Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
It’s him again. “I’m wearing the dress. Please, I need to see my daughter.”
He sweeps inside and tosses a pair of flats at me. “Put these on. We’re running late.”
“Please—“
“God damn it, stop being difficult.” He rubs his forehead. “Your daughter is fine. She’s waiting with everyone else and you’ll see her in five minutes if you do as I say.”
That gets my attention. She’s with other people? What are they doing to her? It’s taking a lot of willpower not to melt down but I get the sense this man won’t take it well if I turn into a blubbering mess on the floor.
Besides, Hattie needs me to be strong.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“You’ll see.”
“Who are you? What’s your name?”
He turns to leave. “It doesn’t matter.”
“You’re with him, aren’t you? You’re related to Rafe.”
He glances back and seems genuinely interested for the first time since he brutally saved my life. “My name’s Cassian. Come on, he’s waiting.”
I slip the shoes on.
Again, a perfect fit. How did he know?
This is like a dream.
Except worse, because I built it.
Allegedly for some mysterious couple—who didn’t want to be seen, spoken to, or thought about.
Now all those odd little quirks we ignored because the money was so good seem damn ominous.
I hurry to keep up as Cassian storms into the hall, heading down to where the ceremony is supposed to take place tomorrow morning. I have to hold my dress so it doesn’t drag on the floor.
“Are you his cousin?” I ask when I catch up. I can’t help myself. Questions bubble out when I get nervous. “How many people are here? Who’s waiting for us?”
Cassian glares straight ahead and ignores me.
“Hattie’s safe, right? Who was that breaking into our house? Why were you waiting?”
“I don’t know what the hell he sees in you,” Cassian grumbles as we reach the main door to the massive library. Normally, it’s a basic and dour space, but I spent a lot of time and effort to get it ready. Cassian turns to face me. “Don’t fuck this up for him. Do you understand me? Rafe does nothing for himself, ever, and I won’t have you making a mess of his damn wedding.”
“But I don’t… I’m not…” I look down at myself. The horror of my situation slowly unfolding. “You can’t be serious?”
“If Rafe were standing with you right now, he’d give you an option.” Cassian leans in, voice lowering. “I’m not my brother. You will walk down the aisle. You will stand across from him and speak the vows. If you don’t, you will die. Not by my hand, nor by anyone in this room, but I swear it now, nobody will step in when they finally come. You have no options. You have no alternatives. You will wear my brother’s ring and play his bride. Beyond that—“ Cassian straightens and flings open the doors. “I don’t give a fuck.”
The wedding march starts as cold terror filters down my exposed back.
This can’t be happening.
No, no, no, please, no, God, no—
The library is gorgeous. Fairy lights hang wrapped around creme and silver streamers. Flowers are strewn over every surface. It looks like a wonderland in here, like a beautiful, serene, magical meadow was transported into this old clumsy space.
People stand and stare at me. I don’t recognize most of them. There are maybe a dozen, far less than we had planned for, spaced out across the folding chairs. The effect is strange and bewildering. Cassian takes my arm, gripping it tightly, and starts walking forward—
I follow.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
Everyone’s staring. I look around desperately, hoping someone might step in to save me. Surely they know I don’t want this? Someone’s got to realize I’m being kidnapped and forced into a marriage.
They don’t move a muscle, and I’m drifting to the edge of pure, animal panic, when I see her.
Standing toward the front beside a tall, beautiful woman, is my little girl, Hattie.
She’s smiling.
My god, she’s okay. I let out a strangled sob and only bite back full-on tears at a glance from Cassian. Hattie’s waving at me and grinning, clapping and bouncing, like this is some kind of game.
The woman bends to whisper something. Hattie comes running out into the aisle and flings herself at me. I drop to my knees and take her into my arms, hugging her tight.
“Are you okay, baby?”
“Mommy, you didn’t tell me you were getting married! You’re so pretty!”
I pull back, heart racing. Cassian looms over me. “It’ll be okay, honey, don’t worry.”
“You look like a princess.”
Hattie’s beaming with pure wonder and innocence.
The woman arrives and gently steers Hattie away. “Don’t worry,” she murmurs. “She’s fine no matter what.”
Cassian grunts and tugs me to my feet as my daughter is led back to her position at the front. “Don’t forget what I said,” he mutters, jaw set, and we resume our walk.