Page 65 of Forget Me Not

“So it’s safe to assume you knew about the contract?”

“For a while I didn't, but recently, it fell into my hands.”

Finally, I might get some answers about that damn contract and what it entailed. Not that it matters anymore, now that my father is dead.

“Tell me about it. I need to know everything. I know it’s void now because my father is dead, but—”

His eyebrows shoot to his forehead. “What makes you think the contract is void?”

“Well, it has to be. Grayson died.”

“That’s true, Rhea. But his fortune didn’t. Much like his assets and his estate, that contract still very much exists. I’m not sure where you got your information from, but that contract is still active. It’s another reason why I couldn’t stay away any longer. You need real protection.”

I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut as I drop back down on the bed beside Alaric. I keep a good distance between us, so he doesn’t try and kiss me again, but I’m feeling too overwhelmed to stand. “That doesn’t make any sense. How can that be if he’s not alive to fulfill his part of the deal?”

“He’s not alive, but you are. You were the deal. You and his money are the only part of the contract that matters.”

“Well, it’s easy then. I’ll just never meet the terms of it, obviously. What’s the worst that can happen?”

“Damn straight you’re never going to meet the terms of it, because we’re going to marry first. Once we get married, then the contract no longer exists.”

I rub viciously at my temples. “I don’t understand any of this.”

Alaric stands up, positioning himself right in front of me as he explains. “Your father gave away your hand in marriage to someone who turned out to be a very dangerous man. He’s a crime lord down in Mexico and he wantsyou, Rhea. You’re indebted to him, and once the two of you are married, he will own a share in Grayson’s fortune, making him all the more powerful.” He grabs my shoulders eagerly and raises his voice to make himself clear.

“This man will hurt you, Rhea. He’ll sell your body to his minions for the right price. He’ll dress you up and use you as his arm candy, only to go home at night and beat you bloody. He’ll tear you down until you are nothing but a bag of bones. And when you’re no longer of use to him, he’ll throw you out.” He shakes his head, eyes closed. “You think your body has been abused before? Well, this guy will make your past feel like a blessing.”

My hand flies to my mouth as I gasp. I knew it was bad, but I had no idea how bad it could be. Alaric, noticing the terror in my eyes, crouches down in front of me.

“Hey. He’s never gonna get near you. Ever. I’d die first.”

I close my eyes as tears slip through them and roll down my cheeks. “And what happens when he kills you and I’m left to my own devices?”

Two hands rest on my legs while hopeful eyes look back at me. “It’s not going to happen. I can promise you that. As long as you do what I say, you’ll be safe.”

I laugh loudly, though the sound is more grueling than humorous. “You expect me to believe that after everything you’ve done?”

“Everything I’ve done was with purpose. I didn’t take those pictures tonight to turn you in. I took them so you could see that you can be easily followed. You need me. None of this was ever to hurt you. I need you to trust me.” He stands up again and clears his throat.

“The contract states that you cannot marry prior to your twenty-first birthday, which you haven’t. Up until you turned twenty-one, you’ve been useless to him. But now that you’re of age, he’s ready to collect. Unless…”

“Unless what?” I spring to my feet. “Tell me. Is there a loophole?”

“Ian can’t make you his wife if you’re already someone else’s.”

My hands fly in the air. “Fine. Whatever. Then I’ll get married. To someone. Anyone. Hell, I’ll marry Tyler.”

I swear I can hear the sound of his knuckles cracking as he clenches his fists. “You marry Tyler, or anyone else for that matter, and I’ll make you a widow before your wedding night. No one else has the money and resources to protect you. Much less, the wits. But more importantly, no one else could ever love you like I do.” His words are stern and I take them seriously. I believe Alaric would do just that. He’s already proven how far he’ll go for me.

My fists dig into my hips and I raise a brow. “And I assume this is the part where you tell me I’m going to marryyou?”

When he drops to his knee and reaches into his pocket, my first reaction is to knock him over the head and run. Man, I’d love more than anything to do just that. But if what Alaric says is true, I might need him more than I think. My life begins once the threat of that contract is gone.

Alaric pulls out a black velvet box and flips the top, exposing the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s four, maybe five, double-squared carats sitting on a white gold band. It’s stunning. So much so that it literally takes my breath away.

“This isn’t the conventional way to do it, Rhea. I’d love more than anything to ask you this question with confidence in what your response will be. But time is of the essence, so Rhea Thorn, will you be my wife?”

“No,” I blurt out on impulse. “I won’t marry you, Alaric.” I gulp, feeling the thickness of regret in my throat because there is a good chance I’ll soon wish I’d said yes. “I’ve made it this far on my own, and I’m going to continue to take my chances. So thanks, but no thanks.”

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