Chapter Four: Terms of Power

Luca’s POV

I loathed the rest of the Hartford’s.

And accepting an arranged marriage from someone who could get me close enough to crush them was exactly why I was here.

“Well then, I'll leave you guys to it" Elias Voss left the room quietly, the door clicking shut behind him.

I had expected the only heir to the Voss empire who just got divorced to be a woman of sophisticated features.

Dyed blonde hair, extreme unnatural curvy body, casually wearing a Dior outfit even on a random day or walking around with heels on.

The embodiment of a woman who had been married into the Hartford family, who had lived there for three years.

But the woman in front of me was the complete opposite, her silk dark hair cascaded down her shoulders, her almond eyes rested on mine, she had such bright skin and was built in a simple gown, pushing not more than twenty five years old.

I could still feel her delicate hand against mine from the hand shake and the cold shill running up my spine from her calm presence….

Fuck.

Focus Luca.

I signalled my men to leave with only the flick of my finger and the minute they were all out, leaving both of us in the living room.

I cleared my throat after a moment of silence between us.

“You're not at all how I expected the successor to Elias Voss to be."

Her gaze shifted immediately, though still keeping her controlled expression.

" That's an interesting thing to say to a woman you were arranged to marry.”

My eyes held hers.

“I’m not trying to be interesting."

I noticed a faint twitch across her expression. Almost an annoyance.

But then she suddenly slipped her coat off slowly and placed it over the chair, exposing her arms.

Her fair slender arms.

“And what exactly is Elias Voss’s daughter supposed to look like?”

My strict gaze moved over her just once, elegant gown, steady chin with a defensive posture.

“Colder.. in a way where her first marriage should have been more…. beneficiary.”

She didn't hide the irritation on her face and the way her jaw suddenly clenched.

“Tskk, all this talk about power and benefits” She tilted her head. “You’ve spent too much time with my father, haven't you?…. Are you that desperate to please him?”

I looked away, using my tongue to flick the side of my teeth before I narrowed back my gaze to her

“You think I'm one of those spineless men fighting for your hand in marriage?”

She let out a breath, blankly staring at me..

“You'd have to do better than that" I finished.

And that earned me another look where she rolled her eyes.

Cute and awfully predictable.

“You know, you sound exhausting to be around, Mr Luca."

I found myself smiling.

“You say it like you plan to spend enough time with me to suffer from it."

She got the joke and immediately a frown plastered on her face immediately.

"If this is my father's wish, I plan to make it work, Mr Luca.”

And in her tone I could hear how determined she was to move on from whatever the Hartford’s did to her.

My expression softened because for a second I understood exactly how a woman like her ended up trapped inside a marriage, trying to earn affection from an inadequate man.

“Since we're being clear," I said, reaching for a document beside me, “let's make my personal terms known"

Her attention turned to me, though I didn't hand over the file.

“When you move in with me, you'll have your own wing”

She blinked, and that adorable clueless expression. " A wing?”

" Yes.”

She opened her mouth to speak but I interrupted calmly.

“No shared space unless you choose it. No expectations of… performance.” His gaze held mine, unflinching. "You won't be required to do anything you don't want to do.”

She searched my face closely, like she was looking for a catch.

"And what do you get?” she asked finally

"Loyalty.” I replied.

She crossed her arms as something flickered in her eye, I could hear her scoff afterwards like it was merely a joke.

"That's it?”

“We're you expecting anything else?"

“You’re offering me freedom… inside a contract.”

“I’m offering you control over your space,” I corrected.

“Within yours.”

My gaze didn’t shift as I replied “Yes.” Extending the document.

She reached for it, her fingers brushed mine briefly.

Warm.

I watched her unfold the papers lazily at first until her expression shifted.

Recognition settled immediately across her face.

“I don’t understand…” Her eyes lifted sharply to mine. “Why does this have your name on it?”

“I bought their shares.”

“You bought Nathaniel’s company?”

“A bigger part of it.”

Shock flashed across her features before she controlled it.

“Why?” she asked.

I could almost yawn.

“Because I’m a businessman,” I answered calmly. “And I don’t ignore profitable opportunities.”

That wasn’t the full truth but it was true enough for tonight.

For a brief moment she went quiet, before letting out a sigh.

“Do they know?” she asked slowly. “Who are you to me?”

I slipped both hands into my pockets.

“How about we both surprise them tomorrow" I offered.

She paused, her brow arching like she was a tad confused on what I just said before edging her first smile which wasn't so bad.

“You want me to join you to take over my ex husband's company?”

I shrugged lazily as I pulled out a ring from my pocket.

I took two long strides closer and placed the object on the side table beside where she stood.

“if you're up for it.” I said.

I watched her study the ring like it was unlike anything she had ever seen, which was valid since it was a family heirloom.

She reached for it, letting her fingers feel before pushing it into the fourth finger on her left hand.

“Hell yeah I am.”

And let the games begin.