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“This one is a more private dinner,” Rosier said as he sipped his drink and eyed me over the rim of his glass. “This dinner is more so about you.”

Confused, I glanced around the table at my family. While Jules’ and Dre’s expressions gave nothing away, my mother wore a look of sympathy. Reaching across the table, she gripped my hand as the waitress brought out platters of food. The appetite I had when I first arrived began to dissipate.

“Noemi. You know that being in this family means certain actions may be required of you,” Rosier began once the doors slid back shut. “There will be times we all may have to do things we don’t like, but ? —”

“Just tell me,” I cut him off as my heart thudded in my chest, and I could feel the sweat forming above my brow. “What is this about?”

Leaning forward on the table, I could see the seriousness in my brother’s eyes. Before me wasn’t my big brother, but the head of the Boudreaux Mafia.

“As you know… there were some things that needed to be realigned when our father died. Some people didn’t like the takeover, and unfortunately, they’re not here to speak for themselves.

” He sighed heavily, scratching the scruff on his face.

“I love you, Mimi. You know that, but this is for the Family. The Gourneau’s have been wanting retaliation for the death of their leader.

The only way to mend the bridge between the two families is marriage. ”

Right on cue, the sounds of the guests in the main dining hall invaded the room as the doors opened, and Chandler Gourneau walked in.

Dressed in Armani, the grin on his face caused my stomach to churn.

I watched as he rounded the table and shook hands with my brothers and cousin before kissing my mother’s hand.

“Nice to see you, Mrs. Boudreaux.” He smiled as he bowed his head slightly. “It’s an honor.”

“Same,” is all she said as she dragged her eyes over to me. “Have a seat, son. We need to speak.”

Nodding, he made his way to the side I was on and stared. Extending his hand, I looked from it to my brother as tears began to flow slowly down my face. Shakily, I said nothing as I placed mine in his.

“We meet again…” He grinned as he kissed the back of my hand before taking a seat beside me. “I told you that you’d be seeing me soon.” He reached over me and grabbed a shrimp from my plate. “I hope nothing was too serious between you and your little date.”

“Look… I know that no one is happy about this, but let’s be respectful,” Dre spoke up and eyed Chandler.

Although Rosier was head of our family and his word was law, all of his choices were discussed with Dre.

“Noemi, we know that this may come as a shock to you, but this arrangement is not at all uncommon. Jules will ensure you have everything you need monetarily as his wife. He’s going to make sure the legal logistics are handled in your favor.

You can continue to stay on the compound should you wish ? —”

“No!” I wiped my tears as I finally spoke up. “He will not be living on the compound with me.”

“You expect us to be married and not live together?” Chandler asked as he poured himself a glass of wine. “No wife of mine will have a separate domain.”

“Then I suggest you find us a house!” I replied sharply as I turned toward him.

“The compound is for the Boudreaux family, and regardless of what this marriage entails, you will never be one of us. Until we are married, our time will be spent at my condo and your residence. You will provide us a home, and I’d prefer one that you haven’t fucked multiple women in. ”

My mother hissed and glared at me “Noemi! Watch your mouth!”

“Wow…” I laughed humorlessly before sipping from the glass of water.

“Not only do I not have a say in a marriage, I can’t voice my opinion or make requests?

” Looking toward Dre and a pissed-off Rosier, I waved my hand toward them.

“Please, enlighten me on what I can and can’t do to ensure I’m the perfect little wife. ”

Placing his arm on the back of my chair, Chandler leaned in closer until his lips were directly at my ear.

I stiffened at his closeness, pushing down the urge to gag.

Pushing my locs behind my ear, he spoke where only I could hear him.

“I’m going to enjoy correcting that smart-ass mouth of yours, wife. ”

He kissed my cheek, and it took everything in me not to slap the shit out of him. My body began to shake as anger overtook me. There’s no way I was going to sit here and deal with this today. Jolting from my chair, I grabbed my things to leave.

“Noemi, sit back down!” Rosier stood from his seat as I approached the door. “I didn’t say you could leave. We’re not done here!”

Spinning to face him, I could see the rage in his eyes as he reached me. I gripped the strap on my purse as the others stared at our engagement. I glared at the one deemed as ruthless because, in my eyes, he was just that. How dare he marry me off to the likes of someone like Chandler Gourneau.

“You’ve said all that’s needed to be said, Rosier. You all have made it clear that my input and wishes don’t matter and will not be honored.”

“Noemi, please sit down,” he spoke lowly and calmly. “Please…”

Defeated, I nodded and did as he asked. Rosier was not one to beg, and I knew that.

I wouldn’t dare embarrass him or our name by being stubborn, even though, at this moment, neither he nor our family deserved my loyalty.

I knew what being in this family meant, but I didn’t like it, so my attitude was warranted, in my opinion.

Retaking my seat, Jules cleared his throat to speak, so I gave my attention to him.

“While this is unexpected, I took the liberty of composing documents to detail what this union would consist of.” He went into his briefcase and pulled out sheets of paper before handing them to Chandler and me.

“I know this isn’t what you want, Mimi, but this doesn’t have to be a sentence for you. ”

“So, I really can’t move onto the compound?” Chandler sounded off from the side of me. “And five years for a child is absurd!”

Looking over the document, I said nothing as I read it. While I was pissed with the arrangement, I was happy that my brothers and cousin thought enough about me to where Chandler couldn’t force himself into my homes or uterus.

“It doesn’t rule out sex!” Rosier spat as if the idea disgusted him.

“While those are part of her marital duties, she doesn’t have to bear a child until she’s ready.

An heir is conditional after year five. Also, you know how things work here when it comes to adultery.

” Rosier gave him a knowing look. “I can’t tell a man what to do inside of his home, but publicly ? —”

“You can fuck off in private but respect me in public.” I turned to Chandler, who was aggravated.

“I don’t care what you do, but you will not embarrass me.

You want the doting partner in public, I understand.

This marriage will be loveless, and I understand that too.

Just know that I will not be anyone’s doormat. ”

“Three million a month is a bit much to pay my wife for a marriage.” He frowned as he looked from the paper to my brother. “Why should I consent to this?”

“My sister has expensive taste…” Rosier smirked as he eyed him. “It’s not enough if you ask me.”

Hearing the guys speak on things that were no longer of interest to me, I zoned out of the conversation. With a woman who had her own funds, no amount of money could compensate for my misery.

“Noemi, say something, baby,” my mother asked as she reached over to grab my hand. All chatter ceased once she spoke. “How do you feel about this?”

Looking between her and the men, I shrugged as I pulled my hand back.

“It doesn’t matter what I have to say; the deed is pretty much done.

” I gathered my things once more. This time, Rosier didn’t stop me.

“Your minds are made up, and at this point, all I have to do is walk down the aisle.” Turning to my brother, there was a look of annoyance on his face.

“There will be an aisle, right? Shit, who’s going to give me away at the wedding?

Wait.” I stopped and tapped my chin. “You’ve pretty much covered that already. ”

Even with me knowing an arrangement was a possibility didn’t take away the betrayal I’m feeling at the moment.

Rosier could have found another way to mend things between both families, but he chose to use me as a bargaining chip.

As I left the room and closed the door behind me, I knew I was closing the door on my relationship with my family as I knew it.

Things will never be the same with us again once I became a Gourneau.