12. Lucian Crawford.

Nicolette held her breath, pain and anger coursing through her.

She didn't want to believe her father would willingly send her off to a complete stranger, just like that.

She bit her lip, the silence heavy with tension. Ronald watched Lucian, eyes bright with eagerness, waiting for his response.

Lucian glanced at Nicolette before turning to Ronald.

Nicolette paused, hoping, waiting to hear something good. She couldn't possibly leave with Lucian. Aside being a stranger, this man was an arms dealer!

Plus, she was already married. She couldn't do that again—let alone on the same day.

"I don't think we should rush," Lucian said, his deep voice cutting through the thick silence.

Nicolette released her breath, her tense nerves easing with relief.

Hillary sank back into her seat, relief etched all over her face. Beatrice seemed relaxed too, but Ronald? He went berserk, pacing furiously.

"Lucian, if I have offended you, I'm sorry," Ronald said, pausing in his pace. "But that shouldn't make you change—"

"I haven't changed my mind," Lucian said firmly and Nicolette stiffened again. "I'm just… taking my time."

"Good good!" Ronald said, unable to hide the relief in his voice. "Well, then, this dinner can continue."

"I'm not hungry," Nicolette said, raising to her feet. She had let this go on for too long. "I am going home."

"You go nowhere," Ronald said, his tone icily that it made her skin crawl. She looked into his eyes and saw undiluted rage in them—so intense it made her stomach knot with fright.

Lucian held her hand, his grip soft yet firm. "Don't leave just yet."

Nicolette tried to break free but he didn't let her go. "I'm.. not hungry."

"You won't disrespect our guest, right Lettie?" Ronald asked, his eyes glinting with mockery, daring her to challenge him.

They all stared, waiting for her response, for her reaction. Her defense crumbled under their stares, and her stomach churned as defeat took over.

Slowly, embarrassingly, she sat back on her chair.

"Good girl," her father said, then turned to a maid. "Get the food!"

Nicolette's heart fluttered at the pain that sat at the corner of her heart. She was weak, hurt, and it seemed all the emotions she hadn't processed properly came crashing down.

When a plate was served in front of her, she poked it with her fork without actually eating anything.

Lucian leaned in, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "The meal is actually tasty, you know."

Nicolette wanted to burst out in tears, but she held it together. Not here, not now, and definitely not with her entire family watching.

She didn't have to see them to know they were staring at her like a vulture stalking its prey.

She swallowed a forkful of chicken slowly. Every bite felt heavy, unbearable.

Lucian chuckled. "That wasn't so hard was it?"

Before she could react, her phone rang—thankfully—and she grabbed it. "Excuse me." She stood up, and before anybody had anything to say, she dashed out of the garden.

As soon as she was in the hallway, she spat the chicken and picked her call. Suzie was on the line.

"Hey, Mrs Allens. I didn't know you were not coming back here," Suzie teased, oblivious of Nicolette's situation.

"I was supposed to," Nicolette replied, turning. But as she did, she saw that two bodyguards were behind her. Far enough from hearing her conversation but close enough to keep an eye on her.

Her stomach knotted, an unpleasant feeling sinking in. What was this again? Was her father keeping her hostage?

"What do you mean by that?" Suzie's voice came sharp.

"I was kidnapped by Lucian Crawford," she said, her voice barely audible.

"What?" Suzie shrieked.

There was no other way to put it—Lucian had kidnapped her. He brought her to dinner against her will, and she was now being monitored like a prisoner—all with her father's approval, of course.

"I was forced to have dinner with him," she said, the pain returning to her chest.

"Oh Lettie! That man is dangerous! Are… you in your dad's place?" Suzie asked, her voice rising with fright.

Before Nicolette could respond, Lucian appeared behind her, his deep voice startling her. "Nicolette."

She jumped as she turned to face him, her eyes widened.

"Are you okay?" Lucian asked softly.

At the same time Suzie asked. "Are you okay, Lettie? Should I come there?"

Suzie's question doubled her shock and she quickly said, "No, I'll call you back."

"Are you sure? If your father—"

"I'm sure, I'll call you. Bye," she said and ended the call before Suzie had anything else to say.

"Since you were taking a while, I decided to check up on you," Lucian said with a sheepish smile.

"I'm fine, thank you," Nicolette replied, taking a step back.

"I know that wasn't the best first impression, but I intend to change that."

She tilted her head, lifting her brow in surprise.

"Come with me," Lucian said, stretching his hand. "Please," he added when he saw her glare.

The two bodyguards came closer and she could tell they would bundle her even if she didn't obey.

