Chapter 9 Florian
Florian
“Ionly need a few more months, Florian. Please.” The begging starts as soon as Alrick shuts the door behind him. It’s annoying as hell, but I expect it. It always happens. “And I’ll have your money.”
“With interest?”
I arch my brow, then he looks away, and I sigh.
Of course, he won’t have it. He’s drowning in debt, and when I take over Williamson Holdings, I’ll gain all his other debts, too.
It’s nothing I can’t manage, but the promises Arthur’s making, he can’t deliver, and he knows it.
His business hasn’t been producing for years, and the man loves to gamble.
A lot. Which is why he’s in the position he’s in.
Now, everything has caught up with him, and he’s on the verge of losing everything, including his shipping company and all its holdings.
It was only a matter of time before he came to me. All Olan’s friends have come to me at one time or another. Either they were saved by my hand or destroyed by it.
Today, it looks like Arthur Williamson will be destroyed by it.
Although this is the usual tactic when it’s time for payment, I can’t deny that it coming from him is different. Arthur isn’t himself. Dark circles highlight his dull eyes, emphasizing the ashen skin of his sunken face.
Maybe he’s sick?
Not your concern, Florian.
I like Arthur. Although I don’t know him all that well, from what I’ve seen, he seems fair.
I’ll never understand the connection between him and Olan or how they became friends.
His reputation as an upstanding businessman precedes him.
But if I take pity on him, I’ll have to take pity on everyone.
And I’m definitely not willing to do that.
“Arthur, the terms of our agreement haven’t changed.” I rub my temples, the pounding in my head increasing. “Unless you have payment plus interest today, there’s nothing I can do.”
Of course, he doesn’t have payment. Rarely do any of them.
However, Arthur looks like a broken man.
Like he’s lost everything. But his loss isn’t my concern.
His loss is my gain. He understood the deal when he came begging for my money.
They all do. He agreed to the terms when he signed his name on the dotted line after I gave him out after out, which I do with everyone because I know it eventually ends like this.
Now, he has to live with the consequences of his decision to enter into a contract with me.
He has regrets, but there’s nothing I can or will do about it.
“I understand the terms of our agreement, Florian, but I’m out of options here. I need the money for Arabelle, so I can’t repay you right now.”
Arabelle.
I feel a stir at the sound of her name, and I shift to get more comfortable. Her name stirs something primal in me.
Arabelle Williamson, better known as my obsession. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The first time I saw her, she was performing in Don Quixote. It was then that I became consumed by my desire for her.
The beast in me wants to strip her bare and have her screaming my name until she can’t scream any longer, her body slick with my cum and limp under me. But Florian, the sane side of me, stays away to keep from ruining her, destroying her with my demons.
My need for her won’t distract me. Arthur just lied. He doesn’t need the money for Arabelle. She has her own money and keeps him and his other children afloat as her career soars. What he needs the money for doesn’t matter to me, but I know it isn’t for her.
I hate fucking liars.
“She’ll be named principal dancer soon, Florian,” he continues, “and with that title comes more opportunity.”
More money for him to take from her.
The excitement gleaming in his eyes at the prospect of the money Arabelle will garner being named principal dancer causes my stomach to lurch. Now, it makes sense why Arthur and Olan are such good friends. He’ll exploit her like Olan exploits all his children, damn the consequences.
When I narrow my eyes, his smile disappears.
“So, you would use your daughter, your goddamn flesh and blood to repay your debts?” My temper and disgust rise. He’ll make her work twice as hard, so he no longer owes me money or anyone else. “They’re your debts to pay, not hers.”
“I’m not using her.”
His chin lifts as he crosses his arms over his chest. He knows I’m right, but the old bastard refuses to admit it to me even though he admitted it to himself a long time ago. He’s a fucking snake in the grass.
“She’s a good girl, Florian. She’ll do what is necessary to help her family. To help me.”
Like always.
I sit back in my chair, interlacing my fingers and eyeing the man who’s now lost what little respect I held for him.
“Arabelle doesn’t need to work harder than she already is, Arthur.”
Although Arthur doesn’t need to know, Hugo, one of my soldiers who is also former Mossad, follows Arabelle and sends me a report every weekend detailing her movements.
