Chapter 3

One week later

My parents had requested my presence in their office this afternoon, I was certain it was to congratulate me for a job well done with the Amata contract, which had been finalized and simply needed to be signed. Surprisingly Cade had been easy to work with, easier than his reputation would lend one to believe. Not that I was scrambling to work with the guy again, I felt like I had just gotten lucky, and that things going this smoothly was probably not something that occurred often. The click of my shoes reverberated down the hall as I carried myself toward my parents’ shared office. Much like mine and Nikki’s they too shared a space, mostly because they worked as a duo regarding business, always making the decisions together. For Nikki and I it was simply because we were similar in that regard, we preferred working together and sharing a space. Most everyone else was either in a group office or room, or a private space. At least that was the case for the office workers, not for the actual manual labor, as my dad called them. What he really meant was the mafia, but manual laborers simply sounded a bit better now didn’t it? Reaching their door I knocked soundly, the solid wood stinging my knuckles a little.

“Come in Sloane” my mom’s voice floated through the door, and I pushed it open slowly.

“Hey mom, dad” I said, smiling at my parents who were seated on the couch in their office, a folder on my mom’s lap. My dads face looked all business, so gave myself an internal shake as that seemed to be what he wanted to discuss. I look a seat in the armchair across from the couch, sinking into the plush cushions. 

“Sloane, you did a great job getting the Amata contract, in fact Cade said some very nice things about working with you.” I felt myself smiling at the praise of securing this major alliance. His face, however, was still somewhat stern. “Your mother and I just are not sure if you read the amended contract with them before approving it?” His eyebrows raised in a non-question question; he clearly already knew the answer.

“I glanced over it, and everything looked ok to me” I said, wondering what he was getting at. Shit, I must have missed something. 

“So then,” my mom began slowly “you are ok with getting married to Cade within 30 days from signing?” Her voice was low, so low I barely heard her. Then it hit me, married, to Cade Amata, in 30 days from signing?! How had I missed this?

“No, what?! Where?!” Shock and disbelief flooded my system. I should have read the damn thing closer, but marriage? What the actual fuck?! No way would Mr. Stick in the mud go for that at all, would he?

“Here honey” mom said, her well-manicured nail pointing to the third to the last paragraph of the contract. My hands balled into fists and shook as I read the paragraph.

In thirty days’, time from the signing of this contract, the Amata/Kade families will herefore be united in business and by blood. Cade Amata and Sloane Kane will have thirty days to seal their union from the date below.

No fucking way, no way, this was too unbelievable! Mentally beating myself up I realized my parents already had known, or rather had realized I hadn’t read the contract.

“Is there a way out of this?” I asked, afraid for the answer. My mom shook her head.

“When your mother and I saw this, we immediately contacted the Amata’s, knowing you probably had not read this clause nor would you approve it.” My dad sighed and ran his hand through his dark hair. “However, the Amata’s will not strike it from the contract. They said that if that goes the whole contract does too.” My mouth worked, but no sounds came out. When they did my voice croaked out

“So, if I don’t marry Cade…..We lose the whole contract?” I drew in a deep breath. This contract was huge, the Amata’s an asset of incalculable value. The Amata’s were all billionaires in their own rights, owning a large chain of high-class hotels, restaurants as well as dabbling in other areas such as cosmetics and clothing. Each Amata had an area they oversaw, Cade happened to be the hotels, which would serve as transaction points between us and our buyers as well. No one would question them, in fact due to the Amata name many would turn a blind eye if they happened upon any information regarding what was going on. It was the perfect cover, and one we desperately needed. My hands were trembling with rage at myself but also anxiety. My parents, no everyone needed this to go through; and the only thing standing in the way was a marriage. 

“Just so I’m crystal fucking clear” I whisper shouted through gritted teeth. “I have to marry Cade Amata in thirty days, or the contract will not go through.” My eyes were slits, a mix between crying, rage and laughing at the absurdity of the situation. 

“I’m afraid so” my dad answered, his voice tired. “It’s the only way for it to go through, otherwise they will withdraw their support.”

“Sloane, you don’t have to do this” my mom said, a thin smile curving her red lips, “we will be ok without them.” Of course, we would be, we were one of the biggest mafia syndicates operating in Boston. This chance was one in a lifetime, the Amata’s had never signed a contract with anyone; we would have that distinction and as a result it would bring in that much more business. If I didn’t do this, I would be screwing so many people over, everyone who worked for and with us, their families and more. I felt my nails biting into my palms, squeezing my fists tighter as I came to my decision.

“I’ll do it” I said as calmly as possible. My dads’ eyes were sad, and my mom gave me a hesitant smile.

“You don’t have-“

I cut her off before I could change my mind. Shaking my head, I grabbed a pen and scrawled my signature on the bottom, effectively sealing the end of my bargain. Turning on my heel I left their office, the door closing slowly behind me. I practically ran back to my office, I needed to be alone, to think. Well, alone meant Nikki and I, as she was chatting happily on the phone with a buyer and furiously typing their order in a spreadsheet. She took one look at my face and glanced away then her head snapped right back to me as she did a double take. Covering the receiver, she mouthed 

“Are you ok?” I shook my head no, and sat down at my desk, trying to slow my breathing. I would not go down without a fight, and I snatched my phone up to call one Cade Amata. Reaching his secretary, I was placed on hold and forced to listen to some very awful hold music. Finally, his voice came onto the line, smooth as butter, and I found myself irritated at that fact. 

