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I hold my spine straighter. Fuck him and his stupid family. I’m no one’s consolation prize. I am Elena Adams.
When Kane turns to talk to the man at his side, a man I recognise as his brother, Lucas Fraser, I feel my anger rising.
“That’s it?” I demand.
My father’s eyes bug. I ignore him. I ignore everything except for the man who is to become my husband.
Kane’s gaze finds mine, and I can see the irritation dancing in his irises. I’m pissing him off. Likely no one has ever challenged him.
“That’s it?” he repeats, as if he doesn’t understand my question.
I roll my eyes, not bothering to respond to him. What a dick.
I watch as he grits his teeth, but a blonde woman steps forward. “Ignore my son. He has zero manners.” She gives me a toothy smile that makes my blood chill. She is more predatory than Kane, and more dangerous, because I can tell she hides it behind the trophy wife thing she has going on.
And she does look like a trophy wife. Her hair is piled on top of her head in the most elaborate up-do I’ve ever seen. Her plum-coloured dress looks expensive and fits like a glove. Everything about her screams money, including the gold diamond inlaid bracelet and matching necklace she’s wearing. I know instantly who she is. Her reputation precedes her.
By a country mile.
“You must be Charlotte,” I say. She hides her surprise well, but I can see I’ve impressed her. Did she think I would come into her family not knowing the first thing about them? I’ve studied all of them. Intensely.
“I am.” She scans me, but her look is far kinder than Kane’s. She finds me satisfactory. I’m not sure if that makes me relieved or scared. From what I know of Charlotte Fraser, she’s a snake. She’ll bite you when you least expect it, spreading her poison through you. “Are you looking forward to the wedding?”
Not even a little bit.
I plaster a smile on my face. “Of course. It will be a wonderful day.” I can already feel the shackles around my wrists and ankles.
I glance towards the man I am set to marry and feel disappointment roll through me. I didn’t expect he would be instantly enthralled by me, but I didn’t expect such dismissal. He is glancing away, disinterested. He looks as if he would rather be anywhere else right now.
That makes heat burn my cheeks.
He doesn’t have to want me, but he could at least show he’s willing. I don’t want to be here either. He’s the last person I would choose to marry if I had a choice in the matter.
“You look so beautiful, Elena,” Charlotte says, seemingly oblivious to the mounting tension in the group. “Doesn’t she, Kane?”
Kane grunts but doesn’t offer any actual response. A tendril of hurt snakes down my spine. I don’t care what he thinks, but no one wants to be made to feel ugly and unworthy.
This time, it is me gritting my teeth. I want to smack him.
He might be the rudest man I’ve ever met.
“You’re not exactly a picture yourself,” I snap.
My father groans. “She doesn’t mean that.” He grabs my wrist and squeezes it so tightly I feel like the bone is going to shatter beneath his grip. I can’t stop the suck of air I take as I try to drown the pain. He pulls me away from the Frasers, his eyes flaming. “What are you fucking doing?” he hisses at me, his grip intensifying. I twist with him to alleviate some pressure, but it doesn’t work. He’s going to break my wrist if he keeps doing what he’s doing. “Are you trying to anger him?”
“No, I just—”
“Take your hands off her.” Kane’s low, growled voice surprises everyone, including my father. Neither of us saw him stepping closer, but he is at my father’s back, his dark eyes heavy with something that could be anger. It’s hard to tell because he is so calm.
Hamish doesn't release me, but instead gives me a small shake. “She's spirited, but she can be tamed. All she needs is a firm hand.”
His words piss me off. I'm not a horse in need of training. I'm a human being. If I am the way I am, it’s all Hamish's fault anyway. He raised me.
“Release her.” Kane's quiet command reverberates around the hall. I keep my eyes locked on him, wondering what is going through his mind. He didn't seem to care about me, but he doesn't like me being manhandled. Maybe he thinks he's the only one who can take a hand to me, as he will be my husband.
My father releases his hold on me and my wrist fizzes with agony as the pressure is removed from the limb. I can't stop gripping it, even though I know it makes me look weak. I hate that my father did this to me, that he made me look less than I am in front of a man I need to be everything and more to.
Kane steps towards my father, and I see a hint of anxiety roll through him. Hamish isn't a man who is used to being challenged, and it appears as if he's about to be. My brother, my sister, and I have always been the obedient servants. Kane doesn't care about keeping my father happy. I doubt he gives a shit how my father feels. The Frasers know they have power and the upper hand.
