Pure Vengeance

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Natasha

Held in the private dining room of a posh hotel I’d heard of but never visited, my wedding reception was small and intimate—exactly how I’d have wanted it if I’d been given the choice.

Thankfully, my father decided to skip it, and I didn’t think any of the few guests were acquainted with him, although I didn’t know for sure.

The thought of never seeing him again made me giddy, as did the delicious Malbec served with my meal of beef Wellington alongside tender grilled asparagus, and purée of celeriac topped with scads of butter.

“I think I forgot to do whatever thing is supposed to happen with your dress train to keep you from tripping on it,” Saoirse said.

I laughed, then slapped a hand over my mouth when everyone looked at me. My belly clenched and my supper roiled in my stomach. My father hated it when I laughed, and it took several seconds to remind myself that he was out of my life forever.

Hashtag nocontact.

“It’s okay,” I finally said. “I was actually thinking of asking for scissors to cut the darned thing off.”

“Don’t brides usually keep their dresses for their daughters?”

“Ew.” I grimaced and took a sip of wine. “Not this dress. It looks like something made out of kitchen curtains scavenged from a whole bunch of houses belonging to old women.”

“Well…” Her lips twitched into a smile. “At least the shoes are cute, and whoever did your hair and makeup is the bomb.”

“Right?” Unwilling to spoil the party, I didn’t tell her what the makeup was hiding. Lachlan would find out soon enough, and I still had no idea what I’d say when he saw the bruises.

“So, why did you pick it?” she asked.

My face heated under the thick coating of makeup. “It was the only one that didn’t need alterations. I’m guessing some other short and chubby woman decided to skip her wedding.”

“Hush, you. You’re gorgeous and you know it. Actually…” She stood and tugged me to my feet. “I have an idea. Let’s visit the little bride’s room.”

“Um… sure?”

Still holding my hand, she led me to a beautifully decorated washroom with a lounge. When the door shut behind us, she pulled her dagger free and walked toward me with dark intent in her eyes. I froze, wondering if my escape from my father would end in a hotel ladies’ room.

Instead of sinking the blade into my heart, she knelt before sawing at the skirt, cutting it off at my knees.

“This is better,” she murmured as she tugged the frilly crinoline free. She got to her feet and tossed the wads of fabric into the wastebasket. “So much better. It looks like something someone might actually wear without being forced into it.”

Unable to stop myself, I hugged her and tried not to cry.

“Thank you,” I whispered once I thought I could speak without sobbing. “All the thank yous forever and ever.”

“It was nothing.” She pulled away.

Realizing I’d made her uncomfortable, I dropped my arms. “Sorry. I know I’m weird, but still, thank you.”

“Yeah.” She cleared her throat and cocked her head toward the door. “Ready to go back?”

I nodded and led the way from the bathroom, enjoying the absence of that stupid dress as I sat comfortably for the first time since the stylist zipped me into the awful thing.

Strangely, Lachlan’s face darkened, and he tilted his head to look at me, but didn’t say anything. Truthfully, he hadn’t said much at all, seemingly content to let Saoirse keep up the conversation.

He was probably already having second thoughts. I crossed my fingers and prayed Lachlan would give me a settlement large enough to allow me to get as far away from my father as I could. He probably wouldn’t, but I’d fucking walk and eat out of restaurant dumpsters if it meant staying out of my father’s reach.

My heart sinking, I made the best of it and tried to be a good host to the guests until Lachlan asked, “Are you ready to go, Natasha?”

No . “Yes. Thank you for planning such a wonderful day.” I held up my hand and smiled at the tastefully understated gold wedding band adorning my left ring finger. “Even this ring is perfect. How did you know exactly what I wanted?”

He shared a glance with Saoirse. I didn’t know either of them well enough to identify the perplexing mixture of anger and confusion on their faces. Leaning close to him, Saoirse whispered something in a language I didn’t recognize and scowled at his soft reply in the same language.

“You’re welcome,” he finally said without answering my question. After rising to his feet, he offered his arm.

I stood and laid my free hand in the crook of his elbow. For better or worse, as the minister said, I was married now. Maybe it wouldn’t be roses and happiness, but I had to look on the bright side of things.

Lachlan seemed kind. Aside from my dress, the wedding and reception had been exactly what I’d have planned if I’d done it myself. Well, except the part where my father walked me down the aisle anyway. I’d have definitely skipped that.

Promising to obey my new husband wouldn’t have been part of my vows either, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. Maybe Lachlan was old-fashioned.

I even had a new friend, and she didn’t seem to care that, aside from what I’d seen on television and movies, I didn’t know what friends did together. Of course, I wouldn’t get to keep her. The minute her brother decided to end our marriage, my friendship with Saoirse would end too. At least it wouldn’t end violently.

“Shall we?” Lachlan asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yes, of course.” I matched my pace to his as he led me to the black town car waiting outside. The driver held the door as Lachlan helped me into the vehicle.

