The house is in pristine order with maids shuffling around, even at three in the morning. There isn’t a dust mite in sight and as we’re noticed, they instantly stop their work, turn and bow their heads.
What kind of weird fuckery is this? Who gets their maids to bow to them?
What have I just gotten myself into?
Marcus walks ahead, not waiting for me to catch up, just expecting that I’m running along like a good little wifey. “Right, starting first thing in the morning, you’ll be meeting your assistant. She will set you up with your schedule and fill you in on your appointments.”
Okay…that one got me.
“Appointments?”
“Yes. There will be events in which you will be attending in my place, you will have your hair done every two weeks, a beauty appointment, trainer, and dietician. I will also be setting you up with my doctor and getting you on suitable birth control. You will also have a meeting with a stylist tomorrow. Those clothes Maria sent over are disastrous. My wife will not be seen in low-quality clothes.”
My brow raises. Low quality? Maria only wears the best of the best. I doubt that she’s ever stepped foot into Target, actually, she probably wouldn’t even know what Target is. I’d hate to think what Marcus’ version of good quality costs, but what does it matter? He won’t be dressing me up like some kind of doll. I’ll be wearing my ripped jeans and tank like I always do. Hell, maybe I’ll even surprise him and throw on a leather jacket.
“Apart from these appointments, which will be chaperoned by your assistant and my bodyguards, you will be reading up on the latest politics and keeping yourself educated on world issues. This will be done within the walls of my home. At no point are you to step outside of the property gates without my approval. You may venture outside with your trainer or use the pool for exercise. However, the indoor lap pool would be better suited. If you would like to use the swimming facilities, it will be done with modesty. No bikinis or scantily clad clothes. I will not tolerate my staff ogling your body. That is mine.”
Well, shit. I was just about to say that the deal wasn’t all that bad until he had to go and throw in that possessive bullshit. I might technically be married to him, but I am certainly not his. Hell, I bet there are some chicks out there who would willingly marry this guy to reap the benefits of his wealth and possessions, but not me. I prefer my freedom.
“During the day, I work. I start at 7 am and finish at 6 pm. I sometimes work here, sometimes at the office. During these hours, you are not permitted to disturb me. If you need something, you contact your assistant. The only time you are to disturb me during work hours is if you are gravely ill or injured to the point of hospitalization, in which case I need to hold a press conference.”
The fuck?
“If I am working from home, you are not to enter my office and there will be silence throughout the house. Breaking these rules will result in punishment. Is that understood?”
I go to answer with a grunted ‘yes’ but he continues before I get a chance.
“Dinner is at 8 pm in the dining room unless we are entertaining, in that case, we will eat in the grand hall. I assume Maria and Lucien will be stopping by regularly to keep up appearances but I will put an end to that. I cannot stand that woman.”
Well, I guess I can’t complain about that, but what does it matter? I don’t plan on being here long enough to be hosting dinners parties with my rapist and the woman who ordered my parents’ death.
“At 10 pm, you will shower for ten minutes, wash and shampoo with the products provided. Your hair will be blow-dried by 10:30 and you will put on the lingerie and perfume which will be laid out for you on the counter.”
No, no, no…this is not how this bullshit is going to go. I’m not his little housewife who he gets to dress up and fuck every night. Hell, I wouldn’t even play housewife for Slade, unless it was some kind of kinky fantasy. He gets me the way I am. I have too much ambition to spend my days locked up in Marcus’ little rape dungeon.
“As soon as you are ready, you will enter my bedroom and wait for me. I might already be there or you could be waiting an hour or four but you will not leave my room until I tell you. I will then fuck you anyway I see fit. For how long I want and in which way I want. You will scream my name; you will moan and tell me how fucking much you love it. You will either be a dirty little slut or a sweet princess. Whatever I tell you, you do. Is that understood?”
Hell to the fucking no.
“When I am finished with you, you will leave my bed and clean yourself in the hallway bathroom. You may then go to your own room and sleep until your assistant wakes you at 6.”
Marcus starts making his way up the grand staircase and I glare at his back. “Are you about done with your demands?”
He whips around so fucking fast that I don’t even get a chance to step up onto the bottom step before his hand is at my throat and my back slammed against the wall. “Listen here you little bitch,” he growls, getting right in my face as I struggle to breathe. “You’re mine now and you will do everything I ask of you. You will behave, you will smile and be polite, you will listen when you’re spoken to and you will act when asked to move.”
My eyes turn to slits.
“Why me? You could have any random whore you wanted to come and live in your fucked-up mansion with your bullshit rules. You could have picked one out of some poor town who would have sucked your dick with a smile on her face. Why choose the one that doesn’t want to be here? The one who isn’t impressed by your money, cars, or lifestyle?”
His eyes narrow as his grip tightens on my throat, allowing me only the slightest bit of oxygen. “That’s none of your goddamn business. Now get your ass upstairs and showered. We have a marriage to consummate and I won’t be touching you until you’ve washed this joke of a day off your body.”
I keep staring, not daring to move.
Marcus pulls me back off the wall before slamming me back into it even harder. “I told you to move,” he roars as the staff scatters around as though they can’t see the rich, arrogant pig abusing his new wife, the wife who is still wearing a wine-stained monstrosity. “We can do this the hard way or the easy way, but either way, it’s happening. Make your decision, Skylah, and make it quick because I am not a patient man.”
I swallow hard but with his hand wrapped around my throat, choosing what’s right is a lot harder than it ought to be. His fingers begin to tighten and I reluctantly give in. He won’t hesitate to completely block off my airway until I’m passing out and I’m sure that will leave me waking up to find him already on top of me. I can’t have that.
I will never again allow a man to take from me something that isn’t his. I need to play this smart.
I nod my head and his eyes narrow further, silently considering if he should trust me or not, but wanting to make this transition as easy as possible, he releases his grip on my throat and steps back. “Fourth door on the right. You will shower and dress in the silk robe. The lingerie will come once the stylist has a chance to take your measurements.”
My eyes drop to the stairs and without another word, I start climbing them, trying to put a little distance between me and Marcus, but considering it’s past three in the morning, I doubt he has anywhere else to be other than his bedroom.