Page 12 of Theirs to Tempt: The Marriage Claim

I will find another way. I have to. Because the alternative—the thought of walking down any aisle toward them, of their hands on me in any way that echoes that long-ago promise—sends a fresh wave of heat and horror twisting low in my belly.

Finally the car arrives.

Exhaling my relief, I wrench the door open.

Only to have a large, forceful hand clamp on my shoulder.

“My future wife will ride in my vehicle.”

Chapter Five

Sophie

My stomach clenches with a hot twist of fury. “Get your hand off me.”

“My future wife will ride in my vehicle.” His words ring in my ears, possessive and final, and I hate how my body registers the low timbre of his voice like a physical stroke down my spine.

I wrench myself forward, but his fingers only flex once, firm enough to warn without hurting.

Caleb stands a half step behind him, his broader frame blocking the ride-share driver like a living wall, his dark eyes steady on my face as if he’s already cataloging every microexpression of my panic.

A black SUV eases to the curb. The driver alights to open the rear door.

Everything about these men screams orchestrated control, and the realization slices into my ribs. They planned for this.

“You’re our fiancée.” Lucian’s voice slides over me, calm and inevitable, no room for argument in the quiet certainty of it.

He allows his words to settle against my skin like the cage they are.

I open my mouth to snap back, but movement catches my peripheral vision.

Though I have never met him, I know the man striding toward us. Rafe Sterling, owner of the hotel. Well, this one and dozens of other prestigious properties throughout the country and world.

He’s moving purposefully, a man who is confident in his power.

A faint sense of relief flickers through me. Finally someone capable of making them back off.

“Problem?” Rafe’s tone carries easy authority, and his gaze flicks from Lucian’s hand on my shoulder to my face, assessing.

Lucian’s fingers ease a fraction, but he doesn’t remove them entirely. “Sterling,” Lucian greets.

Of course the bastard knows Rafe. Maybe they even gamble together.

“And there’s no problem.”

My cheeks burn. Half the valet line is watching now, subtle glances and lowered conversations. I can feel the weight of eyes on us. And a woman pulls out her phone and focuses the camera on us.

A few minutes ago, I didn’t care if I burned the world down.

But having a confrontation on the front page of a gossip magazine could hurt my reputation and overshadow the evening’s events.

Defeated, I squeeze my eyes closed.

I can deal with Lucian and Caleb in private.

Pretending to be composed, I slowly turn to face Rafe. “Everything is fine. I just didn’t realize…” I pause as his name almost sticks in my throat. “I didn’t realize I already had a ride waiting.”

Rafe remains in place, looking at me. “You’re certain?”