Everything is bigger in Texas, including my hair. It’s been brushed, curled, and teased to heights that feel gravity-defying, and yet somehow look chic. My makeup is just as flawless, and the wedding gown fits as if it was made for me.
I shudder, not wanting to know how Aiden knew my size. The possibilities are too terrifying.
My trembling earns me a frown from the dark-eyed woman putting the last touches of body glitter on my skin. “It’s over soon, chica. Now be still.”
I swallow over the rigid lump in my throat, holding the tears and my pleas at bay. Both have already fallen on deaf ears. These women are either well-paid or indebted to Aiden; either way, they have no interest in helping me.
“Pretty, pretty,” the hairdresser says again and steps back.
The makeup lady ushers me out of the chair toward the full-length mirror, her smile radiant. “Such a lovely bride.”
White lace clings to my breasts, held up by two tiny straps that feel fragile against my shoulders. The vee of the neckline dips almost to my waist, and there’s almost no back to the dress. Satin trimmed with lace hugs my hips and flows to a small train, hiding the sparkly heels that fit perfectly. The gown and shoes are pretty, but nothing I’d have chosen for myself.
It’s a reminder that none of this is my choice. It hasn’t been from the moment our engagement was announced.
How did I get here? What did I do to draw Aiden’s attention? Hisobsession?
What did my father do to agree to this wedding in the first place?
And why now, when the wedding was supposed to be another month away?
The door to the dressing room at the small chapel opens, and Aiden steps in. No knock, no hesitation that I might be undressed. He simply waltzes in as if he owns everything—including me.
“Out!” he barks at my attendants.
The women lower their eyes and hurry from the room, leaving just the two of us.
The wooden door shuts behind them with a finality that turns my stomach.
Aiden Frost, self-made millionaire and technology genius, studies me with a warmth that belies his name. He’s classically handsome, in a Ken-doll way. The type of man women everywhere stop to admire because he’s close to movie-star handsome. Close, but the darkness underneath his tailored suit seeps out and blurs the image.
He skims his gaze down my body, lingering on the curve of my neck and my hips. “You’re breathtaking, darling.”
I swallow and lace my trembling fingers over my stomach. I’m scared to speak, afraid that anything I say will come out as a plea, or maybe a scream. But after this morning, I know that neither will have any effect. The gilded cage I’ve lived my entire life in has changed hands, sold like an antique to a collector.
Aiden steps closer, and his heavy citrus cologne washes over me in an oppressive cloud.
I suck in a tiny breath through my mouth, trying to keep the nausea at bay. If there’s any way out of this... any chance he can be reasoned with...
“I’m sure you’re disappointed that your family couldn’t be here for our big day. Your father was looking forward to walking you down the aisle.”
He was. He glowed with pride, even when I insisted that I didn’t want this marriage. To him, it was time for me to do my duty, same as my sister Elizabeth had four years ago.
“Unfortunately, he’s made some poor choices,” Aiden continues, either unaware or uncaring that I haven’t spoken a word. “Even a man of his status must face consequences. It’s the law of nature.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. When I think I can speak without a tremor in my voice, I ask the question that’s been haunting me since two men broke into my bedroom and dragged me from my bed at dawn. “Why now? We were getting married next month.”
“Wedding jitters?” He smiles softly. “Don’t worry, we’ll get to know one another better. We have the rest of our lives. We can even have another ceremony in a few weeks to include your family. Would you like that?”
I don’t answer. I can’t. My lips are tingling, and my chest feels tight, like I can’t draw more than a teaspoon of air.
“But you asked why. It seems your father can’t be trusted to keep his word.” He looks away briefly, then locks his focus on me. “Your sister is another matter.”
My gut clenches so tight, I’m afraid it will never release. He doesn’t know. He can’t. Right? There’s no way he could know of my panicked call to my sister three days ago, where I cried that I couldn’t go through with it. She promised she’d get help, even when we both knew it was hopeless. She’s as locked into a loveless marriage as I’m about to be. Except her husband probably hasn’t killed people.
The first time I looked into Aiden’s eyes, a jolt of fear slid down my spine. He’s been nothing but warm and charming. Logically, I should be thankful my father chose a handsome and successful man like him, but every time his gaze touches mine, a bone-deep terror freezes me.
I should run. Scream. Anything. But my knees are locked in place and my brain blanks when I consider running. What if he finds me again? How much worse will it be?
