Chapter Two

Simone

My eyes fluttered open and the light almost blinded me. Where am I? Am I married already? Is this Zion’s place?

The green eyed man. “Oh my God! I’ve been kidnapped”. I quickly checked my hands but they weren’t tied. I need to escape.

“You’re awake. Good” someone said.

I turned around to see a man standing by the window, looking at me. His hands were folded and he had a bored expression on. It was the green eyed man.

“Who are you? What do you want from me?” I asked, trying to keep fear out of my voice.

“I’m Zion’s half brother and I am going to be your husband” he deadpanned.

I laughed. I didn’t stop laughing until I bent over my sides and felt my stomach hurt.

His expression didn’t change. He wasn’t amused or surprised by my response. So I said, “are you joking? Is this some kind of mean joke from Zion?”

“I don’t joke and I am not Zion’s puppet” he stated.

Gaining my cool, I stood up from the bed, and oh, I was still in my fucking wedding dress!

“I don’t have time for this. I have a duty to my family and I’m pretty sure wedding guests don’t like to be kept waiting”

I didn’t make it to the door before his words hit me like a bombshell. “Exactly, duty to family”.

“What?” I turned to face him. Now that I’m really looking at him, he was a feast for the eyes. His shoulders were broad with a lean powerful build. The sleeves of his shirt was folded on his upper arm revealing strong muscles. I didn’t need to guess, I could tell he was a gym rat.

“Why do you think your father is making you marry Zion?” He asks

I snort but I answer him, “For my family”

“You see, daddy dearest did some bad business and now, your family is paying for it. Your fortune is gone, including the roof over your heads” he stated.

That’s not true. Father couldn’t be that careless. I knew the family’s fortune was bad, and that was why I was marrying Zion, but it couldn’t be so bad.

“Zion will handle it” I say and turn to walk out again.

“Your father owes me. Zion cannot make that go away”

“But why?” I asked. “I don’t even know Zion, I’m marrying him because that’s what father wants. It’s not like we are in love”

“Don’t act like you are naive. Zion is marrying you for a reason. It’s a business transaction. I want to stop it”

“By marrying me?” I ask again, my temper rising, “is that something a sane person would do?”

He looks at me like I’m a dumb two year old that needs to be schooled properly.

“Zion took something from me. I want it back. I don’t have to explain anything to you, I just need you to be a good little wife”

“Then go get it!” I yelled. “Go get it, instead of marrying me”

“You still don’t get it” he said, moving to the vanity table. He opened the drawer and brought out a paper on a clipboard. “You are a pawn in a much more bigger game. I will use you, ruin Zion and if you behave well, you will leave with very little scars” he threw the clipboard on the bed.

He nods for me to pick it up. I snorted as my eyes scanned the content. It was a marriage contract stating he would divorce me as soon as his goal is achieved.

“You are sick.” I spat at him. “I don’t have time for this” I turned around to leave for the…..oh I’ve lost count already.

He brings out his phone and makes a call. I hear the phone ring once from the speakerphone, then, “yes sir?”

“The Ashtons are unable to pay up. Clear the house” his voice was commanding and cruel. His face was wiped of all emotions as he stared at me, daring me to leave.

“You have until the count of ten” he mouths at me.

“1”

He’s bluffing. Of course, he wouldn’t throw us out of our house. I don’t even know this man, he might be lying.

“2”

But what if he does? His face is stern, ice cold even. Like he could watch the world burn and not care. He doesn’t look like someone who would just lie for the fun of it.

“3”

But I can’t let my family suffer. All my life, I’ve been told to put my duty to my family first. What if he isn’t bluffing? What if he throws us out?

“4”

Does marrying him go against father’s will? What does he have against Zion? And why does he want me?

“5”

This can’t be happening. I can’t be having a countdown to sign a marriage certificate with a man who kidnapped me

“6”

I hear the men on the other side of the phone moving. One cocks a gun and the sound of a gunshot fills the room.

“7”

“Why are you doing this?” I whisper

“8”

I’m sure I could figure something out. What is it with men telling me how to live my life?

“9”

“Please” a tear dropped down my eye as I picked up the clipboard

“10”

“Please” I whisper again. And then I signed.