She practices, performs, and attends the required after-parties for the dancers and photoshoots, fulfilling her obligation to the theater.
That’s all. Her life revolves around dance.
Taking care of Arthur’s debts would add even more pressure.
Besides her attorney, Dale Austin, whom I despise, she has no interaction with anyone.
I see how he looks at her, how much he wants her, which I think she’s oblivious to. If she’s not oblivious to the way he feels about her, she doesn’t see him the same way and ignores it.
Asva and Alrick both discouraged me from killing him a while ago because, in their words, no matter my feelings for him, Dale Austin protects Arabelle from people looking to prey on her, including her family. It’s the only reason he’s still breathing.
“You know nothing about my daughter,” Arthur growls. “So, you have no place to say anything about what she needs to do.”
He has no fucking clue what I know about his daughter, but I’ll keep that thought to myself. He doesn’t need to know she is my obsession. No one needs to know that I’ve killed for her.
“She’ll do what is necessary for her family,” he continues. “And Arabelle isn’t your concern.”
Arabelle will always be my concern.
I shake my head, repulsed by the idea of her working harder. I won’t allow him to exploit her for his own benefit anymore. Now, I can have what I’ve always wanted—her.
The beast inside me stirs with interest.
“I’ll tell you what, Arthur. Since I’m in a good mood today, maybe we can come to another agreement.
” Hope blooms in his eyes. How long it will last remains to be seen.
“I’ll forgive your debt and pay off all your creditors on one condition.
” He smiles, and I hold up my index finger before he can thank me.
Before his hopeful attitude plummets. “If you give me Arabelle’s hand in marriage. ”
“What!” His caramel skin deepens in shade. His polished dress shoes echo off the bamboo flooring as he paces in front of my desk like he has a fire under his ass. “She’s not ready to be married, Florian, especially to a man like you.”
I raise my brow. “Please tell me, Arthur. What do you mean a man like me?”
He comes to a sudden halt, and his eyes grow as large as saucers, revealing his disbelief at accidentally letting his true thoughts about me slip. I’m just fucking with him. I know what he means, but I like to see him sweat.
Everyone knows who I am. I don’t hide it.
I’m ruthless, merciless, and cruel when I need to be, which is most, if not all, of the time.
I don’t claim to be anything other than who I am.
I’ve earned the name Beast and fully embrace it.
But Arthur has only scratched the surface of the person I can be, and he has no other option but to give me Arabelle or his company.
Whether I have her, I still end up winning.
“You can’t be serious, Florian.” He runs his hand over his thinning salt-and-pepper hair while he paces again.
“What if I give you my eldest daughter’s hand instead?
” He’s nodding like that’s the best idea he’s had in a long time.
“She’s not innocent and is more suitable for your world. She would love a man like you.”
From the information I’ve gathered on Angela Williamson, Arabelle’s older sister, she’s a woman who loves any man with money. Regardless of his age, morals, or how he made his fortune, as long as he can keep her living in luxury, she doesn’t care.
I must admit Arthur is right. She is more suitable for someone like me. She’s perfect for the criminal underworld. A morally bankrupt beauty can be useful, but she’s also untrustworthy. She’ll never have any loyalty as long as money is involved. Either way, it doesn’t matter. She’s not who I want.
Arabelle isn’t ready for a man like me. However, I’ve grown tired of staying away. We’re made for each other, and this way, she’ll have no other choice but to accept me as hers.
I want my beauty.
“No.”
He merely stares, tongue-tied. He was so sure I’d accept his offer.
“Well…well, what about Raven then?” he asks with a little more hope in his eyes than he should have. “She’ll also make a wonderful wife.”
“Ah yes, the alcoholic.”
I lean back in my chair, steepling my hands.
“She’s sober now.”
He’s lying through his teeth. The bitch can’t stay sober if her life depends on it, and he knows it.
While Raven Williamson is also beautiful, she can’t stay sober long enough to make anything of her life. Just like the eldest sister, she’ll cause more problems than I’m willing to deal with.
Arabelle is the one I want. Nobody else.
“It’s Arabelle or no deal, Arthur. In exchange for her hand in marriage, I’ll tear up our initial contract.
