One #2
“We all try to marry into a life of convenience. Whenever possible wealth and influence are the goals,” David started. “I acquired a deal some time ago which needs to be upheld.”
Mom stared down at her hands. Her leg bounced for a moment.
“I saved this family from certain heartache, and as a result, I got a beautiful daughter.” David leveled his gaze on me. “Bianca, I don’t think you know how truly captivating you are. You put the other girls in our circle to shame. The only downfall was that you weren’t one of us. Until now.”
Chills rushed through me as I glanced at Hail who wore a quizzical expression on his face.
“Your mother wanted me to connect you with my contacts in the modeling world. I could, and I have no doubt you’d succeed. However, I found a better place for you, and it repays a debt owed.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I demanded, peering back at my mom again.
She avoided eye contact with me. Sergio smiled. Marian wouldn’t even look in my direction, the ugly, tight smile she always wore fixed on her face.
“You were trash when I picked you up. I gave you a life. Your father wanted that before he left.”
“How the hell do you know what my dad wanted?” I demanded, sitting forward.
David let out a soft chuckle. “We had a business transaction. Your mother just concluded it this afternoon, right, Dana?”
Mom nodded, still not meeting my eyes.
“What’s going on?” I got to my feet, nerves taking over.
Sergio spoke up, “Mikhail needs to marry like anyone else within our circle. Since David managed to acquire such a beautiful daughter, it only makes sense to combine our families and become one of the most powerful in the city.” Sergio’s words did nothing for the anxiety gripping me.
The blood drained from my face as the possibilities took hold.
“Hail needs a wife,” David continued.
My guts churned faster.
“That wife will be you, Bianca.”
“The hell it will!” I shouted.
David grabbed hold of my arm as I launched myself forward. I fought against him, but Hail was quick to get to his feet and tug me back.
“Easy, my little rat,” Hail hissed in my ear, sending shivers over me.
The fact he wasn’t fighting this union made my heart trip in my chest.
“Dana, the news has been delivered. You may leave.” David didn’t bother to look at her.
She rose to her feet, not saying a word.
“Marian, the same goes for you.” Sergio’s voice had taken on a dark tone.
I stared at my mom in horror as I struggled against Hail’s strong hold.
“Mom! Mom!” I called out to her retreating back. “Don’t let him do this!”
“It’s done,” was all she said as she left the room with Marian.
Bitch.
Hail wrapped his arms around me, drawing my back flush against his chest and holding me in place.
“You have been selected, Bianca. Don’t disappoint me. It will not end well,” David growled.
“I’m not doing this,” my voice shook as Hail tightened his hold on me.
“You don’t get a choice, girl,” Sergio snarled, advancing on me. He stopped in front of me and looked down at my chest, licking his lips.
Nausea curled through my stomach.
“You’re gorgeous.” He reached out and cradled my face.
I trembled against Hail.
“I only give Mikhail the best. You’ll bear him beautiful children.”
“Fuck you,” I hissed, tears threatening my lashes.
Hail chuckled behind me, his lips brushing against my ear. “Oh, baby, don’t worry. We’ll get to the fucking part soon enough. Maybe I’ll let my friends watch me take it from you.”
Sergio and David shared a dark laugh as I clenched my jaw at Hail’s words.
“This is how it’s going to work, Bianca.
You’ll marry Mikhail and become an Ivanov.
Our families will unite. We’ve set the date for the wedding right after you graduate next summer.
That gives you a long courtship. In the meantime, you’ll retain your virginity for Mikhail as part of our agreement.
It could be tonight or a month from now.
We don’t care. That’s for him to decide.
But you won’t see other boys. Tonight, you’re officially Mikhail’s fiancée.
Our entire society will know of this, so you’ll be elevated quite high among us. ”
“But Hail already has a girlfriend,” I managed to choke out, thinking about Stella, the evil, brunette bitch he dated. “Why can’t he marry her?”
“Because we chose you,” Sergio murmured, reaching for me and thumbing my bottom lip. “My son is quite lucky to have a beautiful woman like you. This union will afford both our families the power we need to take over the De Santis clan. We’ll become powerful allies.”
I had no idea what they were talking about.
They acted like David was some mobster. I hadn’t gotten into the particulars of what David did.
I’d assumed it was something nasty, but the mafia?
The idea seemed ridiculous for only a moment before I realized I was in a world of trouble if it were true.
This was the shit I got for avoiding people and not paying attention.
“I’d very much like to try her out,” Sergio continued, his fingers brushing against my breast.
I flinched away, deeper into Hail’s hold.
“Wouldn’t we all?” David chuckled darkly. “Perhaps Mikhail will be accommodating.”
“I very much doubt it,” Hail said.
I breathed out a sigh of relief.
“I don’t do well with sharing my toys. I’d have to be in a very accommodating mood. Or pissed.”
All the men in the room laughed as Hail reached up and cupped both my breasts.
“She has fantastic tits.”
“Don’t,” I choked out as he tugged the top of my dress down, exposing my breasts to the room.
The look in the men’s eyes darkened while I tried to keep from screaming.
Hail massaged my breasts, his lips at my ear. “Don’t fight it, rat. You belong to me now.” He pinched my nipple, and I cried out, my face heating.
I elbowed him in the ribs before jerking out of his arms and punching him in the face.
He let out a snarl and smacked me across the face, sending me tumbling to the floor in a heap.
I quickly tugged my dress up, my eyes burning with unshed tears.
Never in my life had anyone touched me or humiliated me like that.
“Easy, Son. Don’t damage her just yet.” Sergio laughed like he’d told a joke. “We promised we’d take care of her.”
“Trust me, I’ll take care of her,” Hail growled, yanking me back to my feet.
I shook in his hold as he leaned into me.
“I love how you tremble for me. We’re going to have a lot of fun together.”
He pressed his lips to mine in a rough kiss. I didn’t kiss him back. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against mine.
“I’ll take it all eventually, Bianca. You may as well not fight me.”
I swallowed hard, the truth breaking my heart.