13. His Trophy
CHAPTER 13
HIS TROPHY
J ia
I can’t help but stare in shock and a tiny bit of satisfaction as Lei and his men scurry off like sewer rats before the subway barrels into the station.
The subway, a.k.a. my new fiancé, hovers ominously behind me until the door of the restaurant dining room swings closed behind them. Marco turns to me, that smirk firmly carved along his chiseled jaw. “Do you think Lei will be a problem?”
I think my new fiancé is giving me way more credit than I deserve. But I sure as hell will not admit to that. I have no fucking clue what that asshole is capable of. “Most likely,” I bite back. “And I’m more than capable of defending myself, by the way. I don’t need you to fight my battles.”
“Whatever you say, spitfire.”
“And stop calling me that,” I hiss .
“Then stop acting like one.” He grins, and all I want to do is wipe that snide smile right off his face.
“Are you ready, bǎobèi ?” Yéye pokes his head around Marco’s broad shoulder.
“And you, don’t you dare call me that either, you pàntú ,” I whisper. Traitor .
My grandfather’s eyes widen as he scans the empty kitchen. I might be furious, but I’m not insane enough to speak to my grandfather that way in front of others. Marco doesn’t count.
“Careful, bǎobèi,” he murmurs.
“If I truly were your treasure, you never would have done this to me without at least asking!”
“It is exactly because I treasure you so much that I arranged this deal with Mr. Rossi.”
I knot my arms across my chest. “Then we have very different opinions on the definition of the word, Yéye.”
“Perhaps you two can carry on this conversation in private,” Marco whispers.
My grandfather dips his head. “Yes, your fiancé is right.”
That word from Yéye’s lips only ignites the fire in my veins. “How could you?” I snarl as we turn toward the double metal doors that lead to the dining room.
“It is clear that you are upset and not thinking logically. We will discuss this at home, child .”
My head whips back and forth in frustration, and before I can control my tongue, I spit, “You are no longer welcome in my home.”
My grandfather’s silver brows twist as Marco releases an odd, strangled sound. “I’ll go see where Jimmy is with the car,” he mutters before stepping around us.
Yéye’s gnarled fingers curl around my forearm. “I will not tolerate this disrespect, Jia. I understand that you are surprised by the turn of events, but I implore you to act appropriately. We are still in public beneath the gaze of watchful eyes. ”
Those unshed tears sting at the back of my eyes. I blink quickly to compel them back, but it’s no use. “How could you, Yéye?” A sob sends tremors racing across my shoulders. “I trusted you implicitly. You said it was my choice.”
His rough hand cradles my cheek and the tears fall faster. Oh, God, please have mercy and don’t let anyone see me like this. The kitchen is still empty, and I can only hope it remains that way. This sort of outburst would be completely unseemly for the new head of the Four Seas.
“You are strong and yet so stubborn, bǎobèi. I fear for you as a woman. I know it is unfair, but it is the way of the world. With Marco Rossi at your side, you will be unstoppable. I’m certain of it.”
I shake my head, my lip trembling. “I don’t want to marry him.”
“He is a good man, Jia.”
A grunt escapes, and I only cry harder. “He murdered Qian.”
“And Qian murdered your father, and then Marco saved your life.” He heaves out a breath, his shoulders suddenly seeming frail compared to the impossibly broad ones that held me only moments ago.
Right. Of course. And Qian tried to kill Nico’s girlfriend. What a fucked up, twisted world I’m now forced to navigate.
“Rossi has agreed to allow you to rule the Four Seas as you wish with minimal interference. He is wealthy, powerful, and obviously attractive. I may be an old man, but even I can see that. He will treat you well; I will see to that.”
I stiffen my lower lip. I would see to that too. I’d never let another man lay a hand on me again. Or they’d suffer the same fate…
“Come, Jia, we can speak more on the ride home.” Grandfather tugs me toward the door, and this time I follow after sweeping the remaining tears from my cheeks.
Jianjun Zhang and Hao Wei still linger in the dining room. Both dip their heads at our approach, and I hope I don’t look too splotchy. This meeting has been a total disaster.
