The Degradation of Shelby Ann by Emma Cole

Chapter Nine

Dirk

Iwatched my future wife walk out with my brother, the urge to follow and yank her away from him almost more than I could resist. But walking out on my father would be far worse, especially when I only had to bide my time until I'd inherit everything. The old bastard had a few years left in him at most, less if I could figure out a way to hasten the process.

For now, I needed to know what he had planned in retaliation for the coup I'd staged last night. Shelby was mine, and I wasn't about to let anyone come between us. At least he didn't keep me waiting. That was a favorite tactic of his—make your subordinates sweat under scrutiny could have been his motto.

"Since you've forged your own path despite everything I've done for you, you'll be in charge of handling the new venture without Jenkins keeping the authorities' noses out of our business. And, son? I expect it to turn a profit before the year is out. Stay under the radar, or you'll go down with everyone involved. Is that clear?" His voice didn't carry the way it used to, but it still held the authority that promised to use me as his scapegoat should matters not go to plan.

"Crystal, Father. Is that all you required of me? If so, I'll be on my—"

"Sit down!" he barked out, punctuated with a fist slamming onto the desk when I started to lift from my seat. "We have reports and acquisitions to go through. You've been neglecting your duties to hare off, without Milo, for months, and now I know why. I suppose it was too much to hope that you'd follow my directives. Now it's time to deal with your responsibilities before I decide to replace you as my heir."

He'd do it too, more out of spite than any failure on my part. We both knew that this was all a punishment to make me toe the line after my rebellion. If it weren't for the security cameras in nearly every room and corridor, there'd have already been a happy accident on the stairs.

Bringing my chair forward, I proceeded to go over every detail he wanted examined until he was satisfied that I knew my shit. I hated the way he tried to lord above me. I was smart, and I knew the business better than he did since his health had started to decline. I nearly missed the casual dropping of my rival's name as I took the reports he handed me to take to my own office down the hall.

"Carter will be taking over the girl's security. I believe he'll be more useful by her side than mine. Besides, I'll be out of the country until after the new year, except for the engagement party. I'll come back for that and the wedding." The bastard didn't crack a smile, but I could tell he was smug from the challenge in his gaze. He fucking knew I'd hate the thought of that man near my wife and in our everyday business. This was the real retribution; the rest had been to put me off track. Now the piece of shit that had been held over my head for almost my entire adulthood to keep me in line, was being given the only thing that was all mine.

"Absolutely not. I don't want him anywhere near her," I gritted out between clenched teeth.

But Father wasn't intimidated, no, he was the exact opposite, and I'd fallen directly into his trap. He knows. He couldn't, could he? The more I thought about it, the more it sunk in that I had been blind to anything but my work and the redheaded obsession I couldn't shake.

Propping his elbows on the desk, Father steepled his fingers to use as a chin rest, appearing lost in thought for a moment before straightening with a regretful sigh. It was no more than an affectation, just something else he did to manipulate anyone he could.

"Well, see, son, that's where you're wrong. It's not your decision to make. As long as you live under my roof," he twirled a slightly bent, arthritic finger toward the ceiling, "or use money from my business, I have the ultimate say. I'm telling you that Carter will be her shadow. And you won't try to thwart my decree, or you'll be out on your ass and I'll marry the little tramp off to your brother instead."

And he would do just that if I thwarted him. That was the part that irritated me the most, him threatening to take away anything I cared about. He'd done it all my life, and I hated him for it. But it also meant he couldn't know everything, even he wouldn't go that far, unless he was bluffing. Besides, the old man couldn't stand my brother. Not after our mother's death. I shook off that memory, refusing to let it resurface. It had been the worst day of my childhood, or at least the first of the worst. Carter had come along a few years after that, a sullen pre-teen, one my father had used and groomed much as he had me, but unlike me, Carter was truly his creation.

I'd escaped the brunt of it when the boy had come along, the heir and last surviving member of the Rittenhouse empire. They had been our family's biggest rival before being reduced to the few lower-standing members—the people that didn't matter as they were without resources or power, namely those who’d gone into hiding or were part of the scattered extended family. Carter was held hostage in plain sight, keeping any of them from trying to rise up with him as their figurehead or a patron to fund their comeback. Father would have killed the boy first, and nobody wanted the vast holdings to be sold off, the proceeds donated to various charities. In the event that there wasn't a direct heir, his parents had made sure no one else could inherit, preventing greed-induced thoughts of taking advantage of their son.

