The Pawn (Shattered Series Book 1) (2 page)

        “Are you really that much of a monster? Innocent people---you’ve killed them, murdered them in cold blood,” she murmured, still surprised by his lack of feelings. “How dare you stand there and have the audacity to act like those people meant nothing!”

        “Still sore because I killed some of those homeless bums that you love taking care of at the shelter? I had to teach you a lesson, solidify the fact that I’m a man of my word,” he laughed cruelly. “Look at it this way, also, my dear love. I was doing society a favor and getting them off the streets.”

        At that comment, her tears fell free.

        Turning away from him, she wiped them away.

        Again, she faced herself in the mirror.

        A hollow shell…

        That’s what she was…

        She felt nothing.

        “In my worst nightmare, I could’ve never imagined the length that you and your father would go to intimidate me and prove how unscrupulous you both claimed to be. But, you did, the moment you bombed the clinic on Fourth Street,” she whispered miserably, embracing the horror that’d filled her for months. “Those people---they were innocent and needed help. They needed someone to give them hope and let them know that the world cares. Volunteering at the clinic gave me a sense of purpose, and you wanted to kill that spirit. You did.” A dead silence hummed in the room. “Innocent, lost, and heartbroken people---all of them lost their lives because of my incompetency. Their blood is on my hands---I’ll never forgive myself. Nor do I deserve forgiveness. If only I’d gone to the police with my suspicions about you and your father earlier, they wouldn’t be dead.” A broken sob left her. “They’d be alive---”

        “Why don’t you stop that, Olivia?” Matt raged in disgust, whirling her around to face him. “Stop trying to be everyone’s heroic angel! Now, you’re a grown woman, for pity’s sake, and isn’t it time to leave your childhood angst in the past where it belongs? Granted, it may not be easy to forget. But, no longer are you the little girl who was shuffled from foster home to foster home. Unlike many others, you took your negative situation by its bullhorn and turned your life around.” He grasped her upper arms. “Look at you. While it’s not on a grand scale, you have managed to make some money off your paintings. Not only that. You managed to attract a man of my high stature.”

        Lifting a well-shaped brow, she gave him a look of disbelief. “So, in your warped world of thinking, I’m beneath you?”

        “Unfortunately, yes. However, there aren’t too many people that see past the Addison name, but you did in the beginning,” Matt said, flustered. “Still, though, you’ll never understand how demanding it is to maintain the family legacy.”

        “Is this the part where the violins will be broken out to play your sad song? A sad song for the poor misunderstood Matt Addison,” she said sarcastically and pulled away. “Didn’t you leave out a few careful details, Matt? Like how you used me to pursue your criminal endeavors? How convenient that you’re leaving out the fact that you basically turned my gallery into an illegal operation right under my very nose! It became nothing more than a portal for the smuggling of illegal art pieces and little plastic baggies of pure cut cocaine.” The animosity played on her face. “I suppose that you deserve an award for your performance---using me was your intent all along.”

        He had the grace to redden. “Maybe in the beginning, but that’s not the point. I love you, and you know that. In spite of your nasty beginnings and unsavory qualities that you harbor, I do love you. And this situation between us now, it doesn’t have to be this way.”

          “And you think that’s love?” she asked, stunned. “Lying, cheating, blackmailing people, do you think that’s love, seriously Matt?” She couldn’t hide her anger as she spoke. “What about now? You’re blackmailing me and forcing me into this marriage. How about this part? My only living relative, Uncle Charles---he’s being held as ransom! The poor man is dying a slow death, but you’re still threatening to murder him in cold blood. And let’s not forget the threats that you’ve made against my life.” Again, the hostility played in her voice. “Do you honestly think that I’m going to feel something for you? Any feelings that I had, you killed them long ago.”

        “When you talk like this Olivia, you’re forcing me to consider taking my hand against you. You’re the one pushing me to the breaking point.” A desperate whine played in his voice. “But, I do love you, Olivia. Once we’re married and far away from here, you’ll see that.”

