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“But I already agreed to marry into the Arroyo family. I don’t need more incentive.”
“If you were marrying an Arroyo, I would agree, but you’re marrying me.”
Where can a girl get a Xanax when she needs one? I have no way of knowing how long we’ve been in the air or how close we are to our destination, and asking is out of the question. Every inquiry I make puts me at another disadvantage, so I’m going with the ignorance is bliss policy for now. My nerves can’t take anything more.
Worse, Aris makes sure he stays within my sight. He studies me as if weighing my attributes, but he gives me zero clues as to what he’s thinking. An undercurrent of awareness arcs between us, one I want to deny with my every breath.
This man is threatening the most important people in my life. I’ve gone from trying to appease the monster I’ve lived with my entire life to this new brute. I much prefer the monster I know to this unknown entity making a mockery of my life.
“There’s still time to avert disaster,” I blurt. Although I should keep quiet, I can’t. Not when the stakes are so high. “Marrying me will cause the Hairstons and the Arroyos to declare war on you.”
Aris chuckles. “Agapiméni mou, I’m well aware. One day you’ll come to understand what I already know.”
I exhale loud enough for Aris to hear. “Although I will probably regret asking this because I doubt there is anything we will ever see eye-to-eye on, what will I understand?”
“That you’re worth fighting the world for, and no threats from your father or anyone else will stop me from making you mine.”
I snap my mouth closed after his confession. “I think I’m going to sleep until we land.”
Aris begins to rise but I halt him with a raised hand.
“Alone. Please,” I plead. “It’s not like I can escape you.”
His lips firm, but he nods his agreement. “There is a shower and fresh clothes in the closet if you want to freshen up before we land.”
I rush into the small bedroom and shut the door. There is no lock, but for some unfathomable reason, I trust Aris not to intrude. I must be on the verge of snapping for attributing any positive traits to him.
Now that I’m alone, I search the room for anything I can use to contact my father. There is nothing that can help me or my sisters from our current plight. Defeated, I turn to the tiny closet and slam the door shut. An entire wardrobe of clothing that appears to be in my size fills the space. I don’t know when Aris decided to marry me and I’m afraid to ask. Regardless, he made good use of his time from when I saw him to whenever he abducted me.
I reopen the closet and extract a nightgown and underwear that is also in my size. Although a long hot shower calls to me, I make it short. My trust in Aris only goes so far. I lie in bed, my mind abuzz with worry. I expect to stay awake and restless but the next thing I know, a persistent knocking at the door pulls me from a dreamless sleep.
“Agapiméni mou,” Aris says, “We’re about to land. You’ll need to join me in the cabin.”
I nod, although he can’t see me. “I’ll be right out.” I shuffle to the door but realize in time that I need something more appropriate to wear. I return to the closet for a pantsuit I glimpsed earlier. Where I strive for a modest look, the fit of the suit is sinfully close. It hugs all my curves, including my sizable FUPA, and gives off a sexy vibe. Time is not on my side so I make myself as presentable as possible before joining Aris.
For the first time, I can read his reaction. He sweeps me from head to toe in a slow, appreciative perusal. My heart flutters despite my not seeking his approval. What I want doesn’t seem to matter to my treacherous body.
In no time we are in a limousine headed to the Las Vegas strip. Before we enter the licensing bureau, Aris reminds me, “Don’t try anything funny or your sisters will suffer.” He grips my elbow to lead me inside.
I try to pull away, but his grasp on me is ironclad. “Let me talk to them first.”
“After all the documents are signed, I’ll allow you to talk to them. If you are good, I’ll permit you to see them.”
“In person?”
“As often as you like,” he agrees.
Without further debate, I stop fighting him and follow inside. My wedding—what a joke—proceeds without fanfare. If my mother could see me, she would be in tears. The Arroyo wedding everyone expected was bad enough, but she would have been front and center in planning everything. Thanks to Aris, she won’t even have that bit of satisfaction.
As we walk out of the chapel to return to the plane, Aris hands me his phone.
“Niyah? Are you there?” Kayla’s anxious voice comes through the speaker.
“Yes, where are you? Are you and Trin alright?” Tears blind me as I mindlessly follow Aris.
“We’re both fine. We were worried about you. We woke up on a plane full of confusion. I have so many questions for you.”
“Yeah, I have a ton for you, too.” I wipe my wet cheeks.
