River nods, her jaw tight as Beckett turns back to her and grimaces. They hold each other’s gaze a second too long. There’s obviously something going on with them, but I don’t know what. And it’s clear neither of them feels like sharing.
Shivers creep up my spine. They’ve always been cautious, especially when it comes to my safety, but they’ve taken things to a whole new level recently. They don’t trust anyone—definitely not any of Vincent’s men, not even their friends.
Good, welcome to my world.I don’t trust anyone but them, either.
While we wait for the hostess, Beckett steps to River’s side and pulls her into his chest with his arm and residual limb, comforting her. It’s an unusual display of affection when they are working. Usually, they’re all business working as my only trusted security guards.
For a second, I look at them with envy even though their life has been anything but easy. Beckett lost an arm, and River lost her life. They both almost lost each other numerous times. But it must be nice to be able to love the person they care most about so openly.
The hostess gestures to us and leads us through the restaurant to where a long rectangular table has been set up in place of the usual intimate tables for two or four. Normally the restaurant would be packed with people, but my father rented out the entire place for the night. The only guests here are sitting at a single long table.
We are the last to arrive by design. It gives Beckett and River time to observe everyone and look for any threats. But it also means there are only three seats left at the table. The one I’m expected to sit in is clear—the one next tohim.
I refuse to take that seat, though. I’d rather sit anywhere else. It’s petty, but I don’t care—if it’s a decision I can make, I’m going to make it.
I’m about to sit in the seat furthest away from Lennox, when Beckett suddenly slides into the seat, limiting my choices.
I practically shriek at him, but he ignores me and immediately starts talking to Hayes next to him. I’m glad I didn’t end up married to Beckett like my father originally wanted. He’s quickly become like an annoying older protective brother. He’s fucking drool-worthy, sure, but I could see from the second I came back that he was in love with River. And no matter how attracted I was to him, I would never hurt my sister. Even if she isn’t a sister by blood, she means everything to me and more.
I shake my head and am about to sit in the middle seat when River beats me to it. She at least has an apologetic look on her face and mouths ‘sorry.’
I sigh. I should relinquish control and accept my fate. My life would be much more enjoyable if I did. I’d be a powerful wife of a mafia boss. I’d be pampered and live in a big mansion. I’d have people protecting me. I wouldn’t have to work. I could draw and paint every day and not worry about a thing.
I sit down in the seat, feeling everyone’s eyes on me as I hold my head high, not daring to look at the man to my left.
That would be the easy choice—surrendering. My chest tightens at the thought of giving up freedom for protection. Freedom for safety. I’d rather risk my life for a chance at love than ever surrender.
I’m not the same girl I was when my father sent me away for my safety.
One day I was a normal girl, living with adopted parents, having nightmares every night about a past I barely remembered. I was dating boys, learning to drive, and figuring out which colleges I wanted to attend. I was learning to draw, spending afternoons chilling with friends, and evenings working at a bar. And then the next thing I knew, I was thrown back into a life of menacing men who treat me like my only worth is in marrying and breeding to give them heirs who will eventually become dangerous men too.
That little girl before I left was scared, meek, and timid. I was indecisive and loyal. But I’ve changed, and soon, everyone is going to know just how much.
Vincent is sitting at the head of the table, and his are the only eyes I haven’t felt on me. Lennox is to his right—already seated at the right hand of the devil.
I wish my father would look at me—show disappointment in me. But he loves me too much to ever be disappointed in me. He wasn’t even upset when River fell in love with the man he picked out for me. For once, I wish he would be pissed at me. It might make me feel worthy, like I’m not his little princess he expects perfection from. I’m a flawed human who wants to follow her own heart like every other man here gets to.
Vincent opens his mouth, and the room falls silent. He didn’t ask for attention, he demanded it, and he got it. It’s one of the things I respect most about my father. He’s ruthless and powerful, and he’s earned every bit of his position.
A dozen eyes look at him and listen eagerly for him to speak. Most are the highest-ranking men my father trusts, here with their wives. The rest are Lennox’s men.
I don’t look at my father as he speaks; I look at the men. Any one of them could be the reason I spent over a decade living with strangers. As much as I know River and Beckett will protect me—I want revenge. I want to hurt whoever took my youth from me. If it wasn’t for them, I would have had years to convince my father to let me choose my own husband. He wouldn’t feel the rush to have me married and produce an heir.
“Thank you all for coming. As you know, we have much to celebrate tonight. The announcement will be public soon enough, but I wanted my close circle, the people I consider my family, to be the first to know and congratulate the couple. My daughter, Rialta, is engaged to be married to Lennox Crane.”
Vincent turns to Lennox. “Lennox has agreed to take the blood oath at the wedding, which will ensure that he is ready to be one of us. But in the meantime, welcome Lennox into our family and join me in congratulating the soon-to-be newlyweds.”
Blood oath?
I’m not sure I want to know what that is. Some stupid ritual that will supposedly ensure his loyalty, not that it’s stopped someone among us from continually trying to kill me.
Vincent lifts his drink, as does everyone else at the table, and they drink to us. Lennox doesn’t look at me, and I don’t look at him. We haven’t talked since two nights ago when Lennox tried to save me from what he thought was a kidnapping and rape, when really it was just me trying to meet up with my boyfriend.
I don’t know why Lennox agreed to this, except to gain power. He doesn’t like me. In fact, I don’t think Lennox likes anyone. He’s the grumpy one, the responsible one, and evidently, the power-hungry one.
Cheers ring out across the room, mostly from Lennox’s friends. Vincent’s men are skeptical. Most of them are Vincent’s age and married, but any one of them would jump at the chance to take Vincent’s position. They’re unlikely to trust a newcomer, even though Vincent thinks this is for the best. This dinner is as much about seeing if anyone leaks my fiancé’s identity to the outside world. If someone does, it brings us a little closer to finding the possible mole in our ranks.
I look at Lennox out of the corner of my eye. He doesn’t take a sip of his drink, and he still won’t look at me. He stoically sits there in his blue suit, which clashes with my emerald dress. It figures we can’t even dress complimentary—this marriage is doomed before it’s started.