Page 3 of Mated to the Kingpin

He watches me and I remind myself how much of an asshole Liam is. How he broke my heart at 16, how cruel he was about it, and how he couldn’t even be bothered to show up to his supposed best friend’s funeral. Liam doesn’t deserve anything from me.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest. As his eyes track the movement, I wish I hadn’t taken off my blazer. My nipples tighten as his gaze is practically a caress. No, I will not let him cause a reaction in me. My lady bits can suck it up—this is not a man I’d be willing to end the dry spell with.

“You look good, Claire.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I snap, my hackles raising. “Now, why are you here?”

The server brings us our drink and asks if we’d like a menu. Liam answers before I can, telling her he’s fine with just the drink and asking for a few more minutes to figure things out. He smiles at her, the charming one that makes it seem like you’re the only person in the world.

I take a desperate drink of my whiskey sour and he raises his tumbler as if in toast. “Good to know your taste in alcohol has matured from vanilla vodka.”

I set the glass down on the table, toying with it between my hands. I can’t look at him when I mutter, “I haven’t touched vanilla vodka since that night.”

His only reply is a grunt. Silence builds between us and I struggle under the weight of his stare. Irritation snaps inside me and I shoot him a glare.

“Seriously, why are you here?” I demand. “If you’re here just to mess with me, I’m leaving and you can cover the bill.”

His lip quirks up in a smirk. “You’ve grown claws.” When I slide off the bar stool, he raises a hand in supplication. “There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

I hesitate, narrowing my eyes in suspicion. I’m not stupid. I know Liam is a part of the Irish mafia that’s here in Savannah. His dad is the boss, something my brother Seth told me even though he wasn’t supposed to. Seth thought Liam was amazing and envied Liam’s ability to change into a werewolf. Liam and his family lived down the street until his dad bought an estate out on the outskirts of the city after Liam graduated high school.

Whatever Liam wants to discuss with me can’t be good.

“Did you kill my date?”

Liam scoffs. “No. Greg just remembered he had something else to do tonight.” He inclines his head towards the stool and I’m sitting before I realize I obeyed him without question. Crossing my arms again, I then raise one to wave at him to start as if I’m his queen.

“I’m here to collect that favor you owe me.”

I frown, confusion at his meaning before it finally hits. He’s talking about owing him after saving me from the consequences of a stupid decision I made. My cheeks flame at the shame I still feel from that night. Gritting my teeth, I try to shrug like it’s no big deal.

“Fine. What do you want?”

His steel blue eyes hold mine. My heart rises into my throat as a trickle of apprehension trickles down my spine. Whatever he’s going to say, I know I’m not going to like it. A moment later, I know I’m right.

“You are going to marry me.”

Chapter 3

Claire

There’s no sound in my ears as blood rushes through me. “W-what?”

He repeats the words slowly, as if I hadn’t heard him correctly. “You are going to marry me.”

I can’t breathe. The walls of the bar close in on me.

At one point in my life, I’d dreamed of this moment. I’d lay in bed at my childhood home, planning out Liam and me’s life. Our wedding would be on the beach. We’d have a small, private ceremony and he’d make a joke about not letting his parents see him cry as he slid a ring onto my finger. I’d be wearing a slim fitting wedding dress, having never wanted to wear a ballgown style like so many of my friends talked about. Everything would be simple, down to my seasonal wildflower bouquet. I’ve always wanted my wedding to focus on the love between me and Liam.

Then, after the ceremony, he’d take me home and fuck me like he owned me, which would be accurate since we’d have tied our souls together.

I haven’t thought of that dream since the night he made it clear he didn’t want me.

“No,” I whisper, then find my voice. “Absolutely not.”

I push off the stool, ready to leave. Liam stands, stopping me. His large body is a barrier between me and freedom. I’m not sure if he’s doing it to intimidate me or because of the other diners.

“Why not?”

---