Chapter 14 Arabelle #3
As I lean back in the chair, I let out a deep sigh. “You know that’s not an answer. I want to know why they call you Beast and how you earned that name.”
“What you’re asking isn’t something I’m going to discuss with you in a restaurant. When we’re able to have more privacy, sure. I’ll divulge more to you about my life you haven’t been able to find out in the papers. At least the parts that may affect you and that you’re curious about.”
When it comes to Florian Larsson, I’m definitely filled with curiosity.
He’s definitely a savvy businessman. I can tell that by the way he’s carefully navigating this conversation.
His honesty has thrown me off kilter, which I believe may have been his plan the entire time.
It doesn’t anger me, but it does pique my curiosity about him even more.
I’m interested in finding out why he’s called Beast.
He’s a highly accomplished individual. He took over Larsson Industries, which came across more like a hostile takeover than him inheriting it from his father. So, what does that say about his relationship with his father? Is it shit like the one I have with mine?
“Who’s the woman in the pictures?” I ask, shifting topics. Maybe I can get a straight answer this time.
He laughs. “Why? Are you jealous?”
“No. I have no reason to be jealous of someone I don’t know, Florian. However, I’d like to know if my future husband plans to fuck this woman while we’re together because you two look very cozy together.”
“Did you read the stipulation in the contract?” he asks. “I’m sure if you didn’t, your attorney did when he advised you on it.”
“I did.”
“And you still ask me that question?”
“Florian, I’m not clueless even though you may think I am.
You are a gorgeous man, and she looks at you like you hang the moon.
Every photo of you, she’s on your arm, so she’s definitely someone you are close with.
I refuse to have blinders on, despite some stipulation in a contract. Even if you want me to.”
“I’m not that kind of man, Arabelle. If I’m committed to a woman, it’s her and only her I fuck.
I’ve never made that commitment to any other woman except you.
Adahlia, or Addie as I call her, is someone I’ve fucked, yes, but that’s all it is.
There was a time I thought of marrying her for business purposes, but that isn’t a need anymore. So, I’m not.”
“Is that what I am, too?” I ask. “A business deal?”
With a hint of a smile on his face, he leans back in his chair and takes another sip of wine. “No, Arabelle, definitely not. You’re so much more to me than any business deal, and I can’t wait to show you.”
I’ve been around powerful men. There’s a certain aura that radiates from them.
My father used to be one of those men until his gambling addiction took over, and he became less like the man I grew up with and more like the pariah he is today.
Florian has that same type of energy. I definitely need to find out all I can about Florian Larsson.
While he says this Adahlia is not an issue, the way she looks at him tells me that she definitely doesn’t see their relationship the way he does.
Just as I’m about to ask more questions about how he’s going to handle that situation once we’re married, his phone rings, interrupting us.
Annoyance takes over his face as he retrieves it from his pocket and glances at the caller ID.
“I’m sorry, Arabelle. I have to take this.”
“It’s fine.”
While I’m eating, I attempt to listen to his conversation. I know it’s wrong to eavesdrop, but I want to know more about him. Unfortunately, I don’t recognize the language, and by the time he’s done with his call, I’ve finished my food.
“I’m sorry, Arabelle, but I must cut our dinner short. Business has come up.”
“Oh!” I wipe my mouth with the table napkin and toss it on the plate. “It’s no problem. I have a photo shoot tomorrow, anyway, so I need to get some sleep.”
“I want to get some things straight about our engagement and any other concerns you may have. But we can talk about those another time,” he says, standing. “I would like for us to get married as soon as possible.”
He takes his wallet out of his back pocket, counts out several bills, and then casually tosses them onto the table.
“Wait. What’s the rush?”
He pulls my chair out, and I stand.
“I would like us to get to know each other first. This is a big step for both of us.”
“How about we discuss this more over dinner in the next few days? Do you think you can work me into your schedule?”
I release a breath. I’m glad he’s open to talking about our arrangement more instead of jumping right into a marriage.
“I’ll make the time.”
“Great. Hugo will take you home.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can call a rideshare. It’s no problem.”
He shakes his head. “From now on, Hugo will take you wherever you need to go. Now that you’re my fiancée, my men will always be around you.”
“That’s not necessary, Florian. No one other than my father even knows about this. I really think you are overreacting.”
When we exit the private dining room and walk through the restaurant, I don’t miss the curious glances from patrons. More than likely, they recognize Florian. We return to the hostess station. I retrieve my cashmere wrap, which Florian helps place around my shoulders, and my clutch.
We stop on the sidewalk in front of a blacked-out Range Rover. Standing by the rear door of the vehicle is a tall man wearing a black button-down shirt and dark gray slacks, with a scar running down the left side of his face.
“You can’t argue with me on this, Beauty,” he says. “I have enemies. This is for your safety and my peace of mind.”
I look at the man with the scar, who I assume is Hugo, then back to Florian and sigh. “Okay.”
I’m used to doing things on my own, but if he feels safer with someone driving me, then I’ll let Hugo drive me around. At least, for now.
The man unlocks the door, and I slip into the back seat.
“Hugo will take you wherever you need to go.”
“Thank you, Florian.”
As he edges closer, I entertain the thought that he might actually kiss me. The eagerness to feel his lips on mine shocks me. I lean in, but instead of his lips touching mine, he kisses my forehead. Disappointment washes over me.
“Now isn’t the time for that,” he says, reading the disappointed look on my face. “But soon. I’ll call you.”
He takes a step back and firmly closes the door.
Perhaps this marriage won’t be as terrible as I thought.
At least, in the charming and handsome department, Florian checks all the boxes, but something lurks just beneath the surface of that calm exterior.
Something dangerous. I’m not so sure my heart will survive it.