Chapter 32

-Jared-

The impulse to shoot her husband surged within me as he forcibly pushed Alison away. It didn't escape my notice how he positioned himself like a barricade between us, almost yanking Alison toward him. He resembled a guard dog, corralling its flock. The sight incensed me, but I refrained from following them, forcing myself to remain rooted in place and watch as they drove off. I could make him pay for that later, but for now, I had work to attend to.

I retrieved my phone, firing off a text to Vince before contacting Finn, Noah, and Michael to meet me. We had tasks ahead of us tonight, and a plan began to take shape in my mind.

I hadn't placed my phone at the bar to record Alison and her mother's confrontation. It was meant to capture my conversation with Shane, along with anything he might divulge in my absence. I made sure to split the file, sending only the showdown to Alison, while keeping the rest for myself.

I located my car and drove to Vince's house. Upon parking in front of his house, I noticed the others had already arrived. I had deliberately kept them in the dark for some time, avoiding interference from them, and because I couldn't bear to look at them. Dealing with Astrid was more than enough, and every time I saw them, I couldn't shake the need to cut off more ears. Yet, the memory of Noah's maiming and Michael's disfigured face provided some satisfaction as I entered the office, finding the group seated around Vince's desk.

"Jared, finally," Vince remarked. "Took you long enough."

"I just came from a social event," I explained.

"A social event?"

"Dinner with Alison's parents and their friends."

"Did you discover anything interesting?" Vince inquired as I settled in between them.

"Perhaps in his office, but I'll need assistance," I replied, casting a meaningful look at the three men beside me. "There's a safe, a computer, and a locked drawer I couldn't crack. Plus, the house is heavily surveilled."

"I can handle the surveillance," Vince offered.

"Great. I've been invited for drinks with them tomorrow. While I keep them distracted, the three of you, along with two others, can go to their homes and investigate," I outlined.

"You don't want to eliminate them immediately, erase all evidence?" Finn questioned.

"We don't know if there are others involved or the scale of this organization. I'd prefer to eliminate all potential threats rather than stumble upon more at a later stage," I explained. "Let's gather information first, and if we can confirm their sole involvement, then we can take action."

Vince grinned as I turned to him, noting my return to my usual focused state. He likely hoped this meant I had left Alison alone, but that wasn't the case. My focus stemmed from being around Alison all night. It felt wrong. She shouldn't be the reason for regaining my sharpness. Yet, I couldn't deny the correlation.

"Tomorrow's plan is clear then," Vince affirmed. "I'll ensure any traces of your presence near their homes are erased. Meanwhile, Jared will search for information."

They nodded in agreement, but Michael directed a warning my way.

"Don't get distracted by any tied-up women," he reminded me, prompting a glare from me.

"I'll be focused on my task with Shane and the others—engaging in conversation," I assured him, though I knew the cousins didn't fully trust me, just as I harbored doubts about them.

Vince surveyed us, sensing the tension, but he brushed it off and turned his attention to me.

"Well done, Jared," he commended, eliciting a warm sensation within me. His praise always had that effect, but I made sure not to reveal how much his words meant to me.

"How about a drink before you head home? I'm sure your wife is eager to have you back," Vince suggested.

The wolves chuckled, sporting smug smiles as they reclined in their seats. Vince rose to pour the drinks, and although I knew he wouldn't be able to fill them all, he was determined to try. I stood, ready to assist him, but not before leaning closer to the wolves.

"Astrid isn't the only one who will be getting screwed tonight if you don't wipe those damn smiles off your faces," I growled at them before striding over to Vince and commandeering the flask from his grasp.

He shot me a glare, but he understood he had to yield. I poured the drinks, feeling Vince's hand on my shoulder, accompanied by a faint smile spreading across his lips.

"What?" I asked in a low voice, focusing on him.

"I'm just glad to see you returning to yourself. I told you distance would help," he said, tapping my shoulder and genuinely appearing pleased for me.

I sighed, wishing I could affirm that his assessment was accurate, but I couldn't. Passing him some of the drinks, I joined the wolves by the desk. Shifting my focus felt invigorating, but after discussing our plan over drinks, ensuring everyone understood their roles, it was time to head home. Instantly, my thoughts veered to a different place, one where I wouldn't feel so repulsed.

I forced myself to push aside any thoughts of Alison and concentrated on driving home to Astrid. Although I secretly hoped she would be asleep, I knew she always waited for me. I had rehearsed this scenario with Alison, yet I felt overwhelmed as Astrid stood at the top of the stairs, clad in nothing but flimsy panties and a bra, both transparent and failing to arouse me.

"Shall we, husband?" she teased, and I let out a weary sigh.

"I'm tired tonight, Astrid," I replied, hoping to dissuade her.

"You can just relax and let me do all the work," she persisted.

I groaned, tilting my head back, eager to get this over with so I could stop pretending to desire my wife. Hastening up the stairs, I felt a renewed determination. Astrid smiled expectantly as I reached her side.

"Oh, so eager tonight," she taunted me.

"Let's just get it over with," I replied tersely.

"You certainly know how to get a girl in the mood."

