one, unlike most of my worthless family. All of them underestimate me as a drunk and a waste of space, but that’s exactly what I want them to think.
It’s my greatest illusion, one that’s going to ensure my rise to power in this shit hole of a city. One that will ensure my family’s downfall if all goes to plan. Some would say that I’m dead inside and perhaps they’re right.
Most people don’t want to ruin their own family, but I’m not most people. I’ve never been like others, at least not since I can remember. I see everything differently, like a puzzle that needs to be solved. Emotion doesn’t come in to it.
Ever since I told Eliza to respect me, we’ve walked in tense silence. Our pounding footsteps and her heavy breathing are the only thing falling between us. I like silence and always have, but it’s not the best way to get to know more about my wife to be.
“Do you like Chicago?” I ask, breaking it.
Her brow pulls together. “Not particularly, but Papá never lets me leave.” She blows out an irritated breath. “Do you like ruining people’s dreams?”
A rather direct question. I can’t help but smirk at her. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”
Her expression turns irritated. “Papá made it clear I can’t finish my studies because the man I’m marrying doesn’t want a doctor as a wife.”
Maybe this girl has more spark than I first believed. “That was your father’s assumption, and it isn’t correct. I don’t care what you do. You may continue your studies if you wish.”
Her eyes narrow, as if she doesn’t believe me. “And after that, I can work at the hospital for my residency?”
Working is a different kettle of fish entirely. “We’ll discuss it when the time comes.” I glance away from her, signaling the discussion is over. A residency differs from medical school, but in all honesty, it will be best to keep her out of my way most of the time. I’m not the kind of man that wants a wife hanging around the house, annoying me.
The lake we had been walking toward comes into view. “We’re here,” she says, speeding up her footsteps toward the edge.
I find Eliza interesting.
She knows when to pick her fights as I could sense it went against her every instinct to call me sir, and yet she knew the danger it would pose to disobey me.