Despite his lack of words, his smirking face reveals his amusement at my comment.
“Why do they call you Beast?”
“Because I’ve earned the name. I’m not ashamed about anything I’ve done or what I do to keep my people safe. I get what I want, including whatever it took to get you. But some parts of my life will never touch you. I promise.”
“How did you earn the name?”
“How do you think?”
Did I really think he’d give me a straight answer?
I sigh. “So, the rumors are true?”
“Depends on what rumors you’re referring to.”
Annoyed, I roll my eyes, unable to hide my frustration. “You know exactly what I’m asking, Florian.”
The intensity of his stare is so strong that it’s almost uncomfortable. I want to break eye contact, but I don’t. He may have a reputation for intimidating others, but if I’m going to be his wife, he needs to understand that he cannot wield that power over me. I refuse to look away and meet his intense gaze head-on.
After a few moments, when I say nothing or change the subject to give him an out, he sighs, leaning back in his chair. “Actually, I don’t know what you’re asking, Arabelle. There’s a lot of shit that’s been said about me in the tabloids, which I assume is where you got your information about me. And a lot of shit is said by people who claim to personally know me and by people who definitely don’t know shit about me at all. So, most of what you think you know about me is bullshit.”
As I lean back in the chair, I let out a deep sigh. “You know that’s not an answer. I want to know why they call you Beast and how you earned that name.”
“What you’re asking isn’t something I’m going to discuss with you in a restaurant. When we’re able to have more privacy, sure. I’ll divulge more to you about my life you haven’t been able to find out in the papers. At least the parts that may affect you and that you’re curious about.”
When it comes to Florian Larsson, I’m definitely filled with curiosity. He’s definitely a savvy businessman. I can tell that by the way he’s carefully navigating this conversation. His honesty has thrown me off kilter, which I believe may have been his plan the entire time. It doesn’t anger me, but it does pique my curiosity about him even more. I’m interested in finding out why he’s called Beast.
He’s a highly accomplished individual. He took over Larsson Industries, which came across more like a hostile takeover than him inheriting it from his father. So, what does that say about his relationship with his father? Is it shit like the one I have with mine?
“Who’s the woman in the pictures?” I ask, shifting topics. Maybe I can get a straight answer this time.
He laughs. “Why? Are you jealous?”
“No. I have no reason to be jealous of someone I don’t know, Florian. However, I’d like to know if my future husband plans tofuck this woman while we’re together because you two look very cozy together.”
“Did you read the stipulation in the contract?” he asks. “I’m sure if you didn’t, your attorney did when he advised you on it.”
“I did.”
“And you still ask me that question?”
“Florian, I’m not clueless even though you may think I am. You are a gorgeous man, and she looks at you like you hang the moon. Every photo of you, she’s on your arm, so she’s definitely someone you are close with. I refuse to have blinders on, despite some stipulation in a contract. Even if you want me to.”
“I’m not that kind of man, Arabelle. If I’m committed to a woman, it’s her and only her I fuck. I’ve never made that commitment to any other woman except you. Adahlia, or Addie as I call her, is someone I’ve fucked, yes, but that’s all it is. There was a time I thought of marrying her for business purposes, but that isn’t a need anymore. So, I’m not.”
“Is that what I am, too?” I ask. “A business deal?”
With a hint of a smile on his face, he leans back in his chair and takes another sip of wine. “No, Arabelle, definitely not. You’re so much more to me than any business deal, and I can’t wait to show you.”
I’ve been around powerful men. There’s a certain aura that radiates from them. My father used to be one of those men until his gambling addiction took over, and he became less like the man I grew up with and more like the pariah he is today. Florian has that same type of energy. I definitely need to find out all I can about Florian Larsson.
While he says this Adahlia is not an issue, the way she looks at him tells me that she definitely doesn’t see their relationship the way he does. Just as I’m about to ask more questions about how he’s going to handle that situation once we’re married, hisphone rings, interrupting us. Annoyance takes over his face as he retrieves it from his pocket and glances at the caller ID.
“I’m sorry, Arabelle. I have to take this.”
“It’s fine.”
While I’m eating, I attempt to listen to his conversation. I know it’s wrong to eavesdrop, but I want to know more about him. Unfortunately, I don’t recognize the language, and by the time he’s done with his call, I’ve finished my food.
