At that time, I wasn’t rich enough to be invited to Rose’s famed eighteenth birthday party. The gossip columns said it cost over three million. The most famous singer in the world serenaded the crowd. Guests went home with goodie bags full of the latest phones and actual gold chips. At the stroke of midnight, young Rose was revealed—beautiful and ethereal in a way that made angels weep, with waist-length black hair, a spotless complexion, and a body made for sin. She was introduced around the room, danced one song with her brother and then disappeared again to the private girls’ college. There was the occasional paparazzi picture of her when she would return home.
Garrick had suitors lined up for her down Fifth Avenue, but they were all turned away. It’s not clear whether he was searching for the right man or simply wanted to keep her for himself. It doesn’t matter now.
He took the most important woman in my life and now it is time I take the most important woman in his. I didn’t realize when I started this journey that person would be his sister.
Chapter 2
Rose
Regardless of how still I try and sit, I can never make myself invisible. My brother is on edge today and I know the smallest thing could set him off. He keeps fidgeting in his chair, unable to keep still. Something is amiss, but I haven’t had the time to put all of the pieces together to know exactly what it is yet. He appeared at my door insisting that I go to a meeting with him today. I tried to ask questions about this urgent meeting but the only thing he said was that I should pretty myself up. Those words always slice through me. My brother has always been cold to me. I am used to him trying to use my looks for his benefit. He treats me as if I was a prize to be put on display. That’s how he always made me feel in public. The four years of college I did was all for nothing. I was only something that should look pretty. Never should I have an opinion on anything, that isn’t allowed. I am to smile and keep to myself.
I’ve always done what I was told. I know better than to get on my brother’s bad side. I learned that at a young age. He is known for his temper and the fits of rage that send everyone running. I try not to poke the beast the best I can. One minute he will fly off the handle and the next he’ll be begging for my forgiveness. Everyone thinks I live this glamorous life. Little do they know that I live with a monster that could turn on me at any moment. His apologies fall on deaf ears these days. They are always the same.
I swear, Rose, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to grab you so hard. Forgive me. It will never happen again.
Lies. It always happens again. There is no pleasing my brother. The only reason I try is because I don’t want to deal with the fallout of him going into a fit. A spoiled boy who doesn’t know how to control himself or understand the word no. He thinks he can take and have whatever he wants.
Today is different though. Internally I am shaking but I keep my appearance stoic. I have never seen my brother act this way. He is nervous, which makes my hands start to sweat. I have learned to deal with his mood swings, but I don’t know how to gauge this new situation. I can tell by the way he is acting that he doesn’t have the power today. It belongs to the man we are here to meet, Hunter Keal. I know who he is. All the girls do. I heard about him a little over a year ago. Everyone at school went gaga over him. He was handsome.
I’m just not sure why I am here. My brother never takes me anywhere. I know nothing about our family’s financials and how things really work. I’m not privy to those things. I also know not to ask. Today is the first time I’ve gotten any of that sort of information. Garrick made it sound almost dire on the car ride over. That Hunter could make or break our family. That we could fall into financial ruin all because of him. The only reason he has given me any details is because he wanted to make sure he made Hunter out to be the villain. I don’t trust anyone at this point, especially men.
Garrick tossed that little bit of information my way and then sealed his lips on the subject. He didn’t bother to explain to me how we’ve gotten to a place where someone has such power over us. To be honest I don’t care. If we lost everything that would mean the ivory tower my brother keeps me in would be taken away too. Good riddance. There would be nowhere to hide me away any longer. That sounds wonderful to me. Except for one little problem.