        “You’ve made me a prisoner,” she said, facing him again. “But, if you think for one minute that I’m going to be the wife that you want, or that I’ll love you in any kind of way, you’re dead wrong. A loveless marriage it will be.”

        “You stupid bitch---you will learn how to love me! And you will be my wife in
every
way!” Matt yelled, snatching her to him. “However, if you want to fight me, go ahead. That won’t stop me from taking what I want. Don’t let what could be pleasurable between us become pain.”

        “Matthew, get downstairs.”

        Stunned, they both turned to find Duke Addison standing in the door.

        “Father,” Matt murmured, flushing red like a guilt-ridden child. “I didn’t hear you.”

        “Go---do as I say,” the older man muttered, and his steel blue eyes were fixated on her. “The groomsmen are waiting for you, and the wedding will start in several minutes. I need a word alone with Olivia beforehand.”

        After Matt made a speedy exit, they were left alone.

        “Olivia,” Duke said coldly, and his frigid stare met hers. “Even though you’re low bred, I have to say that you are quite lovely today, surprisingly.” When she didn’t respond, he arched a brow. “Suppose you understand that there are a few things that we need to get clear. Trust me. No ambiguity shall surround them.”

        Just how many were fooled by his clean-cut appearance, she thought, boldly returning his cold stare. Though he’d reached his sixties, he still upheld it. Blond, steel blue eyes, impeccably dressed, Duke Addison could easily pass as a distinguished gentleman. But, he was far from it. How about a cold assassin, extortionist, blackmailer, and a score of other unsavory labels that was too vile to even mention? He was an exact caricature of his son…just worse.

        Stiffening, taking a cautious step backwards, she felt her backside as it touched the floor length mirror. But, still, her voice was surprisingly steady as she asked, “What do you want?”

        With a careful edginess, Duke Addison shut the door, and then like a predator, he slunk towards her. When he reached her, he grasped her around the nape. “You ungrateful little maggot,” Duke muttered angrily. “Don’t even think about defying me or depriving my son out of the life that he wants with you.”

        “Y-you’re hurting me,” she stammered, fighting against his brutal hold, and struggled to breathe. She forced the hot tears back. “S-stop it, let me go.”

        “With pleasure.” Muttering under his breath, he released her in disgust. “What my son sees in you, I’ll never know,” Duke spat. “But, because of that fact, you’re standing here alive. You
will
marry my son, and you
will
make him happy.”

        She nearly fell to the carpeted floor as she stumbled towards the small settee. When she reached it, she sagged down in relief, and while he’d released her, moments ago, she still felt the brunt of his strong hold. “Is that all you know to do---hurting people?” she asked, meeting his gaze in the mirror. “Being abusive is obviously a trait of Addison men. Is it that the family motto? Intimidate those that you think are weaker than you? Always on the hunt--- seeking someone as an unwitting victim?”

        “The worse thing in the world is a woman with a loose tongue. Let it be known that I’ve literally cut out a few from those that just didn’t know when to shut the fuck up.” A deadly gleam shone in his eyes. “And you, dear girl, are a weak-minded fool. Once you absorb that solid fact, things will get better for you. Don’t even contemplate the idea of taking me on. I guarantee that you’ll lose. Aren’t you doing so, already? Haven’t I proven that
I’m
in control of your life, and not you?” A deadly smile snaked along his face. “While we’re on the subject of my strongholds, let’s talk about that old uncle of yours. I’ve learned that he is about to become a guinea pig and begin treatment with a new experimental drug. From what I’ve heard, it’s showing signs of promises in the recent trials for those with conditions similar to his.”

        Staying silent, she watched him.

        “It seems that it’s possible that he could get a new lease on life if this experimental drug works. But, it’s not in me not to play the devil’s advocate, right? So, let’s consider some possibilities that could affect his undergoing this new treatment,” Duke sneered. “Wouldn’t it be a pity and a shame if he were to experience a ‘sudden relapse’?”

        “What do you mean?” she asked quietly, swallowing hard. “A sudden relapse?”

