FORCED ALLIANCE: The Mafia's Collateral Bride

CHAPTER ONE. 

          “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” —Marilyn Monroe. 

                  CHERRY. 

This wasn't how I planned my evening going to some boring fancy fundraiser, if I wanted to get all dolled up on a Friday night it should be for clubbing with my friends. 

My father, being my father, wouldn't let me off the hook because he happened to have an important guest he wanted to introduce me to. I already know what I was there for, the beautiful porcelain-skinned daughter of Donald Markwells. 

It's all for show, we hardly even exchange pleasantries at home, ever since Mom died I had no one just myself and a few nannies. 

Even at my age he still kept them around like I was some child who needed to be guided, I met with my friends for a quick movie at the cinema before heading to the venue, the only thing I regret right now is not taking my car. 

I wanted to spite him using a cab but now I can't find one. I should have begged Jessica to take me there in her car but she has a date tonight. If only my friends knew how much I envy them for living so freely, even going on dates when I'm stuck with a huge ass diamond ring on my finger, and guess what? 

I don't even know my so-called fiancee! 

My dad came home one day and he gave me a ring saying it was from the so-called man I was betrothed to. At the age of sixteen! 

So I have been wearing a ring since I was twenty because that was what he wanted, I don't even know him and why didn't he propose by himself? 

But my mom made me understand it was just business and she assured me that father would pay his debt and I would be free, then she left me all alone with no one to encourage me to keep going, I don't even know if he will pay his debt anymore. 

I'm not the only daughter, heck I'm not the only child. I'm just the only child of my mother. He married her best friend after she died saying it was for my own benefit knowing fully well that I don't buy that bullshit. 

They were probably fucking behind my mother's back when she was alive, Aunt Juliette played house until she eventually became the mom, she brought her kids from her previous marriage to make me miserable. 

Two boys from her previous marriage then two girls with my father. Now we are one big fucking happy family. 

I flagged down a cab dressed in a black strapless cocktail gown with a sparkling silver purse and matching silver sparkling shoes, my long hair tied in a tight bun with two stray curls at each side of my face. 

A bulky-looking man walked past me then I realized he was going for my cab, "Hey that's mine!" I blurted, overtaking him. 

I got into the backseat and he entered through the other door, "Are you daft? I said, this is taken" I didn't mean to be rude but he was acting like a weirdo. 

Dressed in a three-piece Armani suit with expensive shoes and a silver wristwatch, I knew he wasn't low class. 

The dude is wearing real diamond cufflinks! I'm a designer and his outfit is worth a fortune. 

"Drive, I'm running late for this event," He said casually to the driver. His voice sent chills down my spine and I shuddered. Wait, did he just ignore my sexy ass right now? 

He settled on his seat as if I didn't say anything, as if I was invisible. 

The fuc-

"Let's share the ride, if you don't want that you are free to get out" His dark husky voice didn't sound hot to me anymore. 

"Get out? Are you out of your mind? This is my ride, not yours" I huffed, the nerves of this man who does he think he is to order me around? 

"Stop being dramatic," He said softly as if that would stop me from screaming. Is he kidding me right now? 

"You have no shame at all. If you wanted my attention you should have just say so" 

"And what do you have to offer me?" He asks lazily the taxi driver giggled while my eyes almost fell out of their sockets. 

He didn't, he didn't, he didn't, just… 

"Excuse me!" I'm hands down the most beautiful woman he has ever seen in his life, but that's the problem he wasn't even looking at me. 

Men would drop on the floor so I could step on them if I asked, even if I didn't ask they would still bow down for me to step on them. 

It's all because of the ring. 

I can't lie he is good-looking, who am I kidding he is fucking hot! 

Dark and mysterious aura, dark shades, and expensive cologne. 

I haven't even seen his eyes but judging from the way his jaws are chiseled, the high hollow cheekbones, and baby pink lips I can tell a handsome hot man when I see one. 

Great, he's insulting me and I'm checking him out. 

As if he noticed his lips stretched into a smirk, I suddenly wished I could disappear right now. I'm pretty sure my face is all red now. 

"Stop, stop I'm getting off," I said to the driver, slapping a wad of notes on his console. I might have overdone the tipping because I'm trying to show off to Mr. Dark and expensive. 

"Keep going and I will give you a million" He chirped in, the driver was about to pull over but he swirled back into the road. 

"I'm getting out like you wanted, pull over and I will give you two million," I said to the driver, turning it into an auction. 

"Three million, keep driving"

"Four million, pull over" 

The car kept swiveling back and forth and I had to hold on to the front seat because I didn't put on the seatbelt, "Five million. Pull over now!" I ordered thinking I finally ended the whole charade. 

"You want to play this game, then have it your way," He gave the driver his phone and I realized he was asking for his account number, the driver kept one hand on the steering wheel using the other one to type his account number on his phone. 

I gulped when the driver received an alert from his phone. Shit, I should have done that instead of exchanging words. 

"How much did he pay you? I can pay more" I probed while he remained quiet. 

"Sorry miss, he paid five billion," The driver said with a joyful laugh. 

Holy shit. 

I turned to look at him but he was staring out the window looking so calm, he just changed this man's life and all for what? 

"We aren't heading in the same direction, just let me find another taxi" I asserted softly, even if I just met this man I believe he doesn't like being challenged or insulted. I need to be smart about this. 

He ignored me and the driver pulled over. I looked outside to see that I was at the same venue for the fundraiser, wait what! 

"Drive safely," He said to the driver before opening the door. I watched in horror as he got out and slammed the door hard, I flinched in shock. 

He was heading inside the building which means--

"Where to Miss?" The driver asked and I gulped before opening the car. 

"Don't worry I'm already there" I replied getting out of the car, I inhaled and exhaled trying to get rid of my shock and play it cool. 

I just hope he isn't one of my father's business partners or I'm done for. 

"Miss?" I heard and turned to see the driver staring back at me, I realized I didn't close the door because I was so lost in my thoughts. 

"Oh I'm so sorry--"

"You haven't paid me" 

I halted and all the anger I felt earlier exploded. 

"Get this stupid junk out of my sight" I slammed the door so hard I'm sure it would leave a dent. 

The asshole drove off cackling like a hen. 

The nerves of people these days!