I hung up, and I stared out at the wall again, feeling conflicted. The madame knew I had strict standards, and she’d apparently pulled a rabbit—the perfect wife—out of a hat. On the one hand, I absolutely needed this to work. I was lucky that I’d found a firm with a great reputation and track record. I was lucky that they’d secured a suitable candidate so quickly.
On the other hand, I was furious. Furious at my father and brother for trying to control me from the grave. It was almost as if they’d known this was going to happen, and they were having one last good laugh at my expense…
I didn’t want to be married. I didn’t want to pretend to be in love. The scope of the situation was dawning on me. If everything worked out, I’d be engaged today. My fake bride would arrive at Barrington Manor, where we’d have to stay. We’d pretend our relationship was real. My stepmother would be ready to pounce on any perceived weakness, any angle that might get her closer to controlling my father’s vast estate.
I sank down and put my face in my hands, thoughts swirling. What I’d done was lunacy—I’d hired a woman I’d never met to come to my family estate and pretend to be my fiancé. We would be stuck at Barrington Manor, acting like lovers in front of the staff, the board, Miranda, and little Luke. I’d already started the ball rolling. There was no going back now, even though my plan was not at all thought out. It might not even be viable. Still, what choice did I have? I stood to lose everything.
I would have to play my part perfectly. So would my bride, whom I’d never even met.
Money couldn’t buy love. But apparently, it could absolutely buy me a fiancé.
I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry about that.
WHIRLWIND
RORY
My criminal backgroundcheck was clean, of course. It wasn’t like I got out much!
Elena was sending an Uber for me. It was a three-hour drive to Boston, where I would meet her at the AccommoDating office. This was all happening so fast, my head was spinning. She still hadn’t told me about the assignment—she said I had to pass the health examination and sign a non-disclosure agreement, first.
But as I packed a small overnight bag, per Elena’s instructions, I started getting cold feet. I called the Madam.
“Can you tell me anything about the client, or what I’ll actually be doing? And for how long? I have to tell my familysomething…”
“I can’t tell you much, for the reasons we discussed,” Elena said. “But I understand your position. There’s a lot of risk from your perspective.”
“Yes.” I was relieved she understood. “I don’t know anything about the guy, I don’t know what to tell my grandmother, I don’t know how much money I’m going to earn, or how long I’ll be gone for?—”
“I just deposited fifty thousand dollars into your account, using the details you provided,” she interrupted smoothly.“Once you come in and pass the health test, and sign the rest of the necessary documents, I’ll deposit another fifty thousand. Consider it a rush fee. Go ahead and look. It’s all there.”
Hands shaking, I checked my banking app. Previously, I’d had a balance of seventy-five dollars and thirty-three cents, courtesy of my internet clients. But now the number read:
$50,075.33
I gaped at it.
“Rory?” Elena asked after a minute. “Are you still there?”
“Y-Yes, Elena,” I stammered. “I’m here. I saw the deposit.”
“Good. The car will be there in thirty minutes.”
“I’ll be ready. I promise.”
For better—or more likely, for worse—it was a promise I absolutely intended to keep.
My grandmother,Josie, and Bo were confounded by my abrupt announcement that I was heading to Boston for a job fair. I told them my “school” was hosting it, and that my “advisor” thought I could land a great position if I attended. And also, that they were sending an Uber for me ASAP.
My grandmother frowned at me. “Why are you packing a suitcase?”
“They said if I get hired, the position could start right away,” I said, which was at least one truth.
“And you’d be staying in Boston? Not living here?” Grammy scratched her head.
“Something like that. I don’t really know the details yet—I just want to be prepared. They said it could be really good money,” I babbled.
Grammy didn’t look convinced. “Honey, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
