“I see there is no talking you out of this, but don’t pretend you’re doing it just for Ace.” I won’t. “When is she getting here?”
“She is supposed to be here this afternoon. Carter said she’s still loading up her car.”
“You have someone watching her?” George closes his eyes, taking a deep breath as if talking to me is exhausting him. Her car is a piece of shit. I wanted to make sure she got here safe.
“Of course.” When you have something rare and irreplaceable, you protect it at all costs.
“Shall I prepare one of the guest rooms?”
“No, she is going to be my wife, and she’ll be staying in my bed.” He starts to say something else, but I hold my hand up, stopping him.
There is no use discussing this. “We’ll be married today.” I don’t want to give her time to change her mind. Hell, she might do it the second she sees my face.
“Fine.” He leaves my office. I lean back in my chair, pulling the picture back out of my desk.
“Soon.” I brush my finger across her face, betting everything I have she’s softer than anything I’ve ever touched. “You will be mine.”
2
Fawn
I stare up at the giant metal gate, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth. I can’t believe I’m here. Not that I really had much of a choice. Not when it comes to Grams. I would do anything to help her.
We’ve all heard the story about Rose Point Manor. It sits on a giant hill that overlooks the city below. It has always reminded me of a giant castle. It’s breathtaking. Of course, everyone says it is haunted by a beast. I never believed any of those stories as a child, but now I’m starting to think that maybe they're real. Only a beast would make a woman marry him.
My stomach drops as the giant metal gate begins to open. I sit for a moment, trying to get myself together. I don’t know why I’m procrastinating. There is no backing out at this point. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath in before I pull forward and begin driving down the long, winding road to the top of the hill.
I step out of my car, taking it all in. I thought this place was beautiful from a distance, but up close, it’s even more stunning. It’s hard to wrap my mind around the fact that I’m going to be living here now. I swallow the emotion that’s trying to escape. I’m getting married to a man that I know nothing about. I run my hands down the front of my jeans, my nerves getting the best of me.
The double front doors swing open, revealing a tall, thin man who is dressed in a butler's outfit. I suppose it’s actually a uniform. Do people even have butlers anymore? It seems a little excessive.
“Miss Hawthorne,” he greets me. “Don’t worry about your things. We’ll collect them and put them into your room.” His smile is warm and helps calm my nerves a bit. “I’m George. I run the Rose Point Manor.” He reaches his hand out.
“Call me Fawn. It’s nice to meet you.” I know it’s not this man's fault that I’m here, so I reach my hand out to shake his.
“Let me show you around a bit.” I follow him inside of the house. The doors closing with a thud behind me making me jump.
“Sorry.” George offers a smile.
“I can be a little skittish,” I admit. My eyes go to the giant chandelier in the entryway, to the marble flooring and the grand staircase. This whole place screams of money. Why does this man need me as his wife? I'm sure there is likely a line of women willing to call this place home, and he wouldn’t have to blackmail them. I have so many questions that are unanswered.
I swallow, my hand going to my neck. I suppose I don’t know what he looks like. My father did reassure me he wasn’t some white-haired old man. At least that’s something.
“You can give your tour later, George,” a deep voice rumbles, causing goosebumps to break out along my skin. I spin around to see two doors that now stand open. In the doorway is a freaking giant. He takes a step out and then another. My eyes lock with his. He has gorgeous gray eyes that remind me of a dark storm. Some people may find them intimidating, but I find them intriguing. He shifts, revealing more of himself to me.
His face is all hard edges and lines. The man looks as though he is made of stone. The scar that runs across the right side of his face only adds to this whole scary vibe he’s got going on. I bet if he smiles, he might actually be handsome. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’d still be a bit scary at his size.