SOLD TO THE HIGGEST BIDDER

SCARLET

One would think there would be no way a girl can be forced into marriage especially to a man she did not even know but trust my father, Patrick Quinn to think it is the best of ways to settle the debt he owes.

“I will not be marrying a total stranger, papa… please tell him, mama that I will not be marrying one of the Doyle boys” I begged

“And what is wrong with the Doyle boys?” My father argued, his eyes filled with rage.

It would be the first time I would  be outrightly disobeying him and i knew from the look on his face that he wasn’t having it.

“They are killers” I screamed at him. “Surely you have heard about them and how they treat their enemies? They have heads of men who crossed their paths hanging from their gates and you want me to marry one of them? I am your daughter but you are sending me to my death"

“Isn’t that the more reason why you should help your father, Scarlet? He owes them a huge sum of money and this is the only way he can pay back” My mother added.

She always supported my father no matter what… she always accommodated his excesses including all of the mistresses he had decided to have over the years. I wondered when she would ever fight for me or for herself from my father’s tyranny but I guessed now that that would be never.

“I am not a package that can be sold to pay off a debt, mama”

“I do not know why I have spoilt you this way that you will talk back at me” My mother sniffled while I almost rolled my eyes.

Of course she was going to resort to tears to get what she wants.

My father roared, rising to his feet.

“Get her ready” He commanded my mother who got to her feet in an instant. “She will be marrying into their family whether she likes it or not and to show how serious I am, she is going to go there today even if I have to ship her bound myself… fucking spoilt brat” My father raged.

He turned and left my room while my mother reached for my clothes and began pouring it on the bed while I watched with tears in my eyes.

“You cannot allow him do this” I pleaded one last time although judging from the rigid set of her shoulders, I would not be able to persuade her.

“Mama” I screamed again, stopping her. “You cannot let him sell me like this… you owe me that much”

My mother’s eyes reached mine and I slicked back in my seat. Her eyes were blank and her face devoid of expression.

“You have to do your part as the daughter of this family and this is it.” She told me in her stern voice. “I will not allow you let your father die and when you get to your husband’s house… I will advice that you behave and do whatever they want of you” She stated.

I said nothing but the cries erupted from my throat then and so it was… I remembered crying while my mother packed my belongings into a bag and I was led out like a lamb to the slaughter out of my father’s house and into his car.

“You will behave yourself and represent this family well or I am going to disown you as my daughter” He warned for the last time as the car took to the road.

The last thing I was going to be was obedient and I knew if I misbehaved and brought shame quite enough to the Doyle’s then maybe they would send me back.

Or they might have you killed, you silly girl… a voice in my head chided.

It was better they killed me than to spend another day as the wife of one of those vicious and ruthless men.

The tears had dried from my eyes by the time we got to the foreboding gate of their mansion and were let in.

It was a beautiful mansion and if I wasn’t feeling like I was about to be killed or this was my impending doom then maybe I would have admired how the skies looked inside there and how well thought out the drive away was but instead my heart continued pounding furiously in my chest as we neared.

“This way” One of the maids commented as soon as I got out.

She took a hold of my bag and I was tempted to take it back from her and race back to my father’s car that was now backing away from the house.

I stared at the car until it turned around a corner and was gone.

“Please follow me” The maid repeated, no doubt wondering what the fuck was wrong with me.

My lips quivered but I took a deep breath and followed her.

I am Scarlet Quinn and I will not be afraid, I reassured myself as we walked.

The maid stopped in the waiting room and asked me to make myself comfortable while she informed the head of the house that I was around, which I did.

I sat at the edge of the chair and looked around, admiring the painting on the walls. I was a painter myself so it kept me busy that I did not notice when I had company until he cleared his throat and my eyes flew to him with a scream on my lips.

There was no way the man staring back at me was human with the way he looked. The only thing that gave away his mood was the furious expression in his gaze as he stared at me.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” He asked, his voice slapping around the room and slamming into me.

I shook, my knees suddenly weak.

I knew I was staring into the eyes of one of the Doyle boys but I had no idea which one was staring back at me with such murderous intent…like he was more than ready to shoot me.

“I…I am the daughter of Patrick Quinn” I sputtered.

His eyes relaxed in realization and he approached me while I tried not to back away from him although I was scared by his very presence.

He stopped in front of me, his hands behind his back.

“I know exactly who you are, Scarlet… the question I asked was what the fuck you are doing here” He growled.

“My father… he says I am to marry one of you” I gulped, holding my breath.

The dangerous, yet terribly attractive man leaned backwards, his eyes taking in my appearance and it almost seemed like he was in thought before his lips turned up in a snarl.

“You will do” He drawled, dismissing me with a wave of his immaculate fingers.