My mouth instantly goes dry, and I take a step back, shaking my head slowly. Luca reaches in and grabs the ring and turns to face me. Tears sting my eyes as he grabs my left hand. I want to punch him. Fight him. I want to tell him that it’s ugly and over the top, but it’s really all I ever wanted.
He slides it on my finger, and a tear slides down my face. It fits perfectly, of course. He runs his finger over it before releasing my hand. It drops to my side like an anchor, the weight pulling my hand down.
I spin around to run, but something else stops me. My stomach drops when I see the black garment bag hanging from the rack. I take a step back, but my ass hits the dresser. “Is that …?” I swallow the knot in my throat. It’s a reminder of what this truly is.
A contract.
This isn’t love.
The ring. The dress. It’s all too much. Too fast. There has to be a way to stop it.
He comes up to me and places his hands on either side of my hips. I stiffen.
“Calm down, Haven,” he orders softly. “I can hear your heart pounding in your chest.”
I feel it may explode.
“This is your dress for our engagement announcement tonight.”
That doesn’t help me. Just because it’s not a wedding dress doesn’t mean it’s not just as threatening.
He runs his knuckles down the side of my face, smearing the single tear down my neck. He stops on my racing pulse, and I look up at him. “We can … You can call it off.” I stumble over my words. “It’s never too late.”
He arches a brow.
My heart pounds as my thumb runs over the platinum band of my engagement ring. “They don’t get to rule our lives. I know—”
“They?” he interrupts me.
Swallowing nervously, I add, “Our fathers.”
He gives me a smile that makes the hairs on my neck stand. He opens his hand and slides it into my hair, tilting my head back in the process. I hold my breath as he bends down and whispers in my ear, “This is all my doing, Haven. Make no mistake about that. I wanted you, and now I have you. Today, tomorrow, forever.” He kisses my forehead gently. When he pulls away, I feel another tear fall. His dark eyes watch it without any remorse. “Get in the shower. You smell like cigarette smoke. And Mrs. Brown will be here in an hour to help you get ready.” With that, he exits the closet.
The sound of the door shutting behind me has me falling to my knees.
CHAPTER SIX
HAVEN
I STAND IN the middle of the ballroom at Luca’s. He stands to my right, my father to my left. They both have smiles on their faces and laugh at the stupid jokes the men say.
I feel numb, completely and utterly numb. I’ve thought of taking one of the butter knives that the waiters carry around on their trays and stabbing myself in the chest just to see if I feel it. I wonder how long it takes a person to bleed out? Maybe my best option would be to go for a wrist. Would they be quick enough to stop me? Would they be smart enough to stop the bleeding? Most likely. Everyone knows to put pressure on a wound. But if I could cut it deep enough …
I’ve never contemplated suicide until tonight. But I have come to a point in my life when that may be the only way out. Death has always been this black cloud hovering over us all, but at this point, it may be my saving grace.
It’s our engagement party. The announcement of our engagement. Luca’s mansion is full of reporters, mob bosses, the Mafia, and my father’s clients. Complete strangers to me.
Jasmine isn’t here ’cause I haven’t spoken to her. And I haven’t had a chance to try to call Emilee again. I’m all alone.
“Haven?” Luca growls my name in my ear and tightens his hand on my hip. He’s had me glued to his side all night, showing me off like a trophy he won. “Mr. Ronald asked you a question.”
I blink. “I’m so sorry.” And fake a smile. I feel my face may crack due to how tight it is.
The man with the biggest gap I’ve ever seen between his teeth looks straight at my tits. I’m not surprised. Mrs. Brown did my hair and makeup, then dressed me in a pink Chanel dress that zips up the back. It comes up high on my neck like a noose but has a keyhole front, dipping low to show off my cleavage.
The dress Luca bought for me. I no longer have any say on how I look or what I wear.