by Stone, Piper
“What did you do, Father? What debt is required to be paid?”
I’d never seen my father crumble before, but I was able to see the level of fear as well as sadness in his eyes. “That doesn’t concern you.”
I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think clearly. This just couldn’t be happening.
Resolve. Keep your resolve.
“Just who am I supposed to marry, Father?”
He took several gasping breaths, obviously surveying the total destruction of my life with glee. “Lucian King.”
I knew nothing about the man, nor did I want to. However, I could imagine the kind of manipulative, dominating criminal he likely was. That was the only reason I could imagine for my father to sell me off like cattle.
“And if I don’t?”
A strange look crossed his face. As he turned toward me, I realized something I’d never seen before. He was a broken man.
“Then our entire family will be eliminated. I don’t think you want to have blood on your hands.”
Although I tried to remain strong, I couldn’t stop tears from sliding down my face, my heart racing, I was finally able to accept how much I hated my father.
I also knew I had no other choice.
It would seem my father had sold his soul to the devil.
* * *
“You look beautiful.”
Even my best friend’s comforting voice did little to appease the anger that had remained furrowing in my tummy as well as my heart. My own father had betrayed me, sending me away as if I was nothing but a possession to be bought and sold. I stared at the girl in the mirror, hating everything about her. In the day and a half since I’d been forced to accept my wretched fate, I’d been unable to venture back into my studio, refusing to accept the carnage left behind in the wake of my father’s violent outburst.
“I look like a whore.”
Every girl dreamed of the man she was going to marry, a knight in shining armor prepared to fight off dragons in order for the opportunity to take her hand. My dreams had turned into fantasies, the perfect man a combination of chivalry and brawn, intelligence and a deep longing for romance. Lucian King would never appear in my dreams, other than serving as the beast my handsome groom was prepared to slay.
I’d read the contract several times until the words remained etched in my mind.
“As of this day forward, Ms. Genevieve Rossi will be considered the property of Mr. Lucian King, including any and all assets bequeathed to her upon the death of her parents.”
Property.
I hadn’t been able to tell my best friend the gory details. She had no understanding of the kind of world I’d been a part of. I’d known about my father’s secret meetings with criminals, his fall from grace, but I’d chosen not to take it seriously. I’d planned for years to have a life of my own completely devoid of my parents’ tentacles. I hadn’t moved quickly enough or realized how low my father would sink.
He’d stood over me, demanding I sign the contract. When I’d repeatedly refused, he’d taken the last thing from me that mattered on any level.
My pottery wheel.
It had been a gift from my father years before, a wrinkle in his otherwise armor-plated shield. The hurt of his betrayal would never go away.
Rose sighed as she gripped my arms, peering over me in the mirror. “No, you look like a princess.” There was sadness in her eyes, although she’d done her best to keep me in good spirits. How could she understand what was going on? All I’d talked about for months was my first gallery showing. Now it would never happen. What did it matter?
“Since when do princesses wear red dresses with low-cut bodices?” My question was rhetorical, the dress another requirement from my father.
“You have the figure and chutzpa to carry it off.” Rose tried to laugh, but I could see sympathy in her eyes. She felt sorry for me while I could feel nothing but shame. “What does your mother think?”
“My mother? You mean the once beautiful ingénue who lost everything in order to marry my father? That woman?”
“She made a choice. Doesn’t she love your father?”
I laughed bitterly. “Yes, she had a choice. She just simply made the wrong one. As far as love, I wouldn’t be able to tell.” In truth, I wasn’t entirely certain she had been given a choice. I’d never heard any stories of how their romance had blossomed. There were no first dance songs or first date favorites. There were no photo albums or honeymoon pictures hanging on the walls. I actually had realized the night before that I’d never heard more than a few perfunctory mentions of their wedding.
Rose grimaced. “I’m sorry, girl. I don’t know what to say.”
There was nothing that could be said. “How many people are downstairs?” I asked as I pressed my hand against my waist, my nausea refusing to let up.
“I don’t know, a few.” Rose fiddled with my long curls, darting several glances in my direction. “Okay, maybe two hundred.”
Two hundred people were going to witness my enslavement. Oh, goody. “I’m certain my dear daddy made certain every member of the upper echelon of society is in attendance.”
“From what I could tell. There are also several members of the local press here.”
Fucking fantastic.
I’d be presented then paraded around, photographs of the night’s soiree rushed to front page news. Maybe I’d be able to keep the disgust off my face.
“For what it’s worth, Lucian King is a hottie.”
I shifted my gaze in the mirror. Rose actually believed a monster like Lucian was attractive, a real catch. I’d read enough about him, searching the internet and finding countless articles, to know he was a ruthless, brutal man who destroyed his enemies. Whatever Lucian had on my father in order for him to agree to something so treacherous must be damning. An arranged marriage. How barbaric. I’d never imagined that this kind of behavior was accepted any longer.
