Second, and more important to me, was that my brother could finally get the help he desperately needed without me needing to sell my house. I wasn’t entirely certain what kind of person that made me, but it was the truth.
I’d worked so hard for years to separate myself from my father, refusing to stay in Atlanta because I didn’t want to be associated with his merciless activities. The stories written about him had never provided a correct account of how fixated he was on making money and how little he cared about who he hurt or crushed in the process.
Including his own family.
It was as if karma needed to be served, only this time, I could make some choices. I could run part of the show.
There was no good decision, but there was one that made more sense. I was the one who closed the distance, throwing out my arm for a handshake. “You have a deal, Mr. Elliot. However, there will be certain caveats that will be placed in the body of the contract. Five million. I will help you with getting the contracts signed. I will be happy to have a discussion with my father when I announce our engagement and I will agree to stay happily married to you for a term not to exceed six months. For everyone who knows and sees us together, we’ll appear madly in love. In addition, an attorney will be provided for my brother and a facility of my choosing provided for the length of time needed with all costs paid by you. I also will maintain ownership of my company during that time. Oh, and this is a deal breaker. I refuse to be arm candy and nothing else.”
He slowly allowed a smile to cross his face. “You have a deal, Ms. Blair, but I also have one addition that is non-negotiable.” He grabbed my hand before I could pull away. The hold wasn’t about locking in a deal, but something entirely too personal.
“What’s that?”
“Our marriage? It won’t be in name only. You will be my wife in every way possible. Night after delicious night.”
CHAPTER 14
Vanessa
I’d sold my body and my soul.
To the devil reincarnated.
A handsome predator with a killer smile.
All while being decked out in Armani.
My blood should be curdled from the thought instead of feeling a rush of heat.
The sad truth that I wouldn’t admit to anyone was that I wasn’t as disgusted with myself as I should be.
I was highly intelligent with a wicked mind. Dealing with six months of being married to the man should be easy for me.
Child’s play.
With my throat still clenched, I held the phone with a shocking firmness that threatened to crush the plastic and metal.
The ache behind my eyes was increasing.
My pulse was rabbiting in my throat.
“I don’t have time to talk, Vanessa. I’m about to board my flight.”
My father’s voice was the same as always, devoid of any emotion.
Except for annoyance.
He was the master of acting as if he didn’t care about anything or anyone when necessary. My third and most insistent message had finally made him irritated that I’d bothered his precious work schedule. I’d told him more than once he should be in politics given his ability to keep a game face.
“You don’t care about your family, Dad?” I was hot for several reasons including his inability to show any emotion for what his son was going through.
His sigh was heavy and I heard an announcement in Spanish in the background. At least I knew he wasn’t lying about his location or his trip.
The red flag regarding his itinerary remained in the forefront of my mind.
“Donovan did this to himself. He’s been a troublemaker for years and now must pay for his sins.”
He made the comment as if my brother, his son had been a bad seed from day one instead of a young man who’d had his life stripped away. “He’s your son, Dad. He needs help, not incarceration.” I didn’t know why I was bothering. Maybe to find some reason to void the contract that already held my signature. I’d yet to tell my father I was about to become Christian’s wife. I wasn’t entirely certain if I was holding it as a bombshell tobe used against my father as some kind of leverage, or simply because I didn’t have the energy to try to lie about the reasons.
