BETROTHED TO A MAFIA HEIR

CHAPTER SEVEN

Kenna dropped the magazine on the coffee table, not saying a word. Keira and Arnold had made it to the front cover, and Kenna was lost in everything.

“I need a detailed explanation of why we're fraternizing with the enemy now?” Kenna said, eyeing her sister suspiciously.

Keira picked up the magazine and saw the picture. It was taken outside when they arrived for the party three days ago.

“We're married, Kenna. You've missed a lot since your little passing out incident.”

“That has to be some kind of sick joke, right? He killed our parents, Keira, and you're… I don't understand what in the world is going on?” Kenna asked, her hands folded across her chest.

“Ohh Kenna, I wish I had answers for you. The only thing I know is true is my marriage to Arnold Giovanni. Somehow, Dad made me sign the marriage papers, and that's it.” Keira replied.

It all still seemed like a joke to Kenna, “I'm sorry, Dad, what now?”

“Dad brought some papers home one night, and I signed them. I thought they were company documents, so I didn't bother to read through them. Here it is.”

Keira stood up from the bed and handed her the papers that Arnold had given her that morning after hearing the news of the death of their parents. Kenna scanned through it, and she scoffed. It was true. But why would he do that? Why would Grayson McCarthy offer up his daughter to someone like Arnold? It didn't make any sense to either of them, but there was one mutual thing they felt, and it was betrayal.

Keira knew her father had betrayed her by deceiving her into signing those papers. Arnold had a copy of their marriage contract, and she had not felt the need to ask to see it because low-key she didn't want to know the s**t deal her father had made with the devil.

“What are we going to do, sis? we can't stay here forever and live like puppets under him.” Kenna said, taking a seat next to her sister on the large bed.

“I honestly have no idea, but I'll come up with something. For now, I need you to just trust me.” Keira tried to reassure her.

“I do trust you. It's that man I can't trust.” Kenna replied.

****

Arnold watched as Keira slowly opened the door to his study. Mark and Eugene were in the room, and they were in deep discussions. She felt regret immediately for coming without notice.

“I'll come back later.” She said softly, and Arnold waved his hand.

“Come in. They'll be on their way soon,” Arnold replied.

She stood at the far end of the room near the minibar. She took in her surroundings, everything was deep brown chocolate leather and his desk was a large mahogany table with a leather chair she decided was too heavy to lift. There were paintings on the wall. Maybe Arnold had an artistic soul because there were paintings everywhere, and she liked looking at them.

There was a library filled with books and there was a couch near the fireplace. It would be nice to snuggle there and read a book during winter. She quickly shook herself out of that thought because she didn't want to be here. There was also a table at the center of the room surrounded by comfortable chairs and a couch that resembled the one at the fireplace.

No wonder Arnold never left his study; he had everything in here to keep him company except for an actual bed. But for some reason, she didn't think Arnold was a man who slept often, and well, if he wanted to rest, the couch was comfortable enough.

She walked towards the library and started looking at the books, all of them non-fiction. Most of them had to do with lands and so on. No surprise there, Arnold owned one of the biggest real estate firms in the nation. Everyone wanted to do business with him because he was simply the best. She didn't notice when Eugene and Mark had stepped out of the room, and when she turned to Arnold, he was behind her.

“Hi.” She breathed out. Being near him after that night unsettled her, she sure as hell didn’t want to be kissing someone she loathed.

“What did you want to talk about?” He asked, walking back to his table. He took a seat and offered her the one opposite him.

“Kenna's fine now.” She started, and Arnold nodded. Of course, he knew Kenna was fine, but with them, that seemed like a starting point for small talk.

“Keira, if you're here to tell me to let you and your sister out of the mansion, then I have to disappoint you. There's too much risk in letting you out of my sight.” He cut her off so she didn't bring out the words.

She let out a sigh, “I can't live like this.”

“You can, and you will,” Arnold said, and that was final. She was about to resign and go back to her room, but a crazy idea popped into her head.

“I'd like to make a deal with you.” She said Arnold looked at her with amusement dancing in his mischievous green eyes.

“You don't want to end up like your father, Keira. At least you have a glimpse of what it's like to not hold up your end of the bargain.” He replied. She looked at him with disgust. Arnold liked to play dirty, and he was experienced in dirty games.

“Can I at least look at the marriage contract?” Keira asked.

Arnold eyed her suspiciously, but he stood up, withdrew a Manila envelope from the library, and set it down on the table before her.

