Page 19 of Lucas

I stand frozen in the foyer for long moments, staring at the door like it might hold the answers to how my world just got turned inside out and upside down.

Married. To Lucas Valeur. A man from a family I’ve been raised to hate, who represents everything I despise in this world—greed, arrogance, entitlement. A man who makes my skin crawl and my blood boil in equal measure.

A man who may be the only thing standing between me and utter ruination.

I can’t do this. It goes against every fiber of my being, every principle I hold dear.

But what choice do I have? The walls are closing in on all sides, the sword of Damocles hanging by a thread.

A hundred and seventy million dollars. Enough to clear our debt, to keep the wolves at bay. To save my employees from destitution.

A hundred and seventy million reasons to prostitute myself to the devil.

Oh God. I think I’m going to be sick.

Cartman chooses that moment to let out an obscene wolf whistle from the next room, followed by a maniacal cackle. “Dumb bitch! Dumb bitch!”

And really, who am I to argue with that kind of wisdom?

I fish my cell phone out of my robe pocket and pull up my father’s number before I lose my nerve. It rings once, twice...

“Ava. I assume that Valeur boy has made his pitch by now.” Father’s voice is distant, all business. As if he hasn’t just bartered his daughter away like so much chattel.

“How could you?” I rasp, hot tears spilling down my cheeks unchecked. “How could you agree to this...this insanity? Do you hate me so much?”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” he snaps, a lash of ice and disdain filling his voice. “This isn’t about you or your precious feelings. This is about survival. The company’s survival.”

“And my survival means nothing, is that it? My happiness is an acceptable sacrifice at the altar of your pride?”

“Happiness is an illusion for children and fools. You’re a Gant, for God’s sake. Act like it. You will marry the Valeur heir, and you will do it with a smile on your face.”

The unspoken threat hangs heavy between us, as cold and merciless as an executioner’s axe.

Obey or be erased.

Crude. Effective.The Gant way.

“I understand,” I say. The fire inside me banked to ashes and dust. “I’ll do as you command. As I always have.”

“That’s my girl,” he says, a triumphant sneer in his voice. “Chin up, Ava. In time, you’ll see this is for the best. There’s no profit in love, only in power. The sooner you accept that, the happier you’ll be.”

I end the call without another word, too hollowed out for goodbyes. For anything, really.

I’ve just agreed to sell myself to Lucas Valeur for a hundred and seventy million dollars and the dubious promise of my father’s approval.

A devil’s bargain, indeed.

Chapter Seven

LUCAS

“You’re making a colossal mistake,” Cora says as she strides into the living room, clutching a large tray with a teapot and cups. She sets it down on the coffee table with a clatter. “Marrying into the Gant family? Have you lost your mind?”

I smile. “It’s like in medieval times when they’d marry off two kingdoms to make peace.” I haven’t told her about the plan to take down Gant’s construction company. Her heart is too pure; she wouldn’t like the idea. She never took an interest in our rivalry anyway.

“We’re not in medieval times, Lucas.” Cora’s voice rises in pitch. “You intend to make peace with them now? Give her the castle? Slay the dragon? Bring her home to Dad? I know you’re angry with him, but do you want to destroy him?” She paces back and forth, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor.

“He’s the one who insisted I get married!” I shout.