“Anything could happen to me. It’s best if you marry.”
My body goes tense and my fingers dig into the chair arms. The only person I’ve ever wanted for myself was Law, but he’s gone. What the fuck is Zeus going on about? “I don’t understand what you want me to do.”
“I want you to get married, Honey.”
I shake my head. “To who? The only man that I love-” I cut myself off abruptly, the thoughts that I’d just been thinking are a riot, bubbling too close to the surface as I try to understand how it is that Zeus wants me to produce afiancé from nothing.
“Was Lawson Sokolov,” he finishes for me and doesn’t look the least bothered by it. He nods and flicks an imaginary piece of lint off his suit cuff. “A strong choice, but seeing as that has…gone the way so many relationships do, not feasible.”
I huff out a laugh. “You think?”
He dusts off his hands and shrugs, a blithe smile sent my way. “Not to worry, though. I’ve seen to it.”
“Seen to what?” I don’t like how chipper Zeus is. He knows what he wants. He is leading me right to it. I’m not naive enough not to see it. He’d been ready with his price when I’d asked him to ruin my mother. I want to call him out. To tell him that I know he’s planned this, but the words stick in my throat. I said I’d pay the price and I know Zeus is going to stick to his word. My mother will be penniless and without a safe place to turn. I’d done that. I’ll have to pay for my deal with the devil now, won't I?
“Your coming out party,” he says. “You’ll pick from the guests tonight and a match will be made. I’m not a fan of long drawn out affairs, so it’s best we see to it in short order. More efficient that way.”
My mouth drops open. “What? You mean tonight?”
“Of course, what else would I mean? Why do you think there’s a party?”
I sputter and shake my head, feeling like I am going to pass out. “You said it was a birthday and I-”
“A birthday, a suitor selection and a marriage? What's the difference, hmm? The very best of society will be here tonight. What better way for my daughter to make herself known to them than by marrying the strongest among them?”
“You’re-I-that’s not…that’s insane.”
“It is what it is. You agreed to the price, or are you forgetting just how delicious your retribution tasted? Is it not worth it to do this?”
“But marriage, I mean you’re asking me to marry a stranger!”
“What is marriage but a partnership? No one is saying you have to love the fool. Just enough to produce a line and then you’ll never have to do it again.” Zeus is speaking as if it is all a transaction. Something neatly agreed, signed and notarized. Not like a lifelong commitment. Not like the start of a family and a home and, god, he wantskids?
I suck in a quick breath and then another. I’ve never had a family. I’ve never thought I’d have kids either, maybe that’s why it feels crazy to me. Is this how things are done in his world? From the nonchalant way he is describing it, I bet it is. But that still doesn’t stop me from pushing back.
“And what happens if I don’t do it?”
Zeus’ relaxed pose changes. It’s like water turning to ice, and when he looks at me, the eyes I once thought were like mine are anything but. They are sharp and serpent like. This man will hurt me to get what he wants. I know that.
“That building you love so much, and those people, would find it remiss if you don’t.”
Oh fuck. No. No. I haven’t even spoken to them in weeks, but the tenants of my building have been the constant human contact I needed at my very worst moments. Juana’s tender smile and the twins…god what if he goes after Tiffany? She’s my friend. The first real one I’ve had in the city. I bite my lip so hard I taste blood. I’ve been ignoring her since I’d come to Zeus’ club. Ignoring her texts and dodging her calls. She’s worried about me. I can’t let her pay for my stupid decision when she’s only ever been kind to me.
“No, stay away from them.”
“Then be a good girl and do as you're told.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
Law
Daughter. She’s his fuckingdaughter.
Honey Vlahos.
That name feels wrong. It’s not the name of the woman I fell in love with. I love the girl with the unassuming smile and too soft eyes.
Honey Martinez.
