Trading for Love

5. Choices

Charlotte POV

Everyone had settled in the back yard, preparing for the start of the wedding. The driveway was now devoid of people but I still stood at my window, sending up a silent prayer that by some miracle something would happen to stop this wedding.

I hadn't been prepared for god to actually answer that prayer though. As I stood there, watching the street, a black suburban with tinted windows pulled into the drive, stopping beside Anthonys car. Two mountains of man climbed from the front seat, each fixing the black leather jackets they were wearing before one of them reached out, opening the back door, and my heart stopped.

He was gorgeous. Black hair that I swore had a blue hue to it, a chiseled jaw that was clenched tight. His skin looked naturally tanned. He was tall and built like he spent time at the gym but not 'body builder status' big. He was dressed in a suit, his jacket hanging open enough for me to catch sight of something that made my blood run cold. He was carrying a gun and that could only mean one thing. He was here for Andre.

My body moved before my mind did, diving for my duffel where I had stashed my Taurus. I grabbed it up, racking the slide to load the chamber as I ran from my room.

I raced down the steps, my dress hampering my movements as hushed voices drifting toward me, growing louder. I could make out Andres and Anthonys which was quickly followed by a deep, gruff voice that rumbled from the chest. I rounded the corner at the bottom of the steps, crashing between Andre and Anthony, knocking them sideways. I raised my weapon as I stilled, leveling it at the black beauties head. Everyone moved at once.

Anthony cursed, backing up toward the livingroom as Andre sank to the floor clutching his stomach. The mountain men moved, blocking my shot at the black haired man. Now that I was up close to them I could see that these men were either twins or very close in age because they shared very similar looks. Each had blonde hair cropped short, amber colored eyes, and an angular nose that jutted out a little farther than normal. The one of the right had a look of pleasant shock on his face while the one of the left was glaring so hard I was sure he was going to shoot lasers from his eye. The man on the left also had a gnarly scar that ran the length of his jaw before disappeading behind his ear.

" Now theres no need for that," the man on the right cooed, waving his hand dismissively in the air.

" Andre was just explaining how he was going to pay us back considering he is hosting this fancy wedding," the man on the left growled, pushing his jacket back to reveal his own gun tucked into a holster on his hip. It sent a small wave of fear through me but I held firm.

" You'll get paid as soon as the wedding is through," Anthony called from somewhere behind me. The chicken had hidden himself away from all the action. My heart sank as he spoke, reminding me that I was going to be tied to that chicken for the rest of my life. Not a pleasant thought really. He wouldn't protect me, considering I was the one that had the gun leveled at the bad men. I could feel my shoulders sink a little at the thought.

" Now I'd love to hear how thats going to work," the gruff voice drawled from behind the mountain men.

" She's- Charlotte- is marrying Anthony. He- will pay you," my father growned from the floor. He had gone pale after his fall and in my haste I had forgetten about his injury. As Andre spoke, my shoulders sagged further, eventually lowering the gun.

A bark of laughter escaped one of the guards as I turned back to Andre who was attempting to stand, using the wall for support. I reached out a hand, helping pull him to his feet. Once on his feet he leaned heavily on the wall but remained standing.

" They have agreed to write a check as soon as the wedding ends," Andre reiterated, making a feeble attempt to take my gun from me. I pulled back, putting some distance between us. Andre hadn't been aware I had a gun so this was probably coming as a shock to him.

" Her? Marry that piss stain?" The right mountain man snickered, struggling to hold back his laughter and failing. He doubled over as he roared with laughter, letting it all out. My cheeks flamed as the question sank in. They could even see how this was going to turn out. Total strangers could see this marriage was going to fail miserably.

I looked past the man still laughing to the black haired beauty standing behind him. He was eyeing me, one eye brow raised like he was questioning my sanity. He was looking between the three of us, first me, then Andre, before looking past me to where I assumed Anthony was hiding. As I watched though, his questioning look changed into one of contempt, an angry sneer crossing his face. Even though he looked like he was ready to fight, he was still beautiful.

" You're willing to marry off your daughter to that slime ball?" he scoffed, still eyeing Anthony over my shoulder. I glanced back myself to see Anthony hiding around the corner, his head barely poking out as he watched the events unfold. I could see his cheeks coloring as he absorbed the second jab at his character. I quickly looked away as a small smile tried to play on my lips. Seeing Anthony made so uncomfortable was pleasent considering how many times he had made me uncomfortable.

" She agreed! I would never force her!" Andre managed to croak out in an indignate tone. This did nothing to change the mans expression, if anything it darkened further.

" You really are the lowest form of life," he growled stepping between his body guards and starting forward.

I slowly raised my gun, unsure of what was going to happen next. He hadn't reached for his gun, which was safely tucked away in the waist of his suit but if looks could kill...

He rounded on me, his hand whipping out to grab mine. He turned my arm, pointing the gun to the side as he stepped close, invading my personal space as I stepped back into the wall. Even in my heels he stood a good foot taller than me. I had to crane my neck back to meet his eyes. He still wore his angry expression but it had softened slightly as he lowered his lips to my ear.

" I'd like to offer you a deal. Rather than marry that pervy dirt bag, come with me. I'll forgive your fathers debt and save you a lifetime of pain. You can be my pretend wife. You'll be much happier." His voice was like silk as he spoke, the complete opposite of how he sounded before. He whispered to me, his breath tickling my cheek as it rushed past his lips. I felt goosebumps cover my body, radiating from the hand he was holding. It was like a surge of energy was passing between us.

I heard the harsh bark of Anthonys laughter as his dress shoes clicked across the tiles.

" Get away from my fiance," he snapped. He couldn't have heard what was said but I think our proximity was what got him moving. The black haired beauty turned from me, his expression hardening so fast Anthony stopped short.

" I wouldn't. I know more about you than anyone else in fifty miles and I will gladly spill it all to your 'business partner'," he sneered, putting emphasis on the last part. Anthony took a quick step back, blanching at his words. There was something about Anthony that had always been off and by the sound of things, this man knew what that was.

He slowly turned back to me, awaiting my answer to his previous question. I had barely had time to register it before Anthony had butted in.

I had two options now. Anthony and all the creepy feelings that came with him or the dangerous mystery man that looked like he belonged on the cover of a magazine. It only took me a moment of contemplating before I looked up at him, meeting his level gaze with my own.

" I'll go with you."