Chapter 44: Seven days?!

Lysander’s eyes remain locked on mine as neither of us says anything.

I can almost hear the gears turning in his head.

He wasn’t expecting this and sincerely neither was I but I’ve already said it, I can’t take it back now.

I swallow and straighten my shoulders.

"There’s just one catch."

His eyebrow lifts.

"Of course there is."

I ignore the sarcasm.

"You have to promise to let my sister and whoever is responsible for her condition off the hook."

His expression changes slightly.

I continue before he can interrupt.

"That’s my only condition."

He stares at me for a long moment then that irritating smirk slowly appears.

"You aren’t in any position to make demands, little riot."

My stomach twists at the nickname.

I hate when he calls me that. Mostly because I don’t understand why hearing it from him affects me the way it does.

"Please."

The word slips out quietly and I hate myself for saying it, I have never liked asking anyone for anything.

Especially not him.

Lysander watches me. There is something unreadable in his eyes, something that makes me wish I could reach inside his head and drag the answer out myself.

Instead, he smirks.

He doesn’t answer me just turns around and walks toward the door.

My heart drops.

"Lysander."

He doesn’t stop untill he opens the door.

I stare at his back and for one humiliating second, I consider following him.

Begging, grabbing his arm and doing whatever the hell it takes to make him agree.

Then my pride kicks in.

Absolutely not.

I’ve let my pride go once before him, I won’t do it again.

If he wants to make me suffer for asking, fine but I’m not giving him the satisfaction of watching me crawl after him.

I straighten my dress.

"Asshole."

I whisper when the door closes behind him.

I stand there for another few minutes before walk out. If he wants to play games, so can I.

I return to Uncle Lorenzo’s office.

When I enter, everyone is still there.

Uncle Lorenzo is behind his desk and the moment his eyes land on me, something changes in his expression.

He looks almost relieved, like I just saved his life.

I narrow my eyes.

What the hell happened while I was gone?

Lorenzo gestures toward the chair but this time, I remain standing.

"What?"

He smiles.

"We will start the wedding preparations in earnest."

My stomach drops.

"What?"

"You heard me."

I look toward Lysander then back at him.

"Y’all should be married in about a week."

A week.

My mind goes blank.

I’m supposed to marry Lysander Sanchez in seven days. I can’t decide whether I want to laugh or throw up.

I guess I didn’t think this part through.

"You’ve already decided?"

Lorenzo’s smile grows.

"The decision has been made."

I glance at Cassian, he looks just as surprised as I feel.

Jeremiah, on the other hand, looks like someone just told him Christmas has been canceled.

Good.

At least something about today is enjoyable.

Lorenzo continues.

"We will keep it strictly just family. Nobody else has to know."

I frown.

"What about the Sanchez family?"

"They will not know."

"Then how exactly is this supposed to work?"

His expression becomes serious.

"We have to make it so people believe it’s still Olivia who is married to Lysander."

I stare at him.

For a moment, nobody speaks.

Then it clicks.

They’re going to hide everything.

Olivia’s pregnancy, the fact that Lysander and Olivia’s marriage is ending and my marriage to Lysander will happen in secret.

Nobody outside these walls will know that the bride has changed.

My heart beats faster.

This isn’t just a marriage, It’s a cover-up.

But if it protects Olivia...I can live with it.

"Good."

My voice comes out steadier than I feel.

"Then I’ll see you, my bride, in a week."

I freeze.

I turn toward the doorway to find Lysander is standing there.

His gaze finds mine.

That same infuriating calm expression sits on his face.

I narrow my eyes.

He agreed, he fucking agreed even though he didn’t answer me upstairs.

He deliberately made me walk back here thinking I had failed.

Asshole.

"You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"

His smirk deepens.

"Immensely."

I roll my eyes.

Uncle Lorenzo gets to his feet, he walks around the desk and holds out his hand to Lysander who takes it, thier hands meet in a firm shake.

Two families, one allianc and somehow, I’m now the price being paid for all of it.

"Until next week," Lorenzo says.

Lysander nods.

"Don."

Then he releases his hand and walks toward the door.

His eyes find mine one last time.

"See you soon, little riot."

I glare at him until he walks out and the door closes.

Silence fills the room. When i turn toward my uncle he is watching me.

And for the first time not with anger or disappointment.

"I didn’t realize you were selfless enough to offer yourself up."

I scoff.

"Come on, Uncle. You would have offered me as consolation to him either ways. I just beat you to it."

He chuckles then laughs a genuine laugh which surprises me.

"You know me too well."

"I’ve had years of practice."

His smile fades slightly.

He looks at me for a moment, then gestures toward the door.

"You’re dismissed."

Ahhhh there it is....didnt take long for the man I knew to come back.

I walk toward him, stop beside his desk, bend my knee, I take his hand and press my lips against his ring.

"Don."

He nods.

I stand and walk out.

The moment the door closes behind me, I stop.

A week.

In seven days, I will walk down an aisle again, except this time, I won’t be watching my sister.

I won’t be standing behind her, I won’t be protecting her from the man waiting at the altar.

It will be me, I’ll be the bride.

And the man waiting for me none other than

Lysander Sanchez.

My enemy and now...My future husband.