“Lucian King is a pig, a concrete reminder that there are evil people in this world.” All I’d needed to do was search the internet for less than ten minutes to get a better understanding of Lucian, as well as his dangerous family. They ruled New Orleans with an iron fist, pretending as if they owned the entire city.
Rose visibly shuddered, taking a step away. “But he’s handsome.”
Of course he was handsome. He was the epitome of a savage man, complete with broad shoulders and a muscular physique. Every magazine cover he’d graced highlighted his gorgeous body, the photographs accentuating his deep blue eyes.
“That doesn’t make this right.” My words no longer mattered. I’d attempted to reason with my mother, but she’d been pushed under my father’s thumb so long she had few words to say other than I’d grow to love the man.
Like hell I would.
I’d slit his throat the first chance I had.
The single knock on the door was followed by my father coming inside. I didn’t bother turning in his direction, but I was able to see the look in his eyes in the reflection in the mirror.
Despair.
Did that mean my father actually had a conscience? No, he was likely unhappy the president of the United States hadn’t accepted his invitation. Oh, what a shame.
“It’s time, Genevieve. Rose, please go downstairs,” he instructed.
Rose squeezed my arm before walking away, giving me one last look. I could see how annoyed my father was.
“You need to be on your best behavior.”
His voice was just as grating as the day he’d sabotaged my world. I planted on a smile, checking the glossy scarlet lipstick I’d applied one last time. “Oh, I assure you, Father. I will be.” When I walked closer, he yanked me by the arm, digging his fingers into my skin. His whisper wasn’t just irritating, it was frightening.
“You will obey your new master, adhering to every term of the contract, Genevieve. If you don’t, Lucian will have one of his goons terminate your family. Do you understand?”
While his words were
supposed to put the fear of God into me, instead, they fueled my anger. “I understand completely, Father.” I turned my head toward him, narrowing my eyes. “While you’ve become spineless, I have no intention of allowing that man to control my life. I will do what’s necessary and nothing more.”
I was shocked when he backhanded my face, the instant ring in my ears mixing with my anguished whimper. The force was enough my head jerked to the side. After taking deep breaths, I allowed myself to stare into his eyes. “You will regret that, Father.”
Unfazed, he jerked me into the hallway, pulling me toward the stairs. “Just do as you’re told. Act like a lady.”
“And if I don’t?”
He didn’t bother to answer the question.
As I was led down the long flight of stairs, my stomach rolled into knots. How could I be forced to marry a man I didn’t know? I was just like every other young woman, hoping to find Mr. Right in a sea of men who only seemed interested in one thing. All I wanted was romance, unbridled passion.
What did I know? I’d barely been kissed before.
I heard a series of oohs and aahs as I was taken into the living room. The sea of well-dressed people became a blur within seconds, the sounds they made echoing in my ears. I was nothing but a French poodle, well coifed and shoved into a pretty party dress.
“She’s so beautiful.”
“She’ll make a lovely bride.”
“She looks so much like her mother.”
I hated every single statement made. All I wanted to do was lash out, but I held my tongue, searching the room. When my fiancé stepped around the corner of the dining room, I sucked in my breath. Seeing the monster up close was entirely different than the pictures plastered in the news or in glossy magazines. He was extremely handsome, his charcoal gray suit unable to hide his powerful stature or sculpted muscles.
Lucian stood with his legs apart and his hands cupped together, a wry smile on his face. I could tell he found the entire pomp and circumstance as disgusting as I did, only he’d no doubt requested the fanfare. I sensed a number of photographs being taken. Our spectacular party would end up on the front pages of the New York Times in the morning. Who knew that a little girl with a penchant for stuffed animals and imaginary heroes could end up a star?
As I was dragged closer, I tried to pull away, only to have my father’s manicured nails dig into my skin. “You’re going to need to learn obedience. I’m certain Lucian will provide the harsh lessons you require. Smile and enjoy.”
I stiffened, trying to squelch my nerves. As I was forced closer, I could easily tell that Lucian was undressing me with his eyes. I was mortified, angry with everything and everyone around me. Even from the few feet keeping us apart, his scent wafted into my nostrils. I was thrown by how lightheaded I’d become, becoming almost intoxicated by the exotic fragrance. The smoldering look in his eyes remained, his nostrils flaring as I was pushed closer.
A level of fire erupted in my belly that threatened to consume me, my heart hammering to the point almost everything else was drowned out.
There was an instant hush in the room, the crowd leaning forward as the two lovebirds were brought together.
“Beautiful,” Lucian muttered yet his single word was one of possession.
Someone handed me a glass of champagne, the heavy flute almost slipping from my fingers. A hum remained in my ears as Lucian inched closer, pressing the palm of his hand against my back. My throat tightened, my legs quivering, and I had a sense of floating, far removed from the moment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. Lucian King and my lovely daughter, Genevieve Rossi. Please lift your glasses in a toast to the couple. Da cento anni.”
For one hundred years.
The traditional toast sickened me.
“For one hundred years.”
