“Let’s walk,” Donovan said, guiding us down the street with a purposeful stride. “I want you to see something.”
I nodded even though my legs already felt like lead. Everytime he pulled just slightly on my hand to redirect me, it took everything in me not to jerk away. I kept imagining Ivan’s warm palm at the small of my back instead.
We walked in silence until Donovan stopped beside a glossy black car parked along the curb. He rapped his knuckles twice on the roof. Someone inside rolled down the window.
A woman—not Aisling. Someone older, much older.
“This is Marta,” Donovan said, motioning lazily. “She’s going to be your assistant.”
“My… what?”
He smirked. “Someone to keep you on schedule. Handle the boring things. Teach you how this world works.”
My breath stuttered. “I didn’t ask for an assistant.”
“Of course you didn’t.” He tucked a stray curl behind my ear, fingers grazing my cheek with pretend gentleness. “But you need one.”
A cold rush of dread slid through me. This wasn’t an assistant. This was a babysitter. He couldn’t control Ivan and what was happening in my home, so he pivoted.
“We’ll discuss wardrobe and social obligations once you’re properly settled after the wedding. I’ll schedule your appointments, your clothing, makeup, and hair. You will never be without and always be on time.”
After the wedding. That meant I still had time. That meant I didn’t have to worry about looking over my shoulder within my own home… Yet.
I forced a smile. “Lovely.”
Donovan clasped my chin between hisfingers, tilting my face up. “No more moods today, alright? No more silent treatment. It makes me… irritable.”
I swallowed. “I’m trying, Donovan.”
“Good,” he murmured. “Because the wedding is coming up faster than you think, and you need to be ready.”
My heart stumbled.
Wedding.
He hadn’t even proposed yet. I nodded and tried my best to keep my face happy, but it was so hard.
Donovan nodded once and then opened the door. “Marta is going to take you shopping for our date tonight. You’ll get accustomed to having her around and how she operates.”
It was right on the tip of my tongue…I thought we were spending the day together.
I should have known better, but also… why wasn’t I more relieved?
“We have a date tonight?” I asked, quietly and uncertain. I didn’t have it on my calendar.
Donovan pressed his palm into the small of my back to guide me into the small black car, and Marta scooted over. Her salt and pepper hair was severely combed back against her skull, and she wore a tight pantsuit. He didn’t bother with saying goodbye as the door was closed and the windows rolled up, leaving me alone with this woman. I looked up just as he was yanking his phone out of his pocket and pressing it again his ear.
“Donovan is a busy man,” Marta said with a thick accent as she watched me with clear, sharp eyes. “You have a datetonight that is at one of the best restaurants in all of this city… if not the world. He has gone to great lengths to make this day special for you. You should not act so… ungrateful. Many would kill to be in your shoes.”
I nodded. “I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity…”To protect my sister from all of you monsters.“Where are we heading? I was under the impression I was spending the day with Donovan.”
Marta adjusted the sleeves on her coat. “Yes, that was the plan, but plans change. Something came up that required his immediate attention. I will be bringing you to a dress fitting.”
“A wedding dress fitting?” My mind was spinning. This was something I was supposed to do with my family, not some strange woman I just met.
Her answering laugh sounded more like a hacking cough. “Of course not. A fitting for your date tonight. As I said, he went to great lengths to make this night special for you. The least you could be is grateful and a tad bit excited.”
“What restaurant are we going to, tonight?”
