Chapter 4: A marriage of convenience

Lyrek-

I didn’t have the faintest clue what was going on, other than Veronica was in distress and I had an overwhelming urge to be there for her. When I rushed after her, I didn’t even think about what I was doing or about to do. When I saw her fall to the ground outside, I felt a tight pain in my chest.

“Hey, what is wrong?” I asked gently, lowering myself to the ground to sit next to her.

“He is dying and there is nothing I can do about it.” She sobbed as she leaned toward me.

Turning my upper body, I adjusted my body so I could wrap my arms around her. She cried into my chest, my shirt fisted into one of her hands. Not entirely sure what she was talking about, I just held her while she cried.

The guy that told me to leave last night, came outside but paused when he saw us on the ground. It looked as if he was unsure of what to do. I mouthed the words, I got this, to him. He looked unsure at first, before nodding his head and heading back inside.

With my arms wrapped around her shoulders, I just held her for a while. She was affecting me in ways I didn’t understand, but there was no way I could walk away now. Somehow, she managed to find her way under my skin.

“Tell me what is going on, maybe I can find a way to help you.” I placed the side of my face against the top of her head and whispered.

“No one can help me with this!” Her sobs became louder, and she seemed to be struggling to breathe.

“Let me try.” I persisted.

“Unless you know of a way to get a brain tumor out of my brother’s head, there is nothing you can do.” The pain in her voice was almost too much to bear.

Her words, on the other hand, were ironic as hell. I just met this woman, and I was perhaps the exact person she needed. Gently, I moved my hands to her shoulders and pushed her away but kept my hold on her.

“I am a neurosurgeon.” I spoke carefully when her red and swollen eyes looked up at me.

Her cries immediately halted as she looked at me incredulously. “You what?” She asked in shock.

“I am a neurosurgeon.” I repeated, then added, “Not to sound like I am arrogant or anything, but I am one of the best surgeons in the world. I came here from California because my grandfather is dying. So, I might be able to help you if you want.”

Veronica sniffled as she raised a palm to her eyes to wipe away her tears. I never was one to believe in fate, but at this point in time, I am wondering if it had been fate that brought me here. This beautiful woman was in pain, and I might have the power to rid her of her tears.

I had to at least try, even if it was a long shot. I have removed many complicated tumors before. I didn’t think I was a surgical god, but others have said that about me.

For a moment I thought I saw a little hope in her eyes, then it disappeared as she looked down at the ground. “I can barely afford his treatments. I doubt I can afford the surgery.”

“What kind of tumor is it?” I asked while I tucked a strand of hair, which fell loose from her messy bun, behind her ear.

“He has brain stem glioma. It was benign, but I was just told today that it is much worse. Now it is killing h-him.” She choked on her last word, but she kept herself from crying.

I took a moment to think about the situation. It wasn’t that I didn’t think I could do it. I have dealt with that kind of tumor many times. Before I could process everything, my mouth decided at that moment to blurt something out.

“Marry me.”

The look on her face was priceless, her jaw became slack as her eyes widened at me. For the life of me, I don’t know why I said that. Yet now it was out and oddly enough, I didn’t hate the idea.

“You have got to be kidding.” She managed to say through the shock on her face.

“Here me out. I can help your brother with the surgery, and I have more money than I know what to do with half the time. My grandfather is dying and told me I need to get married before he dies. Obviously, you need help and I need a wife. I know it sounds crazy, but I will provide anything and everything you and your brother need.” I explained.

“Why do you have to get married for your grandfather's sake?” She asked, her brows pulled together in confusion.

Damn, she was absolutely beautiful. Even with puffy eyes and snot running down her nose. In all my thirty years, I couldn't think of a single woman I have met that was this stunning to me.

“He is telling me that if I don’t marry, he will take away my inheritance. It isn’t that I need the money, but that kind of money would be able to help a lot of sick people. I had planned to donate the money to a cancer research center.”

“There is no way I can convince him that I have known you for a long time and that we are in love.” She sniffled once more.

“You don’t have to. He won’t care that I just met you, nor how we met. He only wants me to get married.”

