Page 45 of Ruthless Oath

“Would you marry a woman you didn’t love?”

“I wouldn’t marry anyone,” he mumbled. “It’s not in the cards for me.”

“Why not?”

“We’re not talking about me,” he snapped. “You marrying Collins is a good opportunity for your father. One that will secure your family’s position in the organization. I understand why he dangled you in front of him.”

What does he have against marriage?

“I don’t care about my family’s position.” Heat rose up the back of my neck at the thought of being forced into such a barbaric alliance with a man who wanted to take me to see a doctor to make sure I was a virgin.

Who does that?

Don’t even get me started on the producing of an heir either. I would never have sex with Danny.

“Why is it my responsibility? My father has managed this life for years without me. He’s never asked for my help before. Couldn’t he have started with something smaller?”

“There’s such a thing called duty.”

“Would your father make you do something you didn’t want to do?”

“He wouldn’t have to make me. I would do whatever it takes to keep us safe. No questions asked.”

“I guess you’re a better child than I am.” I finished the vodka, hoping it would calm my anger about my father’s plans.

“Maybe it’s not the child who is the problem?” He shrugged. “Although, you’re definitely a problem child.”

I rolled my eyes, and he clenched his fist.

“What I meant was, perhaps if your father parented you better instead of giving in to your every whim, you would be more inclined to assist him.”

“If he needed to borrow from my trust fund or wanted me to drop off a package, I would help, but marrying a man I know nothing about because he wants to make an alliance is a little much, don’t you think?”

“Knowing what type of man Collins is makes me question your father’s motives.”

“I don’t want to be caught up in the middle of this business. It’s not my legacy. Obviously, my father would hand me over to an unscrupulous man before trusting me with anything that had to do with his world.”

Not that I wanted any part of this brutal business. I may have benefitted my entire life from how my father made his money, but that didn’t mean I approved of it.

“If I keep you here with me, I’ll have to fight hard for my territory.” He set his glass on the desk. “A battle will be inevitable, and people will get killed.”

“My father?” I asked. As much as I despised him for thinking he could force me into an arranged marriage, I didn’t want him to die. I didn’t want anyone to die.

“It’s a possibility.” Marchello didn’t even flinch when he looked me in the eyes.

“Why does anyone have to die?” I refocused on the books because this conversation was far too real. “Why can’t you negotiate?”

“Negotiate what?”

“I don’t know how this works. Why are you even fighting over territory? Why is your dad on the run?”

“None of that concerns you.”

“You sound like my father.” I placed my glass on the shelf. “He never tells me anything either. He just expects me to follow his orders.”

“I expect that too.”

“Then you’ll be disappointed.”

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