Page 59 of Fierce Hearts

Isat across from Juan Ference at the lavish restaurant, feeling like I was watching someone else's life unfold. The venue was gorgeous—an hour outside Ironstone with sweeping views of vineyards and rolling hills that would have taken my breath away under different circumstances. Now, the beauty only heightened my sense of how unreal this all felt.

Ernesto sat beside me, his presence a constant reminder of my cage. Juan and one of his men occupied the other side of the table. The remains of our lunch sat between us—I'd barely touched mine, claiming I'd already eaten, which was true. Instead, I'd sipped water while the men enjoyed wine.

"So, we are in agreement then," Ernesto said, sliding a typed document across the table.

I stiffened. This was the first I was actually seeing any agreement. My fingers twitched with the urge to snatch it up, to read what my life was being bartered for, but I kept my hands folded in my lap.

Juan took his time reading through the pages, his expression giving nothing away. His dark eyes scanned each line methodically, occasionally nodding. He was handsome in a cold, severe way—tall with sharp features and meticulously styled dark hair. The kind of man who'd look perfect in family photos while making your life hell behind closed doors.

Yep, that was exactly what the Ferences were known for.

Then again, the Savocas hadn’t been any better. But they’d not killed their own women or used them for prostitution.

Wasn’t that just like bartering your blood for alliances?

I shoved the thought aside.

"These terms are acceptable," Juan finally said, looking up from the document, his accent not as strong as my uncle's. "Though nothing will be set in stone until the wedding itself. We should plan for a month from now."

"And the engagement party?" Ernesto asked as my stomach dropped.

"Two weeks should be sufficient time to arrange something appropriate."

I fought to keep my expression neutral as they discussed my future as if I weren't sitting right there. Two weeks until I was publicly claimed. One month until I was married off. The timeline had my head spinning.

Would this give us enough time to get me out of the arrangement? Was there even an out?

Juan's gaze shifted to me, his eyes moving over my face and body with the clinical assessment of someone appraising property. "She is a beautiful woman. She will bear me strong heirs." His lips curved into what might have been intended as a smile, but it made my skin crawl. "I will provide well for her, so long as she remembers her place."

Right, I had to remember my place. I wanted nothing more than to slap that damn creepy smile off his face right now.

But Ernesto's eyes were on me, hard and expectant.

Play my part.

"I understand," I said, fighting every instinct to leave the table, to turn down this agreement.

Juan reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a small velvet box. He slid it across the table toward me with two fingers, as if passing along a business card. "For you."

Just the way every girl dreamed to get proposed to.

I nodded as I picked it up and opened it. Inside sat a massive diamond ring—princess cut with a thick band of smaller diamonds surrounding it. It was ostentatious, gaudy even. Nothing like what I would have chosen.

"Put it on," Ernesto instructed when I made no move to do so.

I slipped the ring onto my finger, fighting the desire to scowl at it. It felt like a shackle.

"Perfect," Juan said, satisfaction evident in his voice. "My people will be in touch to organize the engagement party and wedding details." He stood, adjusting his suit jacket with a practiced motion. "I'll see you then, fiancée."

The word made me grimace internally, though I kept my face carefully blank as I rose to my feet alongside Ernesto. Juan stepped around the table, took my hands in his, and kissed me on each cheek. His cologne was expensive but overwhelming, and I fought the urge to pull away.

"Until next time," he murmured near my ear before releasing me and departing with his man following close behind.

As soon as they were out of sight, I turned to Ernesto, forcing myself to keep from raising my voice. "What was in that agreement? Why didn't you show it to me beforehand?"

Ernesto waved his hand dismissively. "Just the terms of the alliance between our families. Nothing for you to concern yourself with."

"It's my life," I hissed, keeping my voice low despite the boiling of my blood. "I think I deserve to know what you've promised."

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