“A prenup?” he asks, wanting to make sure that’s all in writing.
I laugh. “There will be no prenup.” That implies our marriage is going to fail and that’s just not going to happen. “But I do have a contract …” I snap my fingers at Garrett, and he removes it from his briefcase as well. “These papers state that.” I also made sure to leave out the part where she can fuck whoever she wants like I told my father to add to mine with Cindy. Blakely will only ever fuck and suck my cock.
“It took her a long time to accept her marriage to Matt. How would you convince her to marry you?” her father asks.
“She’ll accept it. I have no doubt.” I stand, ready to get this over with. Blakely has no clue that I had to make a quick trip to Texas. I had to fly to New York today to meet with Garrett to get everything in order and the papers drawn up, then we had to fly here for this meeting. I wanted to come to her father, not the other way around.
I had checked the cameras in her apartment on the way here, and she was passed out in her bed. “I’ve already had everything drawn up, as you can see.” Garrett removes a pen from his suit jacket. “All you have to do is sign. If you agree, of course. If not, we can discuss whatever you have questions about.” I’m straightforward in the contracts with what I want and how I want it—just her. “Once you sign them, I’ll wire the money to your account.”
He nods, accepting the fate of his only daughter. She will be my wife. I’ll fuck over anyone in my way. “How far out will this wedding be?”
“As soon as possible,” I answer honestly.
“But you’re both in college …”
“Why is that a problem?” I ask, tilting my head to the side. Lots of people get married before and during college. She doesn’t need to attend Barrington after I graduate this year. She doesn’t need the degree, and she sure as shit won’t be working. I will be the sole provider for our family. Blakely will depend on me for everything, and I will give the woman whatever the fuck she wants.
“It just seems quick.” He shrugs.
“Well, I’m sure if your wife had it her way, Blakely would already be married off to Matt,” I growl.
He sighs heavily as if he believes that as well. Mr. Anderson starts to read over the contracts once again as my father speaks up. “If this is what you want …”
“It is,” I say firmly.
Her father stands and adjusts his suit jacket. “Do you love her?” he asks.
I’ve thought about this a million times since I found myself in a jail cell left with just my thoughts. And every time, I came up with the same answer.
No!
They say love is patient and kind. I’m not either one of those things when it comes to Blakely. I’m controlling, possessive, and madly jealous. Which can only mean one thing—I’m obsessed with her! To the point I want to hide her from the world. I don’t want another man looking at her, let alone talking to her. Matt helped me understand that.
So, instead of lying to my future father-in-law, I ask, “Did you love Valerie when you married her?”
He places his hands on his hips and lets out a sigh. I know he had an arranged marriage. Blakely doesn’t know that, but I do. “I learned to love her over time,” he finally answers.
Stepping up to his desk, I place my palms flat on it and lean over. “I promise you, Mr. Anderson, Blakely will be in good hands. I don’t need to love her to promise that I’ll protect her. And that’s more than Matt would do.”
He nods to himself a few times. “You’re right. But …” He pauses. “I don’t want the money. I’ll sign everything. She’ll be yours. But I won’t take a cent from you for her. If she chooses to marry you, then she’s yours.”
I smile. Oh, she’ll choose me all right. “Mighty noble of you.”
“I won’t be like Valerie.” He shakes his head. Reaching out his right hand to me, he adds, “Welcome to the family, son.”
BLAKELY
I’M STANDING IN my bathroom, lining my lips, when I see the door open and Ryat enter. I say nothing to him and look back at myself in the mirror. I’m running late as it is. I slept through my alarms. My body was so exhausted that I actually managed to sleep through my anger for him.
I was going to skip my shower but realized I needed to wash my hair, so that put me an extra twenty minutes behind schedule.
He comes up behind me, his eyes dropping to the towel wrapped around my body. Reaching out, he yanks it off me.