Realizing she would rather go willingly, she adjusted herself and gestured to the door, "After you."

Lucian went out the door and she followed.

"There you are," Ronald said when they entered the garden. "I was wondering if you lovebirds already left us alone."

"Can I have a moment with Lettie, please?" Lucian said with a small smile.

The way he called her Lettie sent anger inside her. This stranger had no right to call her that like he had known her for years.

"Sure," Ronald said, his eyes lifting up weirdly. "Come on guys." He turned to Beatrice and Hilary. "Let's leave the lovebirds alone."

Beatrice and Hilary stood and left the garden. Ronald followed them, but not before giving Nicolette a you-better-not-fuck-this-up look.

Once she and Lucian were alone—except for his bodyguards, of course—she turned to him.

"What?"

Lucian chuckled. "Are you always ready to bite?"

"I didn't know you were expecting hugs and kisses from me," she said, folding her arms across her chest.

He chuckled again, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I wasn't expecting that. I was just… not expecting the hostility."

"Given the situation, you should be happy you got anything at all."

Lucian didn't respond, he just snapped his fingers and the two men who had kidnapped her earlier, came forward with boxes. They laid in on the dining table and went back to their previous stand.

Nicolette eyed the box suspiciously, yet curiously lingered beneath.

"Open it," Lucian encouraged her.

She shook her head. Nope, she wasn't opening a gift from a strange arms dealer—especially when her father was too blind to see the danger.

As if he read her thoughts, Lucian bent over and opened the boxes one after the other. "These gifts are for you."

She stretched her neck, giving in to the curiosity. There were clothes, shoes, handbags.

She arched her brow. "Are you trying to buy me off?"

"Oh no, it's a gift," Lucian chuckled, gesturing to the boxes. "You know, as a kind gesture, to get to know each other."

Nicolette shook her head again, already tired of the conversation. She looked at him—really looked at him.

He was rich. He commanded respect. So why choose her? Of all the ladies in New Orleans?

"Why are you doing this?" she asked him.

"Like I say before, kind ges—"

"Not the gifts," she interrupted him, dropping her hand. "The marriage."

"Well, let's just say it's business," Lucian admitted to her dismay. "Your father needs my help, I need a wife to birth an heir for my empire."

Anger surged through her at his statement. "What? You need a child but not the mother?"

"Don't get me wrong," Lucian said, taking a step closer. "I will take care of you too. You just—"

"You're disgusting!' Nicolette spat, stepping back.

"You won't lack a thing, and who knows? I might even get to love you someday."

Nicolette held her stomach, his words stinging more than ever. What sort of sick individual was this?

"Come on, Lettie. You don't want to disappoint your father now," Lucian said, a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Her chest tightened at the knowing smirk on Lucian's face, and disgust followed.

She couldn't believe he would utter such a thing, and worse, her father knew about it. Ronald was ready to sell her off even though he knew Lucian's intention.

"So what would it be, dear?" Lucian asked, leaning forward and touching her shoulder.

Nicolette flinched, anger coursing through her at his touch. She nudged his hand away, her mouth twisted into a frown. "Don't you fucking touch me! Take your damn gifts, it's a no!"

Lucian's eyes fluttered like he was surprised by her words, yet he stepped closer, still trying to touch her. "Lettie, you—"

"Fuck off!" She said through gritted teeth.

"What's going on?" Ronald said, rushing over. He looked from Lucian to Nicolette, then to Lucian again.

"Nothing," Lucian said so calmly, yet… so terrifying. "Your daughter still needs time to get used to all this."

"No, she doesn't!" Ronald challenged, "she understands everything. Right, Nic?"

He was asking her?

God, she wanted to break down right there and cry. She couldn't believe her father was asking her that.

When she didn't answer, Ronald faced Lucian, "We—"

"Have the talk with her, Ronald," Lucian said, his kind eyes suddenly glistening with annoyance.

"She—"

Ronald tried to speak but was interrupted by Lucian again. "Goodnight Ronald."

And like a queen of the hive, his bodyguards followed.

"Lucian? Lucian!" Ronald called after him, but Lucian walked away without glancing back. Then, Ronald turned to Nicolette, his eyes burning with rage.

"You stupid child!"

He slapped her once across the face, but Nicolette didn't flinch.

He hit her again. And again, until she tasted blood.

Nicolette stood her ground, refusing to show him how much it hurts.

Ronald was mad and he didn't hide it. "Will!" He called one of his bodyguards. "Take her to her room and guard her all night! Make sure she doesn't leave!"