        “You’re a smart girl, and I’m certain that you’ll figure it out. So, I’ll leave my unspoken warning open to interpretation.” A scowl filled his face. “Just how he became the immediate recipient of this new cooked-up program at that private facility with an unknown benefactor footing the bill is a mystery. But, it’s fortunate for you and him, I suppose.” He shook his head in disgust. “The poor bastard’s on his last legs, so I don’t know why you’re even bothering with more treatment. Just let the miserable sap pass on while he has some dignity left.”

        Like a caged animal, she awaited his next move.

        Raising a brow, he taunted her further. “Perhaps, I haven’t dug enough, and maybe I should make it a point to find out who this mysterious donor is.” He shrugged. “Not that it’s of real importance to me. But, he is of some leverage to our cause against you.”

        She gulped hard, trying not to let her distress show. Like a miracle, a mystery donor had offered funding for a program for a patient with rare cancer, and somehow, her uncle had been the recipient of it. Even now, she was surprised by it, especially since she hadn’t even applied to the program. But, it was a moot point anyway.

        Her uncle’s care couldn’t be jeopardized!   

        “Stay away from him!” she shouted, springing from the sofa, and her distress was palpable. “Don’t you dare hurt him!”

        “That’s all up to you, now isn’t it?” Duke snapped, crossing the room, and then, stopped a few inches away from her. “The choices that you make are not only beneficial to you, but your uncle as well. Trust me, if the need calls for penance, there will be no hesitation on my part to deliver it.” He gave her a quick wink. “And judging from your expression, I think you’re realizing that.”

        “You’re a cold heartless monster,” she stated, meeting his gaze dead-on. “And whether you believe it or not, someday judgment will be rendered upon you because of all this cruelty and treachery.”

        Duke shrugged. “Maybe so. But, it sure in the hell won’t be at your hands, will it?” With a bored expression, he fished a paper out of his suit jacket. “Thought you might want to see this.”

        “What is this?” she demanded, yanking the paper from him. As she read its contents, she couldn’t stifle the horror. “This is bogus----all lies! I’ve done none of the things that are mentioned here!”

        “Don’t you know by now that I’m not the one to fuck with!” Duke shouted, stepping dangerously closer. “If I didn’t remove unnecessary nuisances, I wouldn’t be the powerful man that I am today. And that’s what you are to me---a pesky, irritating spit of a girl.” He laughed nastily. “Since you were intent upon spying on my business ventures, it’s only fitting that you have an active part in this, though it’s a bogus one. So, I’ve conveniently taken it upon myself to ensure that that happens.”

        She gulped hard. “You mean there’s more?”

        “Of course there’s more! It’s on point and exact---a paper trail that leads the feds straight to you. Sure, Matt is the one actually responsible for blackmailing, extorting and laundering money, but I thought I’d do what any decent father would do and spare my son a prison sentence. So, I’ve taken it upon myself to carefully design a few false documents with your name attached to it. And if you’re not careful, you’re going to find yourself wrestling with big Bertha during the dark nights in a confined cell.” He passed her an ugly sneer. “That’s the price of knowing too much. All your snooping and amateur detective work has landed you in this position! It’s only fair that you suffer the consequences of you actions.”

        She gripped the paper with shaky hands. “No. Please, don’t do this.”

        “There it is---the response that I’ve been looking for, and that’s for you to cower down to me. Know your place and understand it! I own you. You
will
bow down to me, you
will
bow down to my son,” Duke seethed. “I refuse to let my dynasty falter, and it won’t at the hands of a pitiless nobody like you.” Turning on his heel, he crossed the room, and once reaching the door, he faced her again. “Following my directives is your best option, my dear. Don’t be a fool and run. If you do, I’ll find you, and the consequences shall be dire.
I will destroy you
. Now, take a breather, dry that pretty little face of yours, and be downstairs in ten minutes. My son and the rest of the world are waiting for a blushing bride. And unfortunately, that’s you, you little whore. Oh—one last thing.” His smile was lethal. “Welcome to the family.”