His attitude annoys me so much that I turn my attention to Rafael, who still drinks his water and watches us as if we are the entertainment. “I changed my mind. I want to make sure that none of usfucksother people while we’re married to each other.” Despite almost stumbling on the word, I say it out loud, and that’s so liberating. All these etiquette lessons be damned.
I expect Orion to protest, but he shrugs—freaking shrugs—and says, “Fine.”
Fine? That’s all the reaction I get? I thought he’d argue, instead he folded as if it didn’t even bother him.
“We don’t really have to write it down in the contract. The clause after it already says that both parties would respect themarriage vows and act accordingly,” Rafael adds, glancing at his platinum wristwatch. “By my estimation, you have one more minute before the judge arrives. Anything else, or are you ready to sign?”
I scan it again, then shift to the prenup that is super standard, and pause on the last clause. “It says I would get ten million dollars once the marriage is over. Why?” My father never mentioned this to me. This marriage was intended to give them time to save the family company.
And ten million? I’ve never had access to so much money.
Orion pushes from the desk and takes out a pen from his suit jacket’s pocket. “Because I don’t believe in free labor.” My brow furrows at this, and the air hitches in my lungs when he comes closer, his masculine scent surrounding me at once and confusing my senses even more. “It seems unfair for you to do the work only for your family to reap all the benefits.” He gives me the pen. “Sign it, Diana, and let’s get married.” His voice drops a few octaves as I take the pen from him, still holding his gaze, and at this moment, I feel like the entire world disappears.
How would I survive a whole year married to this man if I’m a total fool after ten minutes of meeting him?
Tearing my eyes away from his, I quickly sign both contracts, and he snatches them away, extending his hand to Rafael, who stands several feet from us.
He grips them as a knock echoes through the space, and the judge enters. “We have to stop meeting under these circumstances, Rafael,” the older man grumbles at the lawyer, then grins at us. The various wrinkles deepen on his face, and he runs his hand over his gray beard. “This is the bride and groom, I assume? No kissing before the ceremony is over, though. You’re lucky I adore love, or I would have refused to marry you both on such short notice.” He wiggles a finger at us, and I sit back, ready to put some space between us, but Orion catches mypalm, gently lifting it to his mouth and placing a butterfly-like kiss on it, sending a hot flush coursing through my system.
“What can I say, Judge? I’m obsessed with my bride and can’t wait to lock her up.” His husky voice causes a tremor in my body, and for a moment, I almost believe his words. “Let’s do this.”
Except all of this is a huge lie.
I should build a layer of armor around my heart and never develop any feelings toward my very-soon-to-be husband because this is not a romance book.
The beast won’t turn into a prince with a dash of love, and such illusions would only break me.
Business deal.
I’ll make sure to engrave these words in my brain and ignore my confusing emotions because physical reactions mean nothing.
Today, I’ll marry Orion Wright, and if everything goes well, I’ll walk away with ten million dollars to my name.
The money that would save my grandmother and me from ever having to do my father’s bidding.
Somehow, though, the thought doesn’t ease my mind.
Marrying Orion will test all my willpower—and if there is one thing I suck at?
It’s winning against powerful men.
CHAPTER FIVE
“They say all castles have some kind of history attached to them.
After all, they were built in a time we can only read about in books.
Except…
Some are so cold and dark that there is nothing left but the loneliness and misery that threatens to swallow you whole.
And the only way to escape your unfortunate fate?
Run as far away from it as possible.
Because even castles have souls that might wish to crush you.”
Diana
