Prologue
***Trigger Warning***
This is a Dark Romance novel that contains forced marriage, forced s*x, k*dnapping, dr*g cartels, and vi*lence. Please read with care.
**Ten years ago…**
“Nora! Can you come here?” my father called from his study.
I had just gotten back from shopping with my friends and was taking the tags off my new clothes to put them in the wash when I heard him. I paused my music to see what he wanted.
It was semi-formal at school in a few days and I wanted to have the perfect dress. Jamie, one of my best friends, was going to be picking me up. The dance happened to fall on my birthday this year, so I wanted to go for dinner first. And I knew my dad would always make sure I had what I wanted.
He’s spoiled me ever since my mom passed away. It’s been rough on both of us, losing her. I don’t think he ever got the chance to grieve her loss like I did. After she died, he had to keep himself together to make sure I didn’t completely fall apart. It’s been a few years now, but he never wants to talk about her anymore. The pain I see in his eyes whenever her name is brought up helps keep my memories of her fresh. So does the box buried in my closet that she left for me.
I was just outside the study door when I heard a second voice.
“… needs to be prepared.”
I walked in and froze.
A man I have only seen from a distance, had my jaw dropping. He was stunning up close! He had to be over 6 feet tall, with the start of some tattoos on his arms. He was much more muscular, but he didn’t look much older than I was.
“Here she is…” My father pulled me out of my drooling. “Nora, this is Gabriel. Gabriel, my only daughter, Nora.”
I didn’t miss the look he gave my father before he slowly walked toward me, extending his hand. The anger was replaced by a soft smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Nora. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“It’s… nice to meet you too…” I looked between him and my father. “What did you need, dad?”
“I wanted you to meet Gabe. You’re going to be seeing him around quite a lot and I didn’t want you to be startled by his presence.”
“Oh…” I said. “Is that all then? I want to get my clothes washed and put away.”
“Oh course, honey. Continue on.”
I noticed that Gabe never took his eyes off me. I cast him one last glance before leaving the room. I pulled out my phone on my way upstairs, dialing Michelle’s number.
“Mich, you’re never going to guess who was just in my dad’s study… No… No, I didn’t ask him… Mich! Listen! My dad just introduced me to Gabriel.” I held the phone away from my ear, hearing her scream. “Yes, Mich. Gabriel Silver.”