Chapter 7 The Morning After

Darkness. That's all I remembered before my body hit something soft, and then-nothing.

I woke up to silk sheets that smelled expensive, my head pounding like it had been used as a drum set at a rock concert. Three times. My hair was a tangled mess, my throat dry as hell, and the worst part?

I wasn't in my clothes.

What the actual-

My eyes darted around the ridiculously lavish bedroom. High ceilings. Crystal chandeliers. Gold-trimmed everything. Ally was sprawled next to me, still passed out, snoring lightly.

Where the hell were we?

Before I could process, the door slammed open.

"OKAY WAKEY WAKEY, RISE AND SHINE, LADIES!"

Oh, you have got to be kidding me.

Ally groaned, sitting up, her eyes barely open. "What-what's happening?"

I just buried my face back into the pillow. I recognized that insufferable voice instantly. Leo-goddamn-Astor.

My hatred for him intensified as he strolled in, way too smug for this early in the morning.

Leo crouched beside me, tilting his head with a fake pout. "Aww, were you expecting me to be a gentleman and leave a nice glass of water on the bedside table like in the movies? Sorry, sweetheart. This isn't that kind of story."

I lifted my head just enough to glare at him. "You're an actual demon."

Dante chuckled from where he leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets like they had nothing better to do than watch us suffer.

Ally squinted at both of them before falling back against her pillow. "Are we in hell?"

"Nope," I muttered. "I think this is worse."

Leo straightened, brushing imaginary dust off his designer jacket. "Let's have a little chat, shall we?"

I sat up slowly, clutching my skull. If I had the energy, I'd lunge at him.

"Celeste, let me make something very clear," he started, his voice eerily calm. "I don't care if Alessandra here spreads her legs for every man in a club-"

"HEY!" Ally shot up, eyes blazing.

Leo raised a hand, silencing her like she was nothing more than a pesky child.

"But you," he continued, his eyes locking onto mine, "are my fiancée. That means you will respect me. You will act accordingly. And you will do as you're told."

I held his gaze, my middle finger slowly rising in response.

Ally beamed like a proud mother.

Leo? Oh, he twitched. His jaw flexed, hands clenching into fists at his sides. Then, in one sudden movement, he was on the bed, right in my face, his breath hot with fury.

"You will honor me as your husband," he growled, his voice low but sharp as a blade. "As a wife is required to honor her husband. Do you understand me?"

I didn't flinch. I didn't even blink. Instead, I smiled sweetly and purred, "Crystal."

His nostrils flared. He pulled back, rolling his shoulders like he was restraining himself from throwing me out the nearest window.

"Good," he snapped. "Now, not that you two deserve it, but breakfast is waiting in the dining room. Eat, then get the fuck out of my house."

He turned, heading for the door.

Ally whispered, "Then why the hell did he bring us here?"

I shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Leo paused at the threshold, glancing over his shoulder with one final, wicked smirk.

"Oh, and Celeste?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"You're meeting my mother for luncheon. Don't be late."

My stomach dropped.

Oh, no.