Deception (Infidelity #3)(22)

What made this evening different than any other in my mind was the conversation that ensued after Alexandria’s animated exit. Once she was gone, Alton returned the daggers she’d sent our way to me.

“Your daughter needs to learn a lesson.”

I lifted my wine, praying the Montague Private Label had increased its alcohol content. “You sent her to her room. I’m sure that will have an effect.”

He scoffed. “Embarrassing. She attends the best school money can buy, and she’s still disrespectful. Really, Laide, would your father have ever permitted you to speak like that?”

I lifted my fork, stabbing the meal upon my plate with vigor. If I allowed him to bellow, soon he’d lose steam.

His palm hit the shiny mahogany table.

The maid standing near the door to the kitchen jumped, the water sloshing in the pitcher within her hands.

“I asked you a question, Mrs. Fitzgerald. Are you having difficulty with your hearing? Maybe I should call Dr. Beck. I’m sure he can do more than prescribe you narcotics.”

“I heard you. I don’t have an answer.”

“Why? Are you too drugged out? Does the good doctor know that you pop his pain pills and wash them down with copious amounts of wine?”

I closed my eyes. “I don’t believe I would’ve spoken that way to my father. Alexandria isn’t me.” And you aren’t her father. I didn’t say the last part, though if Alexandria had been present, she would have. “Alton, let’s finish dinner. You’ll feel better in the morning. Traveling always makes you irritable.”

His volume rose. “You’re turning this around on me?”

It was a no-win conversation. “Perhaps we should go upstairs?”

It wasn’t a proposal I wanted accepted, but then again, after as much as he’d drunk, I had hope that he’d fall asleep after only a few minutes.

His laugh was an octave higher than normal. I turned his direction while the shrill sound sent chills down my spine. “Sometimes,” he said, enunciating each word, “I wonder why I spend my nights with you when there’s a spitfire in need of taming down the hall.”

Blood no longer flowed through my veins. It stilled, falling to my feet, leaving me dizzy and dazed. The fork I’d been holding fell to the table, the clink going unnoticed as Alton’s tormenting grin and gray eyes dared me to respond.

Just briefly, my eyes met the young girl’s with the water. Silently, I tipped my head, motioning for her to go into the kitchen. As the door swung shut, I turned back toward my husband. “What did you just say?”

His brows rose, disappearing under his graying hair. “You heard me. Sending Alexandria to her room doesn’t seem to work. Spanking her ass doesn’t work. Charles wanted me to turn you into an acceptable wife.” He shrugged. “I did. Someday Bryce will thank me.”

I didn’t remember reaching for the steak knife lying beside my plate. I didn’t remember standing. Of all the things Alton had said and done to me, I’d never argued. I’d never fought back.

Before his inebriated mind could process it, I was behind his chair, the blade of the knife firmly pressed against his throat.

“You ever touch my daughter like that and I’ll kill you. I will kill both of us.” The knife grazed his skin as I applied pressure. “You don’t even need to be asleep. I’ll slit your throat or poison your brandy. You’ll never see it coming, but I swear to God, you’ll die, and before you do I’ll cut off your cock with a dull knife. That, Mr. Fitzgerald, is a promise. I’d willingly spend eternity in prison or in hell. It wouldn’t be any different than what I live every day.”

Defensively he reached for my hand. With strength I never knew I had, I held tight to the knife and turned it. The tip was now buried a few millimeters in the soft notch at the base of his throat.

“Say it again. Come on, Alton. We’ll end this farce right now.”

Blood dripped from his skin onto the white shirt, a small trail making a growing stain.

“Laide.”

His wits returned as he squeezed my wrist, causing the knife to drop onto the floor, blood still visible on the blade. In less time than I could fathom, he stood. Suddenly, I was bent over the table, glasses and dishes crashing as their contents covered the table and floor. My hands were secured tightly behind me as my cheek smashed into a dish of something soft.

The Montague staff was too well trained, too frightened of Alton, and too well paid. No one would enter the dining room. No one would stop whatever was about to happen to me.

My stomach twisted as Alton’s erection probed my backside. Painfully he twisted my wrists, leaned his lips next to my ear, and loudly whispered, “That’s what I’m talking about. Maybe she did get some of that spirit from you after all.”

With each word he rubbed himself against me and gathered both of my hands in one of his. Pulling my hair, he lifted my face, the sauce that had been my pillow dripped from my cheek. His menacing tone continued and his Cognac breath soured my stomach. “Maybe I have my hands full, after all.”

I didn’t have a response. All I could think about was that I’d won. He wouldn’t see it that way, but I’d fought and kept his attentions on me. My victory came in Alexandria’s safety.

“Keep me satisfied, Laide. I like the idea of what I’m going to do to you after your little stunt.”