“I hope you are not still unwell, Jia?” Jianjun offers a tight smile.
“Much better now, thank you. Must have been some bad lox.” Lame, I know.
“I am sure your grandfather will bring you up to date on the discussion after you left. There is much to be decided now that you and Rossi will head the Four Seas.”
“Jia will be the lǎodà of the Four Seas in keeping with Triad tradition,” Grandpa interjects. “Rossi will merely exist as enforcer.”
Great, so Yéye doesn’t think I’m strong enough to control my own men. Judging by the sneer hitching up Jianjun’s lip, none of them do.
“As you say.” Both males dip their chins at my grandfather once again. “Please let us know if there is anything we can do to facilitate the process.”
“Thank you.” Yéye returns a faint bow and steers me toward the red door.
“And please, let us know when the wedding will be,” Jianjun calls out from behind.
Oh, God, the wedding.
Another bout of nausea threatens to claw its way up my throat. I swallow hard, refusing to throw up again.
Yéye holds the front door open, and I draw in a breath of fresh air, somehow managing to keep the nausea at bay. The black limousine pulls up along the sidewalk, and my stomach cramps again.
Do not puke, Jia . As it is, you’ll never live this day down. Throwing my shoulders back, I march toward the sleek limo. Before I can wrap my hand around the door handle, Marco leaps out and holds it open, hinging at the waist for my grandfather .
A pleased smile curves Yéye’s lips, and I’m not certain I’ll survive the car ride home with these two.
“I think I’ll walk,” I blurt.
Marco’s eyes widen before his head swings back and forth. “Nope, I don’t think that’s a good idea, Jia.”
“So, now that you’re my fiancé, you’re going to think for me too?”
He huffs out a frustrated breath. “We’re far from your apartment, and it’s not safe, not until we’re married.”
“Like I’ll be safe then? Will the ring you put on my finger be bulletproof? Because the gold band certainly didn’t protect my mother.” I snap my jaw shut the moment the words are out. Why am I spilling my soul to this man? Few outside of our trusted inner circle knew that Nanay was killed by one of my father’s enemies. He believed it made him look weak, unable to protect his own wife. He was right.
“Fine, if you insist on walking, then I’ll go with you.”
“No,” I hiss.
All the same, Marco knocks on the front passenger window and the tinted glass slides down. “Take Mr. Guo to Jia’s apartment. We’ll meet you there.”
“Sure, boss.”
The engine revs and the limo slowly maneuvers into traffic.
“You really shouldn’t have,” I growl as I march toward Canal Street.
“And miss out on the opportunity for a lovely stroll with my future wife?” He tosses me a toothy grin.
“Please don’t call me that,” I grumble.
“You might as well get used to it.”
“What about you?” I bark. “You’re ready to give up your Most Eligible Bachelor status?”
“Ha, I knew it! You have heard of me…”
“Of course, I have. Every woman in New York City has heard of your philandering ways.”
“Are you jealous?” That damned smirk grows wider .
“Ugh, no! More like revolted.”
Darkness creeps across his features, and the relentless smirk falls away. “Well, you’ll have to find a way to get over it, spitfire. Because like it or not, we’re stuck together.”
“It’s not too late. You can tell Grandfather you changed your mind.”
“I gave him my word, Jia.”
I pick up the pace, desperate to get away from this man who isn’t half as horrible as I need him to be. “But I had no say in it! Don’t you understand?”
“ Dio , you are infuriating,” he growls, his hand wrapping around my arm. He jerks me to a stop and pins me in that dark gaze of his. “This is happening, Jia, and the sooner you accept it, the better for everyone.”
I glare up at him, and even standing on my tiptoes, I still have to look up. But that doesn’t deter me. “I won’t accept it. You’ll have to drag me down that aisle kicking and screaming.”
“Don’t tempt me, spitfire. I’ll throw you over my fucking shoulder if I have to.”
“Fuck you.” I shoot him the middle finger and take off faster down the busy street. I must get out of this somehow. I refuse to marry this man and spend the rest of my days as his trophy.