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I pulled open my bedroom door, prepared to meet my fate. The breath caught in my lungs as I almost collided with a solid body. Hands wrapped around my arms as Vander kept me from falling.
His scent surrounded me. I’d become familiar with it over the years. Sandalwood and something else. Something dangerous that made my heart race.
I didn’t understand it. Mitchell had always smelt clean. And now the scent of soap made me panic. Vander’s was different, but still had me nervous.
“Sorry.” I jerked out of his hold. Away from the monster.
His dark brows pulled over his eyes. “Nothing to be sorry for.”
My mouth went dry as his gaze roamed down my body. I was wearing a light pink-colored dress. It had long sleeves, a high neckline, and a hem that landed just below my knees. It was modest, like every dress I owned. But I loved the color.
Most colors had disappeared from my wardrobe after my wedding. I was slowly bringing them back into my life. Well, my clothes, at least.
I’d tied my hair up into a twist, leaving a few pieces to frame my face. And my make-up was the same natural look I’d worn for years. Nothing special because I didn’t care about impressing these assholes. Maybe if they didn’t want me, they’d go away.
“You look beautiful.” A muscle in his jaw ticked as he spoke like he was angry.
“T—thank you.” Why would he be angry? I was doing what they’d asked of me. What they wanted.
My chest rose with an unsteady breath as we stared at each other. The moment seemed to go on forever. I realized for the first time how dark of a green his eyes were. Like the color of evergreen trees. They reminded me of Christmas.
My heart tapped on my ribs. The rate increasing as we stayed locked in a gaze. I couldn’t read the expression behind his eyes. My body twitched to move, and I listened to my instincts.
I broke the connection, stepping around him and heading towards the stairs. He said nothing as I walked away, and I was left thinking the weird connection was all in my head.
My spine snapped straight as I moved down the stairs, through the living room and kitchen, finally stopping in the dining room. I was surprised to see everyone present. Cole and his wife, Alessandra, sat beside Nathan on one side of the table. The other held Angelo, his wife Isla, and two men I didn’t know. The chairs at either end were empty.
My heart squeezed painfully as I saw Isla’s soft baby bump. Guilt swamped me a moment later. I was happy for her. So happy it made my eyes burn and my throat close. That was happiness, right?
“There she is.” Cole smiled as he stood. I looked at Alessandra to see her reaction.
Betrayal smashed into my chest as she smiled, too. I fought the tightening of my heart. Maybe she didn’t realize how weird this was. She’d grown up in a Mafia family. Her marriage to Cole had been arranged. But normal people were not married off to form alliances.
“Grace.” Cole pointed to the two people I didn’t know. “This is Ethan.”
Automatically, my arm extended. I shook the hand of a tall man who seemed too broad to fit in a doorway. He had shoulder-length blonde hair, and maybe he had been in an accident because one of his ears was mangled.
“Wow, you’re lovely.” It was hard to accept the compliment, even though it sounded genuine.
“And this is Andre.” I moved to shake the next guy’s hand. He was just as tall and thick with beautiful dark skin that he ruined with tattoos. They were even covering his bald head.
“Nice to meet you.” His smile was kind as he brought my hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
My mind panicked. I wanted to scream and run away from him. Not because of him, but I was so wired to avoid male attention. Once Mitchell suspected me of glancing at another man during dinner at a fancy restaurant. He’d hit me so hard I broke a tooth. I was confined to the house for weeks until the bruises healed.
“I think that’s enough pleasantries.” Vander swept into the room behind me. He placed a hand on my back and led me to my seat. His touch sent a shiver down my spine, and I didn’t know if it was better to be close to him or the men he’d brought to marry me. Maybe I should just stick with the monster I know.
I had Nathan seated to my right and Andre seated to my left. But my eyes found Vander’s again. He sat on the opposite side of the table directly across from me. His jaw was tight. His entire face taut with rage.
I still didn’t understand it. This was his idea. Well, I guess it was Cole’s and his brothers. I couldn’t remember if Vander had actually agreed. Not that it mattered now; it was happening.
As the cook set salads in front of us, I noticed my hands shaking. I forced myself to control it like I’d done for years. I couldn’t show fear. Or happiness. Or any emotion.
“So, what do you do for fun?” I blinked at Ethan’s question. It was so normal. Exactly what he’d asked someone on a first date. But I didn’t have an answer.
“Um… I used to crochet. And I like books, I guess.” I sounded awful. And I didn’t have it in me to care. Better they think I was boring.
It was the truth. All my hobbies and interests were just another thing my husband had taken from me.
