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“She’ll never believe you.” I laugh in disbelief at the bastard not even attempting to deny it. It’s going to crush Bianca if she ever finds out.
“Are you willing to find out just how much?” I threaten. He remains intelligently quiet and I rise to my full height, sneering down at him. “Don’t for one second think I won’t destroy you if you ever try to sabotage my relationship with Bianca or dare to steal the smile from her face. I meant it when I said no one hurts my wife, not even her own family.”
With one last scathing look, I leave his office. If he’s smart, he would take my warning seriously.
BIANCA
I’m a ball of nerves as I watch Dash and my dad make their way to his home office after all of us mingled and had a few drinks. I’m half tempted to follow and eavesdrop but my sister’s excited voice keeps me rooted to the couch.
“Ooh… Looks like Papa is taking him forthe talk,” says Arya as she air quotes “the talk”.
“You think?” I mutter absentmindedly.
“Oh yeah. He had one with Aryan, too, when I began dating him.”
I’m alert now. “What did Papa say to him?”
“Aryan never told me. He did look like he pissed his pants,” she reveals, half wincing and half laughing. “Not that you have anything to worry about. Dash is intimidating as hell, even more than Dad.”
That’s what I’m afraid of. Dash is mischievous, teasing, and protective, but it’s a side he has reserved for me. A layer I glimpse when it’s just us together. While the other side of him is cold, scary, and vicious, which becomes tenfold around people he can’t tolerate and doesn’t respect.
Unfortunately, my dad is one of those people.
You put two angry and prideful bulls together in a tight space, one is bound to come out bloody. They have had a rough start, which is troublesome for our already precarious situation.
Meanwhile, Mom’s rude and sour behavior was easy to dismiss as she played the gracious host, walking back and forth between the kitchen and drawing room. It was blatantly obvious Dash isn’t her first choice for me, without her even giving him a chance.
My eyes dart every so often, waiting for him and Dad to return. Only for anxiety to strike the longer they don’t. Then again, it’s only been a few minutes. Tell that to my wildly beating heart.
Please let them get along, I pray to the angels above.
“That’s a big fucking rock,” gasps Arya, when I tuck away a curly strand behind my ear with my left hand. It’s a welcoming distraction from my chaotic thoughts. Stealing my hand, she admires my ring. “Is that a purple diamond?”
“Mhmm. I didn’t even know they existed.” It glitters when the light hits it just right.
I won’t lie, it took me a long time to get used to the weight. I’m always extra careful to protect it, considering it’s the most expensive piece of jewelry I own. More like borrowed, since I will return it to Dash once our arrangement ends.
“I’m really sorry, by the way.”
“Why?” I counter, honestly confused.
“I wouldn’t have said those things to you if I’d known you were dating someone.” Her expression pinches in apology. I notice she’s cut her hair even shorter, so now it reaches her shoulders and it makes her look even younger. “I shouldn’t have butted into your life, regardless. Forgive me, please?”
“Stop being silly, Ari. I love you and I could never stay mad at you.”
The pure relief and joy on her face pulls at my heartstrings. Her gorgeous smile is the most important thing to me in the world. It makes all the risks worth it. No matter the tumultuous emotions Dash is evoking inside my broken heart, I cannot let it deter me from my goal.
“So have you both picked a date for the wedding?” asks Arya with exuberance, eyes brightening. “Gosh! We have so much to plan—and shopping. And let’s not forget the bachelorette party.”
My stomach drops and nerves dance beneath my skin as I wince because I’m about to pour cold water all over Arya’s building enthusiasm. Was I asking too much that I wished for the same reaction from my stubborn parents? Disappointment and anger swirls inside me, and I push them down.
“I married him today at the courthouse, Ari.” My words don’t register as she continues to ramble.
“I’m thinking Jaipur for shoppi—” she trails off as soon as my news penetrates. Her shocked gasp is audible as she stares at me, dazed. “Wait, what?”
I open my mouth to shush her when another voice rumbles from behind us.
“You’re married!”
