Expensive antique oak furniture fills the place, from spacious couches and chairs to the oval dining table in the distance, while the diamond chandelier hanging from the ceiling casts colorful squares on the glistening marble.
The terrace door leading to the garden is wide open, letting in fresh air while offering a peek at the huge fountain in themiddle of the garden. I come a little closer to study it better, drinking in every detail, and am amazed once again.
It’s a man holding a bow, ready to send his arrow flying, and the sculpture must have wanted to capture him in action because his clothes seem to move on him. “Spectacular, isn’t it?” Leon speaks up as I take another sip. “Asher Walsh is a true genius.”
Right.
One of the best artists of our century, or so the art professionals say. He moved to Chicago eighteen years ago when his only daughter, Penelope, married Remi Reyes. According to the stories circulating in the town back in the day, Penelope was forced into her marriage due to undisclosed circumstances. Remi’s reputation was super shady. He rarely smiled, and everyone was afraid of him. According to some, he even kept the bride hostage.
They are still married, so it must have been just rumors. Can’t imagine marrying your captor.
“Yes. You’d think the statue would transform into a living hero and jump up on you,” I reply, stepping back to see the empty hall used for gatherings. It even has a stage where musicians can perform.
The downstairs is so majestic and polished that everything around me shines. I feel bad for the staff that did all this work for a simple dinner. Matilda really rules them all with an iron fist. Too bad there is no one to appreciate their work.
Or Orion must pay them well. There is no other explanation for this.
“He was Angelica’s favorite,” Leon says swiftly, and I go back to staring at the statue, the two hounds surrounding it that should stand in a protective manner, but instead, their jaws are wide open, and their sharp teeth are aimed at the man’sflesh. “She was fascinated by the tragedy his life and death represented.”
My brow furrows at this because I’m not sure what he’s talking about. Clearly, the statue is of a hero, but which one?
“No.” A deep and husky voice speaks up from behind us, and I freeze as scorching heat travels through my system and awakens every nerve in my body. “She was fascinated by the fact that someone you love so much can kill you.”
Swallowing the last of my champagne, I take a deep breath and spin around to face my new husband, gasping inwardly when our gazes clash.
It should be a crime to be so handsome.
His blond hair is still wet from the shower I presume he just took, and compared to me, he wears more casual clothes: black jeans, a matching shirt, leather shoes. His sleeves are rolled up, showcasing his muscled forearms and popping veins that my fingers are itching to touch.
“Mr. Wright, everything is ready.” Leon turns all serious at once, snatching my empty glass, and steps away from me while motioning toward the dining table as Orion walks to me. “Should we?—”
“No,” he softly speaks, but he might as well have barked the command, because in a flash, everyone is gone, leaving us standing alone in complete silence. He splays open his palm. “Give me your hand.” Too stunned by the request, I do as he says, my insides trembling when our skin connects and electricity zips all over me, making me tingle where we touched.
That’s when I see a black velvet box with the Price name on it, and he flips it open, my gasp echoing between us at the sight of the gorgeous ring.
A red diamond in a round cut glistens under the light, and I can see my reflection in it. The platinum band with smaller diamonds surrounding it presents one of the most luxuriouspieces I’ve ever seen, and my grandma has an impressive jewelry collection.
She never owned a Price piece, though. My so-called wealthy family couldn’t afford it, and I can’t imagine how much Orion paid for this one. It’s a red diamond, one of the rarest in the world. “It’s beautiful.” The words slip past my lips before I can stop them.
“Fitting for my bride. Designed by Kian Price.”
Oh, then it must be even more expensive than I could have imagined. Florian and Kian Price are considered the most gifted among the Prices in jewelry making, and no one rivals their talent. The difference between the two is that Kian only works with extremely rare diamonds that are almost impossible to shape into the required form. His art comes from challenges, and somehow, that makes people even more eager to acquire his pieces.
“Why do I need an engagement ring?” His mom might as well have been royalty with all this staff. Surely, they have a ring or two lying around for me to use for the sake of pretense?
“Because you’re my wife and I won’t have anyone questioning that fact.” He picks it up, slips it on my finger, and the heavy weight of it settles in as he brushes his thumb over it. “This is a statement in itself.” He raises my hand, making the small diamonds create sparkly prisms on the wall, and our gazes clash once again over the diamond. “You will wear it. Always.” His hold on me tightens, and my fingers curl around his, an unfamiliar tension forming between us and filling my head with forbidden thoughts. “No matter where you go or what you do while you’re married to me, you will wear it.”
His commanding tone leaves no wiggle room to argue, and somehow, I don’t want to because wearing this ring would make people assume he really has feelings for me. As idiotic as it sounds…it’s nice to be worthy of such a ring even in mydelusional make-believe reality. If I’m stuck in this marriage, I might as well indulge in some delusions while I’m at it. “Okay.”
His wrist flexes, and for a fracture of a second, I think he’s going to pull me close. Instead, he steps away, letting me go. Instantly, coldness seeps into me at the broken contact. “Let’s eat. It’s a rule, after all.”
Glancing one more time at my ring, I follow him, gathering all the calmness I can muster and pushing away all the confusing thoughts that never entered my mind in the past, yet they play in full force when he’s around, tearing me to pieces.
Yes, the rules must be followed.
Let’s just hope that at the end of this marriage, one of them won’t kill me.
CHAPTER EIGHT