She opened it and began to read through it. She still couldn't believe that her dad had made her sign something like this. She was practically more a slave and prisoner to Arnold than a wife.

It read on the contract that she was never to leave the Giovanni house because she would not be in contact with her family. Also, she was to attend all events with Arnold and be picture-perfect. She had no legal rights to any of his properties or wealth, and they were to get divorced five years later. Only then could she return to her family. She knew she couldn't even ask for a divorce because she was held here. Arnold had connections everywhere, and Mark was very efficient.

“You're cruel.” She spat dropping the papers on the table, tears stinging her eyes.

“Hate the game, not the player. Your father isn't exactly a saint. He knew what was written there, and he still made you sign it. You'd marvel at the extent one would go to save himself.” Arnold replied.

“You cornered him, and you still had him killed. So what's the point? He's dead anyway.” She replied.

“That wasn't the plan, but it happened that way. But if anyone outside these walls comes in contact with you and Kenna, you'd be dead without my protection.” He knew he drew more attention to them after he made their marriage public.

“So now you want to be a hero? Go f**k yourself, Arnold.” She said standing up. He held her wrist and turned her towards him.

“You have no idea how it is in the underworld. People will come for you for the sins of your father and you already know I'm not exactly everyone's favorite person. The person who gets to kill me would be billions of dollars richer. What happened to your parents is something I'm trying to make up for by making sure you don't fall into the wrong hands.” Arnold warned.

She scoffed at his last sentence.

“Your hands are still just as cruel, Arnold. There's no comfort in being your puppet.” She replied.

“It's a s**t deal, but at least you'll live.”

“I don't think it's worth it because here, I don't even have a life.”

Arnold looked at her tear-stained cheeks. She was right she had no life here, and he was no angel, but he had principles. He was paying for the mistake of her parents dying, and he would pay for it whether she wanted it or not.

He tugged at her and she flushed against him. Seeing her up close made him remember the kiss, her lips were so soft. It had taken all his willpower to let her go when all he wanted to do was to continue kissing her. The kiss was so damn good that it had kept him awake, he had thought of how good she would feel against him. Forbidden thoughts seeing as they are indifferent to each other.

But still, he had never kissed anyone like that before and even now she was drawing him in again with her soft scent, her ginger hair, and her pretty brown eyes. Keira was a f*****g goddess and even he couldn't deny how beautiful she is.

“Arnold,” She whispered. He was looking at her with an intensity that was electrifying.

She had always thought Arnold's green eyes were menacing and mischievous, but now they had something else in them. Desire?

Hell no, Arnold could not possibly want her. But he did kiss her yesterday, she couldn't remember most of it because she was drunk and maybe he kissed her out of pity. But right now, his eyes were saying otherwise. She shouldn't be here, letting him look at her like that.

But she couldn't move, she was drawn to him too. This was madness, she shouldn't be doing this but Keira was paying no attention to what her head was saying. It was like Arnold's eyes had trapped her in that spot so she couldn't escape him.

“I…” Arnold started, but he couldn't find the rest of the sentence. Keira’s hair was up in a ponytail, exposing her graceful neck, and it was too distracting. Arnold wanted to touch her so badly.

He pulled her closer, now they were just inches away from each other. His hand cupped her cheeks and he wiped out stale tears on her cheeks. And then slowly his fingers went to her neck, and after a few seconds, he replaced his hands with his mouth.

Keira’s breath was caught in her throat. He was kissing and biting and licking. His mouth was hot and his tongue was smooth and she liked this way too much for her comfort so she pulled away.

“I need to leave.” She said turning away. He stood in front of her, stopping her from going further. His thumb traced her button lip, he needed to kiss her to feel her lips on his again to know if it is as good as he remembered.

There was a knock on the door, and Eugene walked in when Arnold told him to come in. He took in the scene in front of him, but he made no comments. The report he had was more important. Arnold had retrieved his hands like Keira’s skin had burned him and Keira took three steps away from him.

“Arnold, your father is coming to the mansion tomorrow night to have dinner with you,” Eugene said. He paused and waited to see Arnold's reaction.

There was no change in his demeanor, but his eyes had gone cold, so icy cold. Keira noticed that the news did affect him and she made a decision.

She had her chance. Finally there seemed to be a way out for her, it was clear that Arnold had some emotions with his father so he would pay no attention to her when his father arrived.

Finally her prayers have been answered, she will figure out a way and soon Arnold Giovanni would be in her rear view mirror and she will never see him again.

She smiled to herself.

Tomorrow she will make her escape.