Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“Yes, but you’re rubbing shoulders with senators, and I believe I heard you had dinner with the chief of police.”
“You have someone watching me? Reporting back?” I can confirm with certainty that it is not one of my brothers.
"I always know what's happening in this city."
"I'm going to—”
"Listen," Father snaps, cutting me off. There are not many men that would dare speak to me in that tone. I lean back in my chair. We might be at odds when it comes to business, but I still have respect for him, so I do as he says and keep my mouth closed. “I’m not opposed to cleaning things up. I did the same when I took over, but let's face it, some people won’t want to do their legit businesses with us because of our last name alone.”
“I know,” I agree.
One of our biggest avenues are the docks. We control almost all of the docks in the city that can be privately owned, rather than those owned by the government. We are cutting ties with some of the importers we used to let use them; I need new ones. This is something Z and I have been going around and around about.
“You’re also not very charming,” my father tosses out.
“Charming.”
“Yes, charming. People have to somewhat like you. Feel like you’re really cleaning things up in order to want to do business with you. If you want legitimate business, that is.”
“And how do you want me to go about that?”
“That’s easy. You’ll get married.” It takes everything in me not to give a reaction. Ronan's brows lift while Z lets out a low whistle. I expected my father to have a solution, but never could I have imagined that marriage would be it.
“War here getting married?” Z shakes his head. “Who’d want to marry this asshole?” He says it with a smile, but he’s not wrong. I’m not winning any awards for my personality. Actually, people tend to try to stay away from me as much as possible. Unless they need something.
I can’t wait to hear how the hell the old man plans on finding me a wife. He has to know that the girl's fate wouldn’t be a favorable one. I’ll never love or care for her. I’m honestly not sure if I love my own family. I have loyalty to them, but I have never been one for emotions. I do know I care about them. However, I firmly believe that I could never love this woman.
“I already have someone in mind, and they have agreed,” our father informs us. Of course he does.
Now I have an idea where my mother is. If there is a wedding coming up, she is likely all over it. My fingers itch to pull at the collar of my shirt.
“An arranged marriage, really?” My parents had an arranged marriage, and my sister is under the assumption the same will happen to her.
At least that’s what she confessed to me one night in tears. I told her to let me worry about that. It might have worked out for our parents, but that’s not the case for everyone else.
"Do you plan to ever marry?"
"No." Without a doubt, that would put a target on the woman. I wouldn't do that. I might be cleaning things up, but we still firmly operate in the gray, playing in both worlds.
“See? Then what does it matter who you marry?” I know what he’s getting at. I could stick her somewhere and ignore the woman, but I’m sure kids are on the top of that list for my father with this plan. He wants to have a more family appeal.
“No.” I shake my head.
“I’m not asking. You will marry Tova Sullivan.”
Chapter Three
TOVA
My parents are more upset by this news than I am. I try to reassure them that everything is fine and they haven’t ruined my life. I want to ask what they owe the Marino family, but it’s been so ingrained into me about not asking questions about the Marinos that I don’t.
“I’m going to check on the garden.” I tend to the main garden on the farm. There is a lot of land here, but the garden has always been mine to oversee. There is a groundsman, but at some point, the responsibility of that area was handed over to me. It is one of my favorite places here.
"Okay." Mom gives me a hug so tight I can barely breathe. "Don't be out too late." Dad tugs Mom to him, wrapping an arm around her.
He kisses the top of her head, whispering to her. Neither of us is good with her being upset. If anyone can calm her down, it's him, but I can't help but get a sense there is something deeper they aren't telling me.
I walk my normal path toward the garden, knowing what my intentions really are. I cut flowers all the time and put them inside the main house in different vases. Normally, I try to get a peek of War. That was always the hope. Today I have a different plan. I want to speak to him. That isn’t out of line, is it? We’re to be married, after all.