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“Why the urgency?”
“Because my family is currently under duress, threats being made. It’s better to get you safely locked behind closed doors where I can protect you. Do you understand?”
She threw a look toward the plate glass window then nodded. “Fine but there will be questions. I can’t just leave school.”
“Different arrangements will be made so you’re allowed to graduate.” At least I hoped I could accommodate her. At this point, the game plan might need to be changed.
Her laugh was bitter yet sent a jolt of electricity slamming into my system. “A daily chauffeur?”
“If that’s what it takes. Come on.” I heard the coldness in my tone and it surprised me. When I placed my arm around her, she jerked away from me. Then I grabbed her elbow, keeping her close. “Make no mistake, Raven. We’re going to spend some quality time together.”
“I don’t know why you think you’ll be able to get away with this.”
I said nothing as we crossed the street, cognizant of people around us. She seemed surprised by the vehicle I’d driven, her eyes lighting up when I unlocked the door to the bright yellow Lamborghini. After I eased her into the passenger seat, I leaned over, indulging in another whiff of her perfume. “Because, sweet princess, the business arrangement you entered into will make you a very powerful and wealthy woman.”
“And all I need to do is belong to you?”
“We’re getting married and you’re going to ensure that everyone you tell is convinced we’re madly in love.”
“You’re joking.”
“I never joke about the affairs of business or the heart.”
She stared at me incredulously, holding a hateful gaze as I headed around the front of the vehicle, climbing inside and immediately starting the engine. When I pulled my weapon from my jacket, placing it between my legs, she sucked in her breath.
“What happened?” she asked.
“You were being watched.”
“By whom?”
I chuckled as I roared away from the parking spot against the curb. Then I felt the heat of her glare seconds later. “Unfortunately, he didn’t wait around long enough for me to ask.”
“Jesus. If he had, he’d be dead.”
“If he was threatening you, he’d get what was coming to him. Make no mistake. I protect what belongs to me.” I glanced in the rearview mirror, ensuring at this point we weren’t being followed.
“What’s in it for me, this deal we made?” she asked. “What kind of wealth are we talking about? It must be worth my while to create such an egregious lie.”
“Thieves are in no position to try and negotiate a deal.”
“Yet you’re a businessman. Right? That’s what you do for a living, or so you’d like the world to believe. You negotiate contracts. Yes?”
She had been doing her research. “True. What do you want?” I threw her a glance and realized I’d caught her off guard.
But I was even more surprised when she rallied, her smile one of mischief. “Ten million dollars.”
“Done.”
She laughed, the sound full of giddiness. “You would pay me that much money to be your fake wife? Can’t you find one on your own?”
I leaned over then placed my hand on her leg. She shivered at my touch but didn’t try to pull away. Her indignation and the question she’d asked was a clear indication Thomas had never told her about his past, or his connection to the Thibodeaux family. It would seem Thomas would do anything in his power to forget about the people who’d cared for him.
“First, we already had a deal. Remember? Given who your father is, our alliance will be an important business decision. Second, I don’t want or need any complications in my life. I have far too many responsibilities. We will have an arrangement and nothing else. Is that clear?” I had to keep my tone terse, or she wouldn’t take the situation seriously enough. My instinct was telling me not bringing a coterie of soldiers with me was more dangerous than I’d realized.
I sensed her continued hatred and was fine with it. She needed to be afraid of me to obey. Fuck. What the hell had I walked into?
“Every girl’s fantasy. A fake, brutal, and aggravating bastard of a husband. But I’m to bow to your physical needs at a moment’s notice. Correct?”
