Chapter 4– Signing The Contract

Lori's POV 

"I'll need you to carefully read the terms and conditions of the contract before you sign it." He slipped the document on the hospital bed where I was having my breakfast. "I don't do second chances."

His voice was hard and cold the same way it had been last night, and he towered over me with a pen in his hand, looking like he hadn't slept a wink last night. I, on the other hand, had also barely closed my eyes. I spent the entire night thinking about my chances and what this could mean for me. 

I read the lines of the contract, muttering the words slowly under my breath, and getting shocked the more I read forward.

"...no falling in love."

I expected that particular clause.

"...the marriage remains a secret until Dante agrees otherwise."

Also not too much for me to handle.

"...Dante assumes full legal and financial responsibility for the children."

Now, that was the clause that shocked me. I wasn't expecting any of this. Dante was going to claim Silas' children as his own? I couldn't describe the emotions that rushed through me, but I bit my lower lips to keep myself from being overwhelmed and continued reading.

"...public appearances as required."

"... separate bedroom unless the situation demands otherwise."

And the last one made my heart stop all together. He had really added this one here. He was really serious that he was going to help me get my revenge...

"...Dante Dominic will provide all necessary resources, connections, and support for Lori Steward, now Dominic, to pursue legal or personal restitution against her former mate and former best friend.

This was the definition of revenge, but it was written in legal terms. After reading through the papers carefully, I set them down and turned to Dante, whom I was shocked to find watching me.

I gulped at the intensity of his eyes and tried looking everywhere but him, almost getting suffocated by that look. "I have questions." My voice was small.

"Ask."

"The clause about keeping the marriage secret... does that mean no one can know? Ever? What about your parents? You said they wanted grandchildren."

"They will know you're my wife. They won't know the circumstances, and you shouldn't worry about them finding out because they don't play or watch hockey games." Dante checked his watch. "My parents believe I met you at a charity event six months ago, we dated in secret, you got pregnant and we eloped. That's the story you'll tell anyone who asks."

"You've already lied to them?" I was quite surprised but it made sense the more I thought about it.

"That is none of your business, Lori." he held out the pen that I hadn't collected yet. "Next question."

I hesitated for a second. "Why me? There are hundreds of women who would marry a billionaire hockey coach. Beautiful women. Women who haven't just been publicly humiliated in front of millions of people. Why would you choose me?"

For the first time since meeting Dante Dominic, I watched as his expression softened, but it disappeared as fast as it came. I wouldn't have noticed it because it came and left in a flash.

"Apart from having my personal reasons, you survived which shows me that you can handle anything that life will throw at you." he said quietly. "Most people wouldn't have survived this. You were beaten, betrayed, rejected, and left for dead, and you still tried to survive because of those babies inside you. I will be needing that strength in this marriage."

There was a ghost of a smile on his face which chilled me to the bones, but he didn't elaborate on the last part, and I didn't know what to say about that.

"Also," he added, his voice returning to its usual coolness, "you're a skilled healer. That will be useful in the long run. And you have every reason to hate Silas Crane as much as I do."

As much as he did? He hated Silas too? He hated his top player? And I was certain this had nothing to do with me, but what could Silas have done to anger him this much? But I was in no position to ask. He would have shut me down before I even did.

I looked down at the contract one more time, at the signature line waiting for my name. At the life I was about to sign myself into...

"One more question," my voice came out shaky.

"I'm growing impatient." his jaw tightened slightly.

"The man in the pictures. The one I was… the one they showed on the screen..." I hung my head low in embarrassment. "You said you knew the truth about them. Does that mean you know who he is?"

Dante went very still.

"I know who he is," he said after a long pause. "And I'll tell you. But not today. Today, you need to focus on recovering and signing this contract. The rest can wait."

"Why can't you tell me now?"

"Because it's complicated, Lori." His voice hardened as he thrust the pen toward me. "Sign the papers, Lori. Or don't. But you have to make a decision as quickly as possible because I have a team to coach in the next thirty minutes. Just because they won the championships doesn't mean that they can slack!"

I took the pen from his hands, and mine trembled when I pressed it on the paper. Was I really doing this? Signing myself over to a stranger? But what choice did I have?

If I walked away, I would be homeless. A pregnant homeless woman who is haunted by pack warriors who had orders to kill me on sight. If I signed this, I would have a roof over my head, protection for my children, and the means to get my revenge on Silas and Janie. The thought made me sign immediately, and I watched as my surname changed once more again.

Lori Steward, soon to be Lori Dominic.

"There." I pushed the papers toward him. "It's done."

Dante took the contract, scanned my signature, and tucked it into his jacket. "Good. We'll have the official ceremony this weekend in private with my parents and a priest. You'll recover here until then."

"And after that?"

"After that, you'll come home, rest, and my doctors monitor your pregnancy. And when they declare you strong enough, we will need to get you busy." His eyes had darkened. "We'll discuss how to destroy the people who did this to you.”