The deal

Life has been quite busy and weird since Father died, leaving Grandpa's legacy at the hands of no one. I have to deal with my company, my cartel and the family business. I have gotten extra responsibilities I never really prepared

for. My ringtone snapped me out of my thoughts. I got a proposal from the Kingston's. A virgin bride in exchange for money. I'll get something I enjoy and fix my inheritance issue. Of course I agreed. I had to be there in an hour.

"Stephan, you know what to do; get rid of the bodies. Make it shine. Simon, find out who sent them."

"Yes, Boss."

"Be fast about it, Stephan; you're coming with me. I have a bride to claim."

"A bride but—"

"Don't even think about it. You know I hate being questioned." I gave my gun one more swipe; I love a shiny gun.

"Perfect." Then I gave it a kiss and returned it to my suit pocket.

"Done, Boss." Santos, my right hand, said as he hurried back.

"Good. We're heading to the Kingston's. Ruddy, drive as fast as you can." I love

the excitement that came with hurry—speed. We arrived at the Kingston's. I was made to wait for quite some time and I was beginning to lose my

patience. Do these people know they're playing with fire? I turned to signal my right hand, but I noticed Mrs. Kingston had brought the girl; she was standing right next to me.

"Look at me." I wanted to see her face. She was looking away as if she was scared or shy. "I hate repeating myself. Look at me now!" She was startled. She looked at me immediately with tears and fear in her eyes.

"Good. You look even prettier in person." I looked at the marriage officiant, "You may begin."

"Excuse me, I know nothing about what's going on here, and I don't want to be part of any of this." The voice came from the tiny, innocent-looking girl beside me.

AVERY'S POV

"Let go of me! Let go. Just leave me alone." They were gone. Why the hell was I tied up and locked in here? My voice ached from screaming, no one could hear me. "Somebody help! please,

anybody." No one seemed to be around to help me. It started to rain, strange because I was locked up in a sealed room with no windows, but it was raining in here. How?

I opened my eyes; it was all a dream. I had been out all night, and this morning, when it began to rain, the butler helped me get inside. I am Avery

Kingston, blonde, with freckles across my nose, fair-skinned and petite. I am the daughter of Vicente Kingston, one of the richest men in New York, but I'm treated like an alien. It's my birthday today, and the night before, I was forced to sleep outside like a dog, and my father did nothing. I just have to find a way to escape them. Letting my tears fall, I whispered to my mom even

though I knew she couldn't hear me.

"Mom, you know I need you now. Why did you leave me? If only you had just taken me with you." I fell into a deep sleep immediately after I rested my head back on my pillow.

"Here, I brought food for you."

"Thank you so much, Mr Brutus, I'm starving."

"You don't have to thank me, my dear. I just wish I could do more for you. Get some rest." Mr Brutus was about to leave but stopped immediately.

"I almost forgot! Happy birthday, Miss. I wish all your wishes come true." With that, he left. I whispered my thank you even though I knew he couldn't hear me.

The sound of thunder brought me back to reality. I had gotten inside with Mr Brutus' help and now, silly dreams won't let me be. I'm dreaming of food now? Soon there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?"

I feared it was my stepmom. Had she noticed I had snuck back in?

"Miss, you have to open up. It's urgent your family have some kind of plan, I don't know."

"Mr Brutus?" I opened up immediately. He looked worried. "You have to leave this house. I overheard your father's and stepmom's conversation. They plan to get you married to some dangerous person for money. I might be wrong, but you should take cover first."

Everything sounded weird; my head became heavy while my heart pounded heavily in my chest. "It can't be..."

"I'm not certain. Take this." He handed me money he must have been saving for something important.

"You're like a daughter to me. I want you safe, so take this money and go far away from here. As far as possible."

"I will, thank you but the money... it's too much. I can't—"

"You can and you will. Now hurry!" I didn't bother packing my clothes. I wanted to get away as soon as possible.

Just when I was about to head to the stairs when I saw my stepmom and sister; they seemed to be looking for me. I hid

in the corner immediately.

"She's not outside; I didn't let her in

either. Where could she have gone?"

"Maybe she sneaked in. "Mom, don't

worry, we'll find her."

"Don't ask me not to worry. Do you

know who Mr Armstrong is? We'll be

dead if he thinks we're playing him."

"That bad? Get people to look for her.

Have you told Dad?"

"Your father will kill me if he finds out.

He wasn't really in support of this

because of how dangerous Mr Armstrong is. I assured him everything was going to go as planned. I messed up; I should not have made her sleep outside last night."

What Mr Brutus said was true... My heart ached. My own father agreed to this. I have to escape before they get people searching for me. I immediately sent a message to my friend Kiesha. She'd promised to come visit me today since it's my birthday.

"I need your help. Come pick me up; I'm trying to escape."

She replied with a, "It's about time! I'm on my way."

I managed to get outside the door without getting noticed. I caught sight of Kiesha's car, and I ran as fast as I could to get to her. I opened the gate, but I felt something cold behind my head.

"Move and I'll shoot." My body went

still.

"Avery!!! Let her go, you bastard!" My friend Kiesha couldn't stop screaming as she tried to get to me.

"Get her friend too; she's in time for the

celebration." That was my evil stepmother.

"No! Leave Kiesha out of this; I'll do as

you wish."

"Fine. Let the girl go."

"Take the back door; Mr Armstrong has arrived. Serena, make sure she gets dressed. We don't want to keep Mr Armstrong waiting." Just then I saw the convoy. He must be filthy rich and probably very bad. My stepmother would never give me something good.

Thirty minutes later, I was forced out to

the living room that had been

decorated. There was a man that looked

like an official; in front of him was a

table with papers. Just beside the table sat another man. He had this aura about him. He sat with his legs crossed

and a hand on the table.

"Move, you little swine. You've kept Mr

Armstrong waiting for way too long.The sooner you marry him, the better."

"Marry?" I was pulled by my stepmother to stand right next to the

man sitting.

AIDEN'S POV

Such boldness from such a petite creature. Of course I know she had no knowledge of this. I was going to reply to my bride when Mrs Kingston gave her a slap across her pretty face; her face reddened, and all I saw was red.

"What did you just do?" I spelt out every word bit by bit through gritted teeth.

"I was trying to put some sense into her.

She's―"

"Shut the hell up! Nobody touches

what's mine."

I signalled for Stephan.

"Teach her a lesson."

"Yes, sir. What do you suggest?"

I have no idea. I'll leave it to him to decide.

"Think of something, Stephan." Stephan nodded and dragged her out while she and her brat of a daughter screamed.

The way she grew silent when my man signalled to keep quiet with a gun. I don't know why I got angry when Mrs. Kingston hit Avery, but for some reason, I want to protect Avery from these

people.

Deep down, I knew I wasn't any better.

When I turned, I saw Avery staring at me. What was she thinking?