Chapter 1
Chapter One
Liana
The plane rumbles as it gains speed and I can feel it lifting from the ground as I grip the armrests tightly with both hands.
My knuckles are white and I can barely feel my fingers at this point but I don’t even care.
Let’s be real. I’m scared out of my ever-loving mind right now.
I’ve never been on a plane before. I’ve never even been out of the country.
Hell, I’ve barely been allowed to leave my cousin’s estate and now I’m suddenly being shipped off to the United States… to Arizona.
I’m not excited. My uncle is sending me to the desert. It’s ugly and brown and I’ll probably end up with dirt in all the wrong places. It’s nothing like Italy. Italy is beautiful and the estate may have felt like a prison sometimes, but at least I had Andre.
My cousin Andre, who has always been more like a brother to me, probably doesn’t even realize I’m gone yet.
Uncle Alessio sent me away without even letting me say goodbye.
I already miss him. I miss Sasha too. She was a breath of fresh air and I just know her and my cousin will end up together eventually. If Uncle Alessio allows it that is.
I rub my sore neck as I remember how tightly Uncle grabbed me. He’s never been that harsh with me before.
“You. Will. Marry. This will create an alliance between both families, but most importantly, this will keep your cousin in line. As far as I’m concerned, he has spent far too much time trying to protect you from the real world. His love for you is his downfall.”
My uncle’s words repeat in my head, causing a tear to slip down my cheek.
I quickly wipe it with the back of my hand and look out the plane window at the clouds and open sky.
I don’t want to be Andre’s downfall but I also don’t want to marry some disgusting old cowboy from the desert who probably has wrinkly old balls and smells like chewing tobacco.
‘Gross.’
Maybe I’ve read too many romance novels but I don’t know of any that start out with a hot guy in Arizona. Why couldn’t it have been California or Florida? Or even New York? I’ve seen plenty of my cousin’s friends in New York and they are at least handsome.
The plane jerks suddenly to the side causing me to shriek out loud like a child. I look over to one of my uncle’s men with wide eyes and watch him roll his eyes at me.
“It’s turbulence, not the end of the world. Calm the fuck down, little girl.”
I can tell by his tone that he is clearly annoyed with me but he doesn’t have to act like a jerk. He’s been treating me like crap from the moment he brought me to my uncle’s estate.
“What is your problem?” I ask him.
“My problem is that I have been stuck on babysitting duty for a spoiled child and that’s not in my job description.”
“I’m not a child,” I reply, sitting up straighter. “I just turned eighteen.”
He looks at me with one eyebrow raised and doesn’t say anything.
“I’m not spoiled!” I exclaim, suddenly remembering what he said in that same sentence.
“You are a spoiled little rich brat who has grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth,” he says as he leans over his seat, glaring at me.
I’m so angry I could scream right now but that would just prove his point. Instead, I choose to channel my cousin and speak as poised and eloquent as I can muster.
“You’re probably right. I’m very spoiled.
I’ve been locked away on an estate all my life.
I’ve never been allowed to leave. I have zero friends because I’m not allowed to go and hang out with anyone.
I’ve spent most of my life completely alone, but I guess the food is good.
” I pause for dramatic effect and watch as his face pales a little bit.
“Oh yeah, and did I mention I’m being shipped off to a different country to marry into some family that will probably enjoy making my life a living hell?
Hopefully the food is good there too, though.
Am I right?” I say as I stare back at him, my face completely devoid of emotion.
Inside, I’m dying though as my brain registers exactly what I just said out loud. Somehow that just made it all seem so much more real. And the reality of this situation is terrifying. Andre can’t save me. He won’t be there to help me. No one will.
He has the nerve to look ashamed but I’m too caught up in my head to celebrate that fact.
I’m all alone and completely on my own. The overhead lights dim and the attendant leans over a few rows to close the windows.
I snap mine shut before she can reach me and scowl as I look at the array of buttons next to my seat.
A private jet for my send off is fitting I guess, since I may never see the outside world again once I’m dropped off.
After a few minutes, I finally figure out how to lean the chair back.
I grab a book out of my bag, one of four I snagged before I was snatched from my home.
It’s a reverse harem with three guys who are completely devoted to the main girl.
It doesn’t start out that way of course but they never really do.
I’ve read this one three times already and I could read it ten more.
There’s something about a guy who would do anything to protect the girl he loves.
Or three guys, in this book’s case. I wouldn’t ever actually want three…
I don’t think. No, definitely not. But one really great one would be amazing.
The sexy Casanova type who would sweep me off my feet and ravish me all night.
I internally swoon as I imagine my future husband is actually some sexy rockstar with abs for days.
Maybe he would dedicate his songs to me and shout his love for me to the world.
The plane jerks again causing me to stiffen and whimper. This time the guard doesn’t even look in my direction.
‘Let’s hope my future husband won’t look my direction either,’ I think to myself as I flip my book open, prepared to get lost between the pages.