Shattered Vows: An Arranged Marriage Standalone Romance (Tarnished Empire)

“What do you mean, get to the food truck? It’s five in the morning,” I bellowed into the phone, but my brother Cade was always a tweaked human being. When he called, you answered and did what he said.

“I’m saying I turned a traffic security camera on that section of the beach. She went in there and stayed the night. Hours later three guys broke in. You should send someone over to check.”

As he talked, I got dressed and went to bang on Dante’s door. We were still staying in a hotel penthouse minutes outside of the town.

I needed to purchase a condo immediately. It would be today if what my brother said was true.

Dante came from his bedroom as I slipped shoes on and he followed suit as I talked. “Did the men leave the food truck? How long were they in there?”

“Not long. I’m guessing she’s fine. She changed and climbed up into some hole.”

“She changed? Did you watch?” I ground out.

“I watch everything but it’s not to fucking jack off, dumbass.” His voice was muffled.

“Are you texting someone right now? I hear you pressing fucking buttons.” My blood boiled. He wasn’t taking this seriously. I motioned for Dante to follow me to the car, and we took an elevator straight down.

“I’ve got this irritating glitch I’ve been trying to figure out,” Cade said like he didn’t care at all that the girl I was supposed to marry might have just been murdered in her van. “Some hacker is fucking with me and you–”

“I’m going to strangle you when you get here.” I was dead serious too.

“Well, you’re going to be waiting awhile to do that. I’m working on new software for the businesses here and–”

I hung up on him.

“Jesus fuck!” I pounded the roof of the Rolls Royce before I got in. Dante didn’t even blink. He just folded into the car and started it. We were well on our way toward the beach before I’d settled down enough to speak. “Why does nothing go right in this town?”

“Because we don’t have it under control yet. It’ll get there.”

“Your optimism is infuriating right now, Dante.” I dialed Morina’s number.

She wasn’t going to answer.

“Why the fuck would she answer?” I said more to myself than anyone. She’d been the most irritating woman I’d ever met in my life and there was no reason for her to change her ways now.

“Drive faster,” I commanded, but Dante just laughed.

“I’m going 50 in a 25 already. I’m not risking a pedestrian’s life.”

“So you’re willing to risk Morina’s?”

“Oh, we care about her now? Or is it the company we’re concerned about?” He picked up speed, though.

That was good enough. I wouldn’t argue with him. There was no use to trivial bickering when it was the source of our frustrations anyway.

We passed palm trees and the little brick road in the center of their city. The town hadn’t woken yet, but the sun rising on the beach gave it an allure that most places would have envied. I understood the pull of the touristy community. Welcoming locals, a beautiful landscape, and oil terminals and farms near enough that many could get a great jobs and return home in good time.

Yet, like every little town that surrounded a big one, it came with underground filth. People like my father were always trying to get ahead and they didn’t care who they had to trample on to get there.

Before Dante even parked the car, I told him to watch the perimeter and then I was out and pacing toward the food truck. The back door had been jimmied open. It would have made for a pretty silent break in. When I opened it, I found they’d ripped open a few cabinets, knocked over her dishes and smashed up her blenders.

“Morina?” I tried to sound authoritative and kind at the same time. “Morina?”

After some rustling above me, a board slid away from the truck’s ceiling.

Hair sticking every which way and pillow lines imprinted on her face, Morina peered out.

“What are you doing here?” Her voice was groggy from sleep. She disappeared for a second before her long, sculpted legs swung down and she lowered herself.

She rubbed her eyes and blinked at her surroundings. Her night shirt was practically see through, and she didn’t have anything under it because I saw everything I didn’t want to see.

She crossed her arms over her chest where my stare undoubtedly lingered and bit her lip when I shot my gaze up to hers. “So, I’m guessing my dream wasn’t a dream last night.”

“Depends on what the dream was.”