” I dangle the small stack of papers in the air in front of him, giving him even more of an incentive to give me what I want.
“Your debt to me will be paid in full, Williamson Holdings will remain in your possession, and any other debt you have incurred with other creditors will also be paid. But there is one stipulation.”
“Stipulation?” His brows draw together.
“Yes.”
“Okay, what’s your stipulation?”
“Arabelle will not be deceived. You will be upfront with her and tell her about our deal. If I find out you have not, your company will revert to me, and you’ll also owe me all the money I used to pay off your debts.”
He runs his hand down his face. “Florian, I can’t tell my daughter I’m giving her to you so I can keep my company. She’ll never forgive me.”
“Then there’s no deal, Arthur. Give me my money now, or your company is mine.”
“Florian…”
“I will not start our marriage off based on a lie,” I say, interrupting whatever excuse he wants to give me for lying to her. “She’ll agree to our arrangement knowing the truth, or there’s no deal, and Williamson Holdings is mine as of today. This is not negotiable.”
The room is filled with tension as silence surrounds us. I allow him some time to process my offer. I’ll forgive his debt if he gives me Arabelle. Finally having her will be worth more than the millions I’ll pay his creditors and the loss in revenue from obtaining Williamson Holdings.
“Florian…I,” he stammers.
For a moment, I believe he may do the right thing for his daughter and keep her far away from me. I’ll ruin my beauty, and Arthur knows it. Deep down, he knows Arabelle being with me will destroy her.
“On one condition.”
I let out a disappointed sigh as he proves me wrong. He’s exactly like my father—only out for themselves, no matter the damage they do to others around them, especially their own children.
“I don’t think you’re in a place to make any demands of me, Arthur.” I lift a brow. “Do you?”
He lifts his chin. “Maybe not, but it’s for my Arabelle’s protection.”
Do I believe the concerned father act? Fuck no. Not for one minute. When it comes to Arthur Williamson, I’ll keep my eyes open because I’m sure, somewhere down the line, there’ll be some type of ploy.
I motion for him to continue.
“If you aren’t faithful to my daughter or don’t give her the life she deserves, then she’s allowed to get out of the marriage without a fight from you, and my company will remain mine and my debts will remain clear.”
“Agreed.”
He stares, complete surprise on his face as I agree to his demands.
Did I have to? No, I didn’t have to agree to any of his shit demands.
But I’ll never mistreat or be unfaithful to Arabelle.
She’s the only woman I want and will ever need.
So, it’s easy to agree to his terms, especially if it gets me closer to having her in my life.
I’ll do absolutely nothing to mess up this opportunity, including being the asshole I know I can be.
“Well, if I can get Arabelle to agree, then you have yourself a deal.”
“Like you said, Arthur, she’ll do anything for her family, right?”
He nods, but I don’t miss the uncertainty in his eyes.
He’s asked a lot of his daughter throughout the years, but this just might be the first time she puts her foot down and says no to him.
I won’t blame her if she does. She needs to stand up for herself, especially against her family.
She’s taken enough of their abuse. If I lose out on my chance to be with her because she finally does something for herself, I can’t be mad.
I’ll definitely be disappointed, but it will be what’s best for her.
“Will she be in town soon?” I ask, although I already know the answer. According to Hugo, she’s already boarded her plane. That puts her touching down in about an hour. “I’d like to get this done as soon as possible.”
“Today, as a matter of fact.”
“Perfect. I’ll have the papers drawn up immediately and delivered within the hour. I expect them to be returned to me within forty-eight hours, Arthur, and not a minute past that time.”
Standing up from behind the desk, I extend my hand. Knowing he has doomed his daughter to the Devil, he reluctantly takes hold of it.
“It was nice doing business with you, Arthur.”
He grunts and leaves as quickly as he can. I grab the office phone and call my secretary. “Lilian, have Roger come to my office. I need a contract drawn up as soon as possible.”
After I hang up, I place my hands on my desk. I lower my head and exhale, attempting to soothe the mix of anticipation and nervousness within me. I finally get to have the one thing I can’t get out of my mind. The one thing I long for. The one thing I don’t deserve in this life or the next.
“I finally get to have my beauty.”
That’s if Arthur can convince her to sign the damn contract.