Page 6 of Arranged

I was about to get married.

Sure, it wouldn’t be in the traditional sense of the way, but it still mildly creeped me out. If I was ever out at some business party—not all aspects of my job were illegal, of course—and if anyone asked if I was married, I’d have to say yes.

And then I’d probably have to invent some story about my husband to explain away his absence and tell some lie about us being madly in love.

Ridiculous.

But it was what it was.

It had to be done.

Once my lawyer finished with the contract, she inclined her head and smiled. Everything was in order, so it was the time for us to sign.

Giovanni signed the first copy of the contract immediately, and I hesitated a few moments before signing too.

When the contracts were done, my hand hovered over the marriage certificate, and I took a deep breath before signing it.

“This is a happy day for both of us,” Giovanni said and shook my hand. “Now we’re no longer enemies. Sounds strange, don’t you think?”

“I guess.” I felt like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

It had all worked out in the end.

No tricks.

No traps.

If Giovanni broke the contract, his honor would come into question, and all his partners would abandon him so he couldn’t do the same to them.

“Bring him.” Giovanni snapped his fingers.

The guards parted and let through two guards who were dragging Luca with them.

His hands were bound in front of him, and he seemed disoriented, stumbling after them. His dark eyes narrowed at me, but it was like he couldn’t see me at all.

He was even prettier than in the photo, though, especially because his dark gray dress shirt was unbuttoned at the top.

It was insane to even think about it, but damn, he was hot.

“What’s wrong with him?” I asked.

“Nothing,” Giovanni said. “He was just a little nervous about the whole thing, so we gave him something to calm him down. It will wear off soon. Don’t worry.”

Err. Luca had been drugged, probably because he’d never wanted to marry in the first place.

Hell, who in their right mind would just agree to become someone’s property?

To lose control over their own life?

Even if it was for the benefit of the whole family.

“Help him to the car,” I said to Rafael, who nodded.

“Do you want to stay and celebrate with us?” Giovanni asked.

“No, thanks. I have some business to attend to.” I flashed him a smile.

It was a lie.