Marriage Trap

Four

Valerie

"wife?" My father echoed, glancing between me and the man seated at the head of the table, "What is the meaning of this?"

"Father, I_"

Killian's voice cut in immediately, "Your daughter agreed to do me the honour of becoming my wife. Which also means that as a legal spouse according to your company's messed up laws, I have as much right to her shares as she does. Did I miss anything?"

I couldn't ignore the hurt swirling inside of me beneath the fury, "you used me! I never consented to this marriage."

"Can someone explain what's going on here?" Zane asked, rising to his feet too.

If looks could kill, the look Killian shot him would have had him six feet under, "Shh, the grown ups are talking."

I heard the two men beside me suck in aggravated breaths. Oh God, this was one big, fat mess, but I wasn't even thinking about the company at that moment even though I had worked for most of my adult life to keep it thriving.

I was thinking more about the fact that everything I had moronically assumed I shared with this man had all just been one big farce. Once again, I had built castles in the air and was now standing on the ruins.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"How dare you!"

Zane and my father spat at the same time, but Killian doesn't spare them a glance, eyes locked on me or more specifically where I'm straining to yank off the simple gold band on my finger. How hadn't I noticed it earlier? I could only blame my rush this morning.

"I would prefer it stay on," his eyes narrowed at me.

"There won't be any use of it staying on," I snarled at him, "Not when this marriage isn't going to last past the day. I'm getting it annulled."

"I hate to break it to you," he c****d his head, "But this marriage is well and truly consummated."

Heat rose on my cheeks as I remembered him pounding into me relentlessly, me clawing my nails down his back and screaming the hotel walls down.

"It can't be legal," dad stepped threateningly towards Killian but he didn't flinch. My father was a large man, but Killian had about an inch or two on him and the aura of danger that dripped from his every pore.

"I have witnesses and even a video recording of her urging me to say 'I do'. Trust me, Mr. Atwood, this marriage is perfectly legal. Now, you can decide to drag me to court for a long, torturous divorce process, but note that I'll use every power at my disposal to make sure I drag out the whole thing long enough to take your company."

It wasn't a threat, it was a promise and I could see from Killian's eyes that he hoped we'd attempt to do battle with him. He looked like a man who itched to spill blood and I took a wary step backward.

"It doesn't have to come to that," a silver haired man that had walked in with Killian said, rising to his feet slowly. He held up his hand in a placating gesture, "Mr. Finnegan is open to partnership in place of a complete take over."

I turned to my father, waiting to see what his decision would be. To work with the enemy or fight a worthless battle against him.

His jaw firmed and he dropped back into his seat, "What are the terms of the partnership?"

Killian Finnegan snorted, "I won't be discussing that with you."

"I'm not agreeing to work with you unless you highlight very clearly _"

The dark haired man slashed his hand in ruthless arc in the air, "I will only be discussing the terms of the partnership with my partner and coincidentally, my wife."

All heads swung to me and my body went as stiff as a statues.

"Miss Atwood, if _" the silver haired man began, but was once a gain interrupted by his mannerless boss.

"It's Mrs. Finnegan now," he corrected.

My blood curdled in my veins and i shot him the iciest glare I could muster, "Miss Atwood is fine."

"If you didn't go spreading your legs for every reprobate you could find, this wouldn't be happening right now," my father turned to hiss at me, "All you've ever brought to this family is shame and I knew it was a bad idea to have you close to this company."

I flinched, "I d-didn't_"

"This is the only warning you'll get about speaking to my wife with disrespect," Killian's cold voice said and I glanced over to see him staring at my father, his face a completely blank mask that speller danger.

"I'm not your wife!" I cried, horrified. Tears threatened to spill out of my eyes but I blinked them back. I couldn't cry now. I couldn't give this bastard the satisfaction of watching me break.

How heartless could he be to have targeted a vulnerable woman and tied her to him all because of his greed? I couldn't believe I had given this man my body willingly.

I should have known known that like everything else in my life, it was too good to be true.

"This isn't over, Finnegan," my father growled then stormed out of the room. My new brother-in-law shot me one last look of disgust before hurrying after my father.

I made to follow them but Killian's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Everybody, out."

The other suited men stood up and filed out, leaving just him and I. His presence seeming to fill the room.

"Valerie_" he stepped forward and I took an answering step back.

"Don't come any closer."

He ignored my words and continued advancing till my back was pressed against the row of glass walls and he was standing so achingly close.

"I did what I had to do."

A bitter laugh tore out of my mouth, "You're a monster, I hate you and I'll never forgive you for this."

His eyes flashed, "I don't need your forgiveness. The only thing I need is your body."

And then his mouth slammed over mine.