Chapter 7

Liam’s POV

I had completely forgotten I asked my men earlier today to find Vinichi’s first daughter and give her father a good scare before I bumped into her at the restaurant. The dumb idiots were only supposed to pass on a message, but they almost assaulted her.

Aliya’s hands were trembling as they gripped my shirt tightly. Her sobs echoed in the room, each tear soaking into my clothes.

“Shh,” I murmured, patting her back softly. For a second, I almost felt human, but this wasn’t the time for guilt to surface.

“I don’t know who they were, Nick. They broke in and—” She couldn’t even finish her sentence. Her voice cracked, and she clung to me even tighter. I didn’t think she had it in her to hug me this tight because earlier it seemed as though she’d never need my help.

“Don’t speak,” I said firmly, but not harshly. My hand brushed the hair from her tear-streaked face as I stared down at her. Those hazel eyes, glassy and red-rimmed, gazed up at me, so full of trust it made me sick to my stomach.

Because trust was the last thing she should have for me. Despite me being here now, comforting her didn’t mean anything—this whole thing was my fault.

“I’ll make sure you’re safe,” I said, my voice steady, masking the chaos in me. She nodded, her small frame still trembling.

“I’ll call the police,” she whispered.

“No!” The word left my mouth faster than I’d intended. She flinched, her wide eyes meeting mine. I softened my tone. “No, Aliya. Whoever sent those men will know we’re onto them if you involve the police.” I couldn’t let my men get arrested; she’d have to forget about it.

She hesitated, biting her lower lip as doubt flickered across her face. “But… what if they come back?”

“They won’t,” I assured her. If only her dad knew how comfortable she was getting in the arms of the man who would bring him to his grave.

Aliya’s lips parted, but no words came out. I placed my hands on her shoulders, steadying her. “Listen to me. I’ll stay here till you fall asleep. When you’ve rested enough, then we’ll go over the contract. Is that okay?”

Her breathing calmed slightly, and she nodded. “Okay… thank you.”

I helped her get in bed and watched her fall asleep. Then I pulled away gently, taking out my phone and making my way out of her room.

I dialed Posh’s number, and he picked up at the first ring. “Yes, boss.”

“Lock up Monez and the others till I get back. I’m not certain of coming back tonight, so make sure none of them leave. They didn’t follow my orders, and now they’ll pay the price,” I instructed and ended the call.

Once I was alone in the living room, I sank onto the couch, running a hand through my hair. My plans were falling in place faster than I’d anticipated.

Maybe forgetting to call off my men was a great idea. Now she thinks I’m her hero. Sorry to say, dear Aliya, I’ll bring down your tough-girl wall, and when you’ve slowly fallen in love with me, I’ll rip your heart into pieces.

I let my mind wander off, and I drifted into sleep. When I woke up, I met a pair of hazel eyes glaring down at me with a frown settled on her forehead.

“Why are you on my couch?” she demanded, arms crossed. I stretched lazily, suppressing a grin before sitting straight as I rubbed my eyes.

“I said, why are you on my couch?” she repeated, making me let out a chuckle. Did she wake up with amnesia?

I glanced around, and it wasn’t morning yet. “I’m on your couch because someone was too scared to sleep on her own. I would have joined you on the bed, but I can’t sleep with how loud you snore.” I tilted my head, looking her straight in the eye.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Saving me doesn’t make you a hero, Nick. Wake up, plans have changed, we won't go over the terms of the contract now. We have to leave for dinner at my dad’s place.” She shrugged and turned on her heel.

“Excuse you?” I stood now, trailing behind her. “To set the record straight, I have saved you twice, and not once have I received a thank you.” It seems I might have underestimated her. She spoke like someone who wasn’t almost assaulted earlier.

She turned around, shooting daggers with her eyes. “Do you expect an award? The amount of money you’ll receive from this marriage contract—isn’t that enough to suppress any thank you? Besides, I would have called the police, but I don’t know how you convinced me otherwise.”

I definitely underestimated how self-centered a rich girl can be. I looked down at my watch. It was 9 p.m. only. So much for trying to be the hero, maybe I should have let them do what they wanted. “When do we leave for your parents?” I asked.

“Now, and don’t bother about going back to your place anymore. I bought some clothes for you. First, you need a bath. Follow me.” She said and ascended the stairs while I followed her.

“Seems to me you’re going to be a very nagging wife,” I teased, causing a casual laugh from her.

“Here, this will be your room,” she said, opening the door to a small room. Compared to what I usually sleep in, it was almost the size of an atom. “Get dressed; I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”

Aliya left, and I looked around the room that’ll be mine for the next five months for a while before heading to the shower. Once I was done, I picked up one of the sophisticated shirts and pants she purchased and put them on. At least this was my style—it made me look like me.

I made it down the stairs and found her punching down hard on her phone. I wondered who she was texting so seriously. “I’m ready,” I said, announcing my presence. She turned to me, and for a moment, I saw her eyes glitter when she stared at me, and then it was gone.

“Did you have to take so long?” she asked and headed outside, causing a subtle sigh from me. “Let’s go.”

Once inside her car, I noticed the slit on her gown that exposed her thighs. I feasted my eyes on them for a while and gulped down hard while she typed something on her phone. This wasn’t right—I should not be lusting over the enemy.

“Now, I need you to pretend we’re in love when we get there. Maybe it won’t be so hard because I see how you’re drooling over me already,” she said, putting her phone away.

“Oh no, honey, I’m drooling over the money I’d make out of this, and I’m good at pretending, so try not to actually fall in love with me.” I winked, and she mumbled something before driving off, but I couldn’t quite catch that.

“My dad will ask a lot of questions about you, so be prepared. Remember you’re a wealthy guy, and we’ve known each other for a year now.” Aliya kept explaining to me how I should act, but I didn’t need that. I already knew perfectly well what to do.

I was finally coming face-to-face with the devil that ruined my family, and he would never guess what’s coming next.