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                               Chapter one 

The Stowaway.

Chapter one.

Zoe's point of view.

Zipping up the figure-hugging black dress, I slip on my shoes and fix my lippy in my full-length mirror.

Damn, I look good!

Tonight it's my twenty-first birthday party, Daddy has arranged for a massive party, all my family and friends plus many of daddy's business associates have all been invited.

One last check in the mirror and I head out the door, My father and my big brother are waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.

He smiles when he sees me. "You look beautiful Princess so grown-up."

He says as he takes my arm in his and leads me to the waiting limo He sits in the front, and My brother Mark jumps in the back next to me; He squeezes my hand, I've always been close to Mark after my mum passed away he became the protective big brother he leans over and whispers.

"You look stunning Sis; I'll be fighting the boys off you all night."

I giggle and squeeze his hand,

"Thanks, Mark."

The car leaves the drive, and we head to the Rutherford estate, James Rutherford is my fathers business partner, I've heard he's ruthless. However, I've never really spoken to him; I went to school with his oldest son Austin he's a couple of years older than me, and he gives me the creeps, there were lots of rumours about him at school, stories of him forcing himself on some of the girls, nothing was ever proven though, but it was also rumoured his father paid the families off giving them enough money to relocate and live a comfortable life, I've always kept my distance from him, not just because of the rumours there's just something sinister in the glint of his eyes.

We finally pull up outside the grand estate, and I sigh as I look out of the window, his place is like a castle, I knew the Rutherfords were rich I just never knew how rich, my father comes round to open the door for me I notice he seems to be nervous. My father is never nervous, he smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.

I shrug it off after all its not every day your only daughter reaches twenty-one. He takes my arm in his and leads me up the marble steps, Mark following behind.

James Rutherford is standing at the top of the steps smiling as we make our way up, he takes my hand leaning down to kiss it, I smile as I force myself not to pull my hand away, something about this guy gives me the creeps, like father like son right?  He turns to say.

"Zoe you are looking ravishing my dear, wait until Austin sees how beautiful you are tonight."

Ew, no thanks I have no intension of going anywhere near Austin Rutherford.

Mark takes my arm and guides me inside as my father stays and talks to Mr Rutherford.

Inside is lavishly decorated in purple balloons and streamers, my favourite colour.

Once inside my friends Amelia and Shannon come running over to me, they each grab my arm and lead me to the bar.

We down a few shots feeling the buzz before hitting the dance floor, my other friends now joining us, Im pretty drunk by now and having the time of my life shaking my booty without a care in the world.

And that's when my life changed!!!

My Dad stands on the stage alongside Mr Rutherford and his Son, he's still looking nervous, and I'm beginning to wonder what the fuck is going on, the music dies down as my father announces on the microphone.

"Can I have my beautiful daughter up here please?" 

Still, I'm oblivious to what is about to happen; I make my way onto the stage to stand next to my father smiling at the crowd in front of me as my father says.

"Id like to thank you for all joining us today to celebrate Zoe's twenty-first birthday."

The crowd cheers as I smile., Mr Rutherford and Austin, make their way to stand next to my father as the older man takes the microphone from my father, my father turns white as  Mr Rutherford begins addressing the crowd.

" I'd like to thank you all for coming to the Rutherford estate to celebrate my future daughter in laws twenty-first birthday and would like to congratulate her and Austin on their engagement, Welcome to the family Zoe."

The smile falls from my face as I hear the shocked gasps whispered around the crowd.

I turn to look at my father shocked this can't be true. Daddy would never do this to me. He turns to me his face pained.

"Im so sorry baby, I had no choice."

I realise he's serious as he struggles to keep his tears at bay. Im still in shock when Austin Rutherford drops to his knees in front of me placing a big ugly rock on my wedding finger. I hear my brother shouting my name as two security men hold him back.

"Let me fuckin go, father, you can't do this."

The two security guards drag my brother away as my father follows, I turn to follow them, but Austin has hold of my arm, his fingers digging into my skin drawing blood, as he whispers in my ear.

"If you value their lives you stay here smile and say nothing."

I do as Im told as Mr Rutherford smiles at me and its not a friendly smile either he addresses the crowd again as a group of waitresses hand trays of drinks throughout the crowd.

"I'd like you all to raise a glass and toast the happy couple the future Mr and Mrs Austin Rutherford."

Everyone raises a glass to toast, Im frozen to the spot watching the horror on my friend's faces, how could my father do this to me.

I soon find myself being guided around the room as Austin keeps a firm grip on my arm, introducing me to his business associates.

My father and Mark return to the room, I can tell by Marks face he's livid, but he remains quiet glaring at Austin as he keeps hold of my arm.

Daddy walks over to us; he turns to Mr Rutherford and says.

"You got what you wanted, may I take my daughter home now?"

Mr Ruthford laughs before replying.

"The future Mrs Rutherford will remain on this estate as we prepare for their wedding."

My father speaks,

"You bastard that's not what you promised, you said I could take my daughter home."

My father raises his voice before Mr Rutherford speaks again.

"You know Im not a man of my word when it comes to business My Myers."

I shout out, 

"Oh so im a business deal now?"

Mr Rutherford turns to me with a look that makes me flinch before he says.

"Child, you are simply a beautiful trophy on my Sons arm, I saved your father from bankruptcy, you shall save my son's reputation.

"I feel the Anger coming off Mark as he says,

"If that sick fuck lays one finger on my little sister, I will fucking kill him.

"Mr Rutherford laughs as he says.

"Don't worry, Zoe will have her own room at least until the wedding night when the marriage is consummated."

"Over my dead body,"

Mark screams before he is once again dragged from the room. My father turns to look at my one last time as he says.

"Im so sorry baby."

I turn my back on him as he walks away, how could he do this to me.

I spend the rest of the night by Austin's side; my arms hurt hes holding onto it so tight I know im going to have bruises tomorrow. I pull my arm from his grasp as I say.

"You're hurting me."

Austin turns to look at me, 

"Don't be such a drama queen Zoe; I can show you real pain if you prefer."

Well, that made me shut up, I winch as he tightens his grip more, Mr Rutherford makes his way over to us. He says.

"Maybe you should show Zoe to her room now."

Austin pulls me through the doors and up a grand staircase. If the situation were different, I would be on Awe. Once we're upstairs, he pulls me into a beautiful room, with a sneer on his face as he turns to me and says.

"Make yourself at home fiancee."

He turns and leaves the room. I run to the door.

It's locked.

How the fuck can my life change in a matter of hours.?

How can my own father do this to me?