1

ROSALINE

I walked in through the large double doors of my father's house and headed for the living room where I'd find one of my family members. I hated coming here. The only reason I came here was to check on my mom.

But today was different.

"Rose!" I was suddenly engulfed in a hug by Lisa. I smiled as I hugged her back. She was my younger step sister and the only thing closest to a real sister that I had. I wished she was my real sister though.

"I'm glad you came. I haven't seen you in like two weeks," she said to me as we walked into the living room. "Dad sent for me," I said. "How is everything?" I asked her. "Everything is fine. Can you believe I'm going to graduate in two months with first class in business?" she asked me excitedly and I chuckled.

She followed me into the kitchen and I went to the bar to grab one of the expensive bottles of tequila. "I'm proud of you, little sis," I said as I poured myself a glass and turned to face her.

"I'm following after you. You're my role model," she said to me with her blue eyes sparkling animatedly. I smiled and downed the glass. The burning sensation in my throat made me sigh in satisfaction. If dad was calling me here, it wasn't going to be for a good reason.

"Where's the man?" I asked her. "He's in the office. He's actually waiting for us. It's kind of like a family meeting," Lisa said nervously and I nodded.

I downed another glass and we made our way to his office. I saw some of my father's men and I rolled my eyes. I hated the mafia.

I didn't bother knocking before walking into the office. My father was seated by his desk talking to my elder brother that was leaning on the wall. My step mother was seated on one of the burgundy couches and my second step sister was beside her.

"I'm here," I announced my presence in a bored tone as they looked at me. "Rosaline," my father acknowledged me as I went to seat across my step mother and sister on the free couch. Lisa sat beside me and that seemed to anger the two females.

I rolled my eyes. They always got angry whenever she chose to stick with me.

"What are you doing there sister?" Kimberly asked her twin in a low hiss. "She has the right to sit wherever she wants, Kimberly," I replied for Lisa in the same tone.

Father cleared his throat, trying to lessen the tension. Blaze looked at me with a warm smile and I smiled back. He was my blood brother and my rock ever since my father decided to marry a psychotic woman to replace our mother.

"I called you all for a very important issue," my father said. "What's wrong, honey?" the sick and fake voice of Catherine filled my ears making me roll my eyes. She didn't even know when to use a sweet voice. Pathetic.

"We're making more enemies day by day," my father said and I felt Lisa shift beside me. She never liked this life style, she was too soft. That's why I always stood up for her. I saw Blaze roll his eyes at my father in the corner of my eye.

"A few weeks ago, I came in contact with the Russians," my father said and I felt my breath hitch. I didn't like this at all. The Russians were never up to any good. What the hell was he thinking?

"Gusev offered help but only on one condition," he said.

I had a bad feeling about this.

"We're to have a marriage contract," he added and I narrowed my eyes at him. "I seem to not understand you," I heard Blaze say in a dangerously low voice. We all knew what was going on.

My father rolled his eyes. "One of my daughters is to marry his grandson."

"Fuck no!" Blaze objected. My father turned to look at him, "It has already been sealed. One of them gets married with them and we're guaranteed protection from the enemies."

"My babies are still too young," Catherine interjected. I wanted to tell her to shut the fuck up but I wasn't going to waste my time on her. she was too dumb for my liking.

"I put that into consideration. So I decided that Rose will marry his grandson instead," my father said without missing a beat and I felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped on my head. I felt cold from head to toe.

"She's not marrying that scum!" Blaze exclaimed angrily. "Dad, isn't there another way?" I heard Lisa ask.

I could see Catherine smirking and my hand itched to slap her face so hard. "There's nothing I can do," my father said and turned to look at me. His emotionless face tried to look sympathetic but I knew it was impossible.

This man lost all kinds of emotions from the day my mother slipped into coma and never woke up.

I knew something like this was bound to happen. I wasn't surprised but I simply wasn't ready. But it's not like I'd let my younger sisters get married. They were just twenty one. Even though Kimberly was a money loving bitch like her mother, I tolerated her because of her twin, Lisa.

"She's not marrying anybody!" Blaze glared at our father. "It's fine, Blaze," I raised my hand to my brother to stop him. He turned to look at me with disbelief, "You can't be serious."

Lisa grabbed my arm, "Rose, you're joking right?"

I sighed, "It's fine. It's already sealed." I turned to my father, "When am I meeting the man?" I asked him. "The wedding is taking place next week. You are to meet Gusev this evening," my father said.

I nodded, "Is that all?"

He nodded and I stood up to walk out.

"Next week? Dad have you lost your fucking mind?" I heard my brother yell at my father as I walked out of the office but I didn't bother.

I heard someone run after me. "Rose, wait up."

I turned around to see Lisa running to me with teary eyes. "Rose, I don't want you to marry a stranger," her eyes watered and I felt a pinch in my chest. I spread my arms and she ran to hug me.

Even though she was taller than me, she still felt little to me.

"I'll convince dad, please don't agree to this," she begged me. I smiled and stroked her strawberry blonde hair. "There are a lot of things one most sacrifice in this mafia. If I don't, you will and I'll never be happy," I said to her.

She raised her head to look at me. Her eyes were red, I smiled. "I don't care. Do you think this makes me happy?"

"Oh come on, Lisa. I can't let my little sister cry over something like this. I'm staying for dinner, so cheer up," I said and pinched her cheek. She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "I feel so terrible and guilty," she mumbled and sniffled again. "I'll be fine. I'm going somewhere, I'll be back soon," I said to her.

She nodded and I walked away.