Chapter 1

Leslie

        This cannot be happening! Geoff Barnes! Marry Geoff Barnes? My father has finally lost his goddamn mind completely. 

I stare at him head on, trying desperately to remain calm on the outside. Inside my entire body is vibrating with the sheer incredulity of this whole situation. 

         “Geoff Barnes is a lying vicious snake,” I sneer. “There’s no way in hell I’m marrying him. Not for you or for anyone else, for that matter. Is this, seriously, the only reason you wanted to have dinner with me?” The disbelief in my voice is palpable. 

A part of me wishes my mother were here so I would have someone on my side. But a bigger part is relieved she isn’t. She doesn’t need to be caught in the crossfire of this hostility.

         “It’s time for you to grow up, Leslie. Take on some responsibility. You’ve been playing around long enough, always out partying and doing nothing productive with your life. How do you think that looks? For my daughter, the daughter of a senator, to be so, so… inadequate?”

         “I thought that was what you wanted. For me to be nothing. Do nothing.” It’s everything I can do to keep the tears dammed up. I refuse to let this man see me break.

         “What I want,” he seethes. “Is for my daughter to be a good housewife. To be in her place, taking care of her husband. A husband deemed fit by me and me alone.”  

         “I won’t do it.” I shake my head vigorously, as if that will be enough to impress my point. “Not a chance in hell. Geoff and I don’t get along. At. All. And why him? Who the hell is he to you?

         “Geoff Barnes is an extremely influential man. You would be lucky to have such a husband like him. Competent. A damn fine lawyer…”

         “He’s a damn snake is what he is! I’d wager his veins are filled with ice and his heart is just as frigid. There isn’t one single redeemable quality in that man, whatsoever,” I interrupt, cutting him off abruptly.

The anger that flashes through his eyes is menacing. I should be terrified, but I can’t bring myself to feel anything more than the burning anger surging through my veins.

         My father’s fist slams down atop the table, rattling the glassware. “Stop! It would be in your very best interest not to speak about your future husband in such a way.” The venom in his voice slithers across my skin and I cringe involuntarily. 

“Geoff Barnes is an extremely promising young man who is going to the highest places imaginable. There is no doubt in my mind of his success. The fact that he’s also a member of Inferno only furthers that assurance. With the club backing him, there’s nothing he won’t be capable of.”

         I can’t contain the extremely unladylike snort that escapes through my nose. “Geoff is a misogynistic bastard with ice in his blood. Women are like cattle to him. They belong to the club to use as the members please. Nothing more.”

I shake my head at him, unable to believe my father would stoop this low. For him, it wasn’t a far reach, but still. “You would really see me married to someone who holds so little value for me as a human being? I won’t do it. Not in this lifetime or any other. And if you think I will, you’re just as stupid as that ridiculous club you hold in such high esteem.”

         “Tread wisely, daughter of mine. If you push me, you’ll find yourself with nothing and no one. If you think I’ll just sit here while you insult me, you’ve got another thing coming. The repercussions will be immense.” His voice is eerily calm.

         The audacity he has to think that I’m incapable of surviving on my own. That I’m so worthless I would just crumble without his support. I’m livid.

         “How dare you think that you can control me,” I rage. “That the world can control me. I’m not just some incompetent little fool who will fall into disrepair without a man to take care of me. And you can’t just disown me! I am your flesh and blood!” I scream.

         A sinister laugh bubbles from his lips. “And what about your mother? What do you think will happen to her if you disobey me?”

         His voice is low, but the threat is loud and clear. My retort dies on my tongue. I stare at him dumbfounded. 

There’s no doubt in my mind he would hurt her. Hurt us both. He’s done it my entire life. The evil this man is capable of is terrifying.

         “You will do as I say, Leslie. No argument. Your mother’s inadequacy to give me a son is beyond comprehension. She had to give me you. A pathetic, useless girl. Your mother has never been worthy of her breeding or my regard. I don’t know what I was thinking, marrying her.”

         “Shut up!” I scream. “Stop insulting my mother. She is the purest, most wonderful woman on the face of this earth. You don’t deserve her. You’re a pathetic excuse for a husband and father if ever there was one. Better you never had a son because he would have turned out just as horrible as you are.”

         His hand snakes out so fast that I don’t have time to react. My head swings to the side and I cover my cheek with one hand before turning back to face him. The slap stings the side of my face causing tears to prick across my eyes. I refuse to let them fall. This man does not deserve one single drop.

         He pushes his chair back and stands up, dropping his napkin atop the table. “You will meet with Mr. Barnes tomorrow at two o’clock. Do not be late. And if you don’t show, your mother will be the one to pay for your disobedience. Am I understood?”

He glares down at me, but I don’t respond. Gritting my teeth, I’m surprised the molars in back don’t crack from the pressure. Why am I so damn powerless against him? God damnit, why?!