“What exactly does that mean?” I prod.
“It means I can take you to court. The trust prevents the sale of the restaurant within six months of John’s death, but I could get an injunction to close it, then demand it be sold off to pay the debt,” Knox answers, his face stern.
“You can’t do that. We need the money from the restaurant,” I stutter.
“I know. Andyes, I can do that.” His gaze sharpens. “Also, since we now have new evidence tying John to the embezzlement scandal, I’m within my rights as the incoming CEO of Vale Global to seize everything else you own to recoup my losses.”
My stomach drops. He says it so calmly, like dismantling my life is just another business transaction.
Mom gasps, clutching her chest. “We’ll have nothing left.”
“Thisis the solution to repaying the debt?” I cut in, grabbing the edge of my seat. “By scaring us?”
Knox glances at my white-knuckled hands and smirks. “I don’t have to scare anybody, Miss Monroe. If the truth hurts, it hurts. That’s not my problem. But I don’t like wasting time. Apart from having to wait six months to demand the sale of the property, taking you to court will likely drag on for several months, maybe years, of legal proceedings. Unless you accept the alternative.”
“Which is?”
“To marry me.”
My lungs lock, and my heart stops beating so abruptly I wonder if it will ever start again. "What?"
"To get the restaurant, you must marry," William explains.
How is he only just telling me this now?
“Marriage? You've got to be kidding me."
William shakes his head. “Sadly, I’m not. Your father’s attorneys are still handling the will and the probate filings. I’m only here as trustee, and as your father’s friend, to explain what’s happening and the best options before they contact you. It would be a breach of conduct for them to suggest marriage as a way to clear a debt. While I don’t condone the idea myself, marrying Mr. Vale would, technically, be mutually beneficial to you both.”
“But it’s marriage.Marriage, William.” The air squeezes out of my lungs like I’ve been punched.Marriage. Like it’s some neat solution on a spreadsheet instead of the wrecking ball it feels like in my chest.
“After six months, you'd own the restaurant in equal shares. At which time you could sell and divide the profits, buy each other out at market value, or keep it. You could also divorce and go your separate ways."
William is talking. His lips are moving. Everything he's saying is clear as crystal. I just can't get my mind to work.
Marriage.
Marriage to Knox Vale?
I don’t know him, and I already think he’s an asshole. Yes, my father wronged him and his company. Dad has disappointed and disgusted me to no end, but make no mistake—Knox Vale is the devil.A monster.
How the hell can I marry him?
But… what are my choices?
He just told me what would happen if I turned him down. We'd be left with nothing.
"This is serious," I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.
I glance at Mom just as a tear runs down her cheek.
Knox leans forward, resting his forearms on his knees, every inch the predator closing in. "You went to Brown. I take that to mean you're a smart girl. I'm sure you can figure this out." He stands. "William will go through my terms and conditions with you. You have three days to give me an answer, so don't keep me waiting. I'm not a patient man."
He gives me a final once-over, then heads toward the door, leaving it open as he saunters away.
His menace lingers in the air, filling me with a sharp, unmistakable dread.
Chapter Two