“Your hold music is shit!” I snapped at him, and heard a muffled laugh from Nikki, who was still on the phone. 

“Ah, hello Ms. Kane” he said, clearly unruffled by my outburst. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”

“Why didn’t you mention that little clause of the contract to me?!” I hissed through the receiver. My voice dripping with venom. 

“I’m sure I don’t know what you are referring to Ms. Kane?” His cadence even, completely, fucking even. Oh, he knew exactly what I was referring to and it infuriated me.

“Oh but Mr. Amata” I intoned, my voice covered in layers of sugar, “I’m sure you know exactly what I’m referring to.” I absently began clicking my pen when a wad of paper hit me. Startled I looked up and saw a wide-eyed Nikki, still on the phone, her attention clearly divided between me and her call. Her hands were gesturing in a confused manner, and I shook my head mouthing that I would tell her later. 

“If you want to discuss the matter further, I suggest you meet me, let’s say 6:30 at Deuxave?” His voice had yet to change pitch, and it was only serving to make me even angrier. How was he so relaxed about this?

“Fine” I snapped, “don’t think I’m happy about this.” 

“Judging by the tone of your voice Ms. Kane, I can tell you are quite the opposite.” His voice held a hint of lightness, was this asshole laughing at me?

“I’ll see you at 6:30 Mr. Amata” I replied, attempting to rein in my anger and failing. I huffed out an irritated sigh as I hung the phone up.

“And just what the actual shit was that?!” Nikki demanded, her brown eyes wide in question. 

“That” I spat out “was me agreeing to have dinner with Sir cunt chops.” I crossed my arms angrily.

“And just why are you having dinner with him?” She scooted her chair slightly closer.

“Oh, didn’t you know?” I laughed hysterically, “we are getting married in a month because I didn’t read the fucking contract!”

“You are WHAT?!” She screeched, bolting up from her chair. “The contract? You have to get married?!” Her mouth was hanging open, any further and it would have hit the floor. Briefly I explained the situation to her, and she shook her head, her long braids shaking and dancing. She made me show her the exact clause and she too was in disbelief that it was even in there. Thankfully she didn’t try to talk me out of my choice, probably in part because she realized what a big deal this would be. In my shoes I had no doubt she would have done the same thing, after all, it said we had to get married it didn’t say anything about divorce I thought wickedly. A plan already forming in my mind. He wanted a wife? Well, he would get one, in spades.

As it got closer to 6:30 I became more nervous. I had never met Cade Amata in person, and I had heard many say he was quite handsome. It had never been something I had been curious enough to find out. Now, this man was going to be my fiancée, the thought made my stomach turn. It didn’t matter how attractive he was, if his personality sucked as much as I thought it did, he would never be attractive to me. Touching up my makeup I prepared to leave. Deuxave was a very nice French restaurant, situated on a corner it had a small outside space and a large indoor space. Lit by modern chandeliers it boasted a variated gray color scheme with stone and marble. You entered through the full bar to the main dining area, floor to ceiling windows allowed for an amazing view, and there were several semi-private dining nooks equipped with fireplaces. Of course, the Amata’s had some of their famous 5-star hotels in this area as well, it figured he would pick somewhere just as fancy as he was, but hopefully not as stuffy. 

Pulling into the parking lot my stomach did a few flips as the reality sank in. I was here to meet my fiancée, the word playing on repeat in my head. The only parking was valet, because no one coming to this place was going to park themselves. Already I felt grossly out of place. Yes, we had money, but not like the Amata’s, and we were rough around the edges, mafia people didn’t tend to be stuffy or fancy. I sighed and walked in, figuring I had better get this over with. Giving the host my name, he took me to one of the semi-private nooks, which I knew cost quite a bit to get access to. 

Perusing the drink selection, I settled on an amaretto sour and gave my order to the waiter who was clad in an all-black suit. I had only been here once before, and it was on what turned out to be a horrendous date. Men always wanting to impress women with their money disgusted me, and then acting like we owed them because they spent money on us. This man had of course felt like I should repay him, and when I reminded him that he had asked me out and I would indeed pay my share if that would make him feel better, well he called me several choice names and left me to catch a cab home. Not that I minded, situations like that were when the trash took itself out, I figured. Not that I believed Cade was like that, hell he was such a stick in the mud I wondered if the guy ever got laid. The thought of it made me giggle out loud a little bit.

“Something funny Ms. Kane?” His deep, velvety, voice came from behind me. I turned startled and embarrassed, my cheeks flushing red; and locked eyes with the same eyes I remembered from just two weeks prior. His deep chocolate eyes pulled me in, the same as before, his dark hair was tousled in the front and his lips curved slightly upward in a knowing smile. 

“Astilbe Ms. Kane.” He said simply, his eyes never leaving mine.