Collaring Cinderella

“I tell it like it is,” she grinned. “By the way, before I leave… I brought you something.”

She made me stretch my palm out and placed something light and papery in it. I looked down to find a wad of cash.

“Edna!” I said in shock. “What is this?”

“I know you want to get away from her,” she said. “And I just wanted to help you along. This house is too small for you, Ella. You need to get away.”

“I… I don’t know what to say,” I mumbled. “But I really can’t accept this, Edna. It’s just too much!”

“You can, and you will,” she insisted. “And I want to play a part if your story, even if it is a small one.”

My eyes watered but she hushed me and left the house. I watched her walk down the path as the sky turned midnight blue, and I knew that no matter what Martha said, Edna was the best friend I’d ever had.

But the money felt heavy in my hand, and I stashed it down the front of my top so Martha wouldn’t notice. But that wasn’t the only reason I was nervous.

Things had been so different a mere few hours ago, when I hadn’t gone into the mansion, hadn’t met Rafe Goldwyn in the flesh. That morning, I knew I was going to leave the small sleepy town we lived in, and walk away not regretting anything. But now, here I was, with Rafe on my mind and my heart beating with a new purpose.

A few hours ago, walking away seemed like the easiest thing to do.

But now, I felt like invisible strings tied me to the house… and pulled me towards the mansion.

Towards him .P RINCESS ELLA WAS PERMANENTLY ON my mind, etched into my skin, her taste a fresh memory on my lips.

I couldn’t think of anything else. I spent the next few days trying to distract myself from her, deliberately avoiding the areas where I knew she’d be working with her stepmother. I couldn’t face her again, especially with Martha around. And I had a whole slew of other problems that needed my attention, even though Ella was first and foremost on my mind.

My father had requested to speak to me, and I knew I had to honor his wish.

His name—Alvin Goldwyn—was a synonym for power.

My father had inherited the family jeweler business and brought it to its former glory. He had no artistic abilities of his own, but he employed only the very best and made the company flourish. Under his supervision, the Goldwyns went from being millionaires to billionaires, and the family fund grew larger and larger. But none of it helped.

He pined after my mother for years after she’d left us, as opposed to myself—I was done with her the second I realized she’d left me for a life of glamour and glitz. Dad wasn’t like that, though. He had truly loved her, and her departure had left a mark on him as well as our relationship.

He never blamed me for her leaving outright, but I knew in the back of my mind he believed it was my fault. If they hadn’t had a son, she would have stayed. But on the other hand, who would inherit the family fortune? My father had wanted a child his whole life, and having only one son was a sore spot for him. He still loved me, I knew that. Even so, the weight of what my mother had done lay heavily upon us.

And the worst part was, I didn’t know how much time I’d have to make things right between us.

Dad was sick. Very, very sick, in fact. The doctors had only given him a couple of months, and the end of those was drawing near. They’d told us he’d be lucky to see the New Year, and the thought of it made me panic.

I was old enough to take care of my own shit. Thirty-five, able to handle anything life threw at me. I couldn’t imagine losing my father, though. He was a rock, a sounding stone, and a much-needed friend. And I had no idea what I would do in a world where he didn’t have my back.

He was staying at his home. He’d left the mansion to me ten years ago when I secured my first billion in the company. Now, he lived in a house just as luxurious as the old family manor, about a half-hour drive away.

I was thinking about anything and everything as my driver took me to see Dad. But first and foremost, sweet princess Ella was on my mind, playing the main role just like she had been for days.

I couldn’t forget the way she tasted. The irresistible sweetness that took over anything and everything when it met my tongue. God, I was already fucking falling for her, and I’d only seen the girl once.