Page 54 of Vicious Little Liar
“No.”
He bristles. “No?”
I shake my head. “No. She is what I am owed. You took a member of my family from me. I’m returning the favor. Leticia is now mine.”
“Have you fucked her?” he asks.
My nostrils flare.
“Answer me.” he demands, shifting his attention to her. “Did you whore yourself out for him?” She shrinks under his glare.
“What business is it of yours?” I ask, knowing exactly why he cares.
“I am her father,” he snaps. “I will know if my daughter has spread her legs for my enemy.” He waves the doctor forward, who moves closer with tentative steps. “I will have her innocence confirmed.”
Over my dead body. My fingers flex on her hips. No man, doctor or otherwise, is touching what is mine.
“I don’t care if she’s a virgin or not,” I tell him. “I will claim what is mine, and you will agree to my terms. I owe you nothing in return.”
“There is a prior agreement you are not aware of.” Only, I am. “Whether I agree to your terms or not is irrelevant. My prior contracts stand. I will know if my daughter whored herself out to my enemy before I give you my decision. Release her now if you want my answer.”
Baring my teeth at him, I glower at him. “I did not deflower her.”
“I won’t take the word of a DeAnde over my man’s examination.”
Fuck this. “I won’t have thatputa’sgrubby hands on her body.”
Throughout our entire conversation, Leticia has remained still but at the mention of him touching her, her body quakes with silent tremors. Cautious of Ruben’s gaze, I squeeze her side, assuring her that I won’t let him touch her.
“That is not your decision to make.”
“She is mine,” I grind out.
“Only if I allow it.”
We’re not getting anywhere. Not that I believed we would. Ruben won’t show his hand because he thinks I’m unaware of it. But I know the terms of his agreements.
“He isn’t touching her,” I growl.
Adrián rests one hand on my shoulder. He doesn’t know the thoughts going through my head. Doesn’t understand why I won’t allow this. But that’s because none of my brothers know what Leticia said.
“Answer me this.” I pause long enough for Ruben’s beady little eyes to flick back to my gaze. “If your man confirms her innocence, will you sign the agreement? Settle this debt between our families? And we can all walk out of here to live another day.”
He takes too long to answer.
“I didn’t think so.” I tell him, ignoring the looks of concern on both of my brother’s faces. “And if she is no longer pure?” Something dark and triumphant flashes in his eyes. “What then?”
He juts out his chin. “She’d be worthless.”
“Not to me.”
He tilts his head, eyeing me with speculation. “What value could she hold for you?”
I need to tread lightly. Ruben can’t know that she’s anything more than a means of settling our debt. “I already told you. You took a member of my family from me. I’m taking one of yours in recompense.” My mouth curls into a sneer. “I look forward to ruining your daughter night after night while I fuck her in my bed. Perhaps I’ll even pass her around.” I let my hand slide up her belly to rest just beneath her breast. “I don’t know how an ugly bastard like you bore such a beautiful daughter.” I ignore the contempt that swirls in my stomach, hating myself as I utter each word. “But my brothers and I thank you. We’ll enjoy everything her hot little body has to offer.”
“So that’s what this is?” He demands. “You think I give a shit about you fucking her? If she’s spread her legs already, she’s no daughter of mine. She’d be nothing more than a whore.”
“Then you won’t mind me keeping her?” I demand. Anticipation simmers beneath my skin. We’re almost there.
