Page 4 of Love, Honor, and Ink

Arianna froze and then slowly turned toward Justin, who had leaned back in his chair, his hands calmly resting on his stomach.

“What?” she asked through clenched teeth.

“I’ll let you keep your position—thereby becoming president and owner—if you marry Justin.”

Arianna blinked, unable to come up with words.

Marry. Justin.

Her father had to be fucking kidding her.

“I’m not marrying Justin.”

“No offense, right?” Justin sneered.

“Fuck you, Justin. All offense intended,” she snarled then turned to her father. “No. I’m not marrying your precious puppet. What do you think you’re doing? This is the twenty-first century. You can’t just marry me off to the highest bidder.”

This couldn’t be legal. Could it?

She’d sue. She’d do something, but she wouldn’t marry that jackass.

Xavier raised a brow. “Can’t I? Marry Justin or lose your precious company. I don’t really care as long as you do as you’re told. It’s about time you act the dutiful daughter and not the ungrateful bitch in front of me.”

Arianna stood up quickly, almost knocking into her chair. Jesus, what the hell was happening? She’d walked into this room thinking she’d finally be free, and now her father wanted to shackle her even tighter.

What was she going to do? She couldn’t let the company fall into their rival’s hands, it wouldn’t be fair. But if it happened, she’d be out of a job. And there was no way in hell that she would marry the prick beside her.

She had a little savings, but she couldn’t afford the type of lawyer she’d need to fight her father.

She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry.

There really was only one option.

“I quit.”

Her father blinked—a sign of emotion he more than likely didn’t even know he was showing—then stood up, his mouth opening to say something probably even more vulgar than usual.

Arianna raised her hand, silencing him with a look. Rage made her limbs want to shake, but she stayed firm. She would not show weakness. Not now. Not ever. Never to this man again. “I’m done. Take your precious Justin and your precious plans and leave me out of it.”

Surprised she’d been able to speak at all, she turned on her heel and walked out of the office. Her father and Justin may have spoken behind her, but she didn’t hear.

She could barely think, let alone do anything else.

With one conversation, she’d lost it all. Her dreams hadn’t come true. There were no such things as happily ever afters.

Fate fucking sucked.

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