They hadn't accounted for him giving it up willingly. Now it was all swallowed up into Father's extensive holdings, signed over by the boy when he hit his majority. Brainwashed little fuck that he was, I'd almost felt sorry for him back then.

But no, he had to go and try to take what I'd claimed. It didn't matter that I only knew of her existence because of him. He didn't matter. From the moment I saw Shelby Ann, I'd wanted her, but with our age difference I'd had to wait. Even though the age of consent in Georgia was sixteen, a man nearly twice her age would still be frowned upon, especially in my circles.

At first, I'd demanded he not approach her, only keep to the letter of my father's demands regarding her mother, that the woman kept her mouth shut about what she'd witnessed. Then it had been all about my instant attraction, lust, and taking away what I could see he yearned for. When it was appropriate, I'd orchestrated a meeting, almost a year ago now, and then I was lost. My soul burned for hers, and I'd had to have her—permanently. I knew it had to grate on the interloper's nerves that while he'd had to accompany my father, I was free to pursue the object of his affection. It made sealing the deal that much sweeter. As a bonus, while he was busy with Carter, I’d been saved from Father's machinations to use me as a tool to further his agenda. Other than Father's ire, things were coming along nicely, or so I thought until he threw this wrench into my plans. He was so possessive over Carter, keeping the man entirely under his thumb, that I'd never dreamed he would let him stray far from his side.

With a scowl, I jerked my head in a perfunctory nod. I'd deal with it for now, but I'd find a way to separate them eventually. Besides, it might be interesting to see how my bride reacted to seeing him again. At least he'd never know her intimately; the piece of shit could eat his heart out. I planned to use every opportunity to make sure he knew when I fucked her. But not too much, wives are above that. Loyal ones, anyway, are not to be treated like streetwalking whores. Even if it were appropriate, I wouldn't unleash my desire on her. No, I'd save her from the first monster my father had created… me.

Father's demand to attend him immediately made my body tense with anticipation. Carter was on his way. I had to prepare myself to be calm and refrain from attacking him outright before he arrived. I'd need an outlet, and soon, for the fury that I knew him touching her, even in greeting, would incite.

* * *

Istudiously ignored Carter when he tapped on the door before entering at my father's gruff command. While he was filled in on his new assignment, my attention wandered to how soon Shelby and I could be married without kicking up any gossip. Father wouldn't be able to use her as leverage against me, or at least not as much, once it was official.

I'd kept half an ear out, used to the old man's tactics for trying to catch others unaware, so I gave him the reaction he wanted when he dictated that Shelby and I weren't to have relations until the prenup was signed and its conditions met. There hadn't even been one drawn up; that alone could take weeks. I barely stifled a groan and pretended I didn't notice Carter's snicker. Father didn't reprimand him, so he was likely enjoying himself as well.

In response to the continuously mounting frustration, my fingers tapped across the screen of my phone, unlocking it and then sending a message. The appointment would take care of the majority of my stress, I hoped anyway. If not… well, it might be a good thing that my bride was off-limits for a while. Without further delay, Father stood from his desk and directed us out, paging Rafe on his phone to bring Shelby to the den.

* * *

Iwatched Shelby closely for a reaction to Carter when she walked in on my brother's arm, but other than polite interest, there wasn't one. There was a small hint of disappointment from him before he masked the brief frown with a polite smile. What I didn't care for was the way Rafe hovered around her, going so far as to offer her a drink while ignoring the rest of us before taking the chair nearest to her. My glare was meant to warn him off, but he only smirked in response, pissing me off further. At the rate I was going, there was bound to be a blow-up.

As for Shelby, she kept quiet, perched primly on the sofa next to me, only speaking if spoken to. The short time before dinner was announced was nearly painful with awkwardness, and I hoped that Rafe and my father would fuck off sooner rather than later.

I held Shelby back while everyone else filed out, except for Carter who seemed to be intent on taking up his position already. "I can escort my fiancée to dinner without your assistance. I'd like a private word with her, so feel free to meet us there." My tone was cold despite the simmering rage in my veins, but after a weighted glance at a nervous Shelby, he nodded and stepped out without a word.

"Dirk, that wasn't very nice. He was just doing his job," she admonished. My suspicions that she knew him roared back to life, stretching the frayed tether of my control.

