Legally Bound 2: Against The Law by Blue Saffire Page A

game that you are getting severely burned in. I think it’s time you come clean with everyone. If you don’t you will lose what’s most important to you,” Thomas said eyeing her knowingly.
    “But daddy I think it’s too late. Everything is so out of control. Anton’s family is putting so much pressure on him. They’ll disinherit him if they find out the truth,” Rita explained.
    “And you are willing to lose the one you love over this,” Thomas asked with a raised brow.
    Rita gasped as her eyes widened. She was speechless. She should have known her father would know. Nothing involving the Mairetties got by him put her into the equation, and it was definitely on his radar.
    “You hurt him badly Rita. He is trying his best to move on. Minnie and James feel responsible for what happened between you two, so they have chosen to stay out of it from now on, but I can’t sit back and let you two ruin your happiness. I’ll leave you to think about that. I want to get settled in my hotel,” Thomas sighed.
    “I didn’t mean to hurt him,” Rita murmured as she swiped at her tears.
    “We parents know a thing or two and if you two would have just come to us things could have gone a lot smoother. Minnie asked me to give you these pictures of her birthday party. I think you should look at them and think about what you see,” Thomas handed her an envelope before kissing the top of her head and standing to leave. “I love you, Baby.”
    “Thanks, Daddy, I love you too.”
    Rita sat staring at the envelope in her hands long after her father left. She knew Minnie had been greatly disappointed that she hadn’t come to the States for her birthday party despite Marie returning home for it. Rita just wasn’t ready to face Marcus.
    She was sure he heard about her planning her wedding by now. Anton’s family started to put ridiculous amounts of pressure on them to set a date and actually get married. Rita just couldn’t find it in her heart to renege on her friend. So much in his life was revolving around their wedding now. Their engagement had gotten his family off his back for a little while but after three years of no date, they were getting suspicious.
    Rita rubbed her temples. She missed home, and she missed Marcus so much it hurt. She wasn’t sure if he ever wanted to see her again. It tore her apart when he sent her a text about five or six months ago.
    It had been the same day Anton showed up at her place drunk and in pieces. Leo was putting pressure on him, and so was his family. They had just decided to go ahead with the wedding right before Marcus sent his text.
    Rita had no words for what the text said. She had just promised her best friend to help him after he had been through so much with her. She’d cried later that night after reading that text for the millionth time.
    His words were simple. I love you, and I want you to come home. I can’t live without you. If he had said those words four years ago, she would have gone running back to him but things were so out of control now.
    Rita feared what was in this envelope. She knew her father too well not to. If he made a point to give it to her and to tell her to think about them, she was in for something she may not want to see.
    With shaky hands, Rita opened the envelope and slipped the pictures out. The first photo was Minnie and James all smiles and looking youthful. The next one was of them, Marie and the boys. Rita smiled weakly as she looked at the man she loved with his family. He looked so handsome in his tux. His hair was still longer, giving him a regal look. There was a hint of mischief in his smile as he looked at Marie.
    In the next photo, they were all together again but Marcus was looking off to the side with a sexy smile on his face. It peeked Rita’s curiosity right away. Marie hadn’t mentioned the party when she returned because she knew it was a sore topic. Rita now wished she would have asked her about it.
    It was the next photo that