Chapter 11
*****Faye's POV*****
"Marry me." The handsome devil states, almost causing me to go weak at the knees as his hand runs down my side slowly.
I had only just endured my first kiss with this crazed gangster hours ago... and here he was again rubbing my waist and driving me to complete insanity...
"You're kidding?" Is all I manage to respond, as he smirks at my shock and continues anyway...
Did I seriously hear him right? He must just find amusement in mocking someone who clearly has nothing in life compared to him...
"For business purposes of course... I need a wife... you can still do what the fuck you want and so can I... but we will simply just live together and go to events together... you'll convince people you're mine and in return I'll give you and your friend everything your heart desires... you just need to follow my rules and it will work out fine for you." He explains, suddenly breaking the contact with me as I inhale a heavy gulp of air.
Now this sounds a bit more like him... but despite the fact... he still cannot be serious? There is no way in hell he would pick me out of every female in the world.
"Why me? As embarrassing as it is to admit... you could probably have anyone you want, could you not?" I state the obvious, as I currently stood before him - scruffy and unkept looking (desperately in need of a shower) and not to mention my nose is broken leaving me with two dark bruises under each damn eye!
I looked like sheer scum standing beside this man. If people could see us in this room together now they would for sure laugh never-mind seeing us both wedded!
He seems caught off guard for a moment as he studies me.
His dark freshly trimmed hair sat perfectly across his forehead, complimenting his tamed brows below. Not to mention that the man had the most perfect plump lips and gleaming teeth (not that I had seen much of his teeth since he rarely smiles) but simply put - he was gorgeous. The fact that he was so handsomely sculpted, yet so dangerous looking with his tattoos and large build, he was the perfect man in my eyes... which brings me back to why he would even choose me for this job?
"It's complicated." He shrugs, as I move my gaze to stare at my feet.
"I know it sounds harsh princess but I'm asking you nicely... and to be honest here... you don't actually have much of a choice in this. I've picked you and that's final. I won't ask for much, I'll let you have all of the shit you want in life and you and your friend will be happy. You'll be stuck living with me and my bad temper, and I will try my hardest not to wind up strangling you to death, but I'm sure we can make this arrangement work yes? It will be a marriage only for the title I can assure you." He concludes, pacing the room as I remain with my back against the wall - feeling my heart sink ever so slightly.
I suddenly felt my mind racing with 'what ifs' and concerns. Could I seriously be married to him for the rest of my life? Even if it wasn't a real marriage? No love in it at all...
"So we would be married, but we would still sort of be single?" I ponder, as he scans my features for a moment, continuing to slowly pace the room.
"Correct." He eventually concludes sharply, as I nod.
"Can I be alone for a bit to process all of this?" I ask softly, looking back up to find that he had stopped pacing and was now watching me.
"I'll send your friend up here... but like I said... you don't have much choice... I can always force the wedding to happen and take away your perks of the deal if needed... I don't mind locking you in a room for the rest of your life if we have to do things the hard way." His voice turns stiff again, before he heads for the door - leaving me alone.
I sink down the wall before my butt hits the glossy flooring. I hug my knees to my chest and begin to breathe slowly - in and out.
I wait, knowing that Michael should be arriving soon, knowing that he could ease my thoughts in this situation better than anyone... I guess I did see a different side to this man, or shall I say Jaxon, since I know his name now.
One minute he seemed nice? He was actually able to chat some-what normally without turning into a complete psychotic monster... and in the next breath he would return back to his threats and closed off demeanour... I couldn't crack this man.
"Faye this room is..." I hear the warmth of Michaels voice enter my ears, before he stops - spotting me hunched against the far wall.
"Shit what did he do now?" He questions, closing the door softly behind him before approaching me in my shocked state.
I felt his hands grip my arms, pulling me to stand on my feet as I shake.
"Look there's some seats out on the balcony... why don't we get you some fresh air eh?" Michael states suddenly, as though it was the worlds best plan, before he twists and unlocks one of the sliding doors.
He grabs my hand, pulling me outside and onto the large balcony, as we walk towards the edge - taking in the view of the large floral gardens and greenery below.
"How beautiful is this!" Michael states, as I nod and feel myself calming down ever so slightly.
"Even the pool!" I state, spotting the large pool with numerous floats laying on top.
It wasn't every day we got to go swimming... not to mention in Italy at a place like this!
"So what did your tattooed man do this time?" Michael ponders, as he gestures for us to sit on the nearby seats - still giving the same incredible view.
Here we go...
"Don't scream... but he literally told me that I have to marry him... that's why we are here." I state bluntly, watching as Mike pauses for a moment to see if I was joking.
"SHUT UP!" He practically roars, as the laughter rips out from his throat - followed by a coughing fit - as he grips his bruised ribs in sudden pain.
"Will you stop that?! I'm serious!" I scold him, as he continues to laugh and cough - slapping the table and wiping at his eyes.
"So he just down-right kidnaps you from the party, takes us on a private plane, almost killed your ass in the sky, brought us to Italy, to this gorgeous fucking mansion and then said will you marry him?!" Michael recites our recent events, as I nod - causing him to howl out yet again.
This fucking man! It sounds completely ridiculous when Mike says it out loud!
"Mike stop it! He said I don't even have a choice too! It's either I go along with his plan to help his business and in return he gives us whatever we want... or he has to force me to do it anyway and he keeps us locked up forever!" I rant, as Michaels eyes grow wide.
"Well I guess if we can get whatever we want out of it and live the life of luxury that ain't all bad is it?" Michael states, as I roll my eyes.
"It ain't all bad for you Mike! He even said he would get you your cafe in New York! But I need to pretend to be married and in love with the man for as long as I live! I mean what if I want my own real family or husband one day? How complicated will that be then?!" I groan, covering my face with my hands at the reality.
"I mean Faye... I get that he's terrifying and all... and probably into very illegal shit... but he is drop dead gorgeous and is filthy fucking rich! You seriously cannot complain about this at all... in my opinion you've hit the jackpot here!" Michael laughs, as I remove my hands to stare at him in horror.
"Well he did say that we could still be with other people and do what we want as long as we show up to events together and live together to make it convincing." I explain, causing Mikes eyebrows to furrow.
"Nuh-uh... girl that ain't good at all! That sounds like you'll be left with a broken heart!" Michael defends, as I laugh now.
"I doubt that highly!" I scoff, unable to comprehend the thought of ever catching serious feelings for such a chaotic man.
"I can already see it happening Faye... it's worth mentioning it to him is all I'm saying... you'll end up liking him and he will think it's ok to sleep around with other people... that ain't going to end well!" Michael folds his arms, as I nod in understanding of his comment.
"Yeah I suppose you're right... in worst case scenario... but I seriously don't think I'll ever catch feelings he's too aggressive and mean..." I state confidently.
"Well I would encourage you to at least bring it up... oh shit here he comes now!" Michael states in a hushed tone, as I turn in my seat to see Jaxon approaching.
"Let's talk." He grumbles down at me, as Mike takes that as his queue to leave again - hugging me briefly before scurrying out of the room.
Great. Just great!
That wasn't much thinking time at all!