AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know you will, my boy.” He said and I could hear the pride in his voice. “Enjoy yourself.”
The snickering in the background did not go unnoticed.
“I will.” I assured him and hung up.
At least that was taken care of. It was about 11 am now, which meant there was plenty of time before the judge got here to marry us. Everything was falling into place. As soon as we were married, Anita would be mine and I would be able to protect her from my father’s wrath as best I could.
I let out a heavy sigh and put my phone back in the pocket of my jeans.
I watched the news for about 20 minutes before I heard Anita’s footsteps coming down the stairs. She appeared in the living room with her hair a mess and rubbing her eyes. I tried not to notice her nipples poking into the fabric of her tank top, but it was hard not to.
“Morning.” She mumbled and finally took a good look at me. “Do you just never wear shirts?”
I chuckled.
“Not in my own house if I can help it.”
She rolled her eyes and sat down on the couch next to me, her legs folded beneath her. She looked at the TV screen and then back at me.
“The news?” She asked and I shrugged.
“I like knowing what’s going on.”
“Hmm. I’m surprised. I thought you'd be watching something like Sons of Anarchy or Ink Master.”
“I like those shows too, but in the morning, I watch the news. What do you like to watch?” I asked and it seemed to throw her off. She blinked at me and I waited, honestly curious as to what her answer would be. I had watched her watch the TV show Carnival, but I knew little about her other tastes.
“I… I like fantasy shows and dramas. And old shows, like Friends or Cheers. Not that I watch much TV. I’m usually too busy or too tired. I teach kickboxing 5 days a week and take a yoga class after which usually takes everything out of me.” She paused and looked at the TV, a story about a heroic dog who saved a baby flashed across the screen. “And you’re sure I don’t have to cancel this week’s classes? You were serious about me leading my normal life?”
“Of course.” I smiled at her. “You aren't my captive, not in the way my father wants. As soon as the judge gets here todayand we are married, then you are mine. You can do what you normally would do and lead the life you’ve been leading, just come home to me every night. Live with me, but keep your apartment for a while if you are uncomfortable telling people where you live. I understand that it’s fast and an odd arrangement, but I promise you, you are not a prisoner.”
She nodded and seemed to physically relax.
“The judge is coming today?”
“Yeah, I just spoke with my father. I convinced him to send the judge. He wants it taken care of as soon as possible, but mostly because he thinks it means that he has control over you. Really it protects you, he just can’t see it. Either that or he hasn’t told me his whole plan, which is entirely possible, but I don’t see how he thinks it could possibly work in his favor.”
“I don’t know, but if it means I can keep my classes I’m all for it.” She said and I raised an eyebrow at her.
“Really? You said it yesterday, but I thought you were just telling me what I wanted to hear. You mean you are actually okay with marrying me?”
She thought about it for a long moment before answering.
“Yes. I mean, it’s just a piece of paper, right? I take marriage seriously, but if it doesn’t work out for us, we can get a divorce and like you said, I could disappear. The way I see it is that I don’t have much choice in anything because of my father’s connections and whatever it was he did. If I have to marry you to keep my father and I safe, then that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I get that there’s more to it, but… I’m a go-with-the-flow kind of person.”
I nodded, accepting the answer. At least she wasn’t going to fight me on it.
“Besides.” She continued. “If you torture me the way you did last night, I might actually enjoy it.”
I snorted my laughter and she smiled.
Anita
“I’m sorry, you WHAT?!?!?!”
Stella was yelling at me on the other end of the phone Monday morning as I walked into the kickboxing studio. It was the first time I had spoken to her all weekend and she had called me at least 5 times trying to figure out where I had gone. Normally we spend Sundays together shopping or doing our chores for the week, so when I didn’t show up, she was curious. I had texted her Sunday morning that I couldn’t make it and that I would explain on Monday, which was what I was getting ready to do now.
Boy, did I have a lot to tell her.