It seemed as if every person in attendance repeated the saying, the vibrations of their voices reverberating all around me. I twisted my head, no longer able to focus, wanting nothing more than a way out of my nightmare. As I took several breaths, my head spinning, a sense of calm washed over me. I had no idea what my father had gotten himself involved with, but I refused to be collateral damage.
And so, I made a decision, one that I would never regret.
The second I tossed the entire contents of my glass into Lucian’s face, I felt vindicated, happier than I’d been in a long time.
The entire crowd seemed stunned, their gasps only giving me a smile.
“There isn’t going to be any wedding. Not to a monster like Lucian King.”
Chapter 3
Genevieve
“Vindication is in the womb of time. Hold on.”
Ekwu Owie
Vindication.
Both from the look of horror on my father’s face as well as the one of surprise on Lucian’s.
I’d said what were to be my parting words, but as I attempted to skirt around him, heading for the set of French doors, Lucian snapped his hand around my wrist.
The entire room had gotten completely quiet, except for a single hiss coming from my father’s throat, his face red as a beet.
“Not so fast, little girl,” Lucian whispered as he dug his nails into my skin.
“Let go of me, you asshole.”
“Those aren’t very nice words from a beautiful woman. You need an adjustment to your manners.” He kept his firm hold as he turned his attention to the guests. “If you’ll excuse me. I think my future bride and I need to have a discussion.” He lowered his head, allowing only me to see the rage that had formed in his eyes. Without hesitation, he pulled me behind him, taking long strides through the kitchen and to the opposite wing of the house.
While I struggled, he was far too strong, dragging me like I was a ragdoll.
“What are you doing?” I demanded, doing everything I could to keep my voice from quavering. “Get off me. You don’t own me.”
He didn’t bother with a response, merely yanked me into my father’s office, closing the door behind him.
I managed to jerk out of his hold and backed away, darting glances from side to side. This was nothing but a nightmare. Crawling out one of the windows seemed impossible, but it was worth trying. As soon as I took a step back, he issued a deep chuckle followed by a tsking sound.
“I don’t think you want to do that, Genevieve.” His voice was rich and husky, the kind of deep baritone that sent flutters into my tummy. “You have nowhere to go. Even if you did escape, several of my soldiers are right outside.”
Soldiers.
Lucian raked his hands through his crop of dark hair, the waves accentuating his chiseled cheeks and full mouth.
And why the hell was I thinking this way? He was my captor, a man I hated with all my being.
I’d had no intention of allowing myself to become attracted to the man, but he was so handsome and debonair that my mouth was suddenly dry from some crazy level of magnetism. I fought the feelings with every shred of humility I had left. “I don’t belong to you. You can’t tell me what to do.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Your father was very helpful in allowing your hand in marriage.” He took a deep breath, his hard look piercing right through me.
“Allowing? You threatened my father. That’s the kind of man you are.”
When he stepped closer, I bit my lower lip to keep from moaning. He trapped me against the wall, his size alone a significant threat. I couldn’t help but tremble. I’d never felt so helpless or small in my life, like a tiny creature who’d been captured and would now be forced to live inside a gilded cage made of steel.
“You have no idea what kind of man I am.”
“One I refuse to marry.”
He laughed, shaking his head slightly. The man was making fun of me. “You have no choice in the matter.”
That’s when I decided to continue fighting him, shoving my hands with enough force he reared back. “Yes, I do. No one can force me to do anything I don’t want to do.”
His upper lip curled, and he shifted the same heated gaze from before all the way down to my black patent stilettos. “I gave your father a gift, Genevieve. His family’s life in exchange for his daughter. I thought that was a reasonable offer.”
“You’re a horrible beast. My father owes you nothing. He is an honorable man while you’re nothing but a vicious killer.”
“You’re absolutely right that I am considered abominable, but that doesn’t change the fact your father entered into a contract. If I seem to remember, your signature was on the last page as well. Your rights were forfeited.”
“Do you hear yourself? You can’t buy a person.”
He said nothing but he didn’t have to. I knew instinctively that I’d never be able to escape from the madman.
“I won’t go through with the ceremony.” My insistence sounded ridiculous.
“Yes, you will. Would you prefer being hand delivered to your previously intended groom?”
I glared at him, shocked at his audacity.
“I’m sorry?” What the hell was he getting at?
“I guess your honorable father forgot to mention that he’d already signed a deal in blood. Fortunately, I intervened. If you consider me a horrible man, I’m certain you’d have much stronger feelings about Lazaro Vitali. Unless, that is, you prefer psychopathic men in your bed. I understand he has a penchant for cages and shackles. Maybe that’s what is necessary in order to tame you.”
Tame me.
I could feel the rise of heat erupting from the base of my neck and there was no way to keep my body from shivering visibly. I knew all about the Vitali mob family. Their reputed crimes were all over the news on a regular basis. They were truly evil creatures, enjoying spilling blood in the streets, but I’d never known my father was involved with them in any way. Lucian was just playing games with me. That had to be the truth. “That’s bullshit. My father would never offer me to a pig like him.”