"What the hell have I done?" Nicolette muttered to herself as soon as she left Alaric's premises.
Her heart pounded wildly, and she didn't know whether to cry or laugh.
Damn! She had let anger get the best of her—and she hated it.
Yet, she knew she wouldn't have had the courage to approach Alaric and make decisions if not for the anger.
Where to now?
Just as she was contemplating, her phone rang. Thinking it was her father calling again, her chest rose with anger. But when she saw it was Hillary, it disappeared.
"Hey Hills."
"What did you do that made dad so angry?"Hillary demanded.
Her anger surged with Hillary's statement, and she snapped. "Your father is selling me off to a stranger before he helps me!"
Her voice was thick with anger. She really disliked shouting at Hills.
"Oh," Hillary's voice dropped, and Nicolette's anger turned into regret. "I didn't know. Why would he do that?"
"No idea," Nicolette replied calmly. "Sorry I shouted, Hills."
"It's okay," Hillary replied. "I just hope it's not what I think it's happening."
Nicolette's heart dropped. "What's happening?"
"Well," Hillary's voice dropped into a whisper. "I heard dad tell mum about the business. I think it's not going well even though he just signed two artists. According to mom, Julius Allens's son is the new CEO and that has put Dad on the edge."
Hillary drew in a breath before she continued. "Apparently the guy is rich, has more connections, and Dad thinks somebody—whoever you're supposed to marry—could help him, so he could advance the Allens. I think."
Nicolette felt heat creep up her cheeks as regret tightened her chest. Lucian Crawford's marriage was supposed to help the family business because Alaric became CEO!
Despite knowing this, she didn't want to believe it, didn't want to give in.
"He could have just told me these himself," Nicolette said.
Her heart would have exploded if Ronald had just shown one bit of vulnerability, if he had just told her how important she was to him.
"You know, dad," Hillary chuckled dryly. "Too full of himself."
She closed her eyes, the regret heightening. "Still, paying Robert and burning the gallery was a stretch."
"What?" Hillary gasped. "He paid Robert to do what? He burned the gallery?"
She bit her lip as guilt raced inside her. She shouldn't have told Hillary that, her half-sister was the emotional one.
"Just forget I said anything," she said quickly.
But Hillary wasn't having it. "Why would he hurt you? He could just—"
She could tell Hillary was about to cry and she chimed in. "Forget about it, Hills. I'll come see you later."
Hillary paused before she spoke. "Alright Lettie."
"Bye," she said, ending the call.
Nicolette sighed, tucking her phone away. She was definitely not going home, not until her anger cooled.
With nowhere else to go, she went to Suzie's house with the remaining cash she had.
As the cab stopped in front of Suzie's house, dread tightened in Nicolette's stomach when she saw Suzie on the porch, waiting, arms crossed.
"Where did you go?" Suzie demanded. Despite the anger in her tone, she could see the relief in Suzie's eyes.
"Out," she replied.
"Out where? You could have picked your call. I kept—" then she stopped, her eyes darting around. "Where's your car?"
The dread intensified and she looked away. "I sold it."
Suzie went berserk. "You did what?"
Ah, great.
"I didn't have a choice," Nicolette quickly added, her cheeks heating up from the look Suzie gave her. "When I couldn't reach you, I sold the car so I could go home."
Suzie's eyes widened even more. "You went home?!"
Nicolette nodded, averting her gaze.
"You…" Suzie trailed off as she took Nicolette's hand and pulled her inside gently. "Start talking."
Nicolette sank into Suzie's small chair and sighed. "Where do I begin?" she asked, anger finding its way to her chest again.
Suzie seemed to notice the anger and her eyes softened as she sat down. "What happened?"
Nicolette told her everything, from the arranged marriage, to paying off Robert, to how she went to Alaric. When she finished, Suzie began to pace around the room.
"Your father is despicable!" Suzie snapped.
Nicolette had never seen this much disgust on Suzie's face. Yet, she had a weird urge to defend her father. "Hillary said it's because the company is going under."
"That's BS!" Suzie's mouth curled with annoyance. "What sort of a father would do what he did? He had to hurt you to make you agree to his sick arrangement. That's bullshit, Lettie."
Nicolette chuckled bitterly. "I can't believe he wants to work with Lucian Crawford, just so he could take down Alaric."
