Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 15867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 79(@200wpm)___ 63(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 79(@200wpm)___ 63(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
But Dad's expression is deadly serious. "Maria, say something," he pleads. "Please."
"What do you want me to say?" I ask hoarsely. "You're asking me to get married. To someone I've never met. And this is all so I can keep your restaurants alive?”
"Yes," he admits. "And so I don't end up in prison or dead in an alley. You have no idea how deep in debt I am right now."
My head spins. "Okay, well, how about we pay off the debt? We'll figure out a way to pay it back slowly, and—"
"No!" Dad says sharply. "I already tried that. It won't work. My credit is completely ruined, Maria. Everything is on the line here, and this is the only option I have left. It's my last chance. Do you understand?”
His words hit me like a slap across the face, and suddenly the room feels hot. I swallow hard. "I understand, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to accept it."
"It doesn't have to be forever, Maria. Once I recoup my losses, I'll do everything in my power to get you away from him, but for now, this is the best option to save the family legacy. Please, Maria. He swore to me he'd never hurt you."
The last sentence makes my stomach turn. "He swore he'd never hurt me? Dad, listen to what you’re saying!”
"He's not a mobster or anything. He's just … a businessman who has connections to people who can help him get what he wants."
"Like me."
"Yes. Will you do it, kid? You’re only twenty-four. This will only be a blip in your life, but it may very well save mine."
With my heart in my throat and fear settling cold in my stomach, I throw my napkin down on the table and storm off, not even bothering to grace him with an answer.
Hell no, I won't do it. I refuse to marry a stranger!
I worked so hard to start my own life, getting my degree and working as a software developer, renting my own apartment, and basically creating something separate from the family that has caused me so much grief.
No. Absolutely not. He's going to have to find another way out of this mess.
I ignore my dad yelling after me, pushing open the front door, and rushing into the night. What started as a sprinkle when I arrived has grown into a full-blown storm, and the sheets of rain are so heavy I can barely see what's in front of me. I try to cover my eyes with my forearm, digging in my purse for my keys. I can deal with being soaked to the bone if it means I get the chance to escape this place.
I almost make it to my car when a hand reaches out and grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I yelp, slapping at the hand, assuming it's my dad and unable to tell otherwise with the rainwater streaming down my face. But then, I turn around and see that it's not my dad at all.
It's a tall man, at least 6’3, with dark hair plastered to his forehead, rainwater dripping from his nose, and a stern look on his face. His eyes are so dark that I can't even see the difference between his iris and his pupil. And even though I have no idea who he is, there's something about him that makes my heart race with fear.
"Maria," he says, his voice deep and authoritative. "You're going to get in the car with me."
"What? Who the hell are you?" I try to step away from him, but he just tightens his grip on my arm.
"I'm Xavier Romano. Your future husband."
Panic swells as he pulls me forward, and I barely have time to dig my heels in before he's opening the door to a huge, black SUV and all but pushing me inside. He shuts the door behind me, but before I can scramble for the handle to try and escape, he's climbing into the driver's side and hitting the lock button.
The locks click down, trapping me in here with this strange, intense man who apparently wants me to marry him.
I whip my head to look at him. "Get me out of this car right now or I'll scream bloody murder!"
Xavier doesn't even turn to look at me. "Go ahead, Maria. No one will hear you."
I grit my teeth, trying to ignore how deep and warm his voice is. I don't know what this guy thinks he's doing, but I refuse to let him intimidate me. He reaches into the center console and offers me a small towel, which I reluctantly take. Dabbing the water away from my face, I'm finally able to get a good look at him, and really seeing him for the first time hits me like a ton of bricks.