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A hint of rain tinges the air, and I stare up at the sky.The clouds are dark.A storm is brewing, and I feel the exact same way.
A knock sounds on my door, and I jump, ignoring whoever it is.I don’t have the energy to argue tonight; I just want to be left alone.
“Odette.”Holy’s stern voice is not who I expected.
“Go away,” I call back out to him, enjoying the breeze from the incoming storm.
“Can’t do that, kiddo.”I hate when he calls me that.“Need you to come downstairs.”
At my father’s insistence, I’m sure.“No.”
“You like making my life miserable, don’t you?”he mutters with a hint of amusement.
“Go find a woman to bother.”I’m certain he’d rather be anywhere else.
“Come on, Odette, let me in.”Most women are charmed by Holy’s easy-going attitude.His dark looks call to them like a song, and he uses it to his advantage all the time.It’s never worked on me or my sisters, though.Instead, we use it against him, mostly because he’s allowed us to.“Don’t make me break out in song.”He’s got a hypnotic voice; it could work.
“I’m going to have a shower.Tell Father I’ll talk with him tomorrow.”Leaving the balcony doors open as I get up, I grab a change of clothes and wait to strip until I’m in the bathroom.Hot water steams up the room quickly, and I settle under the spray, allowing the warm jets to relax my muscles, and drowsiness overtakes me as I wash my hair and body.
I’d been so tense all day, waiting for something to snap.And it did.In Malice’s arms, I fell apart.He took a piece of me that I don’t want back.I wish he would claim the rest.
CHAPTER6
Malice
When Holy was sent up to collect Odette, I barely resisted the urge to slam my fist into his face.I didn’t want him anywhere near her, but I knew I had to let him go.
Listening to her speak about the places she wants to go to college lit a fire under me.I don’t want her going to any of those places.It’s selfish and arrogant, but her place is at my side, not a fucking ocean away, and convincing her of that is only going to make shit difficult.
Despite her agreeable manner, that spirit in her soul won’t allow me to tell her what to do.She’ll fight me out of spite alone.I’ve seen her do it before with her sisters, father, and hell, even poor Holy.
“Malice,” Carmine calls my name from his office, where he’s been sitting with my father for the last two hours.
Entering the room, the two are standing at the French doors smoking cigars.To anyone looking in, they appear relaxed, but as someone who knows them, I recognize the two of them plotting.
“Do you think she’ll leave?”Carmine asks, not looking at me but out over the property.
“No idea.”I’ve kept my feelings for Odette wrapped tight.I don’t understand why he’s asking me.
His head turns to look my way, his enigmatic eyes piercing through my chest.“Will you let her?”he asks instead.
Standing taller, the hint of knowledge in his stare challenges me.“Not sure that’s my call.”Jermaine chuckles, and it’s becoming increasingly clear they both know how I feel about my little rabbit.
“And I’m most positive it is.She’s been eighteen for a few months now.Are you telling me you haven’t taken advantage?”I know he doesn’t mean sleeping with her.He’d never make that reference to one of his daughters; however, I’m not sure how to answer because I haven’t, exactly, but I’m not innocent, either.
“Relax, Malice.”Carmine stubs out the cigar before moving away from the window, straightening his suit coat and buttoning the sole button in the navy fabric.“Jermaine and I have planned your nuptials since she was five and we caught you watching her as she swam in the lake.”I was ten, maybe eleven.My interest at that time was protective.“You’ve always watched over her.Did you not think there was a reason as to why I sent you back to a place you hate?”
“I thought I was simply there to protect her.”I catch my father’s slick grin.They both played me.
“Frankly, we didn’t expect you to hold out as long as you have,” Dad comments, laughing at what must be shock on my face.
“Do me a favor, though?”I nod at Carmine.“Don’t knock her up until she knows what she wants.Whether it’s college, travelling, working, whatever she chooses, don’t force her into a life she isn’t ready for yet.”I nod again.“And don’t fucking let her go too far for college if that’s what she desires.”
Clearing my throat, I go for a little clarification because I think I was just given the green light to claim my girl for the world to see.“To be clear, you approve?She’s mine now.”
Carmine stops next to me, a hand on my shoulder.“Yours?”His mouth screws to the side.“She’ll always be mine, Malice, but for as long as she wants, she’ll be yours, too.Her life is in your hands, and so help me fucking god, if one hair on her head is hurt, if her heart gets broken…my friendship with your father, my fondness of you, will not stop me from breaking your damn neck.”
“Understood.”I wouldn’t have it any other way.
