Broken (The Captive #5.5)(59)

"That would be the worst mistake you ever made," Atticus growled at her.

Marie tugged at her hand, a small mewl escaped her, but he didn't let her go as he continued to glower down at her. Genny stepped forward and rested her hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him. The fire faded from his eyes, his shoulders relaxed as he looked to her. He flung Marie's arm away with the same care he would have given to a dead rat.

His hand slid into hers, he pulled her closer and held her against him. He fixed Marie with a look of loathing. "Your daughter is nothing like you. Now get out of this house. If you come back here I'll kill you myself," he vowed.

Genny's fingers curled into the material of his tunic as Marie's gaze darted back and forth between them. She took a few stumbling steps back before regaining her composure and turning on her heel. Watching her walk away, Genny began to realize that she no longer hated the woman. She pitied her, yes, but she found it impossible to hate Marie when she had so much happiness in her life now.

Though she never wanted to see her again, something drove Genny to speak to her once more. "Marie." She waited until the woman turned to look at her. "I forgive you, for everything."

Atticus's hand squeezed her waist. Marie stared at her hatefully before turning and storming out of the house. "You're better than me," Camille said. "She doesn't deserve any forgiveness."

"Forgiving her will bother her more than our hatred of her ever could. We have a new life ahead of us and we'll never have to see her again," Genny murmured.

"No, you won't," Atticus promised and kissed the top of her head. "Did she hurt you before I arrived?"

"No," Genny assured him.

He kissed her again and rested his chin on her head. Camille slipped from the room as Genny closed her eyes and leaned into his reassuring embrace.





CHAPTER 20


Genny giggled when he tickled her belly and pulled her closer against his bare chest. The sound of her laughter was the most beautiful noise he'd ever heard. It helped to ease the lingering bad memory of his visit with his father.

He stretched his bare legs out on either side of her on the bed. His fingers ran over her arms as he inhaled her alluring scent. The aroma of his blood drifted from her veins and he could feel the power of hers pulsing through him. He was loath to intrude upon this moment of peace and love but he had to talk to her about what had occurred with his father. The compulsion to hold her had been too overwhelming once he'd seen her again, and he'd lost himself to her for the past few hours, but she had to know what was coming next for them and what he planned.

He nuzzled her temple and kissed her tenderly. He'd recently fed from her but the need to taste her again came back with a fierceness that caused his fangs to lengthen against her silky skin. She turned her head to the side to give him better access to her vein but he had to refuse it if they were going to get any talking done. He gave her another kiss before leaning against the headboard and wrapping his arms around her.

"We have to talk," he said.

She twisted her head to meet his gaze, her laughter faded away as apprehension flickered across her features. "Things didn't go well with your father, did they?"

He brushed the hair back from her forehead. "No, they didn't."

Her mouth pursed and her chin jutted out as if she were bracing for a blow. "What happened?"

He intended to tell her what his father had said but the anxious look on her face caused him to skip that part of the conversation and go straight to his plans. He had to reassure her that he still did not intend to be without her. "Have you heard of the other land? The one that the Vikings have discovered?"

"Well yes, I've heard the whispers and rumors about it."

"They're not rumors Genny."

"What does that land have to do with anything?"

He pressed a kiss to her forehead, hoping to ease the lines of distress etched into it. "My father has refused the idea of Merle marrying Anna." Her fingers curled into his, he felt the tremor that slid through her before she suppressed it. "And he has decided that my wedding to Anna will be moved up to the end of next month."

Her lashes fell over her eyes as she bowed her head to stare at the bed. "I see."

"I'm not marrying that woman Genny."

"If he says you must Atticus, then there is nothing else that you can do." Her fingers dug into his but she wouldn't look at him again.

"No," he said forcefully. He placed his fingers under her chin and lifted it so that she had to look at him. "No. He believes I can marry her and keep you as my mistress."

That shudder ran through her again, and though she couldn't keep her eyes from turning as red as rubies, she was able to maintain an impassive expression on her face. "I know how things work; I know that you have to obey him. If you must…" her voice broke off, tears filled her eyes but she rapidly blinked them back.

"And you would allow this?"

Her face twisted in sorrow, she tried to break free of his grasp but he refused to release her. "Please let me go."

"Tell me Genny, how would you feel about me lying with another woman and having her bear my children?"

"It would break my heart. I don't think I could stand it," she whispered as tears slid down her face. "I can't be your mistress but losing you will kill me."