“I’ll be back shortly.” He shut the door, cutting off my reply, then went to talk to Saoirse.

They appeared to be arguing, and I frowned, wondering what they discussed. Lachlan held a hand up and shook his head, then turned on his heel and returned to the car.

After seating himself next to me, he said, “Take us home, please.”

His spicy cologne and the heat of his body cocooned me, and I inhaled deeply, finally able to breathe without worrying about being punished for it.

From his spot behind the wheel, the driver said, “Yes, sir.”

Lachlan

It was all a lie.

After growing up with Steve Ashland, Natasha couldn’t possibly be so cluelessly sweet and innocent. Worse, my own sister was beginning to question what we were doing.

She’d agreed to the fucking plan and gone even further when she suggested befriending Natasha to make her fall from grace even more painful. And now Saoirse wanted to bail because Natasha had gaslighted her into thinking she wasn’t a spoiled, materialistic bitch.

I knew better.

Oh, this ring is perfect, I mocked inwardly. How did you know?

All bullshit. There was no way Steve Ashland’s daughter would accept a discount-store wedding ring. She’d learn soon enough that whatever she thought she’d gain by aping manners and gratitude would get her exactly nowhere.

My lips curved into a smile, and I resisted the urge to rub my hands together. Natasha would have plenty of diamond-encrusted platinum jewelry. Sadly for her, none of it would be on her slim fingers.

At least her dress looked better with the bottom half missing. Natasha had great legs, but I hated that I noticed how truly beautiful she was. Then again, I wouldn’t have to put a bag over her head so my dick would stay hard while I fucked her.

“I’m sorry,” she said, interrupting my plotting. “I don’t know where your house is. There wasn’t time… I mean…” She sighed and looked out the window. “I’m sorry I’m so awkward. I’ll try to do better.”

Better at trying to make me think you’re not a conniving little cunt.

“It’s okay. Our wedding must have taken you by surprise.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” she muttered under her breath. In a louder voice, she added, “I really like Saoirse. She’s so nice. Do you have other siblings? I’m an only child, and my mom is gone. I’m also sorry you had to meet my father.”

I’d say one thing for her… the girl was good. If I didn’t know better, I’d have almost believed she was exactly as she appeared—na?ve and too stupid to live.

Not surprising, since according to the dossier I’d compiled, she hadn’t bothered with college. A lack of education didn’t make her stupid, but given her father’s assets, there hadn’t been anything aside from entitled laziness stopping her from getting a degree.

“It’s just me and Saoirse,” I replied.

“Oh, okay. Sorry, I?—”

“Stop apologizing,” I snapped.

Her shoulders went up around her ears and I kicked myself for deviating from the plan. I was supposed to get her to like me before I yanked everything away and treated her like she deserved. It was no wonder Saoirse was having second thoughts. Thankfully, I knew better than to think Natasha was genuine.

“I’m the one who’s sorry,” I said, softening my tone. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. Our parents died in a plane crash several years ago.”

To my shock, she reached over to squeeze my hand. “It’s hard to lose a loved one. It won’t make anything better, but I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“Thanks.” Deciding to get my head out of my ass, I added, “Anyway, our house is an hour south on the coast.”

She grinned and her eyes sparkled as she turned to face me. “Can you see the beach from it?”

“Yes. There’s a great view from the second floor.”

“I can’t wait to see it.” Natasha let go of my hand and sighed happily. “I know I’m being completely socially inept again, but I’m so happy you picked me to marry. I just… never mind.”

She trailed off, and for some inexplicable reason, I wanted to know what she’d say in that soft, husky voice that seemed designed to make my dick hard.

“Just what?” I asked.

“I don’t have any right to ask, but…” She turned in her seat and took my hand again. “Please be patient while I learn to be a good wife.”

“Don’t worry.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”

“Thank you.” She glanced at our entwined hands, then leaned close to kiss my cheek. “I promise I’ll do my best to make you proud of me.” She yawned, belatedly covering her mouth with her hand. “Sorry for being rude. It’s been a busy day.”

Pulling her close, I let her put her head on my shoulder. “Rest for a while. I’ll wake you when we get there.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

To my surprise, she did indeed fall asleep almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth. I almost applauded her performance, but let her rest. I told myself I welcomed the silence, but part of me missed the sound of her voice.

As we drove through the gate and on toward the house, I tapped her shoulder, and she jerked awake with a cry of surprise.

“Sorry to startle you, but we’re almost home.”

Her brilliant smile nearly stopped my heart as she leaned over me to look out the window.

“It’s so beautiful!” She clambered across the seat, nearly kneeing me in the crotch in her excitement. “My gosh, you live here, like, all the time? Can we walk on the beach?”

“Sure.”

It was a complete lie, of course. If she tried to walk on the beach, she’d have to take a swan dive off the cliff first. Even if she survived the fall, the sharks would get her before she could find a way out of the water.

By the time she figured it out, it would be much too late for her.