Skylar plumped down, her heart aching. She knew this stress did nothing good for her child but her head pounded and she feared it was perpetual. 

she rubbed at her temples as her mother strolled towards her. 

"How much of that did you hear?" Skylar questioned without gazing at her mother. All she ever wanted was to give her mother peace in her final years but here she was stirring up trouble. She could help but feel worthless.

"Enough." she took Skylar's hand in her own. 

"I had already promised that family to forget the entire ordeal, how could they do this?" She questioned, not expecting an answer.

"Their family truly is powerful, they are capable of anything, but Skylar, I think you should accept the proposal."

Skylar pulled herself out of her mother's grasp, tears invading her eyes. "What?"

"We live in a small town. Its not as progressive as the cities, news of a single mother out of wedlock can be damaging to one's character. You will be the topic of the town's gossip." Her mother advanced.

"I don't give a rat's ass about what the town thinks." she turned her back to her mother, the tears rolling down a path. She knew she was deluding herself by maintaining that she couldn't be bothered by others but it was the lesser of the two evils.

"And what of your child? Will you allow him to be the subject of humiliation? With a father, he can have a chance at a normal life."

"I refuse." Skylar replied through clenched teeth.

"Then you will lose your child to that family. You heard Austin, he will claim custody."

All of her efforts to hold the flood gates under wraps had failed. The waves came crashing and with it the little resolve she had built up. She couldn't stand that her mother would face humiliation because of her.

"This is the best option for the child." Her mother pulled her into her fragile arms.

"Okay...I'll do it." 

***

Austin couldn't contain his anger. Why did it have to be her? He pressed his feet down lower, urging the car faster and faster. Somehow he felt as if his brother was mocking him. He eased his feet off the accelerator, he had more pressing matters to conclude. This was merely an arrangement. She was nothing that he had once believed.

He dialed up Thomas.

"Family crisis over so soon?" His tone mocking. 

"Not quite, but I need a distraction." Austin smirked, his voice smooth and coaxing.

"Lucky for you an assassin's work is never done." Thomas' voice echoed over the sound of his fingers tapping across his keyboard.

That seemed to be Thomas' motto for the past years since Avril left, but Austin knew it was just an excuse for him to keep her out of his mind.

"I have just the thing for you. Simple and quick."

"Perfect. Text me the info." his smile dripped venom.

Austin picked at the tie restricting his access to air, his fingers caressing his glass. "Is there a reason a man with you're good looks would be sulking."

Austin smirked at his glass, immediately turning his attention to the red haired vixen. "Perhaps I was lonely." he suggested, bring his glass to his lips, his eyes never breaking contact with her. He saw her shudder.

"Well perhaps I can help you with that." She responded as she took a seat beside him. Crossing her legs and inching as close to him as possible.

"Trust me, you already have." Austin spoke against her neck, enjoying the way her body roared to life.

He noticed his target rush through to the washroom area and Austin smiled. His mood to celebrate all the more heightened as his task was complete. He downed his drink.

"Shall we?" He extended his arm towards her, not for a second unsure if she would take it. Tonight, the name didn't matter, nor the face. He just needed some comfort, the kind that could only be gained by the meshing of warm bodies. Tomorrow he would deal with his bride to be.

***

Austin parked outside of Skylar's house. His mind yet to figure out a way to convince her of this marriage. The door opened and he saw her rushing out. Her eyes puffy, he could only assume that she was devastated by being abandoned.

He switched of his car and exited. Her features grew darker as their eyes met.

"We yet have much to discuss." He said firmly.

"I accept." She said defeated. 

"Good. Perhaps over lunch?" he offered.

"No." She said instantly. "I mean, I accept...your proposal."  her eyes didn't dare meet his. 

"That was easier than I had expected." He admitted. 

She sighed, her eyes regarding him disdainfully. "I am beginning to learn that I shouldn't dare go against your family. I simply won't win." her voice cracked. "You do everything you can to absolve yourself of liability."

"Lets not forget that you were a willing party in such matters." Austin snapped. He had no real love nor concern for Colin but his years in his family had thought him to always portray such affection despite its non-existence.

Skylar scoffed and began walking off. Austin sighed. "I'll give you a lift, where are you off to?"

"I'll pass." She said as a car pulled up and she got in. 

"She's going to the airport. She's heading back home." Austin turned towards the house and saw a frail woman standing outside.

"She doesn't live here with you?"

"She came to visit me, if she hadn't she never would have met your brother." She said solemnly.

Austin lamented that they weren't the only ones to regret Colin's existence in their lives. As he drove away he marveled over the fact that Skylar lived in the same city as him, as such it wouldn't be much of a hassle to get the wedding done as soon as possible. It was going to be a simple ceremony. But first, maybe it was wise to do some digging on his bride to be.