Blood,deceit, and lies are the building blocks of this empire. I’m not naïve about that, and I don’t give a fuck. My father is ruthless, he makes no excuses for it, nor do I. We own tourism in this country, which is practically the backbone of the economy, but that is just a cover for all the underhanded shit politicians use our network for.
I watch Deniz from my place at the head of the thirty-seat boardroom table. He talks numbers and investments, and underneath all that, there is something I will never quiet trust. He’s excellent at what he does which is why we have used his firm as our independent advisors for years. He gets investors to sink their assets into our company, and with him at the helm of the financial side of things, we’ve acquired more wealth than any of us know what to do with. But that isn’t the problem.
My father is sick. I finally decide to admit, more to myself than to anyone else. The only way for me to inherit the company is to marry Amelia Tekin, daughter of a drug lord, and patriarch of one of the oldest families in The Society.
My father has managed to hide his illness well, never missing a social gathering, but the doctors don’t believe he’ll live another year. Cancer. The kind that eats the body and mind slowly. It’s the only reason why he stepped down and handed me the reins.
I never gave a shit about my duty and expectations until her. I don’t know what it is about Kennedy Edwards, but whenever I’m near her, it’s like an invisible force draws us together. She’s like gravity, holding me to a place I never once considered home. I want out of this fucking contract. I want to date and fuck whoever I want. I don’t want to be tied to an agreement that has nothing to do with me.
When the boardroom clears, Deniz approaches me. “Your mind has been everywhere, but in this room.”
I look up at him and wonder if I can trust this man at all. Ravi is my best friend, and he hates this asshole as much as I do.
“Might it have something to do with the girl with the violet eyes? Extraordinary, isn’t she?”
The fact that he’s even mentioning her makes me clench my fist. “No.” I lie. “I’m just worried about the Tekins holding their end of the deal.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “The girl hardly has a choice. If she wants to save her young boyfriend, she has to do as she is told. The rules are simple: When you say I do, we let him go.”
I nod and stand. “I should get going.” I button up my suit jacket.
“Of course. Enjoy these single days while you still can.” he says with a gleam in his eye. I try not to overthink it and leave the boardroom.
* * *
At seven pm,I knock at the door of her condo. She answers, her hair a wild mass of curls, her short white dress clinging to her curves like a second skin. Kennedy is the kind of beauty of mystical fairy tales. She’s ethereal, and every time I’m close to her, I realize just how unworthy I am to be in her presence. No woman has ever made me question myself the way she does.
“Hi.” she says, slipping on a shoe, then steadying herself. “You didn’t say where we were going, so I hope this will do.” She motions to her sexy as sin dress.
“This will more than do. You take my breath away.” I say, offering her my arm, which she declines. I shake my head. “You’re no fun, Güzel.”
“So…where are we going?”
“I thought I’d take you out on the water, get some food, and watch the sunset.”
“Sounds fascinating, but shouldn’t you be taking Amelia on this sunset cruise?”
“You and I both know we have a whole lot to talk about, so where better than onSiren.”
“Is that the name of your boat?”
“Yacht. And yes.” I smirk as the door to my car opens automatically for her. She climbs in, and lord help me, those legs of hers will be my undoing. She buckles her seatbelt, then I walk around, climbing into the driver’s seat. My hands want to slip between those thighs and feel the heat there.
“Eyes up here, or on the road.” she says casually.
“For now.” I meet her gaze.
“You do not intend to kill me, do you? Because Amy knows where I am, and I’ve sent enough details about you to my mother in London in case I go missing.” She folds her arms across her chest.
I offer her a grin that has her cheeks pinking. “Enjoy the ride, Kennedy Edwards, enjoy the ride.” With that, I engine purrs to life, and we speed off toward the docks. I haven’t been onSirenfor a year, but something tells me it’s time to create new memories on her. I turn on Linkin Park as we drive then look over at Kennedy, who rolls her eyes. “What, don’t like the music?”
“Nah, it’s just typical, angry man, angry music.”
I let out a laugh. “I’m not an angry man, and this is hardly angry music. But, if you have any requests, I’m sure I have some Taylor Swift on my playlist.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Do I look like I listen to Taylor Swift?”
“Adele, then? It’s more somber and heart-wrenching.” I grip my shirt for theatrics.
