Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19668 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 98(@200wpm)___ 79(@250wpm)___ 66(@300wpm)
“I just wanted to make sure you read what you are signing,” I said.
“Oh, okay.” I sat straight and grabbed the papers and handed them to her. She quickly perused the document, pausing only twice. The first time she gave a slight grimace. I wondered what part she didn’t find acceptable.
“Is there a problem?” I asked. Her eyes didn’t meet mine, but rather her father’s, as if he had authority over this.
“Um…no…it’s fine.” Something upset her about the contract.
“Good.” His greed couldn’t be hidden in his twisted smile or the way his hands stretched across the table reaching for the papers.
I focused on her hand movements as she swiped the pen across the documents. At first there was hesitation in her movements, but by the time she signed her last name on the first page, she steadied up. Three pages, and she was officially my wife. I released a heavy sigh of relief. It was done; Yelena was my wife.
This wasn’t the way it should be done, but I knew the prick in front of me operated differently. He had old-school ideas, and heaven helped anyone who came in between them. I could have gone to war and taken her as my prize, but I refused for her to be harmed in any way. Although he was nothing to me, he still had power. In the end I’d crush him, but for now, I wanted the easy way to claim her.
Six months of searching and waiting, and now she was mine.
“Now that everything is signed, all we need is the money transferred, and she’s yours.” I wanted to tell him that she was always mine, but I didn’t trust him with the truth. He had a lot of nerve to be so indifferent about the situation.
“Yelena, are you packed?” I asked, ignoring his statement.
She blushed, ducking her head. “Not yet.”
“Why the hell not?” her father roared.
“Watch your tone. Father or not, she’s my wife,” I said. My hand moved in front of her body as if he’d reach over the table and touch her.
“My apologies. She was supposed to be ready to go.”
“I only need a few minutes,” she said, pressing her hand to my forearm. Even through my custom suit, the heat of her fingers warmed me up.
I placed my hand over hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Take all the time you need.”
She nodded and went upstairs without looking back.
As soon as she was out of sight, I turned my head toward her father and scowled. “If you ever disrespect my wife again, I’ll bury you.”
“Whoa, calm down. You didn’t even hold up your end.”
“Your money is right here.” I handed him the briefcase with five hundred thousand dollars. I would have paid a lot more for her, but the fool didn’t know that. We had a signed document because I didn’t trust the son of a bitch. It might be semi-illegal, but that was nothing new for me. Going to war was more costly, and living without her was impossible.
“Woah, I hope this doesn’t end our business together.”
“The only business we had was your daughter’s hand. I have no reason to use your firm, but thank you for the suggestion.” I sat across from the older man and continued to assess him. What kind of man sells his daughter? What kind of man buys his wife? A desperate one.
A moment later, the sound of her footsteps was followed by a much louder, heavy step. A man in a suit approached, carrying her suitcase. He was listed as personal security for the family, but I didn’t appreciate the way he stood too close to my wife.
She just took my hand and allowed me to lead her outside. “Give me one more minute with my daughter.” I looked down to check her expression, but she didn’t seem concerned.
“Okay.” They disappeared into the hallway while I waited outside. I hadn’t missed the dark tone of his expression, and I had a million questions, but I wasn’t going to say anything just yet.
A moment later she stepped out, and I took her hand again. “Come on, Mrs. Harrison. It’s time to take you home.” She bit down on her bottom lip, keeping her head down. The tension in her body amplified with tiny shivers running through her. As soon as we were in the back of the vehicle, she anxiously kept her distance. Her thighs pressed together, eyes focused on the house that once held her captive.
“Drive, Daniel,” I said with a tap on his seat.
“Yes, Boss.” He pulled out, and then I returned my attention to Yelena. Her shoulders were raised, back stiff as she created as much distance between us as the back seat allowed.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me,” I said.
She turned her head slightly and said, “Isn’t that what they all say?”