Page 8 of Stolen Vows

Papa pins me with his stern gaze. “There’s been a change in plans. While your wedding will continue as planned, your engagement to Nikolai Kozlov has been called off.”

My brow creases in confusion. How can I get married without a groom?

“In his place,” Papa continues, “you’re now engaged to Mr. De Luca. You will immediately—”

I shoot out of my seat. “What?No, Papa, you can’t give me to this…this monster!” Horror grips my chest and gives it a harsh twist.

Roman quirks a brow, the curve of his lips show his amusement at my distress. What an asshole.

Papa glares at me. “Sophia, sit down. You will do as you’re told. This is important and you will not mess it up.” His tone is firm, and I do as I’m ordered. But I’m not going down without a fight. This simply cannot be happening.

“He did this, didn’t he?” I point an accusing finger at Roman’s smug face. “Why? Why are you doing this to me?”

His only answer is to give me a bored stare, as if this entire situation, and me, are beneath him.

Fine. I turn my attention to my father and fold my arms. “I won’t do it. I won’t go with him.” For the first time in my life, I stand my ground. I’m disobeying Papa. I’ve always done as I’m told, but this time… There’s a line, a boundary, I never knew I had, and this has pushed me over the edge.

I’d rather burn in Hell for all eternity than marry Roman De Luca.

In response to my father’s silence, I restate my position, “You can’t make me do this.”

Papa glances away, at the same time as Roman snorts a laugh. In his deep rumble, he says, “This is a business deal between your father and I. Be a good girl and do as you’re told—or I’ll make you.”

Dread wraps its claws around my lungs and squeezes. It clenches so tightly that for several seconds I can’t breathe. Roman holds my gaze and I feel like a mouse in the presence of a giant cat, out in the open with nowhere to hide. Even seated he manages to be intimidating. Behind that cool exterior is a monster ready to snap. I know it. I just witnessed it when he beat Nik bloody.

This evening is turning into a nightmare.

I’m not sure what comes over me, but when I open my mouth, my voice is steady as I say, “You can’t make me.”

My tone is hushed, but the words are defiant.

Roman immediately picks up on the challenge. Twisted satisfaction flashes in his eyes as his cruel lips turn up at the corners, and I know I’m doomed. He is not the type of man to back down. I should have known better.

“Papa, please.” I beg, not taking my gaze off of the predator before me. “I won’t do this. I can’t. You don’t understand—”

“This is not up for argument or debate, Sophia! It’s been decided. It’s necessary. Now go say your farewells to your mom and sisters. You’re leaving at once.”

I shake my head, standing and slowly backing away from them toward the exit. I need to get out of here, away from both of them.

Being engaged to Nik I could handle. I knew what to expect from him, especially after tonight, and in a strange way that made him safe—predictable. But this man... How can Papa toss my life, my future, into a business deal with a man like Roman De Luca?

There’s only one explanation: Roman coerced my father. Is it blackmail?

Roman uncurls from his chair, standing to his full, impressive height. “You’ll either walk out of this house with me, or I will carry you out. The choice is yours.”

My jaw pops open at his blatant threat.

“You wouldn’t dare.” I swallow hard, preparing to make a run for it.

“Oh, I would.” He takes one step forward.

I bolt for the door, but Roman moves quicker than I expect. Large, rough hands tear my grasp from the knob, and he unceremoniously tosses me over his shoulder. I thrash, rumpling his bloody tux.

“Put me down! You monster!”

He rumbles a laugh, swats my ass, then carries me in his iron grip through the main hallway and out the front door. No doubt drawing attention from our guests as I continue to shriek, my cheeks aflame with humiliation. Though from my upside-down position, I cannot see their stricken expressions as we pass by.

In the circular driveway a limo waits for us. Roman shoves me into the back seat with him and closes the door. The locks immediately click into place. Even so, I fumble with the locking mechanism, and repeatedly yank on the door handle. I try the window control. Nothing will budge. I’m trapped. Kidnapped from my own home.

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