The Billionaire's Forced Bride

chapter 2

“The wedding will take place in five months,” Gerald said.

“That’s enough time to plan a proper celebration without dragging things out too long.

However, public announcements should go out right away.”He smiled, showing no hint of the snake coiled beneath his genial tone and expression.

We’d adjourned to the dining room soon after my arrival, and the conversation had immediately veered into wedding planning territory.

Anger curled through me. Of course he’d want the world to know his daughter was getting hitched to a Moretti as soon as possible.Men like Gerald would do anything to increase their social standing, including finding the balls to blackmail me in my office two weeks ago.Fury reignited in my chest.

If I had my way, he wouldn’t have left Italy with his bones intact. Unfortunately, my hands were tied, metaphorically speaking, and until I found a way to untie them, I had to play nice.

“No, it won’t.” I wrapped my fingers around the stem of my wineglass and imagined it was Gerald’s neck I was strangling instead.

“No one will believe I’m marrying someone with such short notice unless something was wrong.

”Restraint didn’t come naturally to me. If I didn’t like someone, I made damn sure they knew it, but extraordinary circumstances called for extraordinary measures.Gerald’s mouth thinned.

“Then what would you suggest?”“A year is a more reasonable timeframe.”Never was better, but sadly, it wasn’t an option. A year would do.

It was short enough that Gerald would agree to it and long enough for me to find and destroy the blackmail evidence. Hopefully.

“Announcements should also go out later,” I said. “A month gives us time to craft a proper story, considering your daughter and I have never so much as been seen in public together before.”“We don’t need a month to come up with a story!” he said in a stern voice that made me arch my brow.Gerald cleared his voice softly before replying in a neutral voice.

“Fine then. We’ll announce the weekend Laura moves into your house which will be two weeks from now.”My jaw tensed. Beside me, Laura stiffened, clearly caught off guard by the revelation she’d have to move in before the wedding.It was one of Gerald’s stipulations for keeping his mouth shut, and I was already dreading it. I hated people invading my personal space.

“I’m sure your family would like the announcements to go out sooner rather than later as well,” Gerald continued, placing a soft emphasis on the word family.

“Don’t you agree, Giovanni?”I held his stare until he shifted and looked away. “Two weeks it is.”The announcement date didn’t matter.

I’d simply wanted to make the planning as difficult for him as possible. What mattered was the wedding date.One year.One year to destroy the photos and break the engagement. It would be a huge scandal, but my reputation could take a hit. The LeVert’s couldn’t.For the first time that night, I smiled.Gerald shifted again and cleared his throat. “Excellent. We’ll work together to draft the agreement.

”“I’ll draft it. Next.” I cut him off mid-sentence.He glared at me but I ignored him and took another sip of wine.

The conversation devolved into a mind-numbing rundown of guest invites, flowers, and a million other things I didn’t give a s**t about.Restless anger churned beneath my skin as I turned Gerald and his wife out. They could take crap for all I care and I wouldn't pay them any attention. I could at least enjoy the wine.The embers of my amusement hissed into a smoky death when Laura's mother turned to me.

“Giovanni, is it true all Morettis get married at the family estate in Italy? I hear renovations will be finished by next summer before the wedding.”

My smile vanished as my muscles tightened at the reminder.I turned to face Evelyn’s eager expression. It took everything within me not to shut her up but I couldn't be rude to the hostess.

“Yes,” I said, my tone clipped. “All Moretti weddings have taken place at Villa Maria since the eighteenth century.

”My many-times great grandfather had built the villa and named it after his wife, Maria. Villa Maria has remained the most beloved of all the family estates. I would rather drown myself in the Mediterranean than tarnish it with this farce of a wedding.My anger came roaring back.

“Wonderful!” Evelyn beamed. “Oh, I’m so thrilled you’ll be part of the family soon. You and Laura are a perfect match.You know, she speaks six languages, plays the piano and violin, and—

”“Excuse me.” I pushed my chair back, cutting Evelyn off mid-sentence. Laura didn’t know about her father’s manipulation.

Gerald had warned me not to tell her, not that I would’ve, anyway. The fewer people who knew about the blackmail, the better. He’d uncovered one of my few weak spots, and I’d be damned if I broadcast it to the world.

Gerald’s eyes glowed with anger but he knew better than to snap.

“And where are you going?”“I have urgent matters that need my attention.” I said.It wasn't a lie. I had left in the middle of a stakeholder’s office for this charade. I continued.

“I enjoyed dinner with you all “Bloody lie.“And I look forward to it next time.” Also, a lie.“But unfortunately, I have to be on my way. Excuse me. ” I straightened my jacket with deliberate care and turned on my heels.

“I'll see to your exit.” Gerald rose, following behind me.I looked over my shoulder and met Laura's gaze. This time she didn't look confused or timid. If anything, she had a glare in her eyes, probably thinking my abrupt leave during dinner was rude.

It turned out the delicate little rose had some steel in her spine after all.One day, she will wake up to a broken engagement but until then, I’ll bide my time and play along because Gerald’s ultimatum had been clear.Marry Laura or my brother dies.