Page 6 of Dex

“Why not?”He takes a big swig from his beer bottle, and I note that he hasn’t answered my question.

“Are you seriously considering this?”I’m fearful of his answer, of the expression on Rio’s face.This guy looks like he’s seriously considering the marriage deal.I think it’s a sick idea that only someone like the old man could come up with.“What type of woman would agree to an arranged marriage?”I ask when he doesn’t answer.“What type ofguywould agree to this?”

“Your brother was going to do it,” Rio pushes back.

I’ve spoken to Jett about this, and he never would have.“He was never going to.The old man thought it would be a good idea, and he tried to get into Jett’s head, by telling him that Brooke needed a mother, and Jett needed a wife, but you should know by now that neither me nor Jett would ever willingly adjust our lives to fit in with something the old man dictates.I can’t vouch for Zach, but that guy’s always had a soft spot for the old man.Me and Jett, not so much.As for you …” I point at Rio with the photo.“This is the last thing I expected from you, brother.”

Rio looks away, and I probe deeper.“What’s going on?Something you want to talk about.”

All I wanted was an evening chilling and hanging out, taking it easy.Not some existential angst situation.

“You still getting over the breakup?”I prompt.He was serious about someone, and they broke up a while back.He’s not like me.He doesn’t do hookups or casual relationships.This guy wants something deeper.Meaningful.I guess in that respect we’re different.

“That’s over.Forgotten,” he says, with a finality in his tone that tells me not to pursue the matter.

“Okay.And this …” I hold up the photo.“What about this, brother?”

“She’s gorgeous.”

“She’s not bad,” I agree.This woman has movie star looks, for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that photo has been touched up, just like in celebrity magazines.She can’t bethatbeautiful.Because, now that I find myself staring at the photo with a little more concentration, she’sreallypretty.“But looks aren’t everything.”

My heart sinks looking at Rio’s face.I never had him down for being such a soft guy, not with that dark and dangerous persona he’s always projecting.“If you’re obsessed with her, why don’t you just go for it?”

“What?”

“Marry her.Agree to marry her.”

“Thought the old man said the deal’s fallen through.”

“With Jett,” I point out.“But he hasn’t said anything more.”

“It’s been a few months.Maybe she got another offer?”Rio asks, and the fact that he’s asking, suggests that maybe he’s been thinking about it.

“If you want her, go for it.Do something, instead of sitting here worshipping this picture.”

“I’m not worshiping that picture,” he snaps.“I just took the photo and I was hoping to put it back at the next family dinner.”

“But you’ve been thinking about her?”I nod at the photo.Rio doesn’t answer.But the look in his eyes tells me everything.

Chapter 3

DANI

After sitting by my father’s bedside, listening to his worries, I found Paul Knight’s number in my father’s diary and called him.

Others might have sent an email, but time is of the essence and it feels as if we don’t have time for that.

He answered smoothly, and with great charm, in a voice rich with warmth.Perhaps it was a littletoowarm, a littletoosmooth, but I found it reassuring.It was what I needed.

“Ah, Daniela,” he said, as if he’d been expecting my call.“How is your father?”His voice dripped with concern, so much so that I almost believed it.

I explained, politely but directly, that I was sorry the alliance hadn’t gone through and that my father was still very eager to make a deal.I also mentioned—offhand and casually, as if it wasn’t the real reason I was calling—that I’d recently discovered he had five other sons.

Because I was so worried about having to marry Oscar Ramos, I didn’t dance around the topic.

“Mr.Knight, my father is most anxious for this alliance, and I was wondering if there was any possibility that we could form an alliance, if one of your other sons might be more amenable to this arrangement.”

He paused and I heard my heartbeat thumping inside my ribcage.Then, his voice turned warm again, almost approving.

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