The Alpha's Villainess Wife-Chapter 23: Oops, My Hand Slipped

"Did you think you were going to get away with that stunt you pulled with me during the auction?" Patro questioned.

"I only exposed the truth," Eve retaliated.

"And what did you gain from that?" he questioned. "Here you are again, Eve, all in my palms. You keep convincing yourself that you can stand up against me and every freaking time, I crush you, just like I’m going to do now."

He relaxed back against his seat and crossed his legs. "The story is going to change, and when it does, I’m going to need you to be obedient like a dog. Sit and watch it happen. Because if you try to retaliate, what I’ll do to your father will be much worse than what you’ve seen today. And you know me, Eve, my threats are never a joke."

"Aren’t you being a bit of a coward, Patro?" Eve gave a small laugh, adjusting the jacket of her suit. "I played fair and you’re just about to cheat me. Why do I have to stand idle? Don’t I have to fight back? Isn’t that what makes a game like this fun?"

Patro chuckled at her words. "Eve, when you have a trump card over your enemy, it’s never a cowardly move to use it. I’m just...smarter than you are."

"Is that so?" Eve grabbed the glass of wine that was poured to her by the waiter and took a sip before her plump red lips stretched into a wide smile. "Okay. I’ll do what you want. But what do I get in return?"

Patro lifted a brow at her. "Meaning what?"

"It’s simple, if I’m going to do what you want, then you’re going to have to give me something in return." She shrugged. "Don’t you think so?"

"You’re not in the position to negotiate, Eve."

"Who said so?" she questioned. "If you’re not going to give me anything in return, then I’ll act up even if you change the story, even if you buy every single publishing firm in this pack. One thing you know very well, Patro, is that I always find a way to win."

She continued, "For you to come all the way here to see me and propose this, it means this reputation wouldn’t be good for your family. I mean, what is the point of having money if the entire pack is against you? I don’t think anyone would want to make business deals with a sadist like you."

Patro slammed his hands on the table. "You bitch!"

Eve held his gaze, unwilling to back down. "What will it be, Patro? You have stated what you want, now shall I state what I want in exchange for my silence?"

"Me letting your father live is already enough—"

"That is not enough!" Eve grounded out. "This is your family’s reputation we’re talking about, you know. I don’t think dear daddy will like to watch you ruin the family, will he? What will it be, Patro?"

Patro balled his hands by his side, his face boiling so red in anger. He narrowed his eyes at her and slowly nodded his head, a cackle bubbling out of him. He plopped back into his seat and crossed his legs.

"Alright. What do you want?"

"My father," Eve stated. "Give him to me and my silence is all yours. I won’t say a word throughout this entire scandal. Your reputation will be fixed."

The man cocked a brow. "You’re willing to let your reputation rot in exchange for your father?"

"Yes."

"Do you realize you’re losing against me?"

"I’ll catch up, Patro, one way or the other. First, I need my father back. So, what do you say?" she asked. "Give me my father and my silence is all yours."

Patro peered at her with a contemplative look, head slanted to the side. His gaze dropped from the beautiful hazel of her eyes down to her lips, red and so pillowy soft. He knew how it felt to kiss it, he’d done it after all.

Malakai kissing her flashed in his eyes and nails that had stretched into claws, drew harshly against the armrest of the chair he was seated on. His eyes shifted to her neck, to the mating mark, and at the sight of the barely visible mark, pure anger boiled inside of him.

The mark was nearly completely gone. It wouldn’t even take up to three days now and it would fade. Which meant...Malakai would be able to imprint on her.

"Fine," he said. "I’ll give you what you want. But first, you’re going to sit and let me humiliate you a little bit. Can I?"

Eve breathed out. There was no hesitation. "Go ahead."

Patro stood to his feet. He picked up the glass cup and the bottle of wine and proceeded to pour himself a full glass. Then he looked at her and smiled.

She watched him tip the glass and pour the wine directly into her hair. The coldness of it made her shiver a little, but she didn’t speak or move. She completely ignored the liquid soaking into her suit.

"Oops, I slipped." Patro chuckled as he kept the glass aside.

"How do you feel, Eve? Angry?" He leaned into her and reached out his hand, proceeding to cup her cheek, but someone grasped his hand, tightly enough that he shot his gaze up in aching pain.

The blues of his eyes locked with the very golden pairs of Malakai.

The man’s expression was blank, but Patro wasn’t stupid. He knew if it was possible Malakai would have his throat slit in that very second.

He smirked and snatched his hand back. "Are you angry too?" he asked in a mocking tone. "Well, my bad. I didn’t mean to. My hand just...slipped."

Malakai didn’t say a word. Instead, he took out his pocket-handkerchief and turned the chair Eve was seated on to make her face him. Then he squatted, before proceeding to wipe the liquid off her face.

He slipped off his jacket, put it over her head, and then tossed the handkerchief onto the table.

Patro was watching him in silence, his brows furrowed.

"Malakai." Eve gripped the man’s hand before he could do anything and shook his head at him. "No. Don’t."

Malakai’s eyes curled along with his smile. "This has nothing to do with you, doll. Relax." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Then he picked up the bottle of wine and a glass. He poured a full cup, took a sip, and eyed Patro. "Terrible wine."

Patro shrugged with a frown, eyes fixed on and watching the man.

Malakai lifted his hand, all the way above his head and tipped the glass, allowing every drop to pour over him.

"What do you think of the taste now? Do you still find it exquisite? Rich?"