Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
I do that a few times until the burning anger in my veins lessens to a smoldering flame. All I can think of is Mama, who once smiled at my innocent childhood question of why she married Papa.
“Sometimes we have to do things out of obligation,” she told me with a kiss to my forehead. “And I got four perfect kids out of it.”
Now it’s my turn to fulfill my obligation.
When I’m composed enough, I pat my cheeks, take one last deep breath, and step outside.
Only to run directly into Braken Frost himself.
“What do you want?” I snap.
“Just wanted to check on the woman who’s meant to bear me a fuck ton of sons.”
The comment immediately stokes the fire I just tried to put out. First Mason’s death, and now this arranged marriage. The entire week’s worth of pain, anger, and embarrassment accumulate into an incredulous scoff.
“Funny. I might be healthy, but what about you? Do you even know how to please a woman without chasing her down in the forest and fucking her with a mask on? I doubt it, seeing as how you’re—what was the name of that article you were in last week? Oh yeah, ‘Married to Business’. My father just signed me over to a lifetime of shitty sex with a prick who probably never had a woman actually willingly have sex with him, hence why you run The Hunt. Go fuck yourself.”
I expect to see anger or hatred in response to my tirade, but his lips lift into an amused smirk. He finds this funny. Braken takes two steps forward and traps me against the wall next to the bathroom door. He’s close enough now that I can smell his woodsy cologne when he leans in.
“First of all, I was joking about giving me a fuck ton of sons in hope of lightening the mood. And I was going to play nice, but you just burned all your bridges. I hope you’re ready to sit on your knees and beg for my forgiveness because you’re going to need it.”
I swallow down my nervousness. I refuse to back down to the likes of Braken Frost.
“Says who?”
“Me.” He snatches my left hand and brings it close to my face, letting the engagement ring catch the dim light of the hallway. “This ring proves who the fuck you belong to.”
I snatch my hand from his grip. “This gaudy thing? I have more expensive ones sitting in my vanity at home. You’ll need to do better than this low-quality piss-yellow ring. Proof that money doesn’t buy taste.”
Braken chuckles. “I guess you would know jewelry with how much of Daddy’s money you spend on it a month. For a minute in Heathens Hollow I might have mistaken you as someone other than a spoiled little rich girl, but it’s clear to see your true colors now.”
He doesn’t know a thing about me, yet he speaks like he does. It makes my blood boil even more.
“Don’t worry. Once we’re married, I’ll use your money to buy me something actually worthwhile. So go fuck yourself.”
Fuck. I do sound like a spoiled rich girl. I’ve never been good at fighting and standing up for myself, and I’m proving that right now. He’s winning this battle of wills, and I need to get out of here.
I push at his shoulder, and to my surprise, he takes a step back and gives me space to leave, but he doesn’t let me go without a last warning.
“Foul language on delicate lips. This pretty little mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one day. Maybe you should think of different ways to use it before it’s too late.”
“It already is too late,” I counter dryly. “Since I’m tied to a bastard like you.”
I stomp off before he can answer, but the smell of his musky cologne clings to me, reminding me that there’s no way to escape him.
Chapter 13
Braken
“What. The. Fuck!” Soren says loud enough that I have to pull my phone away from my ear. “Married? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“You’re getting married?” Merrick parrots. It’s obvious now that I’m on speaker phone.
“Fiora Godwin?” Locke adds. “You’re marrying a Godwin? Have you lost your mind?”
I sigh. “You guys know how things work in families like mine.”
“You’re fucking forty years old, Braken!” Soren snaps. “You don’t have to do what Daddy says anymore, you know.”
“I’m not doing this because of my father,” I argue. “I’m doing it for me and for us. We can’t afford having Hector Godwin as an enemy. He could destroy what we’ve built, and if he really wants to, he could really fuck with my family, too.”
“We’ll figure out a way so you don’t have to marry someone,” Locke says. “Fuck the Godwins. We’ll rebuild if we have to. Just because they own the island, doesn’t mean they own us.”