His Savage Love

3

Helen

We're at the dinner table and I can't seem to shake the feeling that something is wrong. When Logan and I came from our talk in the garden my sister had a look on her face. One that spelt trouble with a capital T. My dad was seated at the head of the table with Logan on his right then me next to him. My sister sat across the table from Logan.

"So Logan, what exactly do you do for work?" She asks.
"Work security but I also dabble in real estate, construction and I have a hotel chain"
"You co-own it with your best friend right? Nico DiMarco?"
"No. Nico and I run a construction business together. Kairos Konstantinos and I own the hotels although he's more hands on. It's more his thing"
Before she can get another question out, the maids bring out the main course which is creamy chicken pasta.
"Want to know what Helen studied in school?" She asks smugly.
"Biochemistry. Graduated top of her class."
"How do you know that?"
"It's not like it's hidden knowledge" he says and shrugs.
"Logan I was wondering about the wedding. I was thinking you two could get married in a month and Helen could move in with you on your wedding day" my dad interjects.
"Helen and I will get married when we see fit. I doubt a month is enough time to plan a wedding and I don't want my wife tired on our big day." He says this so nonchalantly as he twirls some pasta around his fork and lifts it to his mouth.
"You're not married so I don't know why you're calling her your wife" Taylor adds, her voice dripping with someone akin to disdain.
"Yet."
"What?"
"We're not married yet but I'd rather get used to calling her my wife", he says.
Continuing he says "As for moving in,we'll discuss that in private."
My precious father chooses that moment to try and assert dominance over Logan.
"A month and she moves in with you on your wedding day. No negotiation."
Logan, with all the aloofness he can muster in his now tense body swallows the last of his wine and looks at my dad and tells him, " Two months and she'll move in with me when we fit"
"This is my daughter and I decide when-"
"Okay quiet! I'll move in with Logan next week Thursday and plan our wedding two months from today. Stop talking about me like I'm not here for goodness sake" I exclaim and push my chair from the table.
A few beats pass and my dad finally clears his throat and shoots a look at me that says we're going to talk later.
"Well I guess it's been decided then. Two months from now" he says, smiling but the smile barely reaching his eyes.
"If you'll excuse me. I lost my appetite" I say walking away to the kitchen.

Logan

"No offense Logan but the sooner you get married the better. It won't be a good look to prolong the wedding for two months. People will talk"

"Benjamin, all offense but I'd rather not rush her into this. She agreed to marry me so that should ease your mind."

"I'm just saying when it comes to my daughter-"

"I don't think you can call her that if you were so keen on selling her off to me"

"It's not a secret. She knows what she's doing. It's for the family."

"No it's for you. You don't have a say in this. She became mine the minute you decided to come to me with your money problems"

"Logan don't you speak to my father like that. Have some respect."

"Taylor you shut your mouth before I ruin you"

"You don't know anything about me" she says with a smirk.

"I know what happened in Ibiza two summers ago."

"How the fuck do you know about Ibiza?" Benjamin asks, his face white as a sheet.

"It happened on my yacht." I say with a shrug of my shoulders.

I get up and take a long look at Benjamin before turning to Taylor.

"Go get Helen. I think it's time I go home"

She gets up and walks out of the dining room leaving me alone with her father.

"Let me make something clear Benjamin. You may have dictated what goes on in my woman's life from the minute she was born but that ended when you came to me. I will not tolerate any disrespect towards her in any form. I will ruin you. Do you understand?"

"She's-"

"Mine. My wife. My woman. Mine." I say getting in his face.

Helen walks in that moment and I straighten up. I ignore her spluttering father and turn to her.

"Walk me to my car" I say, grabbing her hand and leaving no room for argument.

"I want to apologize for what happened in there. I shouldn't have spoken about you as if you weren't sitting right next to me"

"It's okay. It's not like it's going to be a real marriage or anything"

"You keep saying that like you want it to be true"

"It is true"

I look at her for a minute and decide it's best I leave.

"Don't forget. Lunch on Monday at 12:30 at my office. I'll clear you with security when I get in that morning"

"Okay. Drive safe"

"I will." With a kiss on the cheek I get in my car and start the engine. I drive off, looking into my rear view mirror watching her get smaller and smaller.

I wonder how she would feel if I told her I've been eyeing her for close to five years now. First time I saw her I was at her university as a guest speaker on some finance topic. She was walking out of the dean's office as I was walking in and she barely looked at me. I was fucked. Royally. It was the little smile she gave me as she pushed past me. I've been keeping an eye on her ever since.