I don’t know why I felt so desperate for her to say yes. Yet, I didn’t care if I had to sit outside all night to convince her to marry me. I had to be the biggest fool in the world for giving into my grandfather’s wishes and marrying someone I barely knew.

“So, if I marry you, you will help my brother survive?” She asked, her eyes darting between mine as she studied me.

“I will do absolutely everything I can.” I promised her.

I thought she would need more time to process this, but then she answered without hesitation. “Okay. I will marry you.”

The sense of relief inside me was more than I expected. Yes, she was beautiful, and I enjoyed her company, but what in the hell made me ask her to marry her? More than that, why in the hell was I happy about it?

“Come on, let me take you to your new home and we will go to the courthouse first thing in the morning. Afterward, we will visit my grandfather and your brother. I will look over his case to see what I can do.”

Pushing myself off the ground, I held out my hand to help her off the ground. Placing her small hand in mine, I pulled her up gently. Her attention moved to the bar, and she looked as if she was about to back out of our deal.

If the courthouse were opened right now, I would take her there. The last thing I wanted was for her to change her mind. Not sure what to say, I bit my tongue as I waited for her to say something.

“I need to return to work.” She finally said.

“You are in no condition to work right now. I am sure your boss will understand.” I said, my hand still holding hers.

“Okay. I just need to go in to grab my stuff.”

My hand felt like it was missing something important when she pulled hers from mine and started toward the door. Following her in, I waited outside the door to the room she entered. Leaning against the wall, I noticed the man from earlier approaching me.

“Is she okay?” He asked, his gaze falling to the door she had gone through.

“No. She will be though. I am taking her back to my place to get some sleep.”

“The hell you will. I will not allow you to take advantage of her like that.” He turned to me, his fist clenched at his side.

Rolling my eyes at him, I tried to keep calm as I took a deep breath. “I am not taking advantage of her like that. She has agreed to marry me, and I am going to help her save her brother.”

“You are taking advantage of her. You are holding her brother over her head so she will marry you.” The man glared at me.

He wasn’t entirely wrong I realized. Yet, I wasn’t turning back now. Sighing, my eyes returned to the door that hid my future wife.

“I need a wife and I am a neurosurgeon that can help her. Plus, I have more money than I know what to do with. I don’t really see it as me taking advantage of her. It is more that I have the means to help her, and I need a wife. She needs me more than I need her. Trust me, I am not going to do anything she doesn’t want to do.”

The man stepped in front of me, blocking my view of the door. “I meant it when I said that if you hurt her, there isn’t enough money in the world that can protect you.”

Feeling slightly annoyed, I looked into his eyes and saw that he was just being a concerned friend. If I were going to marry Veronica, I doubt she would like me to mess with him. Cooling my temper, I shoved my hands in my pocket.

“I have no intention of hurting her. I only want to help her. Now, we can learn to get along or not, either way, I am going to marry her. My name is Lyrek, by the way.”

I saw his jaw clench before he responded. “You’re an ass is what you are.”

“Typically, when someone gives you their name, it is only polite for you to return the favor.”

“Rick.” He said through clenched teeth.

“Nice to meet you, Rick. Now if you don’t mind, I am going to take my bride home.” I said the moment the door opened.

Rick turned around just as Veronica stepped out. “Are you seriously going to marry this guy?”

“If it helps Andrew, then yes. Please understand and don’t make this more difficult than it already is. I promise I will be okay.” She responded, placing her hand on his shoulder.

I could see that she cared for him, so I couldn’t fault the guy for looking out for her. If I were in his shoes, I would do the exact same thing. This wasn’t a normal situation by any means.

“If you get into any trouble, just call me.” Rick told her, pulling her in for a hug.

Jealousy seared through my blood at them hugging. It didn’t bother me, but after holding her in my arms, I hated the idea of another man holding her. When she stepped back, she slung a large bag over her shoulder.

Taking her hand in mine once more, I lead her out the back of the bar. She waved back at Rick as we left him standing in the hall. She gave me a small smile when we were outside, and I saw the sadness in her eyes. This time, I knew why she looked so sad.