Chapter Two
“ Take off your clothes, sweetheart.”
“ Excuse me?”
“Take off your clothes. I’m not trying to embarrass you, I need to know that you’re not wearing a wire.” He repeated, face blank.
“I’m not getting half naked in front of people, that wasn’t a part of the deal Murdock.”
“So you’ll get naked just for me then? Deal.” With a wave of his hand, the room clears and it’s just you and him. The silence is overbearing as you stand there, wondering if it’s possible to trick a blind man into thinking you’re in your birthday suit.
“Whenever you’re ready.” He says cheekily and with an exasperated sigh, you peel off your shirt and pants, tossing them at Matt who catches them effortlessly, folding them nice and neatly on the chair.
“Let’s just get this over with.” You cross your arms over your chest, shivering slightly in your underwear.
“I promise I’ll be gentle.” He whispers in your ear and your heart quickens. His calloused fingers make their way up and down your body, lingering on scars on your chest.
“What’s this from?”
“ Surgery from when I was ten.”
“And this one?”
“ Surgery to fix that surgery.”
For a split second, he runs his thumb over them in what would be a comforting manner if it wasn’t done by one of the most dangerous men in Hell’s Kitchen. You clear your throat awkwardly and he continues on, quickly enough before resting his hands on your neck.
“I don’t think I’m hiding a wire on my-
“ Are you afraid of me?”
“No.”
“ Your pulse says otherwise, sweetie.”
“ I think we’re done here Murdock, unless you’d like to check my pussy for a GoPro.”
“Language, Sister.”
“Not a sister anymore. If you’re quite finished, I’d like to get dressed. I’ve got work in an hour.” He releases you but keeps your clothes in one hand.
“As of this morning, you quit your job. You’ll be moving in here with me, you’ll dine with me, you’ll go out with me, and you’ll wear what I tell you to wear as part of the contract Foggy drew up that you’ll be signing once we’re done here.”
“What the fuck, you don’t own me Murdock!” You yell but he simply shrugs and hands you a soft silk robe.
“Give me my clothes back.”
“I signed a contract to keep you safe and I can tell you with utmost certainty all that polyester you’re wearing is bad for your health. May I?” Before you can say no, he’s behind you easing the rather luxuriously soft robe around your shoulders and you can’t help but slide your arms in.
“Would you have made me undress in front of all those people if I disobeyed you?” You ask softly as he comes around in front of you, tying the belt closed.
“No.”
“Bullshit.”
He pulls some of your hair out of the robe before grabbing your wrists pulling you close.
“ Let’s get one thing straight, angel. You are mine to undress, mine to play with, mine to protect. Without me, there is no you, understand?”
“Is this how you get all the girls? Threats and iron clad contracts?” You ask, yanking your hands back, balling them at your side.
“Only the ones I marry. Come along Mrs. Murdock, let’s get our love on paper, shall we? “ Matt says, leaving the room without another word, giving you no other choice but to follow him down the series of hallways.
“The penthouse has six floors, four of which you will have personal access to once the ink is dry. Your rooms will be on the third floor across from mine and your security team. Given your condition, I had an elevator installed three weeks back for your own personal use.” He explained, stopping outside a door.
“How thoughtful. How many families were displaced from their apartments so I could live in your Barbie dreamhouse?”
“Are you always this rude to people trying to help you?”
“ Nope, just the ones I marry.”
The door flings open and a blonde man leans on the doorframe, barely containing a smile.
“I see the lovebirds are getting along perfectly already! Foggy Nelson, it’s a pleasure to meet the future Mrs. Murdock. ” He said, offering his hand for you to shake
“It’s nice to meet you too, although if one more person calls me Mrs. Murdock I will see if my toaster can float in a bathtub.”
“ Are you sure she’s a nun?” Foggy looks back at Matt.
“Are you sure you’re a lawyer?”
Someone behind Foggy clears their throat and a pretty blonde woman pops up, papers in hand and a kind, apologetic smile on her face.
“Why don’t we all sit and get started? I’m Karen, it’s nice to meet you.” Before you have a chance to protest, she hugs you warmly.
“ Karen is our head researcher, there’s nothing she can’t find and she’s saved our asses more time than I can count. “ Matt said.
You’re about to ask why a researcher would need a sidearm when Matt offers you the seat next to him. The petty urge to sit on the floor overtakes you but after the strip search and tiny amount of walking, you’re more exhausted than you’d wish to admit. Matt’s head tilts in your direction, listening for what you’re not sure of but you give in and sit.
“So what happens now? Do I sign in blood or is this more of a Little Mermaid situation where I sing and legs appear?”
“ I’ll make this quick. In exchange for all past, present, and future medical debt to be cleared, you will marry Matthew Murdock. Food, shelter, and protection will be provided for you and any money and or assets you obtained prior to your marriage will remain yours but going forward you will have access to an allowance and credit card for any daily needs subject to prior approval. ”
“So I need to ask Murdock for permission every time I need money? I didn’t know I was marrying Woodrow Wilson.”
“ It’s a safety measure, I need to know where all the money is going at all times. Especially from someone who no doubt owns and enjoys purchasing as many hideous sweaters as you do.”
“Furthermore- “ Foggy cuts in, preventing you from attempting to backhand your future husband.
“You agree to all public appearances and social events where both of your presences are required and to be the face of the Murdock Foundation. Should you wish to end your marriage, you will leave with what you came in with. Any debt you acquire after your divorce will no longer be paid for and any attempts to gain income through divulging information about The Murdocks to any press outlet will be considered a breach of both your contract and non disclosure agreement. You don’t talk, we don’t talk. Do you have any questions or are you ready to sign?” Foggy asks, and you just sit there for a minute.
Any sane person would tear up the contract or at the very least have another lawyer look at it to make sure you weren’t signing your life away.
But you couldn’t afford another lawyer, you could barely afford to pay your rent and petty comebacks aside, trying to make your medication last by skipping it every few days to cut costs was really starting to fuck your body up even more than it already was.
The rate you were going you’d be dead in a year.
What was going to be?
Marriage to a dangerous man or death?
"Fuck, who’s got a pen?"