Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

“I told them about our marriage,” Chase said.

Again, I looked at each of them to try to gauge their thoughts about it.

“How did Chase manage to convince you to walk down the aisle and commit yourself to an asshole?” Kade asked.

Chase scowled at Kade.

“He’s not always an asshole.” It was true, but the brothers found my comment funny and they all laughed.

Kade lifted his glass in a toast to Chase. “I like her. She’s a keeper.”

“You know, Chase, this is the type of thing there should be a party for.”

“We don’t need a party,” Chase said, continuing to stand close to me. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to keep me calm or protect me from his brothers. Then again, his brothers weren’t turning out to be as scary as I’d been led to believe they were.

“It makes sense to have a party,” Hunter said. “Sara needs to be introduced to everyone and most importantly, to meet Dad. Maybe if we all get along, he’ll drop his ridiculous stipulations.”

“For everyone but Chase. As the prodigal son, your stability as a married man and producing the next heir is important,” Kade said. “Thanks for taking one for the team, although I can see that it’s not a big hardship.”

“Shut the fuck up, Kade,” Chase lashed out. “Do you ever take anything seriously? Jesus, she’s standing right here and you’re talking about her like she’s a piece of meat.”

Kade went still, and Hunter stood.

“This marriage might be a business deal, but I won’t have you disrespecting Sara, or anyone in this company for that matter. Grow up Kade and learn some manners.”

Kade’s eyes were lethal as he calmly set his glass down.

“Alright, Chase, he gets the point,” Hunter said.

Kade looked at me. “I apologize if I offended you, Sara.”

I nodded, not sure what to say.

“Back to this party,” Ash said. “Regardless of how Dad responds, he needs to meet her, and she needs to be officially introduced as a Raven.”

“I agree,” Hunter said, looking more relaxed but still keeping an eye on Kade and Chase.

“I never turn down a chance to party,” Kade said, pouring himself another drink.

Chase turned to me. “What about you? Would you like a party?”

My instinct was to say no. I didn’t have much experience with parties where I came from. Coupled with the super-rich people Chase hung around with, I knew I’d stand out like a sore thumb. However, this marriage was about helping Chase, and as such I needed to be a supportive wife.

“Whatever you think is best.”

“Don’t give up your power, Sara,” Kade said from the bar. “Or Chase will boss you around forever.”

“I know a guy that can pull off a party quickly,” Hunter said.

“You know a guy for everything,” Kade quipped, and I wondered if he was getting drunk.

“That’s right, Kade. I know a guy that can make annoying little prick brothers disappear too.”

“Oh my,” I said under my breath.

“Okay, enough,” Chase snapped.

“We can have it at the club,” Ash said. “Hunter you can send your guy over. We should plan for it to happen soon.”

“I agree. We need to get ahead of this before the press or some gossip rag gets a hold of the story. We don’t want them printing something we don’t like, especially in light of what happened today,” Hunter said.

I bit my lip as I worried Glen would do something to ruin the Raven family reputation.

“Yes, we don’t want them calling Sara a gold-digger even if she did marry for money,” Kade said.

He wasn’t wrong and yet in that moment I felt dirty.

“Get out,” Chase’s voice boomed.

“Jesus, Kade, what’s wrong with you?” Ash shook his head as if he didn’t know his little brother.

Kade held his hands up in surrender. “I’m out of here. Let me know about the party… if I’m still invited.”

“I’ll go take care of that other business,” Hunter said with a quick glance to me before nodding to Chase.

Two down, one to go, I thought as the brothers exited Chase’s office.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Ash said, although I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or Chase. He didn’t wait for a response and instead left.

Chase turned me to him, his hands rubbing my arms. “You okay?”

I blew out a breath. “I feel like I was hit by a train.”

“They won’t hurt you, Sara. Kade is an asshole and I’ll work to make him be more respectful—”

“He wasn’t wrong, Chase.”

“I don’t care. I suspect you’re now wondering what the hell you signed up for. My offer stands. If you don’t want to stay in the family, you can leave.”

I pulled away. “I told you, I won’t leave my baby. If I have to put up with all you guys acting like children, I’ll do it.”

Chase’s lips twitched upward in amusement. “It’s a lot to ask.”