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I’m sick.
I’m turning into him.
He’s lost his fucking mind.
That’s all I can think of as Kaiden and I lead Odi away. Axel basically implied that she’s going to be a prisoner, and whilst I’m glad we’ll all be back under the same roof, the circumstances are beyond shitty. There’s no way I’m following orders and being a good little foot soldier this time though. There’s too much atstake to just blindly trust and obey Axel now when it comes to Odi. She’s too important to me, and I won’t risk losing her now.
Fucking hell, how is everything falling apart so spectacularly?
“Come on, Odi,” Kaiden says flatly, putting his arm around Odi’s shoulders. She elbows him in the gut and punches him in the nuts. “Oof!”
“Keep your fucking hands off me!” she snarls.
Under different circumstances I would smile at her feistiness. Her defiance always had a way of lighting up a room, but now, with Axel’s madness hanging over us like a dark cloud, her anger only adds to the tension. Kaiden winces, clutching his wounded groin, and I step forward to intervene.
“Let’s get out of here before one of us kills the fucking arsehole,” I tell her, trying to make it clear without words that I think this marriage proposal is outrageous.I’m on your side, I try to tell her with my expression. “We can form a plan once we’re home.”
“Home,” Odi scoffs. “I don’t have a fucking home. I have no-one and nothing, just his majesty’s fucking prison.”
There’s no point in reminding her that she has us – me – not when she’s in this mood and wouldn’t welcome it.
My eyes flick to the ring on her finger. It’s ostentatious. Showy as fuck. A statement. It’s also a family heirloom and a much sought-after rock. With it comes wealth, power, status. Ever since we arrived at Trinity, women have been throwing themselves at Axel in the hope of securing that ring, and he’s never shown any interest. It’s like he’s had some sort of master plan all along – which wouldn’t surprise me at all – even though he couldn’t guarantee that Odi would ever come here. He probably would have graduated then hunted her down and forced her into it anyway. And if she’d already moved on, I’m sure he’d have no qualms killing anyone who stood in his way.
The ring is not Odi. Not anything she would ever like or choose for herself, but I guess that’s the point: she doesn’t have a choice. She has to marry Axel for the games to be complete. Though technically she could marry one of us instead. Can’t see Axel agreeing to that though. I might still suggest it, see what she says.
As we make our way back to the car, the tension in the air is thick, suffocating. Odi walks a few steps ahead of us, her every movement radiating anger and defiance. Kaiden and I exchange a worried glance, silently communicating our shared concern for her well-being. I’d like to think we’re also sharingwhat the fuckexpressions over Axel’s newest insanity. He always lost his head where Odi was concerned, but this is a whole new level of crazy.
Once we reach the car, Kaiden opens the passenger door for Odi, but she shrugs off his gesture, opting to climb into the back seat instead. She slams the door shut with unnecessary force, causing the entire vehicle to shake.
I take a deep breath and slide into the driver’s seat, starting the engine. As we drive away, I steal glances at Odi through the rearview mirror. Her eyes are distant, lost in her own thoughts. The ring on her finger catches the sunlight, casting an ethereal glow that contradicts the darkness that surrounds us.
“Odi,” I say softly, breaking the heavy silence. “We’re here for you, you know?”
She scoffs bitterly and turns to stare out of the window. “You think so? You think any of this is what I wanted? To be trapped in this sick game? Tattooed? Held captive? Forced into a loveless marriage with an unwanted bastard child in my belly?”
Her words are so fierce, so bitter, but dripping with a pain that makes my chest pang.
“You know it’s not,” Kaiden interjects from beside me and I wonder which part he’s contradicting. “We’re gonna find a way out of this mess, Odi. Together.”
Odi’s shoulders tense, and I can practically hear her mind working overtime as she contemplates our words. After what feels like an eternity, she finally speaks again.
“I don’t even know who I am anymore,” she whispers, her voice laced with vulnerability and desperation. It’s as if she’s unravelling before our very eyes, the weight of Axel’s control and manipulation taking its toll on her spirit. I can’t bear to see her like this, stripped of her strength, her fire dimmed to a mere flicker.
“Butweknow who you are,” I declare firmly, my voice filled with conviction. “You’re Odile Kemp. Our peony. The motherfucking doe. Fearless, resilient, and fiercely independent. Axel may have taken away your freedom right now, but he can never take away who you truly are. No ring on your finger could ever do that. So what if you have to marry him? It’s bullshit. Show him you’re no one’s trophy wife. Make him see what a fucking honour it is to beallowedto marry you.”
Kaiden turns and leans between the front seats, his gaze fixed on Odi in the back with unwavering determination. “Remember all the times we fought together as a team? The countless battles we won against all odds? That’s who you are, Odi. A warrior. We believe in you,” Kaiden affirms, his voice intertwining with mine as if forming a shield of unwavering support around her. “And you don’t have to face this alone. We’re here, ready to fight alongside you every step of the way.”
Odi’s grip tightens around the seatbelt, her knuckles turning white. A spark of determination flickers in her eyes, defying the darkness that threatens to consume her.
“Alright,” she says, sighing. But when she speaks again, her voice gains strength with each word. “We’ve been through hell together, haven’t we? Let’s teach everyone that they can’t break us. And when it’s done, I’ll show Axel I’m not his stolen trophy.”
This time her gaze is determined and I relax a little knowing we’ve not lost her.
It takes a while to get to the house, and Odi falls asleep on the back seat before we’re even half way. Today was a lot. She’s emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted.
And she might be pregnant.
I’m not stupid enough to think it could be mine. It was only a couple of weeks ago that we slept together, and Kaiden let slip that she’s beensickfor a while. I guess now we know why. Or it’s a possibility at least. Is thereany chanceit could be mine? Why am I still so hopeful?
