An Open Heart: Other Realm, Frost Family Series Book 4

Key 2

"D-d-destruction of the F-Frosts?" Christine repeated in shock.

Aaron smiled widely. "That's right."

"N-no...You're crazy!" She shot up to her feet, shaking her head fiercely.

He chuckled. "Perhaps, but it's true. More than a few of the royal families have been displeased with the Frosts. I mean, the last Lord even married a human!" Aaron let out a noise somewhere between a growl of distaste and a wheezing laugh of hilarity. "And then...then that human thought to get rid of the HRD. And did the Lord at the time stop her? No! The sniveling bitch was apparently so good at pleasuring the Lord, he let her run free. Hell, he even helped and supported her!" he growled.

"I won't help you in your insane plot!" Christine shook her head again, turning on her heel and starting to the door. I never should have come, she berated herself. He's nothing but crazy.

"What was that? Mother dearest has gone senile? She's turned violent, lashing out at you? Ah, poor, poor Christine. Don't worry, I'll be sure that she goes to a facility which will be able to ensure she won't hurt herself or another person again."

Stopping in her tracks, she slowly turned around to face him. "Y-you wouldn't dare!" she hissed, her anger so great it made her voice shaky.

He had moved around his desk to lean back against the front. He was posed in a way she assumed was supposed to appear sexy, arms crossed over his chest, legs out slightly in front of him as he half sat on top of the desk. But to her, all she could see was the monster he was. His lips pulled back in a leering smirk. "Oh, but I would. After all, with dear Father's passing, I am the man of the family. By rights, I own both you and your mother. If I want to put the old hag up in a home, never to be seen or heard from again, no one will fight against me...Or did you forget that important little detail, Christine?" Her name on his lips made her shudder in disgust.

"T-that..." she could find nothing to say. Screaming and raging at how this was the twenty-first century and she was her own person would do her no good. Not in this frustrating, stubborn, sick world that she lived in...

His smile grew and a light of victory entered his dark eyes. "Perfect," he purred. "As long as you do everything I say, I won't touch your dear mother. But you step one foot out of line, my sweet..." His voice trailed off with his threat. Closing her eyes, she fought back a sob, nodding.

"Oh, Christine... Sometimes I wish you were as easy to manipulate and control as your bitch of a sister...I would have so preferred to have gained you...To have you all to myself, my pretty little child," he chuckled darkly. "The games we'd play..."

"C-can I go now?" she swallowed.

"Yes...Oh, I will be coming with you for the next meeting with the Lord Frost. As the man of the family, it is my duty to make sure you are married off to a good man, little sis."

Nodding her head tightly, she hurried out of the study. Rushing down the hall and out to the drive, she wrapped her arms around herself. I just made a deal with The Devil, she thought shakily. Gods, what have I done?

O O O

"Lord Torres, it's good to see you again," Aiden murmured, after slowly returning to his seat. He and Luke had risen upon finding Christine and her brother-in-law being led by the waiter on duty to their table. Aiden had figured keeping the same location would be easier for all involved, but he hadn't expected Torres to show his face. I suppose I should have seen this coming, he thought tiredly.

"Yes, yes. Truly, the pleasure is all mine, my lord," Torres bowed briefly before lowering to his own chair. "My dear sister tells me that you wish to wed her...Is it not, pray tell, a tad bit odd that I was not informed beforehand?"