Shock registers on my features as I mockingly say, “Yeah, hard pass.”
My stoic father, the man who typically reins in his emotions like a stone statue, crosses the room and plants a firm smack on my cheek. “You will do as you’re told.”
Instinctively, I massage the sore flesh on my right cheek. Indignation curls like a viper in my gut, getting ready to strike.
“I’m tired of you living and feeding off this family,” my father continues. “It’s time you prove your worth, son.”
“My worth?”
I glare at the mantel behind him, catching sight of a gold frame harboring a picture of my grandmother holding me. My shoulders tense as I bow my head.
“Yes, your worth,” my dad repeats, his voice back to the same level of control as always. “I’ve done countless things I didn’t want to provide you a comfortable life. If you don’t marry Alex, I’ll disown you.”
Great, now I have that to worry about. It completely ruins my plans.
“Is that all, Dad?” I ask in a flat tone. “Can I leave?”
“Leave, please.”
Just wait till Nana hears about this, I think as I march out the front door and cut across the verdant lawn to the cottage seated just at the far left of the mansion near the tree line. She’ll take my side. She always takes my side.
The cottage is simple, classier than the mansion, the only remnant of a time centuries before. It’s the original dowager house with everything that my nana could possibly need—though that doesn’t stop her from visiting her favorite grandson in the entire world.
As soon as I walk through the doors, she greets me with a kiss on each cheek. Warmth settles into my gut, soothing the viper that wants nothing more than to bite everyone in its path. But not my nana. She’s too precious to me.
“I know that look,” she teases as she gestures to the table in the front room. “Sit down. I’ll make tea. Tell me everything.”
Once I have a cup of chamomile in my hands, I spill about the latest from my father, adding, “Can you believe that idiot wanted four marriage contracts? And people call me selfish.” I slurp my tea. “Nana, I can’t believe this. I don’t want to marry Alex.”
“Fletcher is right.”
“I know, right? And that’s—” I grimace as I settle my surprised gaze on her. “What?”
“My son is correct, Soren. You have to win that contract. This is your opportunity to help the family.”
Flattening my lips into a tight line hardly relays my disappointment. I would have thought my nana would side with me, not against me. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m more than serious, pup,” she snaps. “The late Felipe knew too many of our secrets. If you make Alex your wife, then you make her complicit.”
“So, I have to do this because my family had loose mouths?”
Her gaze could sharpen a knife. “Our family.”
A moment passes where I consider the facts. I set the teacup down and rest my palms on my knees. “Of course, Nana. Our family.”
“And our family will lose so much more than wealth if your father’s secrets are revealed to the world. You’ll do well to remember that.”
Sure, I’m furious, but I can’t argue with Nana. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good boy.” She rises from her chair and grins as she pats my cheek. “Go back home, pup. You need to figure out a way to win that girl over.”
No argument there, but I feel a tinge of annoyance that I didn’t know about this before. I leave before I can say anything that will compromise my favor with my nana. In my bedroom, I consider the ride home with Alex, kicking myself for being so damn overzealous. I can’t take it for granted that she’ll pick me after an afternoon of verbal abuse.
Unless…My devious grin greets my reflection in the full-length mirror facing my king-size bed. I should call Parker.
Seconds later, I have my best friend on the line. “I’m pretty sure Alex might not be a virgin.”
“What do you mean?”
“Gave her a ride home today and she was all over me, bro.”
The way he growls doesn’t faze me in the least. That means my plan is working. “What the fuck?”
“Just like Lev said.”
“I’m getting sick of Lev being right about her.” He grunts, pauses, and then asks, “What the fuck should we do?”
I hum thoughtfully as I lean on my elbows. “We should check her regularly. You know, make sure she stays a virgin.”
Another growl ruptures the line. “Let’s fucking do it.”