"Astrid, either go to the bedroom or let me go to sleep," I snapped.

She walked away from me and disappeared into my bedroom. I wished we had a spare room for such activities. I was starting to despise sleeping in that bed. Why had we agreed it would be my bed in the first place? Oh, right, we didn't, I mocked inwardly. Astrid just always came to me because I never sought her out. I began unbuttoning my shirt and followed her into the bedroom, only to find Astrid sitting on the bed with a smug smile playing on her lips.

That smile sent a shiver down my spine, and I scanned the room, sensing something was off.

"Coming?" she asked, noticing my hesitation, but I didn't trust her.

I checked the closet and then the bathroom, finding no one hiding. Returning to the bed, I lifted the covers to check underneath. When I met her eyes, she was still smiling.

"Something wrong?" she inquired innocently.

"I don't know. You tell me," I retorted.

"I'm not doing anything. You're the one walking around as if I have an assassin hidden in the room ready to kill you."

"I wouldn't put it past you," I muttered.

"Am I pregnant yet?" she asked abruptly.

"Are you?" I countered.

She rolled her eyes. "No. If I were, we wouldn't be in this room. I would be making you bow before me."

"I thought we had already discussed that I wasn't bowing. Now, get undressed," I commanded, tearing off my shirt, kicking away my shoes, and removing my pants.

"As I said earlier, you really know how to get a girl in the mood," Astrid mocked.

"Astrid, I really don't care about getting you in the mood. I would prefer it if you never got in the mood, but you want to have intercourse every day!" I exclaimed.

"Yes, how else can we ensure I get pregnant? It's all about timing," she reminded me.

"And not having a uterus from hell," I muttered under my breath.

"What was that?"

"Just get undressed," I insisted, but her smile never wavered, which unsettled me. When she lifted off the bed to remove her panties, I ripped the covers off, checking for any hidden threats.

"What was that for?" she asked, noticing the mess I had made.

"Just checking for snakes or voodoo dolls resembling me under my pillow," I replied.

She chuckled and shook her head before removing her bra, then gesturing to the bed. However, I regarded her with suspicion once again.

"Am I not doing all the work?" she taunted.

I cautiously climbed onto the bed, feeling around for anything sharp that might be concealed.

"God, Jared, I'm not going to kill you! What would I gain from that?" she protested.

"I think we've already explored all the possibilities. Or perhaps you want to preserve my physical form, using it as a cover for your twisted desires of taking over. As you said, you merely need my body," I retorted.

"And the air in your lungs," she reminded me, climbing onto my lap and making my skin crawl immediately. "If you're dead, how do I get pregnant?"

"Ever heard of that sick criminal who had intercourse with corpses and somehow got pregnant?" I inquired. "Besides, stranger things have happened."

"Okay, let's entertain that idea. Even if I could somehow manage that, necrophilia isn't really my thing, and the family still needs a face for the world to see," she taunted, grasping my jaw and squeezing it to emphasize her point.

I pushed her hand away, glaring at her as she continued to smile.

"Relax. You get to live and keep all your limbs intact. It's more than what Noah was granted."

"Noah tried to rape Alison with his brothers. He should be grateful it was just his ear that was cut off and not his genitals," I snarled.

"I suppose you have a point," she conceded, only to slide her hands down my body, grasping my soft cock and attempting to stimulate me. "But we both know why you decided to retaliate."

"Because I don't like when people touch what isn't theirs."

Astrid leaned closer, placing a hand beside my shoulder as she continued to stroke me, but nothing happened.

"Exactly, what's not theirs," she echoed. "You claimed her. You desire her. If you could, you would have her in this bed, riding you, fulfilling your every desire. I bet you would eagerly try to impregnate her. Close your eyes and imagine that. Picture having her here, moving on top of you. Maybe you two would have already succeeded, considering how much you crave her."

I struggled not to react. Astrid already knew what I craved, but I detested admitting it to her. It felt like exposing a vulnerable spot and asking her to stab me as deeply as possible. I held no affection for Alison. I never would. But I had issues, and those issues drove me to pursue something I should have let go of long ago, had I realized how it would affect me.

Nonetheless, I couldn't resist. My body knew what it wanted, but I couldn't bear to watch Astrid stroke me. My eyes closed involuntarily, conjuring a different image. I grew aroused, a faint groan escaping me. The vision of Alison astride me was so vivid, I could almost feel her presence. I reasoned that indulging in this fantasy wasn't harmful. It could help me endure these moments.

However, this fantasy involved seeing Alison pregnant. I had teased her with the notion, thinking she would detest the idea of carrying my child. But this time, it aroused me, knowing I had impregnated her, entwining our destinies completely.

I became fully hard, still ensnared in my fantasy. I knew that opening my eyes would shatter it all. Sensing Astrid's touch vanish, I anticipated she would soon descend upon me, but instead, I felt her hand seize my arm, lifting it before I heard a click. I reacted too slowly, too deeply entrenched in my thoughts. When I finally opened my eyes, I realized the devious woman had restrained me with iron cuffs, binding my hand to the bed.