“About that,” Ezra starts, his voice menacing. “I thought we were going to discuss the deal when I arrived. Not just announce it to the whole world before we’ve even spoken.”
“What is there to discuss?” Father says. “You want your company back. I want my daughter married. I told you that was the only clause I was interested in. You agreed to come here. We both know what that means.”
“I prefer making decisions for myself,” Ezra hisses.
“Tough luck, boy,” my father continues, clearly not reading the room. “It doesn’t always work like that in the business world.” He takes a sip of his drink, looking smug with himself. “There’s nothing you can do now. Welcome to the family,” he laughs smugly.
Ezra glances at me before staring at my father. “The wedding is off.”
Father chokes on his drink and starts coughing.
“You can’t do that!” Mom cries out, pulling on her pearls around her neck. I watch the poor thing nearly giving in to the power of her anger.
“I can, and I’m doing it.” He walks to Bea who still hasn’t uttered a word. “I am sorry, Beatrice. You’re probably a wonderful woman, but this marriage won’t be happening.” He sends me a quick glance before returning to Bea who watches him from under her brows. “It was a mistake to ever make this deal with your father.”
Bea doesn’t say a word, to my surprise, but watches Ezra like a predator watches its prey.
“The whole world knows about this!” my father bellows. “Do you think you’ll have your company after that? They’ll take it away from you because you can’t keep your promise. I will destroy you!”
I can tell he’s telling the truth. His pride got hurt. The whole world will know about this rejection. My father won’t let it slide.
“Noah.” Ezra suddenly turns to his brother. “What was said in the announcement?”
“That the Wrongs and Kings are going to unite in a sacred ceremony,” Noah explains quickly like he rehearsed it.
“Were the names given?”
“No.”
Ezra, still standing next to Bea, turns toward me. “Then the Wrongs and Kings will unite.”
A moment of silence is a welcome gift. I can almost hear the mechanism moving inside my parents’ heads trying to figure out how it’s still possible. I must admit I’m confused as well.
“How?” Mom asks.
“I will marry a Wrong,” he says while looking at me. “Just a different one.”
Everyone gasps. I do it louder than them.
“What?” Father looks between me and Ezra. “You will marry her?” He points at me. “Maeve?”
“Yes,” Ezra confirms with a nod.
“Are you sure? I mean, you’re a public figure, and she doesn’t look like a wife you want to show off.” Father chuckles with a smug smile on his face. “No one in our world would take you seriously if you married her,” he finishes, after giving me a quick onceover.
The next movement is a blur. Ezra grabs the front of my father’s shirt and gives him a good shake. “I will forgive you this time. And only this time, because you are her father. But you’ve just run out of your free passes. From now on, talk with respect when you mention my fiancé or don’t talk at all.”
My father opens his mouth to say something, but Ezra brings him closer to his face. “Nothing at all.”
I can almost feel my father’s turmoil about the situation. This humiliation he’s experiencing in front of everyone. Threats to his authority. I wish I could say I felt bad, but I don’t. He humiliated Bea and me a lot of times throughout our childhood for tiny things, so I don’t give a shit. Plus, their size difference makes it a little comical, and I nearly want to chuckle. Seeing how small my father looks next to Ezra, I don’t understand how I could ever fear him before. All those times I thought he was larger than our fucked-up life, but now, I see how small he really is. How miserable with his false ideals.
When Ezra lets him go, he walks to me. “Our families made a deal.” His jaw is tight, his eyes cold. “You will marry me.”
“I don’t recall you asking.”
He leans closer and whispers so only I can hear. “You owe me. For that fire.” He pulls away and announces to everyonelouder. “The wedding will take place. The bride will be different.”
I step away to look at his face because for a moment there, I forgot who I’m dealing with. The asshole from the airport. The man who’s always thinking about the next deal. I’ve become his next deal.
