When he doesn’t volunteer that information, and I grow tired of waiting, I stand up and demand, “What is it that you want, Faiz?”
He turns to face me again, this time with a smug grin on his face.
“I’ve come to inform you of the marriage I’ve arranged on your behalf.”
“Marriage?” I scoff. “What are you talking about?”
My father has always been adamant that I should marry into an influential family. It was always the plan for my life. But it’s a topic he hasn’t mentioned in a very long time…so why now?
“You will be marrying Ali Koskos’s daughter. He is a powerful Bratva leader, and an alliance with his family will bring power to our family and wealth to our businesses. I’ve already made the arrangements. I will send you the details. All you need to do is show up and sign the papers,” he explains, looking pleased with himself.
My lips curl into a sneer, and I shake my head.
Sure. A marriage that builds an alliance with Ali Koskos would be hugely beneficial to my status and business. But I know better than that. This is my father’s play, not mine. This will benefit him more than it will benefit me. And something is definitely going on behind the obvious alliance we would gain from this; he’s got something up his sleeve. He’s making moves to grab his throne back, to push me out of the control seat. And because I’m not fully in control yet, not until his name is off the paperwork, he’s doing whatever he can to make sure he retains power and stops my progression.
“I won’t be marrying Ali’s daughter,” I state clearly. There isn’t even an option for negotiation here. I won’t marry a stranger. I won’t do as my father wants.
He’s proven too many times that everything he does, everything, is just another scheme. Another manipulation. I've finally come to understand that he doesn’t even care about his children; my sister and I have always just been tools to him.
That’s why it’s such a relief that she’s no longer in Phoenix. The fact that Jess is with Emmanuil, married to a powerful man who can actually protect her, takes a huge weight off my shoulders.
He’s keeping my father away from Jess, and it’s given me the opportunity to make bolder moves without worrying about how it will affect her safety.
So, no, I won’t be marrying some random girl at Faiz’s request.
Besides, the life I want is withher.The girl who has haunted my thoughts for years.And I plan to have what I want.
“Excuse me?” he snaps.
“I think you heard me perfectly fine. You can stop whatever negotiations you have with the Koskos family.”
“You are refusing my command?” my father asks coldly, his eyes growing darker as he squares his body towards mine in challenge.
“It’s been a long time coming, the day you realized I'm done complying with whatever you ask.”
I’m taller than him these days. Broader, stronger, bolder. But his ego is bigger than anyone's I know.
He stands quietly, observing me.
“I see,” he mutters, his eyes burning fire into mine.
“Was there anything else?” I say, getting ready to usher him out of my office. I know his usual tantrum is about to commence. His usual angry outburst, telling me he made me, without him, I am nothing…blah blah blah. I’m not in the mood.
“You’re making a mistake,” he growls quietly, an unnerving confidence edging his words.
I’m taken aback. Where’s the outburst? Where’s the uncontrolled shouting and throwing whatever is within his reach?
“No, I’m not,” I say calmly. But as I stare at him, I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking, what plan he has burning behind his eyes.
“You are, and let me say this before I leave: you should be careful what you wish for, son. That life you want… it might cost you everything.”
I cock my head to the side and narrow my eyes at him.
His warning suggests he knowsmyplans. My wishes. My dream of living completely free of him.With her.But how could he? I’m just being overly paranoid. He doesn’t know anything about how I feel towards her. I’ve kept her safe for years, out of his line of sight.
“I’ll take my chances,” I snap back.
He growls, a low, threatening sound that rumbles through his chest. Then he turns and walks out of the office, pausing at the doorway to glance over his shoulder.
