Page 13 of Covenant

Fuck, is that what I’m feeling?

After months of feeling nothing, he’s the first person to elicit emotion?

Of course he is. He’s the fucking worst. The real life manifestation of everything I’ve lost.

It’s no surprise he’s here, really. It’s fucking fate having another laugh at my expense.

“Have a seat,” the older man says, gesturing to a long table and a few swiveling chairs in a conference room.

I round it, bumping my hip as I go, pain filtering through me for a moment as I sit down. Matthias, of course, lowers himself directly opposite me, his long legs brushing against mine. He really needs to keep to his own personal space.

I know he’s doing this on purpose. He wants a reaction from me, he always does. Even as kids, I’d be the one he’d look to. The one whose attention he wanted. Needed.

No, I’m overthinking things. Matthias doesn’t give a shit about me or how I feel. He never did.

If he did, that night in the past would’ve turned out differently. Shit, me losing my job at Lawson and Buckingham would’ve ended differently.

I watch as Matthias folds his hands on the wooden surface and turns to look at the man taking a seat at the head of the table.

“Thank you both for coming. My name is Jim Flanders and I’m here to go over the paperwork and notarize your contracts. I’d like to get this done as fast as possible, I have a lunch I need to get to, and traffic at this time of day is atrocious.”

The drum of my heartbeat starts to build in my ears again. Sweat beads on my hands and I wipe them on my pants. Fuck, why is this so hard?

Because it’s him,my mind whispers. I know it’s right. Why the fuck did it have to be Matthias?

“Don’t be nervous, Wy,” Matthias says softly, and I glower at him, my lips pursed as I breathe heavily through my nose.

“I’m not fucking nervous,” I hiss back.

“Neither of you should be nervous,” Mr. Flanders interjects. “Mr. Malone, you have had your request granted already. By settling Mr. Buckingham’s request, your debt will be cleared. There’s no other choice.”

Matthias’s request.I knew he had something to do with this the second I entered, but…that hadn’t occurred to me.

Matthias had gone to The Firm, just like me.

What on earth did he need? He’s one of the richest men in the city. Aside from The Firm, the Buckinghams were the most powerful and influential people around.

Why the fuck does Matthias need The Firm?

Well, I guess I was about to find out.

I force my gaze away from Matthias as two iPads are set before us, and Mr. Flanders begins to go through each page and what’s expected from us—fromme. My stomach roils when I see the words before me.

There’s just one my mind grabs on to. One I can’t move past.

No…it can’t possibly mean…

“Marriage?” I gasp, before I even realize I’m speaking. “I’m not fucking marrying—oh god, am I marrying him? I’m not even gay.”

Matthias cocks his head, his brow furrowing. “This is what I need. I’m sorry it’s you, but I need a husband.”

Mr. Flanders chooses that moment to pipe up disapprovingly. “And, once again, Mr. Malone, you do not have a choice in the matter. You owe a debt to The Firm. Mr. Buckingham needs a husband. This is what’s required of you.”

My mouth opens and closes like a fish. “What…what about Matthias’s debt? What if they ask something from him that endangers me?”

Matthias doesn’t answer, but I don’t expect him to. It’s not like he knows what The Firm will ask of him.

“You don’t need to concern yourself with that,” Mr. Flanders sighs. “Marrying Mr. Buckingham will complete your transaction with The Firm. Whatever is requested from your husband will not have a negative impact on your life.”

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