Page 3 of Arranged Control

“You don’t know me. And you’re never going to.”

“Ah, now, you’re wrong about that. We’re going to get very, very acquainted. I’d say we already have.”

“Fuck you.”

“I was worried about this marriage, but after the show you put on for me?—”

I hang up on him.

Seething with rage, I throw my phone across the room. It slams against the wall and hits the floor with a clatter. I scream and throw the pillow after it.

I feel so stupid. What a mortifying, pathetic thing to do. I put myself out there, took a risk on some stupid asshole guy, andthishappens. The absolute worst-case scenario.

But what makes it all so twisted is I don’t even know if Seamus was lying.

Because it could be true. I know my father’s been getting close with the Whelans lately, and I’m fully aware of how families like ours cement their relationships.

That’s been an option since the day I was born.

Dad never let me forget it.

My duty to the family is more important than anything else.

He gave me whatever I wanted: money, a top-notch education, business loans to start my boutique, my own apartment, designer dresses, everything.

With the tacit agreement that, one day, I’d pay him back. Either financially or in other ways.

“You bastard,” I say, fighting tears, but I can’t hold them back. My shoulders shake as I cry. “You asshole. You piece of shit.”

He should’ve told me.

That’s the least he could’ve done.

Except I can’t even be surprised. I’ve always been an afterthought. The little bratva baby, the princess, the pretty pawn.

Never a person, always a prize.

After a couple of minutes, I calm myself down and get dressed. I opt for baggy sweats and a big hoodie before I grab the keys to my BMW and storm out of my high-end apartment building.

I don’t care if it’s nine at night—my father is going to explain what the hell is going on.

And he’s going to do it straight to my face.

Whether he likes it or not.

Chapter 2

Alina

My father’s housekeeper, Katya, meets me at the front door. She gives me one look before letting out a long sigh. “What did he do now, Alinochka?”

“Just tell me he’s still awake.”

“Your father’s in his office, but really, you look angry.” Katya’s frown deepens. “Honestly, what happened?”

I’ve known her all my life, and there are very few people in this world who I trust more, but I’m too embarrassed to tell her what’s going on.I video called my secret boyfriend topless, but my future husband answered and ogled my bare tits instead. And oh, yeah, Dad arranged my marriage to a stranger without telling me.

It’s all way too pathetic.