Luke’s vision rings true, I won’t be around to say I do. Then again, it’s not like I’ll be saying it anyway. Even if the vision doesn’t come to fruition, I’m only doing this to buy myself time to deal with him and his threats.
Getting to his feet, he helps himself to my liquor cabinet, pouring himself a sizeable glass of whiskey.
He drains it and pours himself another, this time not so much, and then pours one for me. Crossing the room, he hands me my glass and raises his own. I clink mine to his and he nods.
“We still have details to smooth out. For instance, living arrangements, social gatherings, things of that sort. It goes without saying, you’ll be expected to move into the mayor’s mansion and accompany me to such events and whatnot.”
Men, they’re all the same. As long as they’re the ones taking the lead, they’re happy.
“I’m happy to follow your lead, Alexander.”
He grins. “I must say, I was expecting a fight about you leaving this glorious estate.”
“It’s only bricks and mortar, and it’s not like I have to sell. I’m sure we can come to some arrangement where we occasionally sleep in my bed.”
And like all men, at the mention of sleeping in my bed, his eyes burn with lust.
“Yes, we can most certainly come to some arrangement.”
I’d rather dance with the Devil on a bed of hot coals than move away from my family’s estate. I have one year to decide how to end him without it backfiring on me or my men.
Setting his glass down on the nearby table, he takes the box from me and
removes the ring, sliding it onto my finger. The weight of it is suffocating, but I smile, reminding myself: this is for my family name.
Chapter Five
Raphael
My fucking bow tie is crooked. No matter what I do, the damn thing won’t sit straight. It’s bad enough she’s engaged to that asshole, fake or not, but to sit at a dinner to celebrate it is far, far worse.
I assess my reflection in the mirror. While my bow tie isn’t cooperating, my tux is on point.
“Cousin, I’d like to introduce Ms. Maria Capulet, your date for the evening.”
My frustration must have me losing my hearing; I didn’t even hear them enter.
I turn to give her the once-over.
She’s beautiful, no doubt about that, with her glossy brown hair curled loosely, pinned away from her face. Her too slim body is sheathed in a black, floor-length dress, with lace covering her arms and shoulders, set off with a diamond choker clasped around her neck. But she’s not heart-stoppingly beautiful.
“Are you new to the city?” I ask her, noting her eyes are just as dark as Mila’s, framed with perfectly maintained brows.
I haven’t seen her around before, not even in passing, but just because she doesn’t take my breath away, doesn’t mean I’m not a red-blooded male and wouldn’t have noticed her.
“Yes. I recently moved to the city to live with my father.”
Her voice is laced with sweetness, as well as a purity that grates on my last nerve. I’ll have to see about keeping her quiet this evening.
Cristian steps forward and informs me, “Her father works for you.”
“Very well.”
Checking myself out once more in the mirror, I tug on the bow tie until it finally sits right.
Crossing the room, I hold my arm out to the girl who nervously laces hers through it. That’s when I get a whiff of her perfume—just as sickly sweet as her voice.
“Remember to hold your tongue and your gun,” Cristian murmurs quietly from my side as we walk out the front door.
It won’t be hard to control my urge to shoot, as the guards at the mayor’s mansion will take my gun from me before entering. The same can’t be said for my tongue.
Once we’re in the car and on our way, I glance over at my date who’s pretending to look out the tinted window she can’t see shit through. I guess it’s better than having her looking at me.
“I’m sure your father has already told you the rules, but I’ll repeat them for my own peace of mind. No discussing what you see or hear tonight to anyone, not even your father. Speak only when spoken to, and don’t embarrass me.” Her eyes widen, but she’s quick to nod, assuring me she understands. “Above all, remember your place.”
“I understand.”
Again, her voice has me grinding my teeth together.
I let out a sigh when we drive through