The Marriage Debt: Chapter 38

Vera and Hugo gasp in shock.

My mother shakes her head. “What? No, this has got to be a lie—”

“Why do you think we were at that same cliff again, Mother?” I say through gritted teeth.

“It’s true, I was there,” Jasmine says, looking down. “I was the one who called for help that night. Luca used me as bait to lure Liam out because he was intent on killing—”

“BAIT?” Vera shrieks.

“You used my daughter!?” Hugo yells at me. “Wasn’t taking one of them enough for you? Goddammit!”

“She’s alive, isn’t she?” I quip, raising a brow. “I did what I had to do to stop my murderous brother from killing your other daughter.”

This shuts them up pretty quickly.

My mother’s lips part. “But why—?”

“Because she’s my fucking wife,” I say, looking at each one of them. “And I’d kill any motherfucker on the planet if it means keeping her safe. Even my own goddamn brother.”

Even Hugo is taken aback by my sudden admittance of adoration for his daughter.

“But Liam didn’t die. He’s on the run, and I’d like to keep it that way,” I continue. “I don’t want him to return and risk losing Jill, nor do I want to take his only chance at a normal life far away from this mess.”

“So what now?” my father growls. “You just expect us to move on?”

“Yes,” I reply, grabbing Jill’s hand to hold it tight. “I do, in fact. And you know what else I expect from you? That you’re going to end this feud. Right here, right now.”

“Wha—” my mother scoffs, but it ends in a laugh.

“The debt you wanted them to repay no longer exists,” I say in a low tone.

“My son is still gone,” my father rebukes.

“He chose to leave,” Jill replies. “Just like I chose to replace my sister when you forced her to marry Luca so you wouldn’t destroy my family.” She throws them fiery looks, and I’m all here for that burn. “Yet even after I married him, you still decided to go after their business.”

That really got them quiet.

“You owe us,” Hugo suddenly says out of the blue.

“You took my daughter like she was yours to take,” Vera adds, leaning over to grasp Jill’s knee. “But your son is alive, so there is no debt. This marriage needs to be nullified.”

Jill pushes her mother’s hand off. “No.”

Vera and Hugo throw her confused looks. “But you hate him,” Vera says.

“I don’t hate him.” Jill looks at me, and we exchange lust-ridden smiles. “It’s more of a hate-to-love-him kind of thing.”

My mother laughs, swiping away her tears. “This is some Freudian mess. Vera, do you have wine? This coffee is not going to do it for me.”

“Wine is reserved for friends,” Vera snaps back.

“I think we’re all friends here … right?” Jill retorts, raising her brow. “Because none of you have a reason to hate the other anymore.”

“Well, he did try to destroy our business,” Vera says, eyeing my father.

“Enough,” I interrupt. “What’s done is done. It’s over now.” I look at my father. “You’ve already built enough wealth. You don’t need more. You will stop fucking with their business and be actual partners again.”

“Or what?” he growls. “My own damn son trying to threaten me?”

“You want me to take over your business when you’re gone? Better start appreciating what I’m giving you here. A fresh start.” I fish a napkin from my pocket and hand it to him. “Or do you want to be left without a wife and only regrets on your deathbed?”

His whole face turns white as snow.

“Because I know my mother. If the money is gone … there is no more reason for her to stay,” I quip.

My mother is too mortified to respond, but I know their love language. It isn’t as savagely sexy as mine and Jill’s. It’s based on power. My mother only yielded to my father when she realized what kind of materialistic things he could offer her.

But all of that would vanish, along with her, should the business crumble.

My father’s face darkens as his lips turn upside down. “Outplayed by my own fucking son.”

He coughs into the napkin and throws it onto the table, so everyone can see the blood. “That’s what you want, isn’t it? If we’re sharing secrets now, might as well throw this one in too.”

“Is that … blood?” Vera asks, making a disgusted face.

“Yes. Yes, it is,” Hugo answers. “You’re sick, Lex?”

“Don’t act like you care,” Lex spits.

“I would if you wouldn’t try to destroy my family for once,” Hugo responds.

Vera clutches her husband’s arm. “Stop. It’s enough.”

“Please, can everyone just stop? Look at the pain you’ve all caused,” Jasmine says. “Can’t you all start over? You know, with a blank slate?”

“Only if our livelihood is no longer threatened,” Vera says. “Or our family.”

My father and mother both look away in shame for what they’ve done. Or maybe just because now their dirty little secret is out, and they can’t hide behind it anymore.

“My parents will stop trying to steal your business, and they’ll start being actual partners again,” I tell Hugo. “You have my word.”

“Yours?” He raises a brow at me.

“My father doesn’t have long to live. All his assets and the business will be handed over to me. And since he wants me to keep it going … I’m the one who calls the shots now.”

Because that’s just it.