"Darling, I'd advise you to let me handle the help. We wouldn't want there to be any misunderstandings as to where everyone's loyalties lie, now would we?" Paling slightly, she lost the ramrod posture she'd held up until then, tipping her chin down with a shake of her head. "Look at me when I'm talking to you, Shelby. It's rude to stare at the floor." Her whiskey-brown eyes flicked up to meet mine, her own mounting anger flashing in them. She wasn't as cowed as she wanted me to think. "Let me be clear, now, before we go any further with this. I do not care for other men giving you attention, nor you reciprocating it, even if it's harmless. In particular, I do not care for my brother or the man that has been assigned as your primary security. For now, my father's word is law, but there will come a time when that's no longer the case. Do you understand?"

Despite the myriad of emotions that flitted across her dainty features, she nodded with a subdued, "Yes, Dirk." It was enough for me, and now feeling marginally better with the warning in place, I got to my feet and offered her assistance in getting to hers.

I kept my stride short enough to match hers, but we didn't dally in the halls. The sooner dinner was over, the sooner I could settle Shelby in with Nina and pursue an outlet for my anger.

"It took you long enough. What was so urgent that you couldn't wait until after dinner?" Father's eyes narrowed before sweeping Shelby with a once-over. Seemingly satisfied with her appearance, he turned his attention back to me.

"Some topics are private, Father. I'm sure you understand that." I was treading on his temper, but my obedience only went so far, and it was at its limit.

Before he could reply, Milo and Nina appeared, taking their seats with a nod to my father. Their presence threw me off. While it wasn't odd for Carter, as Father's protégé, to join us for dinner, it was practically unheard of for any other staff, no matter how close they were to the family. Technically, Carter was our equal in society's eyes even if he'd given his fortune away. It wasn't like he was a pauper. He had access to money; he was just restricted in how he was able to use it. He held Father's proxy for business matters when needed, but he knew not to abuse the power. I wasn't sure what Father even held over him anymore, but it was enough to keep Carter in line as his errand boy.

I didn't have long to ponder what was going on, for after the main course was served, the old bastard got right to it… after making Shelby, and everyone else at the table, highly uncomfortable. Except maybe Milo. He liked to watch people squirm and could be a terrifying fuck when he wanted to be.

"I've invited you all, so we can get to know Dirk's intended. These two have a lot of work to handle on the backend after their impulsive engagement, and this will help expedite matters. I'll take my leave in the morning, Rafe will return to college, and Carter will remain as her head of security and report directly to me. Nina, I'm expecting you to get her into shape quickly. I don't want a backwater hick thinking she landed it big without having to put the effort in to better herself."

I watched Shelby wilt in her chair, but Carter, and even Rafe, attempted to shield her from Father's sharp tongue, jumping in to distract him while I squeezed her hand under the table.

"What are you talking about? School doesn't start for weeks! I'm not going to hang around an empty campus when I could be out and enjoying the rest of my summer."

At the same time, Carter tried to get the go ahead for setting up protocols. "I'll need to do biometric scans, enter her into the system, and I'll need you to sign off on it, sir.

"Yes, yes." Father waved Carter off, then pinned Rafe with a dark stare. "How is it that one woman can have you all up in arms and jumping to her defense? You two," he ticked a finger between Rafe and Carter, "just met her, yet you're running interference."

The patriarch of our family wasn't an idiot; it was why I'd kept my mouth shut. He always had to play his games, but I had nearly a decade on Carter and a bit more than that on Rafe. They'd eventually learn, but hopefully it wouldn't take that long for the old man to croak.

"She's going to be family, isn't she? Why wouldn't we begin how we plan to continue?" Rafe's confusion seemed genuine, while Shelby herself, who appeared to be ignoring the room, stared at the table, the fine tremble going through her body letting on to her upset. "I kind of like the idea of getting to be a big brother," Rafe mused before shrugging with a grin. "Besides, dinner wouldn't be complete without me getting taken to task for one thing or another."

Father's brows rose in surprise. At Rafe's assessment of the situation or the blunt summary of the usual interaction between him and my brother, I didn't know. Either way, he nodded, calculation lighting his eyes as he gave his backhanded approval without addressing their dynamic. "Well, in any case, it's nice to see you getting on with the agenda. Now, if you'd only apply yourself in other areas, you could be a productive member in this family." He began to eat, cueing the rest of us to begin as well. The moment Shelby slipped a bite between her lips, he started with the questions. "What is your major, Miss Tamblin? Will your credits transfer to the local college, or have you finished with university?"

