Escaping Into The Dangerous Devil's Arms

Gianna stopped on the third step of the grand staircase.

The thick carpet absorbed the sound of her boots, but the voices drifting from the living room were sharp enough to cut through the heavy silence of the Conrad mansion.

"Yes, of course. The Vaughn family's proposal is exactly what we need."

Kayden's voice was sickeningly sweet. She was pacing near the massive leather sofa, her phone pressed to her ear.

Gianna gripped the wooden banister. The wood was cold against her palm.

Kayden ended the call and turned around. Her eyes locked onto Gianna standing in the shadows of the staircase. A slow, mocking smile spread across Kayden's face.

Before Gianna could move, the heavy oak door of the study clicked open.

Desi Conrad walked out. His face was a hard mask of lines and authority. He did not look at Kayden. His eyes went straight to Gianna.

"Come down here," Desi ordered. His voice left no room for argument.

Gianna forced her legs to move. She walked down the remaining steps, her stomach tightening with every inch she closed between them.

"The Vaughn family has extended an offer of marriage," Desi said. He stood in the center of the room, his hands clasped behind his back. "You will accept it."

Gianna stopped breathing for a full second. The air in the room suddenly felt too thin.

"Me?" Gianna asked. Her voice shook, just slightly. "Why not Kayden? She is the one dating Asa Hogan. She is the one who wants to play the high society wife."

Kayden let out a short, cruel laugh. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Are you crazy?" Kayden said. "The Vaughn family is cursed. I've heard their heirs don't live long. You will just be a young widow. I am not going to waste my life planning a funeral."

The words hit Gianna like a physical blow to the chest.

"You are selfish," Gianna said, her voice dropping low. "You are selfish and vicious."

Desi slammed his hand down on the glass coffee table. The loud crack made Gianna flinch.

"That is enough," Desi snapped. He took a step toward Gianna, towering over her. "You will marry into the Vaughn family. If you refuse, I will take your mother's ashes from the mausoleum and throw them into the city dump."

All the blood drained from Gianna's face.

Her hands dropped to her sides. She curled her fingers inward, digging her nails so hard into her palms that the skin broke. The sharp sting of pain was the only thing keeping her standing.

"You would not," Gianna whispered. Her throat felt like it was lined with sandpaper.

"Try me," Desi said. His eyes were dead, completely devoid of any fatherly warmth. "You are a third-tier actress struggling in Hollywood. You have no money. You have no power. You have no choice."

Kayden stepped closer, standing right behind her father's shoulder.

"You are not even fit to carry my shoes, Gianna," Kayden sneered. "Just