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Rhys swept me into his arms and paraded me around the ballroom. His glittering smile aimed at our guests said, “Look at my prize. Isn’t she beautiful? Isn’t she the luckiest girl in the world to be marrying me?”
He won, but he didn’t play fair. The bastard tricked me into thinking he wanted me. That he liked me for more than what my family could give him.
I felt so stupid for walking right into his trap. Cole tried to warn me about Rhys when he’d first arrived at Fort Marshall. But I was too blinded by his good looks and wicked charm to see he was a snake.
He lied to me.
Manipulated me.
Used me.
Once we made our rounds, Rhys guided me to where his family waited. Remington, Helena, and Grayson Vanderbilt looked like Founders. Rhys had inherited his father’s good looks—even the same evil glint in his green eyes.
Helena wore a black gown that reminded me of couture you’d only find on a runway. Her long brown hair was curled at the ends, hanging in a perfect knot over her shoulder.
His brother, Grayson, was two years younger and the mirror image of their father. Except Grayson didn’t have the same villainous expression. He had kinder green eyes and smiled when he spotted me with Rhys.
“Congratulations, brother.” Grayson patted Rhys on the back. “Well done.” His gaze flicked to me, and he extended his hand. “Welcome to the family, sis.”
Sis?
Gross.
I wanted to cry.
With some hesitation, I shook his hand and forced a smile. Then I pulled my hand away like his skin was on fire, rubbing my palm down the front of my dress when Grayson wasn’t looking.
I had to find a way out of this marriage. There was no way I would walk down the aisle, put on his ring, and become a Vanderbilt.
Grace Vanderbilt.
I hated how it sounded.
Rhys dipped his head down to speak against the shell of my ear. “Be nice, princess. My brother might not see the wheels turning in your pretty little head, but I know you better than you think.” His hand moved to my lower back, inches from my ass. “I’m a master manipulator, but I learned from the best. So before I introduce you to my parents, you better get your shit together.”
Last week, I would have moaned just having him this close. My panties would have been soaked. But now, my skin crawled as if bugs were on me.
“I don’t care what you or your sleazy family thinks of me,” I shot back, keeping my voice low. “You might think you won. But this isn’t over, Rhys.”
“Oh, princess, you underestimate me.” He twisted a lock of my hair around his finger, yanking me toward him. “The Rhys Vanderbilt you met over the past month was an imposter. Everything I said and did was a lie. All for show.” His lips curved into a mischievous grin, lighting up his emerald eyes. “I feelnothingfor you. Not a single thing. You were always a means to an end. And after we’re married, you will never know what it’s like to have the freedom Marshall gave you this summer.” He tugged harder on my hair. “Get used to your gilded cage.”
My mouth opened, lips parted in shock, the words I wanted to say dying on my tongue. With a few hateful remarks from Rhys, I felt my soul being sucked from my body. Everything I felt for him this past month still lingered.
The longing.
The desire.
The need.
I even thought I was falling in love with him for a short time. I was so foolish. Grandfather would have called me a silly girl.
My gilded cage.
Was he planning to hurt me? Without my father here to protect me, I was at the mercy of ruthless men. The Colonel should have been home by now. His missions never went on for this long.
Was it intentional?
He worked for The Founders. That was the reason he agreed to become my legal guardian. Which meant he would stay gone for as long as my grandfather wanted.