Her frown deepened as she looked around. “I was so tired after surfing that I just passed out. At one point I heard banging and someone saying they swore I was here. My heart was racing so fast in that dream but I remember thinking not to move except for throwing the dark blanket over my head in case they found my roof bunk.”

“My brother’s going to figure out who did this.”

We both stared at her belongings.

“I guess I won’t be opening the food truck today,” she murmured.

“I can help you restock what you need in here.”

“I don’t need help,” she shot back, then shifted in her night shirt and rubbed her forehead. “Sorry. I’m really tired and I know you’re trying to help but I just need a couple minutes. I’m not a morning person unless I’m in the water.”

“Should we go to the water then?” I didn’t know why I asked.

“I…” She squinted at me. “I think that might be nice.”

I opened the back door for her, and she stepped out, not even pausing to put any more clothes on. It wasn’t the time to tell her that I could barely have a conversation with her in that night shirt, let alone feel good about her walking around the beach where others could see.

Yet, the beach was empty, with the sun just starting to rise beyond it.

She pushed her small foot into the wet sand and let the tide roll in to submerge it. I stood on the edge of dry land, not sure if I wanted to remove my shoes and step in with her.

My phone rang, making her jump. I slid it from my pocket and switched it to silent.

“You can answer it.”

“No, I can’t.” I shook my head. “I forgot to silence it.”

She breathed out like me turning off my empire for a second eased her. “Thank you.”

We let the minutes pass by as the sun rose.

“So, we get another sunrise,” I murmured. We’d agreed not to discuss that time. I knew it, but my mind went to where we got along. It was how you built a base to trust on. I needed that with her and she needed it with me.

“I get the sunrise over a beach a lot. Your island was pretty too.”

“I get why you love the town. This is a definite perk.”

She sighed. “I guess I’ll be moving sooner than I planned.” She breathed in the salty air and I did the same. It was fresh in a weird, warm way, like it could wash away all your sins and still give you something to live for after.

“Because of the food truck?” It would be better to let her come to terms with the arrangement instead of forcing something from her.

“Maybe. Or maybe because I read my grandma’s letter.” She wiggled her feet deeper until they were almost completely sucked down by the sand. “I think you’re right that my grandmother was trapping you into protecting me.”

“Now, we see how smart she was to do so. No one would have ever attempted ransacking my girlfriend’s food truck.”

She turned to me. “You’re that powerful and well-known?”

“Outside this town, ragazza, I’m a god.”

She squinted into the sun like she was trying to see something way out there. “Do you think if there really were gods, they would enjoy it? The decisions, being responsible for lives, moving mountains maybe when they were tired?” Her sapphire eyes cut to me. “Do you get tired, Bastian?”

I didn’t answer her. If I opened my mouth, I’d say something I didn’t think either of us could handle. Morina could see somewhere in me that I didn’t want anyone to see. She asked questions and rolled with things in her mind no one else would. Her thoughts put into words so quickly were dangerous.

At least to me.

The wind blew her dark chocolate waves off her shoulders and the sun just started to rise enough that it kissed her tanned skin. The silhouette she created against the sea and sunrise was one an artist should have captured.

She cleared her throat, perhaps realizing I wouldn’t answer. “Anyway, you think I’m stupid for not giving in right away, for not taking your hand in marriage immediately. Maybe I was. I need time to adapt.”

“I understand that, but you haven’t got the time.”

“Well, I’m starting to get that.” She grabbed for her wrist, perhaps seeking the beaded bracelets I’d spotted before, but they weren’t there. She still ran her hands back and forth, trying to find comfort without them.

“Should I get someone to pack for you?”

“Pack for me?” She chuckled. “I wonder how many times you moved over the years and just had someone pack it all up for you.”

She liked to point out our differences. It created a barrier that she felt like she needed. I was okay with that. We’d need boundaries anyway.

“If you’re fine packing yourself, I can have Dante drive you over when you’re ready.”

