Monster A Dark Arranged Marriage Romance - Vanessa Waltz Page 0,54
have them?”
“You’re welcome to find a donor at a sperm bank. I will set you up with enough money so you and the kid are taken care of. They’ll have my last name, but I will not be involved in their life.”
The hurt was swift and brutal. That ripped open something vulnerable I never knew I had.
He never wanted children with me?
Was my DNA not good enough for him?
A glance at his hard mouth confirmed my suspicions. The blow crushed me. He rejected what my body could give him just because it came from me. I couldn’t take any more heartache. My throat closed up. I rose from the couch, bristling.
Tony’s glare softened. “Evie, I’m—”
“You’re the last man I fucking wanted! I still said yes.” My shouting burst to the ceiling as Tony’s offending hands gripped me. “Dad made it sound like you picked me to be the mother of your kids. I thought it was disturbing but sweet. Like you couldn’t get me out of your mind.”
I trembled as people faced us, but the humiliation of his family listening in on my meltdown was second to his behavior.
“I said yes, you selfish bastard, because I assumed you were serious about building a life with me…but you’re not interested in that. You would rather cut off your nose to spite your face.”
Anguish flashed across Tony. His pained stare dove into me.
I’m done.
I ripped away from him and shot outside, running through the garden-side exit. My feet hurtled over the steps and down the street. Then I ducked into someone’s open garage and cried until my chest caved in.
I opened my phone and sent a message to Dad.
Come get me.
I can’t do this anymore.
Eighteen
Evie
I’m grateful for the wind wiping my tears.
Dad asked no questions.
He rolled up on his Harley and whisked me away. Climbing onto my father’s bike was exactly what Tony warned me against, but he didn’t get a vote anymore.
Our marriage was a sham.
Tony would never accept me.
We shared nothing but the desire to fuck each other. I’d deluded myself the entire time, thinking there was more. Hoping he’d come around. Pure desperation led me to believe Tony’s acts of kindness were glimmers of affection.
No.
He was simply a giving person who had no feelings for me. Tony did what he could to keep me safe, happy, and fulfilled. He gave me everything I wanted but not what I needed. I wished the things in my gratitude journal filled the void in my chest.
Hunger pangs stabbed my stomach as Dad parked in a shabby strip mall next to a motel. I slid my arms from his middle. My throat tightened when I took in the shipping truck and the Legion bikers surrounding it.
Dad lugged a bag over his brawny shoulder and motioned that I should follow along. He’d muttered about a favor as he pulled me onto his bike. He showed up with my old scale and scope but I was so depressed that I followed him without question.
An incessant chime echoed from my purse.
Incoming Call: T
I silenced the call. Answering him wouldn’t do any good. I’d already texted him with the excuse that I needed space, but that probably wasn’t enough for my overbearing husband.
As Legion bikers climbed the outdoor staircases to the second level, Dad waved me forward.
I hung back. “We really need to talk.”
His bushy eyes narrowed. “About?”
“Tony.”
“Now’s really not the time.”
“Legion kidnapped Tony years ago. Tony said he was kept in a basement for weeks, beaten, starved, and God knows what else. Why would they do that to him? Did you know about this?”
Dad scanned the parking lot. He only seemed to be half-listening.
“Yes.”
“Why torture a man who wasn’t in the mafia?”
“His dad was a don. He was in jail. The Costas were weak, and Crash wanted to kill them all. So he made a move.” His expression grew pitying as he patted my head. “Oh, Evie. You’re like your mother. Not cut out for this life.”
“So he deserved it. That’s what you’re saying?”
“I don’t give a rat fuck. It’s in the past.”
“It’s not in his rearview mirror. I can promise you that.” I grabbed his arm when he twisted away. “Why did you set me up with Tony? Did you think this marriage would go anywhere?”
He stared at me blankly. “I wanted you to keep Costa busy, and you have. If he’s chasing you that’s less time he’s messing with my business.”