Ruthless Prince (Dark Syndicate 1)

“You’re selling me!” I gasp. My voice is shrill, rising several octaves as I speak, shaking as I tremble from deep within. “Daddy, you’re selling me?”

I have to ask the question. His face contorts and his jaw clenches. Once again, there’s no answer.

Jesus… this can’t be happening. He’s selling me. It’s true. A debt exchanged. Me for twenty-five million.

Twenty-five million.

What the fuck happened? How did this happen?

My father is incredibly wealthy. He doesn’t owe anybody. Clearly, I’m terribly wrong.

“Emelia, I need your signature,” he states, rising to his feet.

“Dad… how could you do this? You’re selling me,” I croak, and fuck, the tears come hard now.

One more step back, and I hit a wall, but it’s not the wall. Arms steady me, holding me in place, preventing me from fleeing. I look up and see Frankie. He averts his gaze, though, and stares right ahead. He was right to think I would flee, but how far would I get?

“Sign the document, Emelia,” Dad demands, glowering at me.

“Dad,” I mutter. “No.”

I knew I would have to marry someday, but I didn’t imagine it would be like this. Sold. Falling part of assets. Belonging to someone under a contract of ownership like I’m a thing? No. I never thought that.

My parents had an arranged marriage, and they told me how it all happened. How they met and dated and got to know each other and love came. My mother loved him.

Dad moves to me lightning fast and drags me away from Frankie, shoving me forward so hard I almost fall over. I have to catch the edge of the desk to steady myself.

With one swift move he grabs the pen, takes my hand, and squeezes my hand so hard I cry out.

“You will obey me,” Dad rages, squeezing harder.

In all my years, he’s never behaved this way. Never hurt me. Never mistreated me in any way. Desperation and rage mingle in his pale blue eyes. I’ve never seen him look so scared.

“Do it!” he shouts, squeezing my hand so hard I cry out from the pain.

I’m shocked when a heavy hand lands on top of his, nearly covering both our hands.

It’s Massimo. Dad stills and glares at him, but Massimo stares him down.

“Let. Her. Go.” His voice…it’s deep and evenly spoken. Eloquent but demanding. Filled with darkness that sends a lance of panic through me.

He releases his grip on Dad, and Dad lets me go. The pen clatters to the desk, and just for a second, I look at him and wonder if he sees just how wrong this is. I’m a person.

I’m quickly reminded he’s not here to be my savior when he picks up the pen and holds it out to me.

“Sign the document, Emelia,” Massimo says, lingering on the last syllable of my name. “If you don’t, you will not like what happens next.”

I gaze at him and tremble. Rage flickers in his eyes, yet he seems so calm as he speaks. I am helpless against his threat.

No one in here will help me.

His threat holds the menace of death laced between the words.

Will he kill my father if I don’t sign? Is that what this is? Will he kill me? Torture me? He looks like he would. Beyond the beauty in his face is darkness. Darkness and a menace of evil.

I don’t want to die.

I don’t want them to kill Dad.