What a fool.

My father really threw a tantrum and went to grab the first man to take me away. Well, he’s going to learn today. His childish behavior and petty retaliations are starting to annoy me. He needs a firm woman’s hand, something Heidi neglected to do, and he won’t accept I’m the woman to do it until I show him the consequences of his bratty attitude.

“I haven’t had meat in over a month,” Hoyt sighs as he draws in an audible breath. “Mom had been under the weather, and I didn’t want to leave her to go hunt.”

“Sounds like you could use someone around the house.” Daddy beams like he just figured out all our world problems.

“Not anymore.” I drop the still warm casserole dish on the table. “His mama is gone.”

Hoyt’s face drops and he sniffs into his sleeve as I fight hard to keep the disdain off my features. I did him and this town a favor. Canary was a noisy busy body, spreading around the town how indecent it was for me to be here alone with my daddy.

“All the more reason to have someone around.” Daddy grins salaciously. “Life will grow unbearably lonely.”

Daddy is pushing the limits of my self-control and if he continues, he’ll be tomorrow’s dinner. I open the top of the dish and Hoyt looks inside.

“Is that a boar roast?” His eyes are wide as I look inside as well. The meat is shown from where I cut slabs of it off for Daddy, no gravy hiding its pale flesh.

“Yes,” Daddy clears his throat, and I bite into my lip to hold in a giggle. “Bevie here caught it on our last outing.”

“Wow!” Hoyt looks up at me in awe. “They’re nearly non-existent now. Thank you so much for sharing this with me.”

“Oh.” I wave him off. “It was no big deal. I’ve chopped it up to having a good eye and little tolerance for defeat.”

Daddy clears his throat as I serve Hoyt some Tanner and vegetables. Making sure to douse it all in a savory Tanner gravy.

“I’ll pack you some to take home with you today,” I say as I relish the sight of him chewing animatedly on Tanner’s ass.

“And also a portion for yourself.” Daddy grins. “Hoyt has agreed to our arrangement. You will live with him as husband and wife.”

Red-hot fury.

Molten lava rage.

It all flows through me, bubbling and scorching my insides as I stare into Daddy’s smug face. I obviously knew that’s why he brought him here, but I didn’t think it was already agreed upon, and I was to up and leave today.

This is a game he’ll lose, but I’ll have some fun playing it before I claim the winner.

“Oh!” I clasp my hands together. “Fantastic. Did you tell him how I like it in bed?”

Daddy chokes on his sweet tea, and Hoyt’s head snaps up, his eyes widening in disbelief.

“Bevie—”

“I like the bedroom to be extremely warm before I fall asleep,” I cut off Daddy’s sputtering. “And I need soft sheets for my sensitive skin.”

“Oh.” Hoyt deflates with relief and stuffs another morsel of Tanner between his jaws. “We can definitely do that.”

“Goody.” I grin so wide, my eyes narrowing in vision.

“Beverly is also an exceptional cook. She made this meal,” Daddy boasts, bartering me like a slab of deer meat. “She’s neat, and she loves to sing as well.”

“Oh, yes!” I nod emphatically. “I do love a wonderful song. I made one up for my daddy’s new wife, Tanner. Would you like to hear it?”

“Sure—”

“No!” Daddy cuts in, his voice sounding a little too high-pitched. “No, thank you. Let Hoyt eat first.”

“Shame.” I drop my chin to my hand, staring intently at the glistening oil collecting around Hoyt’s mouth. Tanner was high in saturated fats. “Maybe later, while I take him on a tour of our home.”

Daddy pales, probably remembering the art piece I spread all over his bed. “Yes,” he clears his throat. “Sure.”

Hoyt licks the gravy off his plate like a fucking heathen and then looks up at me shamefully. “Sorry, it’s been so long since I’ve eaten this well.”

“No worries.” I grin, still watching him closely.

“I’m going to the bathroom.” Daddy rises with a grimace. “You two can talk a bit and get to know each other.”

