His words hang in the air, as though I’m disconnected from reality. Then they land. Hard. My heart starts pounding so violently it feels like it’s trying to break free from my ribcage, anxiety claws its way up my throat so fast I can barely breathe.
“No,” I say automatically.
“No?” Father’s brow lifts.
“I’m promised to Roman.” My voice is steadier than I feel. “I found out you made that agreement years ago.”
He laughs. Actually laughs. The sound is low and wrong, as it scrapes against my skin.
“Roman?” he repeats, amused. “Roman has other obligations. As do you.”
The room tilts slightly and I grip the edge of my chair to steady myself.
“What are you talking about?” I demand.
“You will marry Fisher,” he says again, slower this time, like I’m simple. “The contracts are already being drafted. The alliance benefits us all.”
Benefits us all?
How does my childhood rapist becoming my husband benefit anyone?
Is this what Fisher meant when he cornered me? I thought he’d pulled strings to get me into the Compound, not that Father had sold me to that monster. Tears prick my eyes as I fight to hold them back. The stench of his breath. The feel of his cock sliding in and out of my mouth.
My hands shake as nausea rises hard in my throat.
“Absolutely not.” Felix barks, jumping to his feet before I can move.
“Sit down,” Father demands, his eyes snapping to him.
“No.” Felix’s voice shakes with fury. “You don’t get to trade her like property.”
A sharp crack splits the room as Father’s hand slams against the desk behind him.
“I get to do whatever is necessary, or did you forget the punishments for disobedience? I haven’t got rid of the chest yet, son. If you don’t sit the fuck down, she’s going up there.”
Father moves quickly across the office, his fingers hovering over the button to call in his lackeys so Felix drops back into his chair. Defeat flickers across his eyes as his jaw ticks repeatedly. My pulse roars in my ears now and my skin feels too tight across my bones.
“Roman will never agree to that,” I say, my voice smaller than intended.
Father’s gaze slides back to me, cold and cruel.
“Roman will do what he is told. And if he doesn’t, he will be… disposed of,” he sneers, stepping closer.
The words feel like a blade between my ribs and my heart cracks under the weight of them. I knew, I fucking knew, that me and Roman couldn’t be the end game. Is that why I never told him I loved him? Why I held back this morning?
God… even thinking about this morning hurts.
A sharp reminder that nothing good ever lasts in this godforsaken village.
“You can’t force this,” Felix stutters, looking ashen.
“Felix,” Father says evenly, “you will ensure that she complies. I expect you to keep her away from Roman until the contracts are finalised.”
My stomach drops. Felix stares at him like he’s lost his mind.
“You want me to what?” His face turns red with rage and I press my hand to his knee, trying to calm him down. I can feel his muscles tensing beneath my palm.
“Make sure it happens,” Father says calmly.
