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Ana, I’m so sorry. I only found out about what was happening this morning. Your father was incredibly tight-lipped about the marriage arrangement, and by the time I found out, I couldn’t get near you to let you know. I packed your bags for you. Everything I could manage is in them.If you need anything, you know where I am. The house won’t be the same without you. Please forgive me. - Chad

I dropped the note back into my bag in desperate need of some shorts and tank top, anything to replace this damn dress, but then something else caught my eye and I had an idea… Probably one that would get me into trouble, but fuck it. You only lived once, right?

I dialled my best friend’s number, and within two rings, she answered.

“Where the hell have you been? I’ve called you multiple times today!” Robin asked, worry coating her voice.

“Getting married.” I sighed as the line went silent for a second.

“I’m sorry. I must have misheard you. You got married?” She stumbled over her words, and I knew how real the shock was.

“My father made a damn deal with the devil in disguise.”

“Of course it was your father’s doing… Are you okay?” she questioned, her voice softer than before.

“I don’t know. I hate him.” I groaned, just thinking about the cocky bastard made my blood boil.

“Who? Your father or husband?” She chuckled, trying her best to lighten the mood.

“Well, both, but mainly Lorenzo Ricci, the asshole that is now my husband.” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes, which she instantly knew because we had that kind of friendship.

“He sounds hot, though,” she teased.

“Alright, he’s hot, yeah, but that doesn’t mean I want to be married to him.” I sighed. “Anyway, that’s not why I called.”

She gasped. “You’re sneaking out, aren’t you?”

“Indeed, I am. Meet you at that newer place in town?” I asked, already knowing her answer.

“I’ll call Tay and meet you there in a couple of hours. Think of tonight as your bachelorette party since we didn’t get to throw you one. Get drunk and get fucked. Tonight is your night, baby!” She knew I wouldn’t fuck anyone, but that never stopped her from saying it every single time we snuck out to bars and clubs. When I lived at home, my father never approved of me going out. Then again, he barely approved of me doing anything.

After showering and getting ready,I felt the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I prepared to execute my plan. Sneaking out of a house unfamiliar to me promised to be more challenging than I had anticipated. Nevertheless, I was determined to give it a shot. I moved stealthily through the dimly lit corridors, slipping past the rooms where the men I had yet to meet were residing, my heart pounding in my chest. So far, so good.

The real challenge awaited outside, where the men patrolling the grounds and the gate were more vigilant, their eyes scanning the surroundings with practiced precision. Yet, by some stroke of luck—or perhaps a small miracle—I managed to evade their notice. I slipped through the narrow pedestrian gate nestled beside the imposing electric one, which loomed silently, locked and unyielding.

Wow, that wasn’t too bad.

I bet I was caught on the cameras, but by the time they noticed anything, I’d be long gone.

See you in the morning, Ricci.

5

Relaxing backagainst the plush booth, I enjoyed the two fingers worth of whiskey I poured myself. I glanced down at one of my many empires. It was one of the newer establishments. One that was doing pretty well. It was crowded tonight, which meant my pockets would be well and truly lined by the end of it.

“Boss, Rox has arrived,” Finn called from the door, glancing at his watch to check he was on time.

He wasn’t.

“Only fifteen minutes late.” I scoffed, downing the amber liquid.

Within seconds, Rox Marshall swanned into the private lounge. He was a complete and utter cock, but we needed a new arms supplier after our most recent one was hacked apart and buried all over due to a monumental fuck up.

“Mr. Ricci, it’s a pleasure.” A wide smile stretched across his face, revealing a glinting gold canine tooth that immediately captured my attention. He was a middle-aged man, his hair slicked back with an excessive amount of gel, giving it a shiny, almost wet look. It was as if he believed more was always better, not realising it left him with a helmet-like appearance. I foundmyself instinctively wary, certain that he should steer clear of any open flames unless he wanted to become a human torch.

“You’re fifteen minutes late,” I told him, letting him know we weren’t off to a good start.

“I know and I apologise for that, but I met this woman outside, and I couldn’t say no to getting my dick wet, could I?” He laughed, but it wasn’t reciprocated by anyone in the room.