Fat Tuesday(34)

"Game?"

"Your game of keeping secrets."

"I'm not keeping secrets."

"Don't ..." Bringing his raised voice under control, he began again, "Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

He gave her a long look."Are you planning to run away again?"

"No!"

"Because if you are, I caution you not to try. I was forgiving before. But I won't be again."

She tried to turn her head away, but he pinched her chin between his fingers and forced her to look at him. He rubbed his thumb across her lower lip, pressing hard."I wanted you the first time I saw you.

I could have had you then. But I was patient. I didn't do what it would have been within my rights to do, did I? Answer me."

"No, you didn't."

"I could have taken you then, but I waited. Even after you were old enough, I didn't have to marry you, but I did. Have you ever thought of where you'd be if you'd tried to steal from somebody else that day, Remy? Hmm? Where would you be if I hadn't been so understanding?" don't know."

_ "Yes, you do," he whispered, stroking her cheek."You'd be whoring just like your mother."

Tears sprang to her eyes."No. I wouldn't."

"Yes, you would. When we met, you were already well on your way to becoming another Angel." His eyes moved over her in a way he knew she hated."Oh yes, Remy. Even then you were alluring. I bet your mother's customers were hot to get on you long before I entered your life."

His fingers tightened around her hand. He thrust his face close to hers, but kept his voice soft."Maybe you would have liked that life.

Maybe you wish I hadn't saved you from all those men. Maybe you liked their fondling and heavy breathing better than you like being married to me."

"Stop it!" Yanking her hand free, she left the bed."What are you threatening to do, Pinkie, report my crime after all these years?

I'm not one of your clients. Or one of your lackeys. So don't speak to me as if I were. I deserve better than veiled threats. I'm your wife."

"Well, I want my wife to tell me why she's been slinking around the house like a goddamn ghost!" he shouted.

right! Flarra. I'm worried about Flarra."

Flarra? That's all? That's it? She was depressed over something as trivial as her sister? First it was Bardo who was agitating her, now Flarra. He'd been thinking the worst, fearing she might be planning another escape, and here she was telling him that her dejection was over nothing more significant than Flarra. Or was she lying?

"What about Flarra?" he asked brusquely.

Angrily Remy pulled on a robe and haphazardly tied the belt around her waist. As she composed herself, her chest rose and fell, making her gold cross pendant twinkle in the lamplight. He was glad to see her upset.

His taunting about her former life had reminded her how fortunate she was.

"She sneaked out again," she said."I went to see her today for a routine visit, but when I arrived, I walked into a lecture." She told him about Flarra's latest escapade and Sister Beatrice's warnings against any further breaking of rules."I reprimanded her, but I'm not sure how much good it did."

"Sounds to me like she needs a good paddling."

"She's a little old for that."

"You're too soft on her, Remy. I should take over the discipline.

I'll put my foot down and revoke some privileges. That will get her attention."

Her anger having subsided, Remy frowned with obvious disappointment.

"Well, that answers that."

"What?"

"Never mind. It "

"Tell me."

She gestured nervously."Flarra has been hounding me about something for months. That's what's been bothering me, and I was a fool to think you wouldn't notice my distraction." She shot him a guilty smile.

"I want to make my sister happy, but you're my husband and your wishes must come first. I've felt trapped in the middle. Today, I finally agreed to ask you." She wet her lips."And frankly, Pinkie, I think she might have a good idea. It's a valid request."

He spread his hands to indicate that she still had the floor and that he was listening.

"Flarra wants to move in with us and go to a coed school for her senior year. She wants to live a more well-rounded life. Meet new people.

Experience what other girls her age are experiencing. That's reasonable, isn't it?"

He stared hard at her for a long time, stripping her of defenses.

Then he moved his hand to the empty place beside him and patted the spot.

"Now, Remy."

"What about Flarra?"

"I'll think about it. Now, come back to bed." He uncovered himself, showing her how aroused he was. Her anger had stirred him, but her earnest petitioning had excited him even more.

When she rejoined him, he left no doubt in her mind that she belonged to him. He owned her. Her body, mind, and spirit were his to do with as he wished.

Afterward he told her that Flarra would remain at Blessed Heart Academy through her graduation.

For a moment, she didn't respond. Then she said, "Whatever you think is best, Pinkie."