“I have a pickup truck. I just don’t use it much.” She cleared her throat. “I can look over some buildings with you. I don’t have access to everything with regard to rent yet but I can owe you for half of wherever we stay.”

“I already own a building near the company.” I’d only recently purchased and furnished a place because I felt inclined to make her happy with where we stayed. Why I was going to such great lengths, I didn’t know. No one was going to be scoping out our living room. “No need for rent when I’m as invested in this venture as you are. I’m hoping to stay in your good graces enough that I can buy out your shares when the time comes.”

“I just need to trust you’ll keep this city safe and thriving, Bastian. My grandma–”

“She didn’t trust me.”

“Well, right.”

“My father wasn’t as good to her as he should have been.” I admitted, knowing that my only reason for being here should have been to make sure I cleaned up that business now.

“Okay.” She dragged out that same word, a tell that she was uncomfortable and didn’t know how to proceed.

As the wind picked up and she shivered, I couldn’t help be irritated with her lack of clothing. I unzipped my hoodie and handed it to her. She frowned and took a step back. “I’m fine.”

“You’re shivering.” I pointed out.

She shook her head as if my hoodie was extremely offensive.

I held up the hoodie again. “Seriously?”

“Then you’ll be cold. Plus, I’m in shock that you’re not wearing a suit. A hoodie was one thing, now a t-shirt?”

The way she said it with a straight face, in utter disbelief had me looking down to make sure I actually looked alright. Then, a laugh burst out of me. “Are you kidding me?”

“No!” She snatched my hoodie as I continued to laugh at her and stuffed her arms in the sleeves. “It’s unnerving that someone wears a suit so much but seeing you out of it feels unnatural.”

“Well, I was sleeping when I got a call about your break in.”

“Did you run here to save me?” She blinked with wide eyes and a smarmy smirk.

“You’d think you’d be thankful,” I grumbled and turned back to the food truck.

“I’m a little perturbed is what I am. I won’t be able to open the food truck and they didn’t even do a good job of finding me. I mean, was this a kidnapping?” She stomped after me. “They didn’t have to wreck my equipment.”

Making light of the fact they probably would have tortured her had my mood shifting but I kept up my quick pace to the truck.

“I would have appreciated a note or maybe a call with some polite questioning instead. Who knows, maybe we all want the same thing?” She sounded so nonchalant.

She was young. She hadn’t lived my life, I reminded myself just the way Dante had a few days prior.

“I don’t get why we all can’t just work something out. Instead, we have to act like a bunch of crazy people with all these ridiculous stipulations and have people break into our property.”

She was on a tangent, grumbling to herself now, but it struck a nerve. “Your food truck was ransacked, Morina,” I growled at her, turning.

She stopped abruptly and my hoodie hung from her shoulders, so big it was half way down her legs, the zipper flapping open in the wind because she hadn’t bothered to zip it up.

She looked a rumpled mess, the same way she’d looked on my jet, and the idea had me bordering on furious.

I tried to keep my sanity with her but I was failing.

They’d have taken her just like this and they’d have been tempted.

They’d have torn apart every shred of innocence and love she had left for this world.

I stalked up to her and grabbed the zipper.

“What… what are you doing?” she squeaked as I pulled it all the way up to her chin.

“Covering you up and keeping you warm.”

“It’s not that cold.”

“Yes, but you’re that exposed.” I didn’t stop at the zipper. I pulled the hood up over her head and tucked some of her hair into it. “You were too exposed in that truck. I can’t have that on me.”

Her eyes narrowed and she searched my face. Her hand came up to it and she smoothed my jaw. “I think my grandma was right about you. You want to do right by everyone.” Then she shook her head and pulled away. “I don’t need you for protection, Bastian. You shouldn’t have the burden of all your father’s wrongdoings on you. My grandma shouldn’t have put my safety on you either.”

Why did her saying that make me actually want to do it? I knew she was right. I knew her life didn’t fall on mine. Yet, in my business, everything fell to me. I had a family that relied on me too.

