Cruel Intentions

JAN

ncounter with Damion. He had been intense and cold, not to men

ing me toward my walk-in closet. "We need to get you r

d undressing, still in a trance. Mom ga

," I sai

ve spread out on the bench before I'd arrived. "I

the insincere schmoozing and backstabbing attitude of thos

f them were in my favorite retro Audrey Hepburn style. Mom picked up a

he never paid atten

ed. While he was conservative, he had trouble saying

e. "This matches your eyes. Let's hope Dam

ord, remembering Damion's word

lejandra. You nee

ession, but she was already on

ye to the realities of mob life, but I knew what went on behind closed doors. Our world was a cruel one. Dad had bee

me. I could have held my ground against him in a marriage. That would be a difficult task with

sy when I checked my reflection. I put on more makeup than usu

alm myself. My eyes still felt too warm from almost crying, but my smile didn'

ed politeness as he regarded me. His eyes were dark blue, like the depth of the ocean, and gave the impression that the

int of warning rang in Dad's voice, which

mouth pulled into an almost non-existent smile

ne, and I straightened my spine

mi

ad tried to intimidate my future husband with a dark look, but a sheep didn't become a predator by wea

motioned toward his companion. "That'

his head. Dropping my arm, I shifted closer to Dad, who scanned my face.

tell your wife to take your daughter's measurements,"

aybe this was a mistake, and

, Altair. We settled matters with Phoenix. Everything is agreed upon. Given that we decided against a separate engageme

but he certainly wouldn't allow

e ruled over this city. He only bowed down t

was how it sh

s. "I have no intention of canceling our arran

in that moment, completely oblivious to what was going

at Dad, but he avoided my eyes. The message was

mion led me into the dining room, following Mom, who was babbling about possible color schemes for our wedding. Damion pro

dining table, he pull

ank down, smooth

before they moved on to my flower earrings, probably deciding wha

. Maybe he thought my age made me a spineless marionette that w

e only way a woman could get what she wanted in our world. Would it work with Damion? Dad

could hardly contain her excitement as she unpacked clothes by Max Mara, Chanel, Ted Baker, and m

initely wouldn't have worn my sunflower dress, I just wished he'd asked me to buy a few elegant c