Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98583 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
I keep my face carefully neutral. “Who are we talking about here, Demir?”
“Helena Willing-Morris.” He tilts his head to study me. “I assume you’re familiar with her.”
“We’ve met.”
He laughs and takes a drink. “I am here to warn you. Stay away from Lucille Willing-Morris. Do not marry that girl. Do not get involved with that family. My arrangement with Helena still stands, and I will not have her weasel her way out of it.”
I consider this. Anger swells in me. That old rat Helena never mentioned anything about the Gray Wolf mafia when I agreed to marry her granddaughter.
A rational man would pull out of the engagement right here and now. There are plenty of other high-society girls that can give me what I want.
Their name. Their connections. Access to their family business.
But Lucy is perfect.
The Willing-Morris family is desperate enough to need a man like me. Helena Willing-Morris is shrewd and ruthless to the point that she’d happily sell her granddaughter away for my family’s strength and money.
Their hedge fund is exactly what I need to grow my organization’s business influence.
And most of all, I want that girl.
We’ll never fall in love. I’ll never have a connection with anyone like that. But our one night together told me something just as important.
At least I’ll be able to stomach sleeping in bed with her.
“What exactly is the nature of your deal with the Willing-Morrises?” I ask.
But Demir shakes his head. “That is a private matter. Please, take what I am saying seriously. Do not marry that girl.” He finishes his drink and stands. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“This changes nothing,” I tell him. “You realize that, right?”
He seems grim as he nods. “Yes, I had assumed you would react that way.”
“I’m sorry you wasted your time then.”
“I am as well. I think we’ll be seeing more of each other.” Demir leaves, walking slowly, seemingly unconcerned.
There’s a sour taste in my mouth. No amount of alcohol will wash it out, either.
That bastard had the nerve to come threaten me in my own club.
Which means he’s fucking serious about this.
I glare at the bar, then shove myself up and storm back into my office.
Good thing I planned on paying a visit to the Willing-Morris family home tomorrow already.
Chapter 6
Lucy
Another boring day at home. I’m curled up at the bay window with a book in my lap. Reading is my only escape these days. I swear, sometimes I feel like a prisoner here, especially now that I’m engaged.
Grandmother made it clear: no going out, no socializing, no nothing until I walk down that aisle.
She wants to minimize any possibility that I might screw this up ever since I went out to that sex party and failed so spectacularly.
Which is fine, honestly. It’s not like I’d go anywhere anyway. I haven’t gotten any social calls in a long while, not since my family’s financial problems became public a few years back.
That’s the problem with making high-society friends. The second you show any weakness, they’re gone.
“Lucy!” Kennedy comes rushing in through my suite’s door. She slams it closed behind her, out of breath, beaming with excitement. “He’s here!”
I stare at her blankly. “Who?”
“You know!” Kennedy’s smiling like her face might crack in half. “He’s really, really hot too. Kind of scary, but scary in a good way? Like he’s going to grab your hair and—”
“Kennedy,” I hiss at her, snapping my book shut. “Who are you talking about?”
Her eyebrows waggle. “Adriano Marino’s down in your grandmother’s sitting room right now.”
My jaw drops.
“Right now?” I ask, head spinning. I’m back in his office again, and he’s kissing me, and his hands are on my hips, and he’s fucking me and licking me and making me come— “Oh my god, he’s with Grandmother?”
“They're talking business or something. I’m supposed to bring them tea, but I ran here to warn you.” Kennedy looks at her watch. “Shit, she’s going to chew me out.”
“Stall!” I run to my bedroom and start grabbing clothes. “Do something!”
“There’s nothing I can do,” she says, sounding nervous. “Seriously, Luce, I gotta get that tea. Just come down, okay?”
“What the hell am I going to wear?”
She stares at me and shakes her head. She walks over, puts her hands on my shoulders, and stares straight into my face. “Wear what you have on. You’re beautiful.”
I chew on my lip and glance away. “I’m a mess.”
“Cut it out. You’re Helena Willing-Morris’s granddaughter. That means you’ve already survived the worst. You’re strong and gorgeous. Come meet your future husband.”
“Fair point.” I take a deep breath to steady myself. “You really think this is fine?” I’m in tights and a big comfy sweater.
“Put your hair down. Follow me in like ten seconds, okay? I’m stopping at the kitchen, so hurry.” She gives me a quick hug. “You’ll be okay. Seriously, he’s really hot.”