Page 52 of The Marriage Deal
My gaze darted to Elle, who was nodding behind her sister's back. I nodded. "Yes. I needed the money and Elle…"
"Came up with the idea," Elle jumped in.
"I told him he could marry me, contractually of course, but he insisted on giving me something in return, so I suggested he pay off the investor goons."
"That's what happened. Exactly as she said it. Technically, she deserves half—"
"Damn right she does," Effie said.
"But I didn't want his money," Elle added. "So this was the agreement that best suited both our needs."
Effie's eyes narrowed as she assessed her sister. "And how long is this sham marriage supposed to last?"
"About a year," Elle said, glancing at me. I nodded.
Effie folded her arms. "So you're going to be a divorcee to your current boyfriend,who is also your boss?"
"Why do you have to put it like that?"
"I mean, it's the truth, isn't it?"
"Effie!"
Effie let out an exasperated breath and then threw her hands in the air. "You're a grown woman. You're both grownups, so why should I care, right?"
Elle's gaze darted at me again. "You're making it into something that it's not. He wanted help, and I agreed. That's it."
Effie's gaze honed in on me. I was only a passive observer, but felt like the spotlight was on me now. No wonder Elle didn't want her sister to know. Effie was terrifying. And all she did was look at me. "Can we speak for a minute?"
She meant me. I knew she did, but I pointed to myself in surprise, wondering why she was singling me out. "Yes," she said.
Elle gave me another one of her sheepish looks and left the room.
"What are your intentions toward my sister?"
"I—"
"She has had her heart broken a few times before, and to learn that she jumped out of a relationship with a cheater only to date you in what sounds like a matter of days makes me think she's not thinking clearly. She's probably still healing from what that little bitch Wyatt did to her. And you coming in… if you fuck her up," she pointed a finger at me. "I will fuck you up. You understand me?"
I nodded. She looked serious enough to make good on the threat. "I want what's best for your sister, and she might not know this, but I have liked her for a long time now."
Effie crossed her arms again. "And why doesn't she know this?"
Because she's not serious about our relationship. I don't want to push my luck by telling her how I truly feel. I'm just glad she's here with me and we could be 'fuck buddies.' "Because like you said, I don't want to be another Wyatt. She's healing. I want to give her time."
Effie raised her chin. "You're an interesting man, Levi. Anyway, like I said, you're both grownups, and thank you forthe money. You should have given her more though considering you're a whole-ass billionaire."
"I wanted to, but she insisted on that specific amount."
"Yeah, my sister can be too noble for her own good. But I know men like you. You are not the serious type. Which is good for a rebound, but after the year is done, you should leave her alone. Drop her gently. Do not give her false promises of marrying rich. She has a promising career. She's good at what she does. If she achieves it, she'll be the only one in our family to get a PhD, and I don't want you to derail that. Understood?"
She wanted me to break off with her sister after our year was up. I wanted to tell her to go where the sun don't shine. But I wasn't sure if Elle liked me. If anything, she was the one likely to break it off. I simply nodded. This satisfied Effie, after which she asked me to call Elle back. Effie did not stay too long. She left soon after, and when she was gone, Elle asked. "What did my sister say to you?"
"Nothing." I shrugged. "She wanted to thank me for the money."
23
Elvira
