She frowns like she thinks I’m holding out on her. I’m not; Jaeger and I don’t have a last name. Then she says, “Like a Kaiser roll.”
The fuck?
“Kaiser roll.” She does a little shimmy in her seat. Brat.
“Bella,” her father warns.
“We’ve had our eye on your family for some time,” Damien says. “We’ve had certain agreements with your father over the years. Now, he has broken them, and he owes us a debt.”
“I stay out of my father’s business,” she says. “Are we in trouble?”
“Not if you do as you’re told.” St. James finally sees fit to speak. Bella startles, as if she’s forgotten he was lurking there.
“Me?”
“We’ve updated the contract with your father, but it requires collateral.”
“I’ve agreed to give Kaiser your hand in marriage,” her father says.
Bella sits frozen. I rest a hand on the back of her neck. “Breathe.” I can’t have her passing out on me.
“Marriage,” she repeats like she can’t believe it. “But… I don’t want to get married.”
“It’s necessary,” I say. “For your protection. No one will lay a hand on you when you’re my wife.”
Bella
* * *
Wife.
My mind has gone completely blank. Someone is talking, but I can’t hear them over the ringing in my ears.
I know it’s common for the big mafia families to sell off their daughters and even sons in marriages to cement alliances, but I never thought it would happen to me.
“I don’t want to marry anyone,” I repeat. My brain is shorting out.
It doesn’t help that every time I stare up at Kaiser’s beautiful face, I lose my train of thought.
“I understand, Bella,” my father says. “I know it’s not what you wanted, but it’s for the best. This will be good for everyone. Kaiser has assured me you can continue to go to school. You will both live here and…” He keeps talking, but I can’t hear him.
This is nuts. Absolutely bananapants. I’m not going to think about what a marriage to my stalker will be like. I refuse!
I lean forward so I can stare at my father, trying to read between the lines.
Why the hell is he going along with this?
His gaze is intent on mine, his expression worried, almost pleading. I’ve never seen him like this. He rarely shows his emotions. He’s usually so calm and in control, but now he seems resigned to our fate. Something about this situation has shaken him.
But we have so many ways to fight back! It would be better if I had my backpack; I carry a salve that looks like hand cream but can eat through metal. I came close to using it on Radley in the poison garden. But I’m not the only one armed; there are at least ten weapons within Papa’s reach.
At any point, either of us can say a catchphrase that will rain a poison mist down on these guys. It wouldn’t be pretty–Papa would have to run for an exit or shelter to keep from being badly burned, but he could do it.
I don’t understand why he doesn’t do it. It’s a last-ditch effort, but…
I open my mouth and start the first half of the code sentence that will activate the system. “Shoshonna Bosco?—”
“Belladonna. No,” my father interrupts. His face flushes, like he’s losing his temper. “Now is not the time.” He’s trying to communicate that this is important.
