The Wedding Debt (Underworld Kings)

I’m running on pure adrenaline now as I shoot through the hallways. When I turn my head to look for just a moment, there he is.

Luca.

And the look on his face is all I need to know to run faster.

Because that rage alone is enough to kill me.

Shit.

No time to think.

No time to ask for help.

Just run, just fucking run!

I push open the door and run out into the open air, and I suck in a breath to remind myself of just how precious freedom really is … because I know it’s going to cost me dearly. But anything is better than being forced to marry Luca De Vos.

So I run toward the nearest cab and give him an address, and I hop inside.

Just before Luca exits the door and looks at me like a hawk who’s found its prey. His muscular shoulders rise and fall with each ragged breath he takes. He gave it his all to chase me.

And still, he failed.

The car begins to drive as I hear him scream my name, “Jill!”

The sound goes through marrow and bone.

“I will find you!” he yells as the car drives off, and I look at him through the rearview mirror, just like so many other people out on the street wondering what is going on. “You hear me? I’ll fucking search the end of the world if I have to!”

The end of the world.

Yeah, that’s what it feels like right about now as I blink away the tears.

Abandoned by my family.

Handed over to the enemy.

Destined to run … until he finds me.

Chapter 13

Jill

* * *

“Vijftig euro, meisje,” the driver says.

Fifty euros.

I don’t have that.

I don’t have anything, in fact. Not even my dignity.

I bite my lip, closing my eyes for a second, before I reply, “The guy inside will have your money.”

The driver laughs. “Sure, and I’m the fucking queen.”

“I swear on my life,” I say. “Please. Just let me talk to him, and I’ll get you your money. I swear. You can wait here for me.”

He narrows his eyes at me but then waves it off. “Fine. Go.”

I don’t wait for another second and exit the vehicle, walking into the restaurant in front of me. Van Buren was literally the only place that came to my mind where I felt I’d be relatively safe. For now. My parents will surely come to find me once they find out I ran. I’m not safe with them, nor with anyone else I know at this point.

Even though I’ll definitely miss Jasmine more than anything.

I sigh and walk inside. The place is empty as it’s the middle of the day, and the restaurant hasn’t opened up yet, but I still take a peek inside as I’m sure the staff is already preparing for tonight.

A server notices me, and I quickly pull down my hoodie as she approaches me. “Hey, can I help you?”

“Yeah, I’m looking for Easton. Easton Van Buren,” I reply, twiddling my thumbs.

But the way all the warmth seems to evaporate from her face makes me question what I just said.

“Easton?” she mutters.

“Yeah. This is his restaurant, right?” I mutter.

“Yeah, yeah … I’m just … nothing.” She clears her throat.

“Tell him Jill Baas wants to talk to him,” I add.

“Of course,” she says before she walks off into the back behind the bar. The silence that follows makes me all the more aware of my heartbeat ticking right out of my chest.

The second she comes walking back with him, the nerves take over, and I smile like an idiot when Easton appears.

He frowns when he sees me. “Jill? I didn’t expect to see you back so soon.”

The server looks utterly confused as to why he would know me, but she shrugs and walks off to clean the rest of the tables.

“Mr. Van Buren,” I say, but my voice sounds more like a mouse squeak.

Easton approaches me. “What are you doing here? Where’s Hugo?” He looks around like he’s waiting for my father.

“I ran away from them,” I spit out.

His brows furrow even more. “What?” He places a hand on the small of my back. “C’mon. Sit down first.”

I pause and say, “I need to pay the driver first. But I don’t have any money.”

Easton nods and then flicks his fingers at the server. “Pay the driver outside for me.”

The server nods and rushes out the door while Easton gently nudges me toward a table. “Tell me what’s going on.”

I stop and turn around to place my hand on his elbow, looking up into his serious eyes while mine fill with tears. “I need your help,” I plead. “Don’t tell my parents I’m here, please.”

He swallows, visibly shaken by my request. “What happened?”

My breath falters at the thought of having to explain it all, so I keep it simple. “I did something bad, and my parents traded me to the De Vos family. They wanted to force me to marry one of their sons, Luca.”