He shook his head. “No…not a euro.”
Money wasn’t important to me, but knowing it wasn’t there terrified me. Without my share of the trust, I couldn’t afford my nice apartment, I couldn’t afford to keep performing because it didn’t pay enough. I couldn’t afford food or clothes. “I don’t understand… How did this happen?”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said with a sigh. “It doesn’t change what’s going to happen. Bottom line, we’re broke. That means we’re also in danger…”
I couldn’t believe this was happening.
“I’m sorry, princess. I know you’re disappointed in me… I’m disappointed too.”
I wasn’t anything at the moment. As long as we were both healthy, we could figure out a new plan. I would have to get a day job if I wanted to keep performing at night. I’d have to reconsider my career options now that I couldn’t live off our wealth. It was devastating…but doable.
“There’s only one way I can keep you safe…and you aren’t going to like it.”
“Keep me safe? I’ll give up all my possessions and take them to the bank to pay our debts. Whatever it takes.”
“No, not from the banks. I have worse enemies than the banks…”
I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to know.
“The only way you’ll be protected is if you marry into another family, a powerful and rich one, one with enough credibility that they won’t bother with you. You’ll be unattainable.”
“Well, this isn’t the 1800s, Dad. Arranged marriages are absurd in this day and age.”
“Maybe…but it’s necessary.”
So he was serious. “You aren’t thinking of actually marrying me—”
“I’ve already found the perfect husband for you—Maverick DeVille.”
I had no idea who that was. “Uh…not gonna happen.”
“Arwen, I know this is hard, but this is about survival. We won’t survive unless we do this. You have no idea what kind of men will be hunting me down.”
“What about you? Why don’t I just go with you?”
“Because you’ll be on the run forever. You’ll never have a normal life. You’ll never be able to sing again. Maverick can keep you safe. He can keep the dogs away. I know you don’t like this, but trust me, this is what—”
“I’m already seeing someone…”
“Well…I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry?” Now that I realized that this was deadly serious, that my father really intended to marry me to some stranger, the terror was starting to suffocate me. “You’re sorry that you’re making me marry a guy I don’t even know? Well, the answer is no. I refuse.”
He bowed his head. “Princess—”
“Don’t ‘princess’ me.” I pushed my hands against the table and stood. “When I marry someone, it’ll be for love. It’ll be because I can’t live without him. I’m not marrying some guy because I’m scared of your collectors.”
“Arwen, you don’t understand.” He rose to his feet, moving much more slowly.
“I’m not listening to this.” I started to walk off, refusing to entertain this nonsense.
“Arwen.” His voice grew stronger. “You don’t understand what you’re up against.”
I stopped in my tracks, the tears immediately burning to the surface.
“I won’t survive this. And when I’m gone, there’s nothing standing between you and death. Arwen, I don’t want to say this to you…but these men won’t just hurt you. They’ll rape you…they’ll torture you. I wish there were another way…but there’s not. Maverick DeVille is the only way you’ll live. So, we don’t have a choice.”
3
Arwen
My apartment became my fortress for the next few days.
I dodged my father’s calls even though I felt like shit for doing it.
I sat at the kitchen table with a bottle of red wine in front of me. It was one of those nights when I didn’t bother with a glass. Getting my hit straight from the bottle was the only way to guarantee my satisfaction.
White candles were lit on the table before me, setting up a beautiful ambiance so I could practice my singing. A window that stretched from the floor to the ceiling was beside me so I could see Florence underneath me, the Catholic church just a few blocks over.
But I had no interest in singing.
My life had been turned upside down in a matter of seconds. All my freedom had been stripped away, all of my independence. Now my family was in such trouble that I had to marry some random guy.
Like that was ever going to happen.
As much as I loved my father, I was angry with him. How did he ruin our livelihood? How did he destroy my inheritance? How did he get involved with such cruel men that my life was really that vulnerable?
How could he do this?
I’d already lost a mother. Now I would lose a father.
Dante knocked on the door.
“It’s open.” I rose to greet him, to greet the only person in my life who could offer any comfort.
He stepped through the door wearing a collared shirt and jeans. He had dirty-blond hair, bright eyes, and a handsome face that was borderline boyish. A hint of a smile was on his lips, and happiness shone in his eyes. But when he saw my expression, all of that joy faded away. “What’s wrong?”