The Contract

II

Kane held her securely as they walked from the elevator to his hotel room on the top floor. A slightly shorter, muscular man walked ahead of them and opened the door to the room. Cameron had other thoughts than the luxury of Martoi's apartment, but Daphne stepped in and looked around under Brandon's watchful eyes. Her phone began ringing. Daphne pulled it out of her purse and frowned at the caller ID. Maryland Jaks had decided to harass her again.

Daphne turned and walked toward the window. Lucas watched her. He heard her harsh hello to her caller.

"I can't believe you are trying to cut me out of the company." Maryland's authoritative voice demanded an answer from Armand's daughter.

"You are not part of Jaks Publishing, Maryland," Daphne whispered. "I have better things to do than speak with you."

Maryland paced her living room. How dare this ungrateful woman deny her place in Jaks. Cameron would allow her by her side during this stressful time. Daphne was acting like a bitch because she could not get Cameron on her side. Maryland would do everything to keep her youngest daughter in her grasp. "I should be there for this shameful event."

"You are not invited." Daphne ended the call.

Kane led Cameron into the study, with West following.

Lucas walked up to Daphne as she put her phone away.

"I think they're gonna need you."

Daphne looked over the clean-shaven, bald man. Many would call him a thug, but Daphne knew Kane Martoi would not hire such a man. Lucas Normandy had a privileged place in the Martoi family. He was not a man to play with. But Daphne had a mission to do. "What are you, the muscle of the group?"

Lucas wrinkled his brow. He was surprised to hear her response to his statement. She tried to be tough and resist the emotions running through her body. Lucas noticed this when Kane spoke to Daphne about Cameron when they ended up at the same restaurant. Daphne was meeting a client at a restaurant. "No, I am whatever Mr. Martoi needs me to be. However, we need you to be in the study right now."

Daphne sighed as she walked by him and Brandon.

Brandon watched her enter the study. "You think she's stealing money."

Lucas shook his head. "Nah, she loves her sister and their company."

"I'll look at things with West and see what we find."

Brandon said, walking into the kitchen and grabbing water from the fridge.

Cameron stood before the massive mahogany desk, listening to West as he explained the contract's content to her again. Kane sat behind the desk, watching his future bride trying to control her breathing. She thought her life was over because of this contract.

Daphne walked into the room. She saw the stress on Cameron's face. If Cameron fainted now, Kane would know his future bride was too weak for what he needed. Daphne did not want her sister to be at a greater disadvantage than she already was, so she smiled at her. Cameron frowned, growing the fire on her body and giving her strength.

West gave Cameron the pen, and she signed the contract with a steady right hand, as everyone witnessed.

Kane stood, walked around the desk, and moved towards the back of the room. Daphne walked back to him and stood beside Mr. Martoi as he admired the outline of Cameron's curves. His soon-to-be wife listened to West as he directed her where to sign.

"We are grateful for your help, Mr. Martoi."

Kane did not take his eyes off Cameron as he replied to Daphne. "You should be grateful for your sister. She saved your ass from violence from Mouse, the man you borrowed money from to feed your addiction. So, people have said. What am I to believe?"

Daphne stared at the man's rugged profile. "I don't owe Mouse or anyone else money."

"Who believes your lies beside you? What secrets are you keeping, Miss Jaks?"

Daphne shook her head. "I tried to keep everything together."

"You did not help her. You were the problem." Kane did not take his eyes off Cameron.

Daphne stammered, trying to find the right words to retort Kane's accusations.

"West now controls all the accounts, so you will not gamble it away and jeopardize my new business. My soon-to-be wife will be the CEO, and I will be the majority silent partner."

He heard her gasp.

"So, you better get your shit in order because Cameron will not deal with your bullshit, I will, and I will not care if your ass ends up on the street."

Cameron finished signing the papers and looked towards Kane as he walked towards her.

Daphne looked as if she would faint as Brandon and Lucas entered the room, with the pastor following them.

The ceremony began.

Cameron was a blur when it came to the words and their meanings. However, she did remember the part: "You may kiss your bride." Her new husband grabbed her neck and passionately kissed her lips.

Daphne should have been afraid, but joy filled her body, seeing the determination in Kane's actions.

Cameron whimpered, and Kane pulled his lips away and placed them beside her ear.

"Do you know why this happened, Cameron?"

She slightly shook her head as her lips throbbed. Her soft cheek touched his stubbled cheek. Kane frowned.

"You ignored me,"

"What," her whisper barely reached his ears.

"The Jacobson's dinner,"

Cameron's eyes opened wide. She remembered that event because Daphne said she would attend, but instead, she went to stay with their father after his treatment. So, Cameron had to find a dress and take Daphne's place. The thought of all those people unnerved Cameron, who barely talked to anyone. She saw the deepest and quietest corner and hid the entire night. Daphne intentionally did this to her, knowing how crowds made Cameron uncomfortable. They were arguing about Maryland visiting their father.

"I said hello," her voice was a whisper.

"And then you ignored me the entire night. I stalked you, even as other women tried to garner my attention. I threw away my game plan when I saw you enter the room. Cameron, your refusal to talk with me angered and intrigued me because no one did to me what you did that night. Fate brought us together, and you will not ignore me tonight."

He moved his head back, stared down into her dark eyes, and saw uncertainty in them. Kane gently released her and went to speak to his brother.

Daphne watched her sister stare at her husband's broad back as she approached. She pushed her anxiety and tears down deep into her stomach. "Congratulations. Now, we will see what all those books we read taught you about pleasing a man. You are a terrible sister and will make an even terrible lover and wife."

Before Cameron could react, Daphne hugged her tightly and walked away.

Author's Notes

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