The simple fact that’s given me all the power I need.

My father’s only wish is for his legacy to continue, but he needs me to do it.

And I wouldn’t care if it all bleeds to death.

Not unless he does exactly what I want him and my mother to do.

So I take a big sip of my coffee while gazing over the room, enjoying as this last chess piece is put into place.

“Now, what’s it going to be?” I muse.

“Fine. We’ll be equal partners again,” my father says under his breath, not at all pleased, but I care as much about his feelings as he cares about anyone else’s. None.

“And?” I say, squinting at him and my mother.

“We apologize for ever trying to ruin you,” my mother says.

“Dad?” I look him straight in the eyes.

I want him to submit.

Openly.

Willingly.

Knowing it was me who enforced it.

“Fine. I apologize for what I’ve done to your family.”

I used to want to watch the Baas family burn to the ground. But now that I’ve heard my father grovel … God, it feels so fucking good to hear him bleed and suffer for the pain he’s caused. So fucking good that it brings chills to my bones.

“Thank you,” Vera responds. “That means a lot. If it’s true.”

“Oh, it’s true,” I say. “They don’t want their business jeopardized, do they?”

“No,” my mother responds, looking away from me.

I don’t care if she hates me now.

All of this was worth it to see the looks on their faces.

Vera taps Hugo on the leg. “Fine, we accept your apology,” he says.

“Thank you, Luca and Jill, for bringing all of this to our attention,” Vera adds.

“I didn’t do it for you,” I reply.

“Neither did I,” Jill adds. “But I want Jasmine to have a clean slate when she takes over the business after you’re both under the ground.”

Her parents look at her like they’re too shocked to even react. “What, but we’re your—”

“You threatened to have me killed if I didn’t make Luca happy,” Jill interrupts, staring straight into her father’s eyes.

“Did you?” Vera throws Hugo a damning look. “How dare you, that’s our daughter!”

“What choice did I have? They were relentless after Liam’s death, and you know that.”

Her mother sighs. “But Liam’s not dead, so this debt does not hold up.” She looks at me now. “So you’re going to return Jill to us.”

“I refuse,” I reply.

Now I’ve caught their ire, but I’m prepared.

“Like I said … I’d take on the entire fucking world before anyone ever takes her from me.” I grab Jill’s arms and hold her close to me. “She’s mine and mine alone.”

Vera’s lips part. “But—”

“I’m his wife,” Jill says. “I want to be his.”

Oh. Fuck me. The mere sound of her saying those words makes my cock throb in my pants.

“Why?” Hugo frowns.

“Because I love him …” Jill’s face turns red, so I tilt her chin and make her look at me.

“And I love you.” I claim her mouth in full frontal view of both our fucking parents because I want them to fucking know it’s the goddamn truth.

But I have more up my sleeve, and it’s about time we left. “C’mon,” I say, getting up and grabbing Jill’s hand to whisk her out of this nightmare.

“Where are you going?” her mother asks.

“Out with my wife,” I say as I tug her along. “Have fun. Try not to kill each other.”

Before anyone else can complain, I quickly open the door and rush us outside.

“Shouldn’t we stay with them?” Jill asks.

“No. I have more planned for today.”

“Like what?” she asks.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” I say as I push her into my car and close the door.

Jill

He hops inside and starts the engine.

“I’m so glad we’re out of there,” I muse.

“Same, bunny, but probably for different reasons.”A devious-looking smirk spreads on his cheeks.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“With you on my lap and your lips on my mouth, it’s very hard to keep my focus,” he replies.

My cheeks flush with warmth as my eyes are fucking glued to his hands sliding over his belt, his zipper being pulled down, his length spilling out over the edge of his boxers, his hand gripping the rock-hard length.

I lick my lips at the sight.

“All that talking has me greedy for something else,” he says, his voice low and gravelly as his free hand wraps around my neck. “You.”

I embrace the feel of his fingers digging into my skin, my thighs clenching together as the throbbing begins.

“Now bend over and suck, little bunny.”

He drags my head toward his crotch, not giving me even a second to adjust with my mouth before thrusting inside. The feel of metal hitting the back of my throat makes my eyes roll into the back of my head.

“Good little fuck bunny. You got what you wanted. Now, I get what I need,” he grunts, pushing my head down until my tongue hits the base.

When he finally pulls back again, I gasp for air, and he suddenly hits the gas.

“Are we going home?” I ask, thinking about all the ways he could use me there.

He bites his lip, and my pussy thumps in response. “Nope. It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise?” My eyes widen. “Where?”

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise,” he replies, the car going faster and faster while his hand still grips my head. “But I’m not letting you stop. Not until I’m done fucking your mouth and filling up your throat.” He slams inside again, slathering my tongue with pre-cum, driving me wild with lust. “Now buckle up, bunny. It’s going to be a long ride.”