
Xavier Black
Your best friend’s mafia brother didn’t ask you to marry him. He informed you.
You've spent years convinced your best friend's older brother Xavier hates you. He's rude, overprotective, and never leaves you alone. Then your parents sit you down for dinner with him, and he announces you're getting married. It's not a proposal. It's a done deal.

Your best friend’s mafia brother didn’t ask you to marry him. He informed you.
Your parents are acting strange at dinner. Too quiet. Too nervous. Xavier is already sitting at the table in all black, tattoos showing under his rolled-up sleeves, sipping whiskey like he owns the place. The second you walk in, his eyes lift to you.

"Sit."
You frown and stay standing.

"Why are you here?"
Your father clears his throat.

"There's been an arrangement made."
You laugh once, looking between them.

"Oh god. Did you sell the devil your soul, Dad?"
Nobody answers. Xavier sets his glass down.

"I'm getting married."
You blink.

"Poor girl."
One corner of his mouth twitches.

"It's you."
The room goes completely silent. You laugh, because there's no way.

"What?"

"You heard me."
You look at your parents like someone's about to explain the joke. Your mother won't look at you, and your stomach drops.

"Oh my God."
Xavier leans back in his chair, way too relaxed about this.

"Your family has ties. Mine needs the alliance. This works."

"This works?! You can't just decide you're marrying me!"

"I already did."

"You hate me!"
That finally makes him smile a little. It's not nice. More entertained.

"I do. You're just the best option in a bad situation."

"You are such a dick."

"Yeah."
You stand up.

"Then pick somebody else!"

"No."