Being used to his abrasiveness, I continued eating, giving her knee a squeeze for support but letting her handle herself. She'd have to get acclimated soon enough, and at least this was in a private setting. But I could almost see Nina taking notes on her reactions and comportment for later lessons, and a niggle of guilt poked at me for putting her in the position.

The room waited in tense silence while she quickly chewed and swallowed. Her face was red with embarrassment when she finished, but she managed a smile. Well, more of a grimace, but who could blame her given the awkwardness of the situation. "I didn't have the opportunity after graduating high school. My mother wasn't… well, and I took over the majority of the household responsibilities. Maybe college would be an option now, but I haven't given it much thought…" She trailed off, seemingly unsure where to go from there, and lifted her water glass, using it as a shield while she sipped at it.

"That's unfortunate. I'd hoped Dirk would make a match with someone more accomplished, but you can hardly be faulted for your upbringing. And to lose your mother at such a time... It must be difficult. The boys have experienced that loss, yet they had the support of a father figure. I understand that yours wasn't in the picture?" The last word had barely cleared his lips before he took his next bite of steak, and at this rate he was going to finish his plate before Shelby even managed a second bite.

The set-up was plain to see with my knowledge, but there wasn't anything I could actually do about it. I just hoped she didn't run screaming from the house after dinner. I'd have to chase her down, and dealing with hysterical women wasn't in my repertoire.

"My mother hasn't passed, but no, I never met my father." She left it at that, and I admired her for not rushing to over explain, a common side-effect to being under Father's scrutiny. Unfortunately, her answer gave him the in he'd needed to cut her down even more.

"Oh? I'm surprised you were able to make arrangements for her so quickly. Is this a condition and expense that will be noted in the agreement then?" The last bit was directed at me, but Shelby paled at his blatant jibe.

"N-no, Mama is still at home, but I've arranged to have her looked in on." It was time for me to intervene, but Father pressed on, letting his captive audience know exactly how he felt about her. Not that it was a secret, but he was being particularly cruel today.

"So you left your invalid parent to fend for herself? Didn't you just say she isn't well enough to be independent, which is why you had to go on without bettering yourself? What a contrary way to repay your only family," he tsked without any sincerity. "Was she very distraught when you abruptly left her to whore yourself for access to my bank accounts?" His delivery was done with flawless nonchalance, but the challenge in his haughty stare felt sharp enough to cut me.

I wasn't the only one that reacted to that, but I ignored the round of indrawn breaths and my own constricted throat, pissed on my bride's behalf. Her barely audible, "Mama kicked me out," raised more than one pair of brows, and I was fed up with the shitty person he was making her out to be.

"That's quite enough and not a topic for anyone but Shelby and me to discuss. She didn't have a clue that I planned to propose last night, and she'd have been happier with a take-out pizza followed by a proposal in an ice cream parlor rather than the catty bitches and condescending staff I subjected her to. You won't put her down again, do you understand me?" Father's glower matched my own, and I struck while I had the chance. "Frankly, your behavior is odd and troubling. Attacking your soon-to-be daughter in law, random outbursts that should be kept in private... Maybe an evaluation request should be presented to the board. I'm sure they wouldn't want someone unfit at the helm of the business—"

"You've made your point, Dirk," he cut me off. Yet still, I wasn't in the mood to deal with more.

"Shelby, darling, why don't we retire to our rooms? My appetite isn't what it could be, and present company is less than desirable." I held out a hand as I rose, not caring if there were consequences later for my interference. There was only so much a person could take. While I played the long game, I wasn't a fucking doormat unless I deemed it necessary to further my own agenda.

Shelby did me proud though, holding her head high as she stood to leave the dining room with me. I knew she wouldn't be a simpering idiot like the women Father had wanted to sell me off to for his own gain. No, Shelby would be a fine wife and partner with a little guidance and polish to smooth out her lack of education and rough edges.

Father got in one last hit as we made our exit. "Be sure to remember what I said about refraining from your carnal pursuits, son. She's to remain in her designated room. I've directed the staff to set Carter up across the hall from your suite, so he'll be close at hand in the event that he's needed."

I didn't bother looking back or acknowledging him before the door swung shut, blocking anything else toxic that he might have thought to spew.