Page 37 of Red Retaliation
“You’d do well to remember that, like I’ve previously pointed out, I have no interest in you. This marriage will be one of convenience,” he continues. “Convenience tobothof us. This is more than generous, given the circumstances. Marrying you will offend my enemies in the highest possible way, while from your side, it redeems and protects you from what you did to yourfirsthusband.”
All retorts disappear.My first husband?Like I want another? I never wanted the first one and don’t want a repeat!
Red sees me as a conniving, cold-blooded murderer, out for myself, so in his head, we’re well-suited. But we’re not. I’m nothing like Roberto, and I’m certainly nothing like Redmond Bateman.
“I’m not marrying you,” I say icily. “I’d rather die!”I can’t get plainer than that!
Red’s face darkens. “Then you’re one hell of an ungrateful bitch, Arianna. I’ve stuck my neck out for you. You asked for my help. I’ve given you that, yet all I get in return is blame and a corpse! You then ask me to spare your family and protect them from Bristoni wrath, yet you find fault with how I see fit to provide everything you ask!”
“You think marrying you will bring all of that?” A small part of me has the good grace to accept that I have indeed asked a lot from a man who has only ever been on the other side. What if he’s right and this is the only way to keep my family safe?
Only last night, I saw with my own eyes what the Bristonis are capable What happened on that carpark had to be down to them.
Butmarried? If we married, then he’d expect... expect to...
“I can read your mind, princess,” Red sneers. “Rest assured, our marriage will be in name only, which translates to I do not require, nor wish to experience your body.”
My cheeks burn. “Name only?”
“Yep. Name only. We will of course share a bed for believability, and it will be this one here. For security reasons, I must remain on site at the moment, but that’s as far as it goes.”
Red’s eyes burn into mine, and I look down at my hands, horrified at the slight tremble of my fingers. I then glance at the lavish super-king bed I woke up in this morning, unable to refrain from wondering what it would be like to wake up next to this man.
I’m even more horrified that somewhere within me is slightly put out. I should be relieved Red Bateman has no wish to possess my body, so Idon’t appreciate my twinge of disappointment.
It’s only because I’d enjoy turning him down.
“So, the Harrods woman will also measure you up for a wedding dress while she’s here. There’s no time to lose because the wedding will happen as soon as possible.”
“I haven’t said I’ll do it yet,” I mutter. “I’ve agreed to nothing.”
Red rises from the chair to tower above me. “Becoming my wife is not a question for you to accept or not - it’s a fact and an instruction. You’ve caused too many problems for alternatives.”
Even though I can’t bring myself to look up at him, his anger ripples its way over my skin.
“You want your family saved from Bristoni retaliation, as well as mine, do you not? This is the only way to achieve that.”
Red pulls a newspaper cutting from his pocket and hands it to me. My eyes flick over the words.What is this? Roberto had a heart attack? I’m recuperating in a secret location?
Confused, I look up, finding Red studying me, the intensity of his gaze making me lightheaded. “Why... why would they say this?”
Red laughs hollowly. “You are naive, princess. They’re liars -yourfamily included - you just don’t realize it yet, but I intend to expose them all. By marrying you, I can achieve that and, in addition, get the bonus of knowing how pissed off they will be for exposing themandtaking you as my wife. In return, you get reassurance of knowing your family is safe.”
I blink.He’s wrong. My family aren’t liars. I might have had to marry Roberto, but they arranged what they thought best for me.
However, much I as despise it, Red is right on one thing. Under the circumstances, itisthe only way. I have to remember thatIcame here and broughthiminto this, not the other way around.
Even though I’m desperate to do the opposite, I slowly nod my agreement.
Red takes my hand and examines it. I won’t look at him to witness his gloating expression of victory, so I stare at his hand instead.
“I’ll get your finger measured,” he mutters, like he’s offering me something as nonsensical as a cup of tea. His fingers scorch my skin, making me imagine what it would be like to feel his hands all over me. Would he be gentle? Would he be rough? How would it be?
Oh, Christ.
How can I do this? How can I bear being married to a man who is the epitome of everything my family and I despise? How can I stand being inthe same bed as him when he doesn’t want to touch me? And how can I live with the fact that Iwanthim to?
There is one thing I’m sure of, and it’s that I want to slap the sarcastic sneer off Red Bateman’s face.