“Blood and lives had been on my hands since the day I was born.”

No one had ever said they weren’t. For her to do so made me care for her in a way I shouldn’t have. She was a tiny little storm but she could turn into a tsunami for me. I could so easily care for her and I didn’t want that.

We’d started on a beach, sharing a moment. Here we were again, sharing pieces of ourselves we shouldn’t have.

I stepped back. “Let’s just get this ball rolling, huh?”

“Right.” She nodded, her hand dropping to her side. Then, she pointed to the food truck, now just a few feet away. “Well, I can stay here for a few more nights and clean it up.”

“Stay where?” I stared around. She couldn’t really think she was staying in that tin box another night. Not after what happened. I gave her the opportunity to change her mind.

“Well, I need to clean it up and it’ll give me time to–”

“All you’ve been given is time.” The words burst out of me. “You’re not staying there even if I have to drag you to our place today.”

She blinked as her mouth dropped open.

“I swear to God, Morina. I’m not in the business of being told no. I make efficient and reasonable demands for that very reason. I’ve been more than gracious with you.”

“Gracious? You’re asking me to move in with you in a week’s time and then marry you when I don’t know anything about you.”

I dragged my eyes up and down her body. “You know a few things about me.” She’d pushed my buttons and instead of taking the mature route, I pushed hers back.

“Oh, screw you! That was supposed to be a one night stand and now we’re in a once in a lifetime hell together.” She stomped her foot. “I need time.”

“You don’t have it.” I glared at her. “You’re not staying in that food truck again in these next six months. You’ll be my untouchable soon, and I won’t risk your safety even if you’re willing to gamble with it. You’re too valuable.”

“What?” She crossed her arms. “Because of the company?”

“Well, that’s obvious, isn’t it?” Standing outside at the ass crack of dawn made it not so obvious for me, though. Was she something more to me?

“Will you find out who did this? I think they should be held accountable.” She glared at the mess.

“Yes. They will be.” They could have kidnapped her and that thought alone had me wanting to hold them all more than accountable. “I protect what’s mine. And that’s you. My fiancé.”

She huffed and pushed past me to her food truck. “Fine. But I’m doing this for my town. You know that, right? Otherwise, I wouldn’t do a single part of it. I’d donate these stocks. I’d get rid of the burden this is. It’s ridiculous that you’d do all this for money, Bastian. It really is.”

I watched her storm inside. She threw things into a bag, not paying me any mind.

I completely agreed with her.

Money didn’t matter.

For me, it was never about that.

It was about the family, about making my legacy something better than my father’s.

I breathed it and lived by it and suffered for it. I didn’t take my responsibilities lightly.

She would have to learn not to either.

I peered into her food truck to ask, “Would you like me to call Mr. Finley to tell him we’re engaged or would you like to?”

“Why don’t we just do it together?” She sneered. “Since we’re a couple now and all.”

It took patience to deal with that attitude of hers. I liked to think I had a little of it. “Tonight then. I’ll send Dante over here to watch your truck while you pack. He can drive you over when you’re ready.”

I left her at the food truck and called a driver so that Dante could stay with her.

As I stood waiting, I knew I’d have to deal with finding the men who did this. The respect of my family and Morina’s life was at stake.

The uncomfortable feeling that she could have been hurt didn’t go away when I called Cade to tell him that I wanted action taken against those who’d wrecked her truck.

“What type of action, bro?” He chuckled. “It’s not like we’re going to throw them in a river. We haven’t used force in a long time. I’ll talk to the syndicates in the area to make sure they’re aware you’re now engaged.”

“See that you do.” I pulled at my neck and tried to get the kink out of it before the next words fell from my lips. “And, Cade, I want an example made. Use some force this time. She could have been seriously harmed.”

My brother didn’t say anything back for a moment as I heard rustling on the line. “You okay, Bastian?”

“Yeah, I’ll be fine once this shit is over.”