Page 279 of Fatality

His grip on the back of my neck tightens for a brief moment before easing again.

“How dare you bring that specimen here?” My father finally finds his words, his voice straining with rage. “We told you not to.”

“Well...” I shrug before sliding my free hand across Evren's stomach. “That specimen is exactly what I need.”

I feel Evren's abdomen tense beneath my hand.

I look up at him and smile.

A real smile.

For once, I genuinely feel good, he's here with me, being a complete jerk, refusing to be anyone but himself.

And it's driving my parents insane.

A damn victory.

And if I'm being honest...

He looks unbelievably sexy dressed like this.

“Anyway, if you’ll excuse us—”

Suddenly, three women approach.

My parents instantly plaster on their usual fake smiles and turn their attention to them.

One of the women glances at Evren for barely a second before dismissing him completely.

Even I have never managed to look that indifferent.

She walks straight to me.

“Dear!” She pulls me into a hug before stepping back to admire me. “That dress is an absolute masterpiece. Only you could wear something like that and make it look like a jewel.”

“I... uh...” I stammer, completely caught off guard.

I don't know this woman, but I feel Evren's grip on the back of my neck tighten just shy of pain.

She has gray hair, green eyes, and looks to be around fifty, dressed in a deep emerald gown.

“Thank you, really, but we have to—”

She waves me off before taking my hand off Evren's stomach. Before I can protest, she rubs the back of it affectionately.

“Your parents and I have been discussing a partnership,” she says with a warm smile. “An arranged marriage with my son. He's tall, handsome, and comes from a respectable family. His father is the Governor's right-hand man.”

My jaw drops.

What did she just say? An arranged marriage? What the actual fuck?

Absolutely not.

“The hell she will,” Evren snaps. “She isn't marrying your son, who probably looks like a fucking overcooked chicken. Go find another bride for him.”

He takes a step closer.

“Because she's fucking taken.”