The Marriage Debt (Underworld Kings)

“Whatever you want,” Luca answers, throwing me a sexy side glance. “I know you’ll make the right choice.”

“But you’re going to be mad at me if I say I want them back in my life,” I say.

He tilts his head. “No. But I am disappointed I won’t be able to gut him like a fish.” My eyes widen, and he immediately starts laughing. “Relax, I’m just trying to get to you.” He places a hand on my knee, squeezing tight. “But he did hide you from me.”

I blush. “Because I asked him to. So please don’t punish him for it.”

He pecks me on the cheek. “Because you begged so nicely … I won’t.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Now go on. Talk to Easton,” he says, throwing a look at the phone.

“What about Nick?”

Luca’s tongue dips out to lick his top lip. “He knows you belong to me.”

Something about that kind of mad possessiveness has me swooning all over again. “Ten minutes,” Luca says.

“Ten?” I gasp. “That’s not nearly enough.”

“It’s enough for now,” he replies. “Besides, you’ll have plenty more time to call them later.”

I roll my eyes, but still call Easton’s number. It feels like forever before he picks up. Before I hear the voice of the man who saved me from the clutches of the De Vos family three years ago.

“Hey, it’s me. Jill,” I say.

“Jill,” he murmurs. “Nick told me what happened. I thought we’d never see you again. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reply. “Better than ever, actually.”

“If you need help, just say the word, and I will do everything in my power to come and get you.”

I blush, not knowing how to even answer, let alone explain. “No, no. Luca’s not keeping me a prisoner. Not anymore, at least.” When I glance at Luca, he throws me back a devious smirk.

“Nick told me he forced you to marry him and that he put a collar around your neck,” Easton says.

Now my blush worsens even more. “That part is actually true. But I don’t want it off,” I immediately add. “This is how he shows me he loves me … and I’m going to stay with him,” I say. “I just wanted you to know that I’m okay. You don’t have to worry about me anymore.”

“Are you sure?” Easton asks.

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“So you’re not being forced to tell me this?”

I laugh. “No.”

“What about his parents? They forced you to marry him, didn’t they?”

“No. This time, I was the one who chose this.”

“I should’ve never have let them into my restaurant to do their business,” he growls.

“No, wait. Don’t write them off. I don’t want there to be animosity.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I just want things to go back to normal, you know,” I reply, clearing my throat. “And they used to do business at your restaurants and hotels. Maybe it will make them warm up to each other again.”

He sighs into the phone. “If it means a lot to you, maybe I could let them do business at my restaurants again.”

“Is that Jill?” I gasp in shock at the sound of Nick’s voice through the phone. “I want to speak with her.”

Some rustles and rummaging ensue.

“Jill?” he says. “What do you want? Did your boyfriend put you up to this?”

“No, well, yes, but I wanted to contact Easton too.”

“Why? So your boyfriend can force you to tell him not to bother saving you? So he can force you to bow down to him and wear that collar around your neck?”

My hand instinctively rises to touch my neck. “You don’t understa—”

“I knew it. He still acts like he owns you.”

“I chose this. Willingly.”

“Is he sitting next to you right now?” Nick asks. “Because I swear to God—”

“Stop. I know you’re angry, but I love him.”

“You love him?” The hurt is clearly coming through his voice. “Like for real?”

“I do.” I throw a glance at Luca, who is keeping an eye on me, even while driving.

“I want to believe you. But the last time you said those words, he was threatening to kill me.”

“I. Love. Him.”

It’s silent for a few seconds.

“Nick. Please, stop fighting,” I beg. “It’s over. I’m not coming back.”

“Fine. If you’re happy.” He sighs, but I still appreciate it, even if he’ll only do it for me. “But I don’t ever want to see that fucker, and if he ever hurts you, I’ll come and rain down fucking hell on him. Got it?”

“Thank you,” I reply.

More silence ensues. “Guess he got what he wanted after all. I just hope you did too.”

More rustling sounds follow, and then I hear Easton’s familiar voice again. “Well, that was … interesting.”

“I think he thought something was between us, but there wasn’t. I feel bad for him.”

“Don’t be. He’ll find the one eventually,” Easton replies. “We all do.”

“I hope so. He deserves it,” I say.