Hoyt watches Daddy leave, then gives me a nervous glance. I stand from my seat and approach him around the table, skimming my fingertips along the shiny wood surface. I watch his Adam’s apple bob with the force of his swallow, anxiety pouring off him in thick waves. Slipping between him and the table, I grin when he leans back in his chair, clenching his hands into tight fists.

Poor, confused Hoyt. Trying his best to deny his natural urges and knowing his prospects are pretty slim here in Dollywoodland. He needs to marry and I’m the only suitable option, as a woman, that is.

I straddle his waist, resting both arms on his shoulders, and settle in his lap, running my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

“You’re awfully cute, Hoyt,” I whisper into his ear. “Do I make you nervous?”

He nods, the motion hurried, and a small whimper escapes him as I grind down into his lap.

“Have you been with a woman, Hoyt?” My tongue flicks out and runs along the curve of his ear, just as Daddy likes.

“No,” he whispers back, his voice coarse.

I grind into him again, and still nothing is growing to meet the apex of my thighs. Hoyt really does prefer a man over a woman.

“Do you have a cock?” I ask as I lean back to look him in the eye. I grind down into him again. “Or do you need another cock to get hard?”

I hear Daddy’s gasp behind me, grinning with victory, and turning my head to look at him. “Daddy, how can I be a wife if Hoyt doesn’t have a cock like you?” I grind into him again, just to drive my point home.

Hoyt’s hands land on my waist, preparing to lift me off, his face as red as the dirt outside. “This was a bad idea,” he mumbles.

“No.” Daddy steps into the room. “She’s forward with what she likes. You’ll get used to each other.”

“Hear that, Hoyt.” I press my mouth to his ear. “Daddy knows just what I like and how I like it.”

Daddy is stammering over his words, trying to explain my actions, and no one is paying attention to my hand reaching behind me, my fingers closing around the handle of the dinner knife. Hoyt’s hands stay firm on my waist, his face a mask of shock as Daddy explains my need for a husband.

“Maybe we could share him, Daddy,” I coo. “He can fuck you while you’re fucking me.” I grind into Hoyt’s lap, feeling his cock harden at last, and tipping my head back with a laugh. “That did it.”

“Beverly!” Daddy finally snaps. “That’s enough!” His bellow rings around the kitchen, making Hoyt tense in his seat.

“You heard my daddy,” I tell him, slowly bringing my arm up. “He’s had enough.” I stab the knife through Hoyt’s neck just as Daddy springs forward, screaming profanities. I’m thrown to the floor as he holds his hands around the knife protruding from Hoyt’s neck, trying to keep the crimson fluid inside.

“Have you completely lost your mind?” Daddy screams, his voice sounding like a siren blast. “I’ve had enough! I’m putting you in front of the Four Regencies and declaring your crimes. You’re no longer my daughter.”

“I am your daughter.” I stand to my feet and dust the dirt off my ass. “And now your wife. Forever.”

Hoyt makes a few gurgling sounds, his mouth falling open in a silent scream, as blood runs out of his neck like a river.

“He’s dead,” I tell Daddy as he continues to hold the wound. “Should we harvest his meat?”

It’s quick, like a bolt of lightning skating across the dreary sky, as his bloody hands wrap around my throat, and squeeze so tight. My hands fly up and wrap around his wrists, my nails sinking into the skin.

“You can’t live here any longer. You are too much of a threat to our town. I have to kill you.”

Dark shadows dance along the edge of my vision as I try to gulp air into my lungs, but fail. Daddy really is going to kill me. My chest begins to burn, his voice suddenly sounding like we’re underwater, and my throat screams with pain.

But then I hear it faintly in the distance. Daddy’s name is being called, like a beacon of light as my world turns dark. Daddy releases my throat, and I slump to the ground, my mind fighting to stay conscious as he strides to the door.

I hope he doesn’t let in any guests; our kitchen is a complete mess.