I rear back, eyes flicking to Christian, who’s sitting beside me. He looks just as shocked as I do.
“What do you mean our engagement is off?” I ask slowly.
Fabian sneers. “For someone who’s supposedly a genius, you’re really fucking slow on the uptake, aren’t you? It’s probably because you’re a fucking omega. I will not endorse your marriage. There’s a family who has information on who might have killed our father. They’re only willing to provide the information if I have something to offer them, and that’s your hand in marriage.”
“You want me to marry someone for information?” This shouldn’t surprise me, and yet, it does.
“Don’t you want your parents’ murderer caught?”
I roll my eyes. “Of course I do, but I will not marry some random guy because he says he has information. Especially since he’s probably lying through his teeth.”
“Yes, you will.”
“No, I won’t.” I scoff. “I’ve been keeping my head down and my mouth shut, but this is where I draw the line, Fabian. You’re not the boss of me. Papa already promised me to Christian, and I love him. We’re getting married, and not just because I refuse to be a pawn in your game.”
Fabian runs his tongue over his teeth as he considers me before his eyes turn to Christian. “Do you have anything to say?”
Christian glances at me before turning back to my brother. “You have my loyalty, Fabian, and you always will, but I love your sister. You know Sergio wanted her to have a say in who she married. He always promised her that she wouldn’t be forced into a marriage. I’m begging you not to do this.”
“Well, he’s dead, so his promises mean nothing.” Fabian shakes his head. “If you don’t do this willingly, Mariana, I will force you to do it and not lose a wink of sleep over it.”
I shake my head again, pushing to my feet. “You have no leverage to force me to do a damn thing, Fabian. I think it would be best if I moved out. It’s clear you don’t want me here, and I won’t do what you want. I’m going to marry Christian.”
He smirks. “I knew that’s what you’d say. No matter what you want, you won’t be marrying Christian.”
Everything happens so fast then.
Fabian pulls a gun from under his desk, aiming it at Christian and firing. Christian cries out, a long agonizing sound that’s replaced with the sound of gurgling—him choking on his own blood.
Blood hits my right side, and I scream before throwing myself at Christian.
“You fucking shot him!” I scream, hands fluttering in the air as I realize Fabian not only shot him, but he shot him in the head.
I’m not a doctor, but even I know that’s something you can survive.
I bite back a sob as Fabian rounds his desk.
“I told you that you weren’t going to marry him, Mariana—no matter what. There are consequences for denying my orders. I lost a good man because of you. Because make no mistake, Christian’s death is your fault. You made me do this.” He nods his head, and two men rush forward. “Bring her to their room. Make sure you take her phone. Fuck knows who she’ll try to call if she has access to it. You will marry the old pervert alpha—even if it turns out he has no information, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t. It seems a suitable punishment for your refusal and for making me kill Christian.”
“You’re a fucking bastard,” I hiss, not fighting as the men lift me to my feet by my arms. “I fucking hate you.”
“And I hate you, little sister, so this works out well. Soon, you’ll be someone else’s problem.” He glances down at Christian’s body. “What a fucking waste. Call a cleanup crew and get this taken care of. I have a meeting this evening, and it needs to be gone by then.”
Hatred sits heavy in my belly as grief threatens to take me out.
First, I lost Mama and Papa. Now, Christian.
I haven’t seen my younger brothers in two weeks.
Fabian has isolated me so well in such a short amount of time, and he’s sold me to an alpha he doesn’t think has the information he’s bartering. I’ll be gone before anyone even notices.
I can’t let that happen.
Well, the leaving part has to happen, but I’m not going to this alpha.
I squeeze my eyes shut as grief threatens to overwhelm me once more. I push it, and my tears, back. I don’t have time for this right now.
I have to make a plan and disappear, then I can grieve everything I’ve lost once I’m safe.
