Chapter 11 #2
My stomach drops, and my mouth goes bone dry as I swallow hard on the fact that Adriano isn’t just stinking rich, he’s obscenely wealthy.
No wonder ten million is nothing to him.
“Done,” he says, his tone neutral.
I sit dead still until I feel my phone vibrate. Digging it out of my handbag, I go into my banking app and stare at my massive balance.
To me, ten million is unfathomable, and the urge to cry again because I have so much money makes my eyes sting and a lump form in my throat.
This is life-changing for me.
I quickly transfer the five million into the accessible investment account so it can’t be stolen, then lock my phone and focus on calming my breathing that’s sped up.
I’ve lost track of where we are, and when Little Ricky brings the SUV to a stop in front of a cathedral that sits on a corner, I frown because I didn’t take Adriano for the religious type.
Maybe he has business here?
That’s stupid. What kind of business could a club owner possibly have at a church?
I glance over the gardens at the front and side of the cathedral, and behind a weathered picket fence, I spot a cemetery with several headstones that lean crookedly into the ground.
The cathedral itself looks ancient, the stone darkened by decades of rain and sun.
“Come, Laurie,” Adriano says.
My eyes dart to him as he opens the door and gets out, and when Little Ricky opens my door, I move and step out onto the sidewalk.
I notice two more SUVs and men spreading out around the cathedral.
What the heck is going on here?
Adriano comes to take my hand while Little Ricky removes a big box from the trunk.
Oh, is Adriano donating something?
The thought sets me at ease as we walk up the path and take the steps to the massive wooden doors. At first it’s dark inside, but my eyes adjust quickly.
The sharp smell of incense pricks my nose as I glance over the pews and at the crucifix up front.
I’ve only been in a church a few times for funerals and weddings, but that was a long time ago before I left Findlay.
A priest walks toward us, and when I notice the nervous way he swallows before giving Adriano a respectful look, I don’t think much of it. After seeing Adriano’s bank accounts, I now understand why people treat him like this.
“Mr. Rizzo. The room is ready. This way,” the priest says, gesturing for us to follow him.
He leads us down a narrow hallway at the back of the cathedral, and I take in the paintings of saints covering the walls.
I’m aware of Little Ricky behind us, and as we enter a room that’s empty, except for a dressing table, stool, and sofa, he places the big box down on the sofa.
When Little Ricky and the priest leave and shut the door, I’m filled with confusion and look at Adriano.
He walks to the box and takes the lid off. I see a cloud of white lace and silk as he says, “Put on the dress. We’re getting married.”
I’m instantly hit with an intense wave of shock that numbs my tongue and makes pins and needles spread over my body.
“What?” I gasp. When he just stares at me, my voice pitches as I exclaim, “You said nothing about getting married when you offered to help me! The contract–”
“States you will marry me,” his voice cuts through my sentence. “You agreed to be at my beck and call as long as I saved you from starving on the streets.”
What the hell is going on right now?
“I didn’t mean marriage!” I shriek as the realization that he really expects me to marry him sinks in. “Y-you can’t force me.”
Slowly he steps closer to me, the corner of his mouth lifting in a triumphant look. “I can, and no one will stop me.”
I glance at the door as I stammer, “B-but the contract!”
“Little Ricky,” Adriano snaps. The door opens and the overgrown ape hands the crazy, rich bastard the envelope.
The door shuts again, and I watch with a racing pulse as he takes the contract out and pages through it before holding it right in front of my face.
“Clause twelve point one.”
My eyes dart over the words.
12.1 Binding Agreement
12.1.1 In consideration for the payment of ten million dollars ($10,000,000 USD), Laurie Barnes (“Wife”) agrees to enter into a lawful, exclusive, and legally recognized marriage with Adriano Rizzo (“Husband”).
12.1.2 The parties acknowledge and agree that the marriage shall remain permanent and binding for the duration of both parties’ natural lives. Wife agrees that divorce, legal separation, or annulment shall not be sought or pursued under any circumstances.
12.1.3 Upon execution of the marriage, Wife shall fulfill all duties and expectations customarily associated with the role of a wife, including but not limited to accompanying Husband to social, business, and family engagements, traveling with Husband when requested, maintaining complete discretion regarding all private and confidential matters relating to Husband, and fulfilling her marital obligations within the marriage bed.
No. How did I miss that?
I read it again, and realizing I’m screwed, my gaze lifts to Adriano’s. “But…but…I barely know you.”
“You’ll get to know me,” he replies, his tone clearly stating he’s not going to change his mind.
I shake my head wildly, my breaths speeding up. “This isn’t… you can’t just take me like this.”
“You’re wasting time.” Impatience tightens his features. “Either you do it yourself, or I’ll dress you.”
Shit! He’s dead serious.
Fear pours through me like hot lava as I stare at him. My mind races for a way out of this mess, then I’m handed a saving grace from above, and I snap, “We don’t have a marriage certificate.”
I know both parties have to go to the clerk's office to apply for one because I was looking into it when Austin mentioned us getting married right before he turned cold toward me.
Adriano reaches into his breast pocket, and when he pulls out a piece of paper, I begin to feel faint. My gaze flits over the license, taking in the official seal at the top before dropping to the information typed beneath it.
The same address in Long Beach is beneath both our names.
I stop on the name Hon. Vincent Moretti, and the blood runs cold in my veins.
An actual judge signed this!
The fear of losing the ten million is quickly replaced by terror as I realize just how powerful Adriano is.
He can buy anything he wants. A judge. The law. Me.
My voice quivers as I admit, “You’re scaring me.”
He looks completely unbothered. “You have thirty minutes.”
When he walks to the door, I cry, “God. Don’t you have a heart?”
He steps into the hallway and gives me a mercilessly dark look. “Don’t make me drag you down the aisle because I will.”
“Please…” The door is shut before I can finish begging.
What the actual hell?!
I glance wildly around me while my mind goes over my options, which are… none. I don’t have a choice. I signed the contract. He has a marriage license.
I want the money.
Shit. Married for life, though?
Okay, calm down. People have gotten married to strangers for far less.
And besides, what exactly will I go back to if I fight him and somehow win? I have no family waiting with open arms to help me. No place to stay. No job.
I’ll probably be saddled with a mountain of legal debt because someone like Adriano can prolong a court case for years.
Shit, I transferred the money into investments, which will be used against me as proof that I accepted it.
I rub my palm over my clammy forehead as I turn to look at the dress that’s still in the box.
A sick feeling settles in my stomach as I realize I really have no choice.