The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 43. Turning A Wedding To A Funeral.

"Lettie, dear," Lucian said casually, as if he were greeting an old friend. A smirk spread across his face as he stepped closer.

Emotions raced through Nicolette.

Confusion, anger, and then fear.

If he could walk into Alaric’s safeguarded mansion, she knew he could do anything—and it wasn’t anything good.

"Say something," he said, his smirk widening at the shock in her eyes.

She swallowed, trying to recover. "Hello," she said, her voice trembling.

"Congratulations on your wedding," he said with a smile, his eyes dropping to her cleavage.

He didn’t even hide the lust in his gaze. He kept his eyes there, making her uncomfortable and self-conscious of her exposed body.

She folded her arms across her chest, trying her best to cover up. But she guessed she had made it worse, because his eyes widened and his mouth dropped slightly.

Anger coursed through her.

This fucking man was openly ogling at her.

In public. At her wedding!

No fucking shame.

"Is there any reason you’re here?" she asked harshly as she dropped her hands, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Lucian cleared his throat as his eyes finally moved to her face. "You know why I’m here," he said softly.

But beneath the softness was an unmistakable firmness that made her stomach churn.

Her heart flipped at the look in his eyes, and she tried not to let her fear show.

"You know that’s impossible," she said, steadying her voice. She couldn’t let him know how terrified she was.

"Nothing is impossible, dear," he said, pinching her cheek.

Nicolette froze, her eyes darting around.

This man was flirting openly with her on her wedding day.

In the presence of her in-laws and Alaric’s guests.

Her cheeks turned pink as she tried to stand her ground. Just in case someone was watching, she wanted them to know she didn’t want this.

"But... it is," she finally replied, keeping her chin up. "It’s too late." She raised her hand so he could see the diamond ring resting on her finger.

Lucian’s eyes darkened as they lingered on the ring. "It’s just jewelry, dear. Besides, I got into this secured place, nothing is impossible for me."

His tone filled her chest with fear, and she realized she didn’t want to continue the conversation.

"I think you should leave," she said firmly. "Please," she added.

Lucian chuckled. The sound was so dry, so cold, that the fear in her chest doubled and dropped into her stomach.

"You don’t get it, do you?" he asked, his laughter fading and replaced by a cold stare. He stepped forward, and she flinched. "I don’t care about your wedding party or your shiny ring. I’m just here for you."

"But... you can’t take me," Nicolette replied. "I didn’t make a deal with you—my dad did. So... go meet him."

"I already sealed the deal, and I’m here for you," he said with so much force and annoying confidence that she just wanted to slap the hell out of him.

But she couldn’t even blame him for his possessiveness. Ronald had sold her off and had definitely already started spending the money.

Still, she was determined not to give in to Lucian. He didn’t control her life, neither did Ronald.

She straightened up, channeling her fear into anger and resolution. "I am not a fucking commodity to trade. So fuck off and leave my party."

Lucian’s eyes widened but he quickly composed himself. He stood there in silence, his eyes glinting with a mixture of admiration and delight.

"Fine," he said finally.

She lifted a brow. "Fine what?"

"I can make another deal with you, but we’ll have to talk about it."

She stepped back, confusion simmering inside her. "There’s nothing to talk about, Lucian. Please leave."

"But there is," he said, his voice sharp with objection. "I made a deal with your father. He took my money, and now you’re married—which is obviously not an option anymore."

Nicolette studied him, trying to figure out where this conversation was heading.

"Your husband is a rich man," Lucian said, stepping closer. "Let’s talk about how I can benefit from that."

He wanted her to pay him off.

As much as the option sounded exciting and relieving; because she wouldn’t have to marry him, she still couldn’t trust him.

Why come all this way, bypass security, just to ask her for money?

Besides, he was rich. How much could she possibly offer that would outweigh what her greedy father had already taken?

Still, he was a businessman.

He lived by a code. And no matter how rich he was, his type of men never got satisfied.

Before she could say anything, Suzie called her.

"Lettie?"

Nicolette stiffened, fear gripping her as she turned to Suzie.

Suzie stepped closer, holding Walter with her right hand. "We’ve been looking—" She paused and gasped when her eyes landed on Lucian.

Lucian chuckled, obviously thrilled by Suzie’s fear.

Shit.

"What will it be, Lettie?" Lucian asked, amusement laced through his voice. "We could find a place to talk... or I force you to."

Nicolette’s heart flipped at his threat.

Where the hell was Alaric?

He was the only one who could solve this.

"Come on," Lucian continued, gesturing casually. "It’s your space, your house. What could I possibly do to harm you here?"

He had a point.

But she still didn’t trust him. Something about the way he spoke, his sudden switch in demand, the way he moved, made her uneasy.

And she let that feeling take over.

"Well," she said sharply. "Like I said earlier, I didn’t make any deal with you. My father did. So I advise you to leave my party."

Something dangerous flickered in Lucian’s eyes. He tilted his head, eyes shifting toward Suzie—who was still frozen in shock.

"It would be a shame to waste everyone here just because of your stubbornness," he said, his tone harsh.

Suzie gasped from behind, but Nicolette held her ground. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

He was lying.

He had to be.

He stepped forward, his eyes now serious and red with rage. "I would turn this wedding into a funeral in the blink of an eye."

His tone sent a shiver down Nicolette’s back, and this time, she believed him.

He could do it.

"So what will it be, dear?" he asked, his voice hardened.

Where the hell was Alaric?

Nicolette wanted to argue again, but when one of the guards behind him flaunted his gun, she swallowed her words.

"Right this way," she said tightly.

"Good girl," Lucian said, his hard expression softening into a smile.

Suzie’s eyes widened as Nicolette passed her.

"I’ll be back," Nicolette said with a tight smile, leading Lucian out of the wedding venue and into the hallway.

She prayed silently, hoping to run into Alaric or even Richard, but to her dismay, she met nobody on the way.

Where was she supposed to take Lucian?

She couldn’t take him into a room—that was too risky.

She couldn’t put him in the open either. She didn’t want some reporter seeing them and painting a false narrative.

Then she found a small pathway leading to a quiet spot she hadn’t explored yet.

Perfect.

It wasn’t too open, but not too enclosed either. If she needed to scream, or if someone happened to walk by, they would easily see them.

She turned to Lucian, keeping her voice firm. "So what are we talking about?"

Instead of answering immediately, Lucian turned to his guards. "Leave us."

The guards obeyed, walking away without a word.

Nicolette’s stomach twisted with fear. "What was that about?"

Lucian stepped closer. "I don’t want them listening to what I have to discuss, or interrupting me when I do this."

Before she could react, Lucian grabbed both her hands and raised them above her head, pinning her against the wall.

Fear gripped Nicolette as she struggled. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"You stupid girl," Lucian smirked, his eyes gleaming with so much desire. "Do you really think I’ll let you go just because you’re married?"

Her stomach knotted at the intensity in his eyes. She opened her mouth to scream, but Lucian held both her wrists in just one hand and used the other to cover her mouth.

She tried to wiggle free, but she couldn’t. He was stronger. She was no match for him.

"Lettie, Lettie," Lucian whispered, dangerously close to her ear, his voice thick with hunger.

Before she could wiggle again, he pressed his hardness against her stomach and buried his face in her breasts.