“Are you nervous?” she asks me.
“A little. Not about fighting, but what happens after. He only gives me a week in between fights to heal, and that’s barely enough time.”
“Isn’t there any other fights? Like other people?”
“There are, but I’m not getting involved with those. Those are big-time mafia and shit. I’m not going to associate with them,” I explain to her as I run my hand through my hair.
“Mafia? Really?” I nod my head as she blows out a breath. “I always thought that shit was in the movies.”
“It’s real life, River. Not something you want to get mixed up in, that’s for sure.”
“He won’t give you a break?” I shrug this time. I’ve never asked for one, so I have no idea what he’d say.
“I need the money,” I tell her. She nods her head before leaning over and resting her head on my shoulder. Having Riveraround has been nice, but at the same time, I hate to see her like this. Living on the street isn’t ideal for her. I know she’s uncomfortable a lot of the time, I can see it in her eyes, and it makes me wonder why she stays. I’m sure by now that her family has put out a missing person report if they even care she’s gone. Maybe they just think she’s messing around like before.
“Let me ask you something,” I say to her.
“What?”
“You’re going to inherit a lot of money, right?”
“If I get married. That’s the stipulation. I have to be married,” she replies.
“Then why not get married?”
“Those men … they don’t want to marry me for me. They want to marry me for money, power. For who my father is. I don’t want that. I want to be happy. I want a home and maybe kids one day. I want someone who loves me and doesn’t see the money signs or think of my father when they hear my name.”
“Fair enough. But you haven’t found someone like that.”
“No. I haven’t.”
“Then marry someone to get the money and file for divorce.” She looks up at me and shrugs.
“That could work. Not with those men, obviously, they’d never go for it.”
“I’ll marry you.” My words shock the shit out of both of us when they leave my mouth. River sits up quickly, staring at me.
“You what?”
“I said I’ll marry you, so that you can get your money.”
“What do you want? Half?” Now I laugh and shake my head.
“Fuck, no. I don’t want your money, River. I’ve made that clear. I’ll help you get your money, though.” River shoves to her feet and paces around in front of me for a long minute before turning to face me once more.
“You’d really do that?” she asks seriously.
“Why the fuck not? You get your money then.”
“And you get what?”
“Nothing. The luxury of knowing you didn’t have to marry some asshole to get your money,” I admit. I don’t want anything from her. It’s just a thought that would help her out. She has to know by now I wouldn’t touch her money.
“And you’re okay with getting a divorce?”
“I’m fine with it,” I tell her. Although the thought of keeping her has crossed my mind, I barely know her. I don’t know her enough to keep her, but that thought lingers in the back of my mind.
I wasn’t looking for anything or a girl for that matter, but River is different. She pushes my buttons, seeing how far she can get with me. She doesn’t back down from me as most people do, and I think that’s what I like the most about her.
