Family Business

Chapter 16.

Chapter 16.

I wake up and my body groans in protest as I sit up. Everything hurt after yesterday. I looked down and saw bruises on my wrists, from where Xander had gripped them last night. Pulling the sheets back, my thighs were also bruised. I knew my face was and my stomach churns at the thought of having to see him again. As if on cue, my door opens and Xander strides in. "Good morning!" He says cheerily, bringing a cup of hot tea to me.

I accept it, pulling the sheets back over me. "Good morning," I whisper, staring at his split lip. After everything yesterday, all I had succeeded in was cutting his lip while I looked like I had been jumped in by a gang.

"We have more guests arriving today," He says, reaching over and lifting my chin to inspect the bruising on my cheek. I flinch at the touch but he ignores me, eyes narrowing at the mark. He thumbs it lightly and I hiss in pain. "I assume you'll cover that up?" Xander asks, dropping his hand.

"Yes," I murmur, taking a sip of tea. The ginger tea was hot but did not burn my mouth. "I'm sorry again," I say, looking up at him. "I'm really sorry." I apologize for something that was not my fault but if he got angry with me right now, I was not sure I would be able to handle it.

"I know," He smiles gently at me. "Breakfast is in 15 minutes."

Much like yesterday, I spent most of the day greeting guests and helping them to their tents. Draven arrived with his fiancee and the rest of my family around noon. As promised, they hand over a bag that Greta had packed. I accept it but a servant whisks it from my hands before I could open it, taking it away.

"Are you alright?! We heard what happened!" Ryker says, frowning.

I nod, seeing Xander walking toward us. "I'm alright. Xander is a great host," I bite my cheek hard as Xander pulls me into his side. "Please let me know if there is anything else we can do for you. Carla will lead you to your tents." If I did not usher them from my sight, I felt as if I would burst into tears. Last night, Xander had said that I was a disgrace to my family. Last night, my body reacted against my will and it still made me feel ashamed. Perhaps he was right.

"Thank you," Draven's fiance says before walking gracefully away. She was stunning and I felt jealous of her. She got to marry my brother while I was forced with this monster.

"Was that ok?" I ask, looking up at Xander for approval.

He nods, his grip tightening on my side. "Yes," He murmurs, watching my family cross the grounds.

Xander brings me to his office for lunch, the rest of the house a whirlwind of commotion with the guests. I was grateful for the momentary reprieve, sitting down in a chair across from his desk. He watches me for a long moment before asking, "How are you doing with all this?"

"With you kidnapping me and now we're playing house?" I retort before I can stop myself. "Or do you mean when you rape and abuse me?"

Xander smiles slowly, "I have not done anything to you that you did not want or deserve," He says quietly.

"I deserved this?" I ask, pulling up the sleeve to show my bruised arms.

"I don't want to fight, Aria," He sighs deeply, gesturing to the tray of food. "Eat."

"I'm not hungry," I say truthfully.

"You did not eat breakfast so you have to eat lunch," He gestures again to the tray. "Don't argue," He adds as I open my mouth to reply.

I sigh and reach for a sandwich, knowing that he was right. After my tea in the morning, my stomach felt weird and I threw up in the bathroom. I had chalked it up to the tea and fear so when I had gone down to breakfast after using foundation, I had opted from eating with Xander. I did not feel hungry though as I chewed on the food. I just took the bite to appease him. I ate half of the sandwich before sitting back in my chair, watching him eat.