Avowed

Amara's POVI should have known this day would come. Where most women imagined their trek down the aisle, I imagined just how I would be taken. It was inevitable considering my father's reputation and the enemies he made along the way. If this wasn't reason enough then what came with the promise weighing heavy in the form of a three carat diamond in my left hand had. I was left wondering how it would happen. Would it be swift and silent or boisterous and a spectacle? Would they ask for a ransom or kill me before I could understand my situation? I learned the answers to my speculations would be given the night of my rehearsal dinner. They must have spent thousands of dollars on this dinner alone. It was a thought that made my stomach twist with the uncertainty of what the actual wedding would amount to. The details were ones I entrusted with my fiance's family and those he hired to execute the sham of an event as I simply wanted it over. I didn't even h

Amara's POVFifteen Years Ago"Maree!" The sweet cadence of my best friend came over my shoulder as I was quick to turn. "Jackson..." He ignored the full use I made of his name before pressing the reason for his excitement flat against my chest. "Is this...""First edition. Just make sure you have it back to me by Friday..." I studied the hardcover book that was far too valuable to be in my adolescent fingers. But where some girls treasured shoes and makeup, I did this with books. Even if they were mostly borrowed, I held them like lifelong friends in my memory. And Jackson fed that obsession by stealing from his family's archival library whenever his parents were too busy to notice. "Are you kidding? I'll have it back to you by lunch!" I teased, already carefully pulling apart the cover from that initial title to begin the descent into another world. One where ink and paper had power our families held now. Or at least mine did..."You

Amara's POVFor as long as I could remember the idea of marriage had been business. The public would see a union of smiles and the entire parade of glamour one would expect from any wedding. It was for that very reason that I couldn't even fathom the idea of marrying Jackson. It was too…personal.“I…I can't marry you.” He expressed a sigh before taking one of my hands, lifting it to view to showcase my ring between us both. Before I could speak, he collected the heavy stone and left my hand naked. “What are you-”“I know you don't love him and I also know that you're doing this because you had no other option…” He leaned slightly closer so only I could hear him among his brigade of black suede soldiers. “Let me be that other option.”“How would it even work? You're…” His brow cocked in intrigue. The reason our friendship was frowned upon as kids were why a marriage would be disastrous now. The Brady family was resilient and dangerous, all

Amara's POVThe house itself was definitely beyond what only two people would need. It left me to wonder if we would be housing staff of any kind and how trustworthy they may be. As it seemed I was a captive, I had to find a way to survive from one gilded cage to another. In hindsight, I knew I was cruel to Jackson when all he had done was try and protect me, but I was too angry at him to see anything beyond my rage. Maybe if he would have come back into my life before now things could have been different. Maybe this night wouldn't be forced…maybe it wouldn't be fake. The mudroom opened to a small entryway directly across from a staircase set on a far wall and archways leading to different sections of the house. To the right was the kitchen, silver and cobalt details that looked untouched and pristine. Wrapping around to this had been a dining room with enough room for approximately eight guests and a small candelabra at the center. Beyond this was a study decorated i

Amara's POV It was a tortured silence as we made our way to the private airstrip just outside of the city. I wanted to apologize and be apologized to but all I could think about was what happened in that kitchen before we left. More specifically what could have happened if we weren't interrupted. As infuriating as it was to be both a captive and a willing hostage, I was constantly torn between trusting Jackson and wanting to get the upper hand over him. Maybe figure out a way to dethrone my father from his patriarchy and find my freedom in a way that didn't depend on me marrying someone else. But all I could think about were Jackson’s hands holding mine flat. His tense body curved into my own. His breath at the shell of my ear as I turned to face him. As I said, completely infuriating. “Where are we even going?” I asked with frustration more on myself than him. “Away.” “That was helpful, thank you…You know if you wanted to be a-” I beg