Chapter Three - No is not an option

Regina's POV "No" The word was out of my mouth faster than I could think. There was no way. There had to be something else that I could do. Another price that I could pay. "I can't do it" "I didn't realize I gave you choice to accept or decline" my father said casually. "No papa. I cannot do this.... you can't ask me to marry Tomas" I was bewildered, but also angry. Tomas was everything I hated in a made man. He was arrogant, heartless and his family's position really got to his head. Worst part, he wasn't even the Don yet. I heard of all the despicable things he does and I wanted nothing to do with him or the Arcane family in general. They were the worst of the worst. If he eventually became the don, I hate to wonder what he'd do. I didn't trade my freedom five years ago to end up as a puppet wife to Tomas Arcane. There were taking me back to five years ago only the situation was much worse. "I am not asking you Regina. The agreement has been made, I only called you here to inform you rather than informing you on the night of your engagement" he said simply. "No way. I took that deal because I wanted to be free of this life" I shouted at my father. "I want a life away from all this blood. I want to be my own person, own my business, live my life without any fucking worries about betrayal and getting killed" how could that ever happen if I'm dragged back. "But that is your life. Only you can't enjoy the benefits without the risk. They come together" Lucio spoke for the first time and I shot him a cold look. "You only need to attend the wedding and play your part in this union. If you are a good wife, Tomas will let you keep your business and ..." "I don't need anyone to let me keep my business" I cut him off angrily. "I don't need anyone to let me do anything" I am my own person, I took the deal from my father because I wanted an independent life and not to end up locked under a man's thumb much less one like Tomas Arcane who will be given liberty to choose what I can and can not do. That wasn't the kind of life I wanted to live. "I told you we shouldn't have let her out if this house, she seems to have forgotten every rule she has been thought" Enzo marched towards me. "This family will not sink because of your selfishness and stubbornness. You will marry Tomas Arcane or......" "Or nothing" I yell at him. "If it is so important, why don't you get married to him, after all you are ...." "Don't you dare" Enzo shouted in my face, his face red and full of fury. His fists tightened by his side, like he held in the urge to strike me. "That's enough" Father's voice interrupted, but did nothing to reduce the tension in the air. "There is no reason for an argument. The deal has been made and we can't go back on our word. We need the alliance and we can get it from them. Everyone in this family will do what is expected of them to ensure our longetivity. "Father...." "No exceptions Regina. You've enjoyed the freedom you bought and now it's time to pay the price. You can leave, my men will pick you up for the engagement once a date is fixed" "Are you letting her leave?" Enzo asked father but he just grunts in response. "What if she runs away, you see her reaction to the news? She is going to do something stupid. I suggest we lee her here locked until the wedding" "Are you crazy?" I yell at Enzo. I could care less about his temper right now. I didn't know he hated me this much. How could he suggest that I be locked up. What the actual hell happened to Enzo? He had really become a psycho in my absence. "There would be no need for that. Regina needs time to come to terms with the new change in her life. Let's give her space. You can leave" my father dismisses me and I waste no time rushing out the door, I couldn't bare to be in the same room with them. People who are supposed to protect me are selling me to a demon for an alliance. My father's voice stopped me at door "Do not do anything stupid. I'd hate to retract you the consequences of disobedience" I'm lightheaded as I bolt to my car and drive away, so fast that for a moment, I wished I was driving away from my problems. My brain was on overdrive, trying to find a way out. They had boxed me in and any resistance wasn't go to do anything good for me. I had to find a way out and I had to do it very fast. I needed a drink, against my better judgement, I found myself driving to a club on the outskirts of town. I didn't consider my safety as I stormed in and headed to the bar. I just needed to take my mind of the dreadful things I heard this night. In less than three minutes I had drowned three shots and I kept calling the bartender for more. "You are going to end up crawling out of here in the next hour if you keep drinking like this" a smooth voice whispered in my ears and then a large body slipped in the empty stool beside me. I drop the glass and turn side ways, ready to lash out at the stranger but the words die in my mouth as I realize who it was. A man I thought I'd never see in flesh ever again. Dante D'Amore, the bane of my existence.