(Calla)

I can't wait to see you tonight. I know the text should send butterflies erupting in my stomach, but as usual, nothing. Cash is hot and decent in bed, but that's about it. Maybe it's the fact that I know falling for anyone is completely pointless, or maybe I can't fall in love.

I text back a simple, Me 2, before stuffing my phone in my purse and climbing the grand marble staircase to hide away in my room. The house is bustling for some reason this morning, like ants busying themselves with work. It isn't until I get near my room that I realize why. Staff is toting bags out of my room and brushing past me like I'm not even here.

"What the hell is going on?" I snap at one of the maids as she walks by me with an arm full of dress bags.

Bekka stops and hesitantly looks around at the other staff members for help. "I think you should speak to Madam Josephine."

My mother, but why?

My sister's voice echoing from my mother's wing of the house snaps my attention away from the parade of my things being toted out. What in God's name is going on here today?

I quickly jog toward my mother's office, dodging staff and guards on the way over. The large oak doors to her office are wide open. Mother stands behind her desk, ignoring my sister as she shuffles through paperwork. Uncle Alasdair sits in one of the leather chairs with his hands crossed over his well-fed belly. The tension in the air coils around me like a thick snake.

"What the hell is going on?" I ask with more authority than I intended, reminding me of what my father sounded like any time he walked in on either Lily or me misbehaving.

Mom's dark blue eyes snap up to be. The look on her face tells me she isn't in the mood to put up with any of our shenanigans, but frankly, neither am I. Despite what she or Uncle thinks, I will take over the family soon. I should know what has the house in such a tizzy.

"Where have you been?" Mother asks as she moves a large file to a different stack on her well-organized desk. Every pen is in its proper place, countering the chaos in the house. "I've been calling and calling you."

"I noticed," I admit to ignoring several of her phone calls this morning and afternoon. "I was busy with other things." I step up next to my little sister. Her beautiful face is scrunched in rage, and her dark blue eyes burn holes into our mother. "So tell me, what the hell is going on? Why are you packing my room up?"

Lily scoffs. "Oh, just wait. You're going to love this."

Mother gives Lily an unamused look before turning her gaze to me. She looks like a regal queen, with the ceiling-to-floor bookshelf behind her, dressed in the finest clothes. "You're moving in with Dominik Song."

I couldn't have heard her correctly. I'm moving in with Dominik Song? The man that I've been betrothed to since I was twelve? Why now? We haven't even discussed marital plans, so I thought I had more time. I thought Mother and Uncle would give me a couple of years of running the family alone before making the two mob families join.

"Excuse, what?" I blink, snapping myself out of the whirlwind of questions twisting in my head.

"Don't sass me. You heard me right. This morning an anonymous letter was found on the property threatening to kill you and your sister. We've contacted the Songs, and they've agreed to let you move in for protection." Mother gestures to Uncle.

"Have you lost your goddamn mind?" Fury engulfs me as my head spins. A threatening letter, that's all. It's not like threats don't always come and go around here. We take care of them and move on with life. Besides, why am I the only one that supposedly needs protection? "What about Lily?" They're taking me away from my sister. I can't be her to protect her.

A sarcastic laugh slips out from my sister. "Apparently, I'm going too."

"Who's cockamamy scheme was this?" I snap. They're going to have us both run at the first sign of danger. This makes no sense.

Uncle's hands unfold before slowly rising from the chair. He tries to give off an air of authority like my dad used to do when he was alive, but as usual, he falls short. "Mine. No one but your mother, your driver, and myself know where you're going. The Songs have promised to keep you safe with them while we get this sorted out."

"You have to realize how stupid this plan is." I turn to my mother, pleading my case. "It's an anonymous letter, you don't even know if it's serious, and you're having us run away like little scared mice. We need to stand strong, and show that you can't threaten us."

"How are our people supposed to respect Calla when she takes charge if we run at the first sign of trouble?" Lily adds.

"Exactly!" I throw a hand toward Lily, happy my baby sister at least gets me.

