Marriage of Convenience (The Raven Brothers 1)

“She was an intern,” Kade said.

My father’s gaze flicked to mine, and I knew whatever thoughts that were in his head, they weren’t good. Fortunately, he kept them to himself, probably to be shared when I had my meeting with him on Monday.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Ms…”

“It’s missus,” Sara correct him, and I wanted to give her a big kiss.

“Yes, of course.”

“But you can call me Sara.” She smiled, but I saw the worry in her eyes.

“Okay, Sara. Do you love my son?”

What the hell dad? “Our guests are arriving,” I said as several other people came into the restaurant. I took Sara’s hand and led her to the group. As more people showed up, I worked to introduce her and stay close, partly to offer her support, but also to keep my father away.

Within a half-hour, Sara seemed to have settled down, and acted more herself. She was chatting and laughing with our guests, mostly people from other prominent families as well as some people from Raven Industries. At first, they seemed curious about her since she was so young and the marriage came out of nowhere, but within moments, Sara had charmed them. Several of the women invited her to various volunteer groups and other activities. A few men ogled her, which had me wanting to punch them.

“If looks could kill, half the men here would be dead,” Hunter said.

“People shouldn’t look at her like that.”

“I imagine it’s a curse for her.”

I looked at Hunter. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that’s probably all people see. They don’t see a smart woman who’s willing to stand up to a Raven.”

She’d said as much to me once before, but I hadn’t really thought about it.

My father made his way to her. I started to join them but Hunter stopped me.

“She can handle him.”

“She’s nervous.” The need to protect her was fierce in my gut.

“She needs to handle him,” Hunter rephrased his statement. “He’ll respect her for it.”

Hunter was right. Since Sara didn’t seem to be looking for me to come save her, I acquiesced and headed to the bar for a drink with Hunter.

“I’ve got some info on her ex,” Hunter said.

That got my attention. “What?”

“He went to the same school as her. Apparently they were engaged.”

“What?”

“But she left. She didn’t seem to have a lot of friends, but some acquaintances suspected he was controlling. He was also fucking her roommate while they were supposedly engaged.”

“Not her though.”

Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

“She was a virgin.” I wasn’t sure why I told him that.

“Really? Wow.” He looked over at Sara. “She gave you her V-card, huh? She must really like you.”

I had twin feelings of guilt at having taken her virginity without much care, but also warmth that she’d chosen me. She constantly surprised me. She was young and innocent, and yet smart and brave. She entered into a business deal with me, but she didn’t act like it. She was ready to mother a child we didn’t know if we’d made yet. She put up with my brothers, and me, with wit and grace.

From across the room, my father laughed, something I hadn’t seen him do in a long time. Sara smiled at my father. It was radiant, and my heart turned over in my chest with pride and something else. Jesus, was I falling for her?

I remembered how earlier in the week I’d reminded her she had an out in this relationship, and for the first time hoping she wouldn’t take me up on it.

“You okay?” Hunter asked.

I nodded, even though I felt a little unsteady at the prospect that I was falling in love with my wife.

“I’m going to check on something in back,” he said.

“Yeah, sure.” I turned to the bartender and ordered two seltzer waters, with the intention of taking one to Sara, and drinking the other. As I waited, I saw an unfamiliar middle-aged man approaching Sara. She caught sight of him too and her face dropped, moving quickly to unease.

Immediately, I made my way to her, but couldn’t reach her before he did.

“You owe me,” he said as I finally reached him.

“Who are you and how do you know my wife?” I demanded, pulling Sara close to me.

The man jerked back in surprise. “I was her professor. I wasn’t aware you were married to her.”

I looked at Sara wondering what the hell her professor wanted with her and why she looked so unsettled that he was here. “Did you invite him?”

She shook her head. “No.”

I turned to him. “You’ll need to leave.”

The professor’s demeanor turned ominous. “She owes me.”

“Send a bill to the Rookery.” I scanned the room looking for Hunter.

“This is a bill only she can pay. She seduced me to get her internship. I guess she’s worked her way up and you fell for her innocent and helpless scam too.”