Damned if I do | Damned trilogy #1

Chapter Seventeen: Drake

Some would call me weak for giving in. Some would say I was weak for not having her sooner.

I'd call them all arseholes and tell them to fuck right off.

It hadn't taken long for Dad to know our marriage had been consummated. As in seconds. I was still inside her.

There was a 'Congratulations' banner and confetti to celebrate. Appearing over us as I kissed her, I got glitter in my hair as she laughed and covered her face with her hands.

I was dressed and flying to Dad's throne room in moments, Wren running after me and begging me to slow down. I threw open the doors and pointed my finger at him as I landed.

"One thing!" I yelled at him as I stalked towards him. "One thing in my life. That's all I ask. One thing that's mine. That doesn't have your stench all over it as you poke your bedazzled nose where it's not wanted!"

"Ah, here's the man of the hour," he said, turning from whatever, he was cooking up on his Planning Table now. "Over a month of waiting? How was it?"

"None of your business!"

"Drake..." Wren said, finally catching up to me.

"Here she is!" Dad cried happily. His face fell into an exaggerated frown, he snapped his heels together, and he clapped his hands together in front of what looked like a safari suit. "Well, a deal's a deal."

"Wait. What?" I looked around.

"I was promised one daughter-in-law. Serenity was promised a one-way trip home. She held up her end of the bargain. It's time I hold up mine."

He held his hand up and I stepped forward. "Dad!"

The devil looked at me expectantly. "Yes?"

"At least let her pack her things."

I had to be imagining the look of disappointment on his face, as momentary as it was. He sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. "Fine. Of course."

"No! No! No!" Kyle came skidding into the room and latched himself to Wren's legs.

Ignacio came hurtling along behind him while Truman huffed less stately than usual behind Ignacio.

"Kyle," Dad said fondly. "We made a deal. Serenity must go home." Here, Dad looked at me oddly, but again it was only momentary. "If she didn't, we'd be breaking a deal. And what do we say about breaking deals?"

"Not allowed," Kyle said sullenly, still wrapped around Wren's legs.

"Might I offer a...negotiation, sirs?" Truman asked, stepping forward.

Dad dropped into his throne and laced his fingers over his stomach. "What have you got?"

"If Miss Serenity must go home, at least let us go with her, sir."

Dad unlaced everything and sat forward. "Sorry. You... The three of you?"

Truman nodded, taking another couple of hesitant steps towards my father. Ignacio had his back. And I'm sure Kyle would have if he wasn't busy loudly sobbing on Wren.

"Yes, sir." Truman coughed. "Ignacio, Kyle and I."

At the sound of his name, Kyle looked over, still sniffling and tears streaming down his little red face. "Kyle go?" he pleaded.

"The three of you would abandon your post with your master, the prince of Hell, and go to live on Earth with Serenity?" Dad asked and I could see he was almost sold.

"We'll take care of her," Ignacio growled.

"Drake..." Wren hissed and I looked at her.

I couldn't quite understand what she was trying to tell me. I almost dipped into her mind, but plausible deniability was a wonderful invention.