"Enough!" Mother's voice rises, making my heart tremble with the same childlike fear she evoked when we were little. "We set this marriage up over a decade ago to join the two families. You're out of school now, there's no need to delay the agreement any longer. Dominik will be in charge of not only both families, but both of your care as it should be." Mother hesitates as her countenance softens a bit. "As your father wanted."

"A woman shouldn't be running the family business anyway," Uncle adds.

I grit my teeth, cutting him a look. "I don't need a man to do my job." My attention snaps back to my mom as I struggle to gain control of my temper. "You didn't raise me to be a strong woman just to sell me off to some man to take over."

"I raised you to be a boss's wife, Calla. You knew it was going to come down to this."

"I thought you'd give me time!" I argue.

"You've had time. Your arrangement with Dominik isn't a new one. I waited until you were finished with school, like you asked, and you've been graduated for almost a year now. You will do as I say," She firmly tells me. "You will move in with Dominik Song. You will plan your wedding, and get married to him. You will do this for the sake of the family, and for your sister's safety sake."

My gaze flicks to Lily. I hate that Mother is using her to bend my will, but damn it, it works. The thought of Lily being in danger and me not being able to protect her is a risk I'm unwilling to take. Hot tears burn my eyes as I feel freedom slip between my fingers.

"Lily doesn't have a betrothed yet," Mother says in a soft voice. I've only heard it around the time of my father's passing. "Your father never had the chance to arrange that. So, that means her safety is in the hands of the one running this family which will be Dominik once you two are married. I'm going to do my best to find her a husband, but these things take time...so, do this for her. Protect your sister, and yourself."

"Wait...what?" Lily's big blue eyes double in size. "A husband? For me? No fuc—"

"Don't you dare curse in front of me, Lily Catrina," Mother scolds, staring her down for a second before turning that serious gaze on me, now tinted with a hint of sadness.

I quickly wipe a tear from my cheek, not wanting to show weakness to my mother.

"I know this is difficult-" Mother starts to say.

"Don't bother with your sympathy and understanding. You have no idea what this is like," I bite, cutting her off. "I don't want to hear it. You've made up your mind about this. Since there's nothing else I can say to change your mind I'll take my leave." I turn on my heels and strut out of Mother's office.

"Calla!" Mother calls after me, but there's no point in discussing anything further. "Calla Orla Monroe!"

"Calla," My uncle's voice stops me in my tracks outside my mother's office. On the other side of the doors, I can hear Lily pleading her case to Mother that she doesn't need an arranged marriage. I wish her the best of luck, but since I've been doing the same thing for the past ten years, I don't have a lot of hope for her.

Uncle's aged face gives me a small, sympathetic smile. Though he doesn't look like my father, a ghost of resemblance grips my heart. "I'm sorry it has to be this way, but don't blame your mother."

"To be fair, I blame both of you," I tell him. It was his idea to begin with.

"You're mother and I were hoping to ease you into this marriage a little slower, but this threat has both of us scared." He sighs, frustrated. Uncle's never been one that has been patient with Lily's and my attitudes.

"Uncle, I know this was your idea, but you have to see that whoever made this threat is going to think our family is weak. Let me step up, I was raised to lead." If anyone can talk to my mother, it's him. He's been running the family, waiting for me to finish school.

He sighs and slips his hands into the pockets of his dress pants. "I want to, Calla, I really do, but we can't risk you and your sister's safety." He gently touches my shoulder as his light blue eyes settle my frustration. "That Monroe strength course through your veins. I know you can run this family, but it was your father's dying wish to marry. This isn't just about having a man in control of the Monroe family. This is about joining two empires and only you can do that."

I huff, not wanting to give in, but he tugs at my heartstrings. It's what Father wanted.

"For your old uncle, huh?" he smirks and playfully grabs my chin.

"Fine," I conceded, pulling my chin from his grasp.