Suzie stopped in her pace and turned sharply to Nicolette. "What does Lucian Crawford have to do with this?"
Nicolette became alarmed at the look on Suzie's face. "He's the betrothed husband, why?"
"Oh," Suzie gasped, collapsing in the chair.
Nicolette's heart sank. "Talk to me Suzie. What happened?"
Suzie's eyes widened, her breath suddenly shallow. "Lucian Crawford is a ruthless businessman. People say he made his money from illegal activities—drugs, guns, women."
Nicolette swallowed. If Suzie was terrified of somebody, it meant heaven was falling.
"Your father made a deal with a psycho. You can't marry Lucian."
"But the business," Nicolette whispered. "I—"
She paused as her phone chimed with a message from Hillary. She unlocked it and read.
"Lettie, dinner isn't just dinner—it's your engagement party to Lucian Crawford. What would you do?"
Nicolette gasped and Suzie took the phone and read too. "Hell no!" Suzie snapped, her voice sharp. "Your father has sold you to Lucian Crawford!"
Maybe not technically sold, but Nicolette got the message and freaked out. She had been arranged to an arms dealer.
"You have to marry Alaric," Suzie said, tapping her head. "That's the only way to get out of this mess. Alaric can protect you from all of them."
Before Nicolette could speak, her phone buzzed again and she jumped. She glanced at the screen. Unknown number.
Who can this be?
Still, she picked. "Hello?"
"Where are you?"
She immediately frowned at the question. "Who's this?"
"Should I track your location and barge inside unexpectedly or you'll just tell me?"
Her frown deepened when she recognized the voice. It was the blue-eyed annoying man.
"What would it be?" Alaric pressed.
He sounded annoyed and she badly wanted to play on it, but she didn't want Suzie's house to be compromised so she gave in.
"Dress nicely. See you soon, sweetheart." Then he hung up.
"Who was that?" Suzie asked, observing her.
"Alaric," she uttered flatly. "He's coming here, he wants me to dress up."
"Is he bringing the contract? Is he officially your husband?" Suzie said with a smirk.
"Don't get too excited," Nicolette told her. "I don't like that man—one bit."
"It's a fake marriage, you don't have to like him," Suzie said, returning to the couch. "You need him to protect you. Now, go dress up."
Nicolette sighed, went to Suzie's room, took a shower and changed into her only gown.
It was a beautiful red gown with an open back. She had no idea what Alaric was up to, but she was going to look beautiful for it. She fixed her hair and headed back to the living room.
As much as she was pissed at her father's tricks, she couldn't help but worry about the business.
And then there was Lucian Crawford.
If he was a terrible man as Suzie had said, would he give up easily? Would he take no for an answer and let her family be?
She knew how those men worked; they were rich, selfish, and hated to be disappointed.
There was a knock on the door and before Suzie could reach it, it opened and Alaric walked in, looking all smug.
His gaze swept all over Nicolette's body, and her breath hitched when they landed on her chest briefly.
Why was she blushing this hard from just his stare?
"Hello, Mr Allens," Suzie greeted. "I am Suzie, Lettie's best friend."
"Nice to meet you, Suzie." His smile was warm. "I hope you don't mind me stealing your friend for the night."
"Not at all," Suzie said and Nicolette scowled at her.
"Let's go," Alaric said, turning to the door. "The car is waiting."
Before Nicolette could respond, Alaric had already left.
"Go on and call me. Bye." Suzie waved at her.
Nicolette followed Alaric into a waiting car, and without saying anything, they drove. Shortly after, the car stopped at a restaurant.
Alaric stepped down, and Nicolette followed him, just as her phone chimed with a message from her dad.
"Why is Alaric Allens speaking about your mother's gallery?"
Nicolette froze, stunned by the message. She turned to Alaric, about to question him—when a trumpet suddenly filled the air.
She gasped, looking around the room. It had been decorated pretty with a big symbol that said 'Will you marry me?'
There were even reporters around!
Nicolette's eyes widened as Alaric got down on one knee, a smirk on his lip.
"Nicolette Bianca Voss—"
How did he know her full name?
"—would you make me the happiest man and say yes?"
Camera flashes erupted.
What was it going to be?
Lucian Crawford for her family's salvation? Or Alaric Allens for hers?
Nicolette knew her answer—it was showtime.
She swallowed, lifting her gaze to meet Alaric's smirk. "Yes, Alaric. I will."