TWENTY-TWO
Lilah

My heart is beating out of my chest at the newly found news. I know if Dale goes to Germany he's just going to drag me with him.

"I'd like to take my wife with me." I jump a little when I feel him grip my leg tightly under the table.

I look at Ollie to see him looking at Dale with furrowed eyebrows.

"No can do, my friend. It's a solo trip." Nasir smirks, leaning forward on the table.

"Then I have to decline." Dale huffs, sitting back on his chair.

"This isn't an offer Dale, it's an order. If you decline then we'll be forced to fire you." My breathe hitches and I can't help the whimper that escapes my mouth when Dale's grip tightens to the point where it begins to hurt.

"Get off of her." Ollie grits, glaring at the man next to me.

I release a shaky breath when Dale finally decides to let go. I watch as he stands up from his chair and looks down at the two men.

"I have a very important contract that can only be managed if I'm in the country, sir." Dale informs the two before looking down at me, an evil glint in his eyes.

"I'm sure we can sort something out." Nasir picks up his glass and takes a sip of his wine. "Now sit, my friend. We have a lot to celebrate." He grins and sends me a discrete wink.

I furrow my eyebrows and look at Ollie.

He smiles gently.

What have they done?!

Dale slowly sits back down and reaches for his drink, guzzling the whole thing down in one.

"Actually, I think I'm just going to get another drink." Dale stands back up and quickly makes his way to the bar, leaving Nasir, Ollie and I.

"What the hell are you doing?!" I whisper harshly and Ollie's face falls. "You can't transfer Dale, it will mess everything up." I explain to the two.

"How so, Lilah?" Nasir tilts his head. "Don't you want out of this treacherous marriage?" I tilt my head.

He knows.

"I only told him you were in an arranged marriage. I'm sorry." Ollie looks down and I shake my head.

"It's fine."

"That man is an absolute fucking idiot, you're too good for him. Before he gets back, explain to me about this contract." Nasir tells me and I down the rest of my wine.

"My parent's were in a lot of debt and they were friends with Dale's parent's. They offered to help and of course at the time my parent's were desperate so they made an offer which involved me marrying their son.

"The contract is...well was meant to only be three years which would end next year but my parent's happen to be in more debt than they originally were so now it's been extended for another two years." I release a short breath and look at the two men.

Ollie gives me a soft look while Nasir looks at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"So your parents sold you, made you their puppet." My breathe hitches at his words and I bite my lip but slowly nod my head.

Nasir scoffs.

"Then they're not parent's. No-one in their right mind would put their child's well-being at risk, no matter how hard it gets." My eyes begin to water and I look down at my lap. "Why will transferring Dale mess things up? If I'm right the contract will no longer be of good use as he will be in a foreign country."

"His family are dangerous people. His parent's have already threatened to kill me." Nasir's face hardens and I glance over his shoulder to see Dale making his way back over to us.

"Well, Lilah. I can be just as dangerous." Nasir shrugs his shoulders and begins to play with the knife that is sat in front of him.

I gulp.

My eyes then fall on to Ollie who stares at me intensely.

"We're going to get you out of this marriage, baby." Ollie whispers and I smile gently.

"I'm not going." Is the first thing Dale says as he sits back down with us.

Nasir chuckles.

"How about I give you a few days to re-evaluate your answer? Maybe then you'll have a more wise decision. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got places to be." I watch as he stands and buttons up his suit jacket.

He sends me a wink and pats Ollie on the shoulder before walking out of the restaurant.

"I'm going to visit my parent's over the weekend. I don't need you there." Dale hisses in my ear and I grit my teeth.

He downs his drink and then stands up from his seat.

"Where are you going?" I whisper up at him.

"Home. I need to pack."

"For Germany I hope." Ollie smirks and Dale sends him a small glare.

"How will I get home?" I don't really know why I'm bothering to ask, it's not like he's bothered.

He pulls his wallet out and my eyes widen when he throws some money on the table.

"Get a taxi." He scoffs and my mouth falls open as he storms out of the restaurant.

"Just say the word, beautiful and I'll have him sorted." I sigh at his words, wishing it was that easy. "You know what I'm going to do right now?" He questions me as he begins to type on his phone.

"What?" I tilt my head and look at him curiously.

"I'm taking you away from all of this, baby." I frown at his words.

What does he mean by that?

"Taking me where."

"On a balcony in Paris hopefully." He winks, a playful smile on his face and I roll my eyes but then freeze.

"Paris?"

"Well your husband's going away for the weekend, is he not?"

"He is."

"Then so are we." He grins and my heart skips a beat.

We're going to Paris

A/N
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