"Atta girl." He pats my cheeks before heading back into the office. I take a deep breath in before letting out a heavy sigh, lightening the load a little on my chest. I can't believe I agreed to this, but it's not like I have much of a choice. Could I refuse to marry Dominik? Sure, but it would affect the Song family and risk starting a war between the two families.

Of all people, Father, why Dominik Song? The man is the biggest womanizer I know, not that father would have realized that's what he would have become when Dominik was thirteen. I'm sure he was caught up in the strength and power that the Song family has and the fact that even at a young age, Dominik portrayed the strong will that his elders had. Father knew he'd be a force to be reckoned with, and I have to hand it to my old man; he was right.

As I walk through the house, I take in every little detail, knowing that this will be the last time I can call these walls home. It isn't until I get to my room that I finally let go. It's empty of all my possessions except for the bed. All my jewelry, clothes, and trinkets are gone. Mother really has planned on me never stepping foot in here again.

The oak door softly slick behind me before I let the tears flow. I'm going to be stuck in a loveless marriage with a man who wants me just as much as I want him.

"Miss." A soft knock on the door startles me.

I quickly dry my face and pull myself together before throwing the door open to find Bekka on the other side. The short, young, timid maid quickly nods in greeting. "Madam Josephine wanted me to get a nice dress for you out of your things." She holds up a small, simple, black cocktail dress with sheer long sleeves for me to take. "And this," she tacks on when I take the dress from her and hands me a necklace box, black hose, and pair of heels to match.

"Of course she did," I sigh, taking the box I know contains my pearl necklace and the rest of the items. "Thank you, Bekka."

I shut the door before the maid can utter another word and lay the dress and the rest of the stuff on the bed. The room doesn't feel like mine anymore. Everything about me has been stripped away. Even the bedding has been changed to a generic beige that fits Mother's new favorite aesthetic.

Changing out of my black leggings and t-shirt is like sloughing off the freedom of my youth. With each article of clothing I slip on, I feel the weight of the future pressing on my shoulders. Do this for Lily. Play nice with Dominik to keep her safe until the threat is over. Then, I can cause a ruckus.

Once dressed, I head to the courtyard, where a car is waiting for Lily and me to take us to our new home. Lily is already in the back seat of the car, and I can tell by her slumped down that she's more than likely pouting, not that I blame her.

Mother is nowhere to be found. I suppose the send-off in her office is the only goodbye I will get, but at least Uncle is waiting for me. His salt and pepper hair is brushed back, sort of the way Father wore his before he died.

A broad smile spreads across his face as he spreads his arms wide. "You're truly the crown jewel of the family."

"Let's not kid ourselves. I'm a womb. A fancy incubator that mother and father signed off on to the best family. I'm no more important than a horse." I grumble as I look at the car. Poor Lily is doomed to suffer the same fate as me.

Uncle's smile sours a bit. "Bitterness doesn't look good on you, Calla." He sucks his teeth, and he plops his hands on his hips. "I know this is sooner than you thought, but you might as well get it over with."

I roll my eyes. It's not like ripping off a bandaid: in one quick swoop, a little pain, and it's over. This is the rest of my life. "Fine, but I don't have to be happy about it."

"Play nice," he orders as I walk to the car and slip in the backseat next to Lily.

I lean my head back against the seat. "I'll transfer a hundred grand into you back account right now if you just shoot me and put me out of my misery."

"If you go, I go. I say we both just point at each other's temples and go raise hell in heaven together," Lily grumbles before blowing out a deep, frustrated breath. "This is bullshit."

"I couldn't agree more." I glance up at the rearview mirror where our driver is waiting for me to give the signal to move. Uncle's right; I might as well get it over with. I can't sit in the driveway forever. I give a nod, and the car starts to roll forward. "Are you okay?" I ask, knowing that the threat to our lives should bother me, and might have Lily scared. Now, it's drawn attention to the fact that she hasn't been promised to another yet.

"About which part?" Her pout deepens. "Someone threatening to take us out, going to live with your new hubby, or how now my future husband is going to be picked out and forced on me?"

