Page 44 of Promised Vows

Ari liked his coffee strong enough to fix itself. Otherwise, it wasn’t coffee. If it was that mighty, it better bring a hammer and nails because I was putting it to work. No, I wanted a little coffee with my cream, thanks. One of our many differences, but that was good. Too many similarities and life would be boring.

I’d drifted back to kissing Ari when Papa returned with my coffee, sliding it in front of me. Steam billowed out of the small hole in the coffee lid. That thing was sixteen ounces of liquid napalm. I’d be waiting some time before I put it to my lips. I had activities planned for them this evening and I didn’t want third-degree burns mucking those plans up.

He took a seat across from me and tilted his head. “Something has made you happy.”

Ari. “I’m glad to have a chance to talk with you.” I wasn’t giving him anything associated with Ari. He was mine, and nothing was going to tarnish that magical first kiss. “What was so important that you needed to speak to me in person?”

“I may have found a way for you to break your engagement to Ari Kalantzis.”

I blinked. “How did you find out about my engagement?” I was positive I’d assumed correctly—that one of his men told him, but I wanted to hear it from my father’s lips.

If I wasn’t staring straight at him, I would have missed the slight narrow of his eyes and the twitch of his lips. He didn’t like me questioning him. His lips curved up. “I told you. I still have people loyal to me.” He paused, and then continued, “Since finding out, I’ve been working on a way to get you free of that thug. You can go your separate ways, and he can find a different bride.”

Ari kissing another woman. That was my definition of breaking my engagement, because those lips belonged to me. I was about to take my earrings out and get junkyard-dog dirty with my father. I wasn’t sure when that possessiveness happened, but it was pure and unadulterated whoop-someone’s-rear-end if they even so much as gave him a sly smile.

I’d been irrevocably bound to him the night before. I knew all the way to my soul that he wanted me. In two weeks, I’d be bound to him in front of God and everyone. The wait would be torture.

“I hate that you’re being forced to marry that man. I never wanted that for you. I wanted you to marry for love. To find someone, get to know them, have children.” He cursed under his breath. “Before I left, our relationship was strained, but I was under an immense amount of pressure. I was trying to take care of the family, keep everything together, and I still failed you.”

“Papa, you… It would be a lie to say you didn’t hurt me. You did. But none of this is your fault.” It was Jason’s but the more time I spent with Ari, the less upset I was. Somehow, fate had looked down on me with kindness and given me a man who seemed to care about me.

He covered my hand with his. “I just… Anna, I’ve missed you so much. I want you happy, and I hate the idea that you could spend your life in a loveless marriage.” His gaze landed on mine. “You say the word, and I will help you pack and take you somewhere Ari will never find you. You’ll be safe.”

He was behaving like the father I’d been so desperate for before he left. Attentive, caring, and compassionate. At the same time, there was still that nagging feeling that something was off. A little voice in the back of my mind whispered I couldn’t trust him just yet. “I think if I tried to do anything right now, it might not be easy. I haven’t returned to my apartment yet.” I didn’t want to tell my father that I didn’t want to move. Ari’s condo was more like home than my apartment. His place was filled with warmth. With him.

“There’s no pressure. I don’t want you to do anything that might make you uncomfortable or that could potentially put you in danger. Do you believe you’re safe?”

I still didn’t feel comfortable being honest. “So far, I have been. His family has been kind to me.”

“As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters to me.” He smiled, laying his free hand over the top of mine. “Safe and happy. Are you happy?”

“Oh, Papa. Everything has happened so fast that I haven’t had time to process it. One minute I was single, the next I am engaged. It’s a lot.” I wasn’t even partially lying. I hadn’t had much time to even think about it.

I was falling for Ari. Had fallen. That cookie was rolled out, baked, and eaten. I was his. I wondered if he was mine. Really mine. Just because we would be married didn’t mean he only wanted me. I knew of arranged marriages where the woman was faithful, but the guy had a side piece. As possessive as I was of Ari, I could see that being a potential problem. ‘Til death do us part would get a workout if he tried that crap with me.

“I know.” He slipped his hand from mine and returned to the seat across from me.

Papa and I continued to talk, and the tension seemed to melt away. Maybe all my misgivings stemmed from the anger that I still harbored. It was gradually ebbing, but there was still a corner of my heart that was shattered. Maybe time would piece it back together enough that Papa and I could have a decent relationship again in the future.

There was at least some hope, which was more than I had before I met him. Maybe if we talked a little more before the wedding I could ask him to walk me down the aisle. It would be tricky because of his relationship with Jason, but he was my papa. I’d always thought he’d give me away.

Time would tell. Right now, I’d be happy with what I had: an opportunity to reconnect with my father, which I was going to take. I deserved at least a chance.

Chapter Twenty

ANNA

My wedding was fast approaching. When I’d set the date, I knew two weeks wasn’t a long time, but I didn’t think I’d blink and be counting down the hours. It was four days away.

I’d met with Papa a couple of times since then, and the last time we met had been wonderful. I’d yet to tell Ari. I was torn, to be honest.

Jason would be at my wedding. If I invited Papa, I would invite disaster. I didn’t want my wedding to turn into a war zone. I only planned to get married once. What were the chances of them ruining it?

It wasn’t only my wedding either. It was Ari’s as well. I’d been having a fierce debate to the point I was having headaches. What was I supposed to do? Papa and Jason were enemies. I wasn’t even sure I could fix it.

All of it monopolized my thoughts as I applied my makeup. A few hours ago, Ari called me on his way home from the office and told me we were attending a last-minute formal fundraising event. With my father being so sketchy about my apartment and when I’d be returning, I didn’t feel comfortable going so I’d asked Thea to pick up a dress for me.

It’d been good timing. She and Claire dropped it off and we made plans for a bachelorette party for Friday, the day before the rehearsal dinner. It’d be at Hanks and Ross, this club that had been revitalized in the West Loop. The food was good, and they had a sizable dance floor. It sounded fun to me.

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