Marta checked her watch. “It’s time to go.”
The city lights outside already burned low, the sky a backdrop of deepening blue as the car waited at the curb—another sleek black sedan.
“Is Donovan meeting us there?” I asked carefully.
Marta adjusted her coat.
“If he wanted you to know,” she said, “he would have told you.”
I should have known better.
The leather was cold against my thighs as I slid across the seat in the car. Marta didn’t join me. She merely leaned down, her face framed in the door like a stern painting.
“Smile when you see him,” she instructed. “Be on your best behavior.”
I opened my mouth to say something—anything, but she was already closing the door in my face. My shoulders rolled forward, and I toyed with the edge of my dress. At least I looked incredible, even if I didn’t look like me.
***
Donovan was waiting at a singular table set up in the center of the room when the elevators to theveryexclusive restaurant opened up. I imagined that any other night, this place was full of people and other tables… but tonight there was only one, and it was surrounded by roses. The only lighting in the room was various candles placed about, also surrounded by flowers.
Behind Donovan were floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city lights. He was wearing a suit, and it looked like he had gotten a fresh haircut. He stood when I entered, and a small smile graced his lips. Somewhere in the room, I could hear a camera shuttering, but I was too flabbergasted by everything happening that I didn’t care to look where it was coming from. He adjusted his sleeves and then his cuff links before he met me halfway.
“I know we didn’t get off on the right foot, and I know you are still very unsure about this alliance, but I want you to know that I will treasure you. I will find out all of your favorites, and I will try my best to be devoted to you.”
His words were soft—soft enough that for a split second, if I hadn’t known better, I might’ve believed him. Might’ve thought he truly meant them. Might’ve let myself fall for the illusion of gentleness and redemption.
But the memory of Aisling’s voice echoing down his hallway slammed into me like a wall.
Donny, come back to bed…
And then the feel of his fingers crushing my cheeks, squeezing until my lips puckered.
You are my property.
The room smelled like roses and candle wax and something expensive I couldn’t name, but underneath it all lay the faint scent of deceit.
I forced a smile as he reached for my hand.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said softly, and I believed him. He truly thought that about me; I could see it in his eyes and the way he held my hand. But I couldn’t think of anything else about it… because before I knew it, he was down on one knee before me.
“Like I said, this might not be easy to get used to, but I will be a good husband to you. Eventually, you may come to love me, and I can’t wait for the day, but until then, will you Marry Me? Will you allow me to protect you and yours?”
My throat closed.
The room fell away.
The distant click of a camera was hardly registered.
All of it blurred into a single, suffocating moment as Donovan Madden looked up at me from one knee, and he was smiling.
Not the cruel smirk from the penthouse.
Not the bored, lazy grin he flashed when he flirted with waitresses.
A real smile.
All I could think about was Ivan, all I could see was Ivan. All I wanted was Ivan, and he was somewhere else playing babysitter with my sister.