I sigh, knowing how she feels. "I'll try to talk Mother out if it. With me having to marry Dominik there's no reason you need to be married off too. The Song union should be enough strength added to the family. At least for this generation. Besides, if they're wanting Dominik to take over like they claim, then technically he should be the one looking." I give her a reassuring smile. "And if that's the case, hell will freeze over before I let that happen."

Lily tries to return the reassuring smile, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "Thanks, but you know how Mother is. Once she's made up her mind, that's it. Besides, I doubt she'll wait till after you're married. She's sending me with you 'cause she feels she has to, but I think me not having someone of my own to look after me has hurt her pride. She put it off for too long and now she sounds determined to fix it as soon as possible."

"It can't be too soon at least. There will be at least a six month courting period. Best advice I can give is be as obnoxious and petty as hell during them." I flash her a teasing smile before it drops. I playfully walk my fingers across the cream-colored leather seat between us and poke her thigh. "How are you feeling about the threat though?"

She shrugs. "Hadn't really thought about it much, really. I mean, how scary is some anonymous letter? For all we know, it could be a joke or something just to scare us."

"More than likely that's all it is. I was supposed to take over and someone was testing to see how the family would react." Sadly, not well. More than likely, it is fear that's rooted in my father's murder.

Lily rolls her eyes. "Yeah, and we're doing a great job of not seeming scared. We'll be lucky to save face at the next event."

I snort, "Maybe I'll get lucky and it will be so embarrising toward the family image that Dominik won't want to hitch his horse to me, as they say."

"I wish you luck there, sis."

The car slows as we approach the gated community to which Dominik's house belongs. The community has several large mansions sitting on lush green yards. The wealth is thick here, as thick as our community is, but this is newer wealth, more modern to fit the times, and not the American royalty that our neighborhood's regal mansions possess.

As we approach the tall black gate to Dominik's house, I feel a numbness roll over me. The cold mask slides over my face as the gate opens for us. The driver takes the car up the perfectly paved path and stops at the top of the hill. I can tell that Dominik is waiting for us outside with a crew of his men.

"Time to rip off the bandaid," I mutter before stepping out of the car before one of the Song's suited men can open it for me.

In front of the house, Dominik stands with his hands in his well-tailored suit pants pockets, seemingly irritated that he had to be bothered with this greeting. His black hair is parted in the middle, swept out of his chiseled face. On his thin, sharp nose sits a pair of aviator sunglasses, blocking his dark brown eyes from view. His long, lean body shifts as I round the front of the car, joining Lily. I might not like Dominik, but at least he's nice to look at.

As we take a couple of steps toward Dominik and the group of men that are with him, Lily's steps falter before she starts hissing, "Oh no, no, no."

"What?" I frown and scan the group of men. Nothing seems out of order, and it's a group of guys I see with Dominik often enough to know nothing is out of sorts. "What's wrong?"

Lily's eyes stare forward as she slightly shakes her head. "This can not be happening. What the hell is he doing here?"

"Who?"

"Kw—" Her steps falter once more as her eyebrows shoot up towards her raven-colored hairline. "Oh my God, I'm so dumb. He's a Song. What the hell?"

"Who is? My God, Lily, you're not making any sense." I try to hold back my frustration. I've never seen Lily this panicked before, but less over a guy.

Lily leans closer and whispers, "Kwan Song...I can't believe I didn't realize it before, but it's not like I ever see him at any of our circle's events."

I realize she's talking about the man standing just to Dominik's right. I open my mouth to ask her more, but Dominik steps off the stoop leading into his house, with three long strides, he reaches and stares down his nose at me.

"Calla," he greets us like we are nothing more than acquaintances. The waft of his cologne filters through the air, and the honey-like lavender notes paired with the richness of tobacco make my mouth water.

I reach deep inside of me, trying to pull any warmth I might have toward him out, but come up dry. "Dominik," I coldly reply.