Sweet Retribution (Rydeville High Elite #3)
Siobhan Davis
DEDICATION
For Jennifer Gibson, critique partner extraordinaire and all-round amazing human being. This series, and this book, in particular, would not exist if it weren’t for your support and encouragement every step of the way. Love you to the moon and back, lady. Thank you for always being in my corner.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Although this book is set in a high school environment, it is a dark bully romance, and it is not suitable for young teens due to mature content, graphic sexual scenes, and cursing. The recommended reading age is eighteen+. Some scenes may be triggering.
CHAPTER ONE
Abby
“I need to use the bathroom,” I blurt, interrupting the minister just before he reaches the part where we say our vows. My hand is clammy against Charlie’s much larger palm as we hold hands while I prepare to do this. But a sudden bout of nerves has me second-guessing my strategy, and I need a time-out to ensure I’m doing the right thing.
“It can wait,” my father snaps, narrowing his eyes at me.
“Abby.” Charlie looks down at me. “What are you doing?” he mouths.
I press my lips to his ear. “I think I’m going to puke,” I lie, clutching my stomach and contorting my face. I clamp a hand over my mouth, fake gagging, beseeching him with my eyes.
“Don’t make me regret this,” he murmurs in a low voice. “And don’t try anything because your father will kill him.” He jerks his head in Kai’s direction.
“I know that, and I won’t risk his life.”
A muscle ticks in his jaw as he nods tersely. I step back, and my father roughly grabs hold of my arm. “You’re not leaving this room until you’re married.”
“Daddy, I feel sick, and I’m liable to puke on myself. I’m sure no one wants to see that.”
His face turns an unflattering shade of red. “What kind of idiot do you take me for?”
“Mr. Hearst.” Charlie steps up behind me, placing his hand on my hip. “Abby can take five minutes to go to the bathroom.” He purposely looks over at Kai. “Trust me, she’s going nowhere.”
The bastard glances at his watch, and his Adam’s apple bobs in his throat. I’d have been halfway to the bathroom by now if he wasn’t being such an ass about it. He slants me a look Satan himself would be proud of.
Don’t worry, Daddy Dearest. The sentiment is shared.
But I keep a neutral expression on my face, shielding my true feelings from the monster who helped give me life.
“Maurio,” my father barks. “Escort my daughter to the bathroom.” Charlie’s hand falls off my hip, and Father grabs hold of my arm again. “Don’t delay or I’ll come and drag you back here myself.”
I stare blankly at the bastard. “If you hurt him, all deals are off.” I cast a quick glance at my twin, ensuring he knows to watch guard over my man. “No one is to lay a finger on Kai.” Drew cautions me with his eyes as I stalk toward the door, and I subtly nod. I’m not stupid. I’m not going to do anything that’ll risk Kai’s life, but I need to gather my thoughts. To ensure this is the right plan. Besides, Father needs me to return and say my vows, so he won’t risk doing anything to my lover in my absence.
I slam the door to the bathroom in Maurio’s face, locking it quickly, in case he has any ideas about standing guard inside. I sigh heavily as I plant my hands on the edge of the sink, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
My heart is on lockdown, and I reinforce the steel bars around it, unable to confront the latest revelation from my father. I squeeze my eyes shut as a barrage of emotion attempts to breach the invisible barrier I’ve erected. I cannot think about that now. If I do, I will charge out there and try to murder the bastard myself, and all that’ll achieve is sure death for Kai and a lifetimes sentence for me.
In order to think about this pragmatically, I need to control my emotions. To lock them away and make decisions purely based on logic and fact. I grip the edge of the sink harder, and my eyes turn cold as I contemplate all I need to do.
Charlie has officially lost the plot.
That much is clear.
He cannot see over his stupid obsession with me. And I honestly believe that’s all it is. I don’t know when he started believing he was in love with me, but you don’t treat the woman you love like this. Maybe his brain is so warped from all the shit they’ve done to him at Parkhurst. Or my father has brainwashed him, but I don’t think Charlie is in love with me, and if he was thinking clearly, he'd realize that.
But I need to play on this fallacy. To keep Kai alive.
There is nothing I won’t do to save the love of my life.
Because Kaiden Anderson is my everything.
And I will protect him till my dying breath.
Even if it means doing the unthinkable—becoming Charlie’s wife and sharing a marital bed with him.
My stomach lurches violently at the thought, but there is no other option. If I refuse to continue the ceremony, my father will murder Kai.
But we can work this to our advantage.
My mind has been churning ever since the bastard dropped the hysterectomy bomb, and a clear plan is forming. I’ve always come up with my best ideas when I’m avoiding thinking about something and using a distraction to help redirect my thoughts. The way forward is clear now, and I’m itching to put my plan into action.