Chapter Eleven

Previously: "So you want me to marry your grandson?" I sigh out hysterically.

"That is exactly what I want. Miss Odair, I am only getting older and my grandson and his sister are my only hope at more heirs. Hayden's sister is almost thirty and has already had multiple little girls. What we need is a male heir though for when Hayden passes. We have discussed it and we believe that your genes paired with Hayden's will make a strapping young lad."

I run my fingers through my hair and look over to Hayden. "This is what you want?" I ask him.

My father looks over to me with a very surprised look appearing on his face. He must have thought that I would put up more of a fight, but even I know that the deal could have been worse. I need to take this deal even though it breaks my heart to have to marry someone whom I don't even remotely care for. There is also the fact that he is a capital criminal whose grandfather indirectly and directly kills people on the hour, but I have a feeling that there is more to all of this. There is a reason why Hayden and my father are banding together like this and I do not think it is just because my dad wants to protect me.

Hayden has about the same reaction as father, but recovers quickly. "Yes, you are who I want."

"Looks like we have a deal then." Snow interjects.

I scan my eyes back in forth between Snow and Hayden and say, "We have a deal."

I sprint out of the doors. I cannot believe what has just happened. Out of all the things that I thought would happen, that was not one of them. It is still a better fate than what I expected, but I still do not want this. Now that I am finally out of that room, I feel as though I can breathe freely.

I find myself alone and away from Dad and Hayden, in a hallway that I do not recognize. Perfect; I've gotten myself lost. This just gets better and better.

I continue walking to see if I can find myself at the entrance again. After it feels like hours of wondering, I hear someone sigh with relief and say my name. I turn around and see that it is Hayden. Just the person that I wanted to see.

"Hey, we have been looking for you everywhere! Are you okay? I know everything was just sprung on you so quickly. I mean that definitely can not be eas-"

I cut him off in a tired mumble from his rambling. "I am fine. I just got myself lost."

He looked slightly more relieved. "Okay, that-that's good. Here, follow me and I'll get you back to your dad."

I nod and he starts walking with me back to the entrance. "So," I break the silence, "Why do you really want me to marry you? I certainly don't think it is because you want an heir at this age. What, eighteen?"

He looks a little troubled. "Almost eighteen and no, I do not necessarily want children right now, but my grandfather is demanding it before I become too old."

"Is that the only reason you are doing this then?" I ask him.

"Pretty much. Although, it does help that I think you are beautiful." he blushes a little at his words.

I smile a genuine smile at his rosy cheeks. "What a charmer you are."

He lets out an embarrassed chuckle. "Yea, I suppose. So, this is it."

He says that and I notice that we have talked ourselves the whole way back to the exit of the mansion. I haven't felt that normal in a while. Just a boy and I talking. The ugly truth though is that neither of us are just normal and we never will be.

He leads me out the doors and back into the car that brought us there. Dad is already waiting inside and says goodbye to Hayden, then we are leaving.

"Where are we going now Dad?"

"We are going to stay at the home that they set aside for me when I come here."

I look at him, disgusted. He sees my face and stumbles to correct himself. "No! Nothing has happened there. I just stay there when I am here."

I calm at his statement. "Okay, good."

When the car finally stops, we are at his house. It is not a mansion, but it still looks beautiful. We walk inside and set our bags down.

This day has exhausted me. I really want to sleep rather than talk as I am sure my father wants to do.

"You can take the bedroom down the hall and to the right. I think we both need some rest right now. Let's get some sleep and we will discuss everything tomorrow morning."

I nod in total agreement. I walk down the hall and enter the room that Dad gave to me. It is a nice room all set with a bed, nightstand, and bathroom. I set my bags down and don't even change my clothes as I collapse on the bed and fall asleep, leaving all of my worries behind.