Chapter 13

**WILLOW**

I take a shaky step back, my body trembling as I stare at the man who is supposed to be him my father. My vision swims, my breath stuttering in short, uneven gasps—until I collide with something solid.

Not the wall.

Arms. Strong, unyielding, locking me in place, preventing my escape.

I look up and meet Nico’s gaze—except he doesn’t look at me. His face is impassive, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

I always knew marriage would be expected of me one day. That was inevitable.

But this?

Being sold?

Reduced to nothing more than a bargaining chip, a line item in a debt, a possession to be exchanged with a flick of a pen and a handshake?

No.

Not once—not even in my worst nightmares—did I imagine this.

My mind spins, struggling to grasp the insanity of it all. One man is coming to claim me, like I’m some prize he won at an auction, while another is here to steal me away for his own twisted reasons. And all because of him—because my father couldn’t keep his hands off a deck of cards, because he drowned himself in debts so deep he decided to gamble me away instead. My life, my freedom, my very existence—all reduced to a fucking transaction.

"And as for Solas," Alexander continued, his tone dropping to a menacing growl that sent shivers down my spine.

"Tell him to stay away from her. Tell him that if he so much as breathes in her direction again, I'll make sure he suffers a fate worse than death itself."

Alexander's gaze lingered for a moment longer, his jaw clenched as if debating whether to finish what he'd started. Finally, he let go, and my father crumpled against the wall, clutching his throat and gasping for air.

I wanted to feel something-relief, gratitude, anything-but all I could manage was a numb sort of disbelief as Alexander turned back to me, his expression cold and unyielding.

"You're coming with me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I let out a bitter laugh, though there was nothing amusing about this.

"Like I have a choice in the matter."

Alexander barely spared me a glance.

"You're right—you don’t."

His grip on my arm was unrelenting as he pulled me toward the door. I stumbled, my heels skidding against the marble floor, but he didn’t slow, didn’t even acknowledge my struggle.

I dug my heels into the gravel the moment we stepped outside, yanking against his hold.

"I can walk by myself!" I snapped, my voice sharp with frustration.

"I’m not some damn package you can just throw over your shoulder and haul away!"

Alexander didn’t even break stride and didn’t bother to respond.

His silence only making me angrier.

Outside, a sleek convoy of black cars waited, their engines humming softly. He pulled me toward the nearest one, opening the door with one smooth motion before finally releasing my arm.

"Get in," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

I stood my ground, arms crossed tightly over my chest, glaring up at him.

"Make me."

A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he stepped closer, his towering frame casting a long shadow over me. He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek, his dark eyes glinting with something dangerous—something that sent a sharp pulse of unease through me.

"We can do this the easy way...or I can take great pleasure in tossing you in myself. The choice is yours... for now." His voice was low and husky, with a hint of flirtation.

As he spoke, his gaze roamed over me, his eyes lingering on my skin with an unnerving intensity.

"But I must admit," he purred, his breath whispering against my ear,

"The second option holds a certain... appeal. The thought of wrapping my hands around your waist, feeling your body pressed against mine as I throw you in... it's almost too tempting to resist." His words were laced with a dark sensuality

"And who knows?" he whispered, his lips brushing against my skin.

"Maybe I'll even get to cop a feel... or two... or three. You see, when you're at my mercy, I get to make the rules. And right now, the only rule that matters is that you're going to do exactly as I say."

I huffed, weighing my options. He could absolutely toss me in like luggage if he wanted to, and I had no doubt he would enjoy doing it. With a resigned sigh, I slid into the seat, my arms still crossed in defiance.

“Good girl,” he muttered as he shut the door. I scowled at his back as he rounded the car and got in beside me.

I sat in the back of the car, the engine purring softly beneath me, my hands clenched in my lap. The world outside blurred by the tinted windows felt distant, almost out of reach. My thoughts raced.

What if I make a run for it?

I glanced to the side and saw the guards stationed along the perimeter, their eyes scanning the area with sharp precision. It was pointless. Every escape route seemed blocked, and no matter how fast I ran, I knew they'd catch me.

A heavy sigh escaped my lips. There was no way out, not yet.

I heard Alexander's voice through the open door.

"Stay here... I forgot something."

"Wait... what could you possibly have forgotten in my house?" I forced the words out, my voice attempting to sound casual, but my pulse betrayed me, racing beneath my skin.

Dread slowly crept through my veins.

He's going back to hurt Arthur.

The thought hit me like a punch to the gut, a wave of panic colliding with something far darker.

"I'll come with you..."

Alexander stepped into the frame of the open door, blocking the way. His cold gaze met mine,

"I. SAID. STAY. HERE!"

"Don't hurt Arthur... I'm here, aren't I? So let's just go!" I almost shouted, the words slipping out before I could stop them, my frustration and fear bubbling to the surface.

Why the hell was I still worried about the man who had so casually sold me off like some possession? My father. The one who had practically handed me over to Robert Solas—as if I were nothing more than a pawn in his game.

Alexander’s gaze lingered on me for a beat longer, but he didn’t answer. Without a word, the car door clicked shut with finality, leaving me alone with the oppressive hum of the engine and the suffocating tension hanging in the air.

I reached for the door handle, an instinctive urge to follow him overwhelming me. But just as my fingers brushed the cold metal,

Nico appeared in the car doorway, blocking me with his towering frame. His eyes locked onto mine—icy, impassive, unwavering.

I sat back, crossing my arms in frustration, my mind racing.

What the hell had I gotten myself into?