“Tomorrow,” I answered.
“I see. Go on,” he replied. There appeared to be a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes now.
“You see, I’ve been having second thoughts about going through with it. I didn’t sign any contract. I didn’t agree to resign my life to a loveless marriage and when I told my father I wouldn’t go through with it, he threatened to kill me. Not only that, but the Battista family did too. I’m scared and I hoped that you might be able to help me,” I explained.
“Your father threatened you?”
This time he sat forward, looking at me intensely as he pressed his elbows to his knees. I’d finally caught his interest and I decided to continue.
I told him about the cake tasting earlier that day. I didn’t leave anything out from the moment he threw me against the wall and put his hands around my throat. Jaxon’s jawline tensed just the slightest bit and I breathed a tiny sigh of relief at the small sign that he was finally beginning to really listen to my story.
“Who in the Battista family threatened you? Was it your husband-to-be?”
I nodded tentatively. His interest had peaked at my father’s malice, so I decided to embellish my story a little bit. I’d never met Anthony, but it didn’t matter. I decided to lie so that it would increase my chances of earning his assistance.
“His name is Anthony Battista. He’s not a nice guy either. When I was at my final dress fitting earlier today, he called me. News must have gotten to him about my reluctance to go through with the whole thing and he wasn’t happy. He told me that he would take me in his bed tomorrow night and that he’d take me whether or not I was his wife. He promised me that he’d make me regret it if I refused to marry him tomorrow and he didn’t care who saw the bruises after that. He told me if the wedding didn’t happen as expected, it would eventually and that I wouldn’t have a choice,” I said, lying my ass off with every word.
“And what would you have me do, Keri?” he questioned, his eyes searching mine. His gaze was harsh, and I looked away, unable to keep eye contact with a man as formidable as him.
“I want you to take care of it,” I replied boldly, putting all of my strength into every last syllable.
“Are you telling me the truth?” he asked, cocking his head to the side.
“Of course I am,” I responded.
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you, Keri?” he asked.
“No. I’ve told you everything. Will you please help me?” I added carefully. I looked up at him through my lashes, hoping I looked the part of a girl in need of a big powerful man to protect her. If it affected him at all, he didn’t let it show. I schooled my features, trying not to reveal that his lack of reaction bothered me. Was I not pretty enough for him? Was I not in enough danger for him to want to protect me? Did he not want me at all?
“I’m going to make a few calls and see what I can do. If I find out you’re lying to me, you’ll be in trouble,” he answered, and I tried not to let it show how very much that unnerved me. At the same time, though, something deep inside me leapt with interest at his veiled threat.
What was going to happen next?