“Well, my Angel...” My father rounded his desk until he stood between the man—Gaven—and me. Jackie moved back with a frown, her eyes darting between the three of us. “I was planningto talk to you this evening, but I expect there’s a reason you came in here so abruptly. I’m sure you’ve heard by now.”
“Yes.” I remembered the reason with sobering clarity. I turned to my father. "Is it true?" My eyes met his. "You're planning toforceme to get married?" I emphasized the word ‘force’ to showcase my extreme dislike of this situation.
“Yes.” The answer came through loud and clear, but to my utter surprise, it didn't come from my father. My head pivoted as if twisting on an axis. With my full attention now on him, Gaven smiled gently and continued. "Your father has asked me to join the Price Family and take you as my wife."
Another sliver of shock echoed through me, not because it was happening so quickly, but because I hadn’t expected the man before me to be the one I would be forced to marry. There it was, though—that damn premonition. Before I could respond, my father spoke up once more.
"It's my goal, Angel, to have Gaven become the next head of the family. It's time for me to step down and let the business go into younger, capable hands. I’m ready to retire, and I want to make sure that my girls are well taken care of.”
Gaven chuckled. "I'm not all that young, Raffaello."
"You're far younger than I am," my father replied with no small amount of amusement.
I was reeling, and I could feel the hope that had bloomed in my chest despite my worst fears dying a slow and painful death.
“You can’t be serious.” At first, I thought my horror and confusion had all come pouring out in that one word until I realized it wasn’t my voice at all.
Father shot Jackie a disapproving look at her words, but otherwise ignored the outburst, taking a step closer to me and reaching for my hands. “Please, my Angel,” he said in a low voice. “I hope you understand that this is necessary. For our family to continue, Gaven will ensure your safety and?—”
"Is this because of my acceptance?” I demanded, cutting him off. I flash a dark look at Gaven out of the corner of my eye, unsure if I should say anything about the university in front of him, but also unwilling to let my father go without a clear answer.
"No, this is not about the matter of your acceptance to Eastpoint University," my father said. "This is simply the best course of action for the family and for you."
I shook my head. “No, I don’t—Ican’tagree to this.”
My father’s face changed, shifting and morphing into one I knew too well. It was the face of the head of the Price Family—the immovable and unrepentant man who was responsible for things I refused to be a part of. Things that would almost certainly have him arrested and committed to federal prison for life if he were any less careful. And now … I was the next piece of his business plan. A simple pawn, no matter how much I worked on leaving this life behind.
"I've made my decision," he said, releasing my hands, leaving me feeling cold all over as the blood drained from my face. "It would be in your best interest to give Gaven a chance."
“This isn’t the medieval ages, Dad,” I hissed, my voice breaking when I realized Gaven was watching my humiliation with a curious and analytical gaze.
“No, but you are part of a very old-school family, Evangeline. My marriage was arranged too. Youwillagree to this.” It was a command, not a request. I wanted to protest harder, but I knew the truth—no matter how much my father might care for me, he would force the issue. Or choose someone far worse.
Heart hammering against my ribcage, I looked over to Gaven Belmonte. By all appearances, he wasn’t monstrous. Appearances, however, could be deceiving. As if understanding that our small interlude had come to an end, Gaven stepped forward and offered his own hand in greeting.
“It truly is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Angel,” he said. “I look forward to our life together.”
“Evangeline,” I corrected automatically as I took his hand. It nearly engulfed mine with warmth and strength. His palm and fingers were rough with callouses as he squeezed lightly.
He smiled. “I think Angel suits you.”
I wasn't sure how to respond to that, so I remained silent, simmering in my rage and desperation. Already, I was trying to work out what would be the best course of action.
How could I turn back the clock?
How could I get out of this?
What did I have to do to get this man to refuse me as his wife?
“I understand you may be a little confused by all this, but I was hoping that you would join me for dinner tomorrow.” He smirked. “I think it’d be nice to get to know one another more intimately, don’t you?”
My lips parted and my eyes bounced from his to my father's and to Jackie’s—who stared at the two of us with a deep scowl on her face. “We don’t know each other,” I stated. “What makes you think one dinner will change anything?”
“Angel.” My father’s angry voice was so rarely turned on me that when he said my name in that gravelly tone, it made my pulse jump.
Gaven’s hand tightened on mine, and he used his hold to pull me closer until he could lean down and brush his lips over my ear as he spoke. “I promise you won’t regret it,” he said. “Just one date.”
“She agrees,” my father said.
