Chapter 10

10

J en

I eat my breakfast consisting of two hard-boiled eggs, a slice of sourdough bread, and a cup of blueberries. It’s delicious. Now, I’ve exercised, showered, and am dressed and ready for the day. I went with a pair of jeans and a pale blue T-shirt.

I’m brimming with excitement. I can’t wait to… I sigh and flop down on my bed. There is only one massive problem: you can’t do much of anything inside a bedroom. I actually finished one of those murder mystery books and am halfway through another one. They’re not actually that bad. Or it could just be that I am desperate for something to occupy my mind. I have no way of knowing which one it is.

A cleaner came in yesterday to change my bedding and to take my laundry away for washing. It was the highlight of my whole week, except for Steel’s glowering stare and the fact that the poor cleaner wouldn’t say one word to me. Even when I asked the guy direct questions about nothing of importance. Steel is really intimidating, so I don’t blame the poor guy. I guess I’m starved for anything other than these four walls. Mr. Carrot- Up-the-Ass won’t even take me jogging. He lets me hang out in the apartment as long as I don’t talk to him. So far, I’ve made a whole eleven minutes before he forces me back inside here. I hate him. I hate that I still find him attractive. I must have a screw loose or something.

Why won’t he let me go jogging? Why? It would make my life a little more bearable. It isn’t even about jogging. It’s about getting out and doing something other than this. I’m going mad.

There is a knock at the door. “Are you decent?”

I smile. He asks that every time before he comes in. The problem is that he doesn’t care about my answer.

“No, I’m naked, I—”

He barges in.

“Why do you even ask if you don’t care about my answer?”

“You say no every time I ask, and yet you’re never actually naked.”

“Would you even care if I were naked?” I ask, exasperated. What the hell is wrong with him? I ask myself for the hundredth time since meeting him.

“No, I wouldn’t care. What difference does it make? I’ve seen females naked before.” He shrugs one shoulder.

“I’m sure you have,” I mutter to myself.

“I give you five seconds before I enter your bedroom. It should be plenty of time to cover up. I think I’m being nice.” He pretend-smiles.

“Don’t do that.” I shake my head.

“Do what?”

“Smile. It doesn’t work for you. You look like you sucked on sour grapes or something. Just stick with angry and brooding; it’s more your look.”

He sighs like he can’t take it anymore.

Well, that makes two of us, buddy.

I realize he has garment bags in his hands and a bag slung over each of his shoulders.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“You need to pick something to wear and be presentable by half-past eleven today.”

“Okay.” I frown. “Why? Am I going out?” I perk up. Then I realize why I need to be presentable. It’s to meet one of them. I know it is. Maybe more than one. The process has started. Soon, I will be expected to choose, expected to marry one of them.

No!

Crap!

Holy shit! I needed this day to come, but now that it’s here, I’m not ready. Thing is, my mom and little brother need money and soon. My mom will have to use the credit card. She’s out of straight funds. Her credit is limited. Time is running out.

I know I said I wanted out of this room, but not like this. I need to suck it up and do what I have to.

I realize that I’ve been staring at the garment bags for too long and look back up at his face. I see concern flash across his features for a moment, which takes me aback. Steel is concerned about me. Nah! I was seeing things. Steel doesn’t give a shit about me.

Then he clears his throat. “Are you sure that this is what you want? That you want to meet with these males and choose one to marry for money?” His eyes move across my face, like he’s trying to read me.

No!

I don’t want this!

I can’t say it. I want to tell Steel. It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t say any of it. I can’t speak my mind or show my true emotions. The general has already halved the money my family is getting. They’ll get even less if I go against his wishes.

He might even force me to marry someone and not give a single dime to my family. My control in this situation is less than nothing. I need to do everything he says. I don’t have a choice.

“It isn’t a difficult question, Miss Harris. Why are you taking so long to answer me?”

“I’m not. It’s complicated. I want to go home, but we can’t always have everything that we want. That’s not how it works. I’m on board with this whole thing. I want the money. I need it.” I chew on my lower lip for a moment. “I’m nervous, though. It’s to be expected. I really hope that I like one of these guys, which will make it easier.” I’m saying too much. I need to shut up already. “That’s all.”

“What do you need the money for?” He scrutinizes me. For a second, I want to tell him that it’s none of his business. I’m not sure why he’s asking all of this in the first place. It’s not like he cares. I need to try to be nice. I need to tell him something. “Miss Harris.” He lifts his brows.

“I wish you wouldn’t call me that,” I mutter.

“And I wish you would answer a couple of simple questions, but it seems that we can’t always get what we want. Here’s the deal. I owe the general a favor. It’s the only reason I’m here.”

“Do you have someplace better to be?” I blurt. I want to know if he’s married…has kids. It shouldn’t matter to me because I’m about to meet one of the men I might marry soon. I will be marrying someone in the very near future. That someone is not going to be Mr. Tall, Dark, and Brooding over here. Good thing, too, because I would be miserable.

“Yes, I do,” he says.

He leaves it at that. I’m expected to tell him my life story, but he won’t tell me anything. Figures!

“Wife and kids? Other?” I lift my brows.

“No wife and kids…no.” He shakes his head.

“But you do have somewhere better to be, nonetheless.”

“Yes, my life is a… It’s complicated.”

I laugh. “So, you understand, then.” I told him exactly the same thing not two minutes ago. Seems like we have more in common than he would like.

“Yeah, well,” he doesn’t look impressed – so nothing has changed, “what I was getting at is that I owe the general a favor, but I don’t want to be involved if any of this is against your will. I’m trying to understand why you would sell yourself for money.”

Just as I suspected, he isn’t such a bad guy, not deep down. He’s worried about me. Actually, it’s more like his own conscience he’s worried about, but still, it shows he has morals.

I shrug, trying to act casual when I feel anything but. “It’s marriage, not quite as sleazy as you’re making it sound. I will choose a life partner and hopefully be happy. I’ll strive to be happy.” I force a smile. It feels just that: forced.

“Why do you need the money, Miss Harris? It’s a simple question, and I would like an answer.”

“For my family back home,” I say simply, hoping he’ll drop it.

Surprise! Surprise! He doesn’t. “So, not for yourself?” He narrows his eyes.

I shake my head. “Nope.”

“You’re sending all of it back home, then?”

Doesn’t he listen? I nod. “Yes. Why is that so hard to believe?”

“Let me guess; your father died, and your mother—”

“No.” I shake my head. “Actually, my father left soon after my first birthday. I don’t know him. I haven’t seen him since. All I have is a name and two grainy photographs. I have no inclination to chase him down or to get to know him. He left us. Left my mom. So, no, my dad didn’t die. Not that I know of, anyway.”

“I see.” He folds his arms; his eyes are hard. He looks angry, although I’m not sure why. “That still doesn’t explain the need for the money. Why can’t your family make their own money? Why do you need to sell yourself?”

I sigh. I really don’t want to tell him. It’s clear he’s judging me.

“Is it for your mother?” he prompts.

I nod. “I don’t like to see it as selling myself.”

“That’s what it is. That’s what you’re about to do.”

“Are you trying to talk me out of it? Because if you are, the general won’t be very impressed with you.”

“I don’t care what he thinks about me.” He gets this look for a moment that tells me it isn’t true. He cares, alright. Then he schools his emotions. “I would prefer to know; that’s all.”

“Yes, the money would be for my mother.” I push out a slow breath. “My stepdad died suddenly three years ago of a heart attack.”

He makes a noise like he’s listening, still unimpressed. Why would I expect anything different?

“I have a six-year-old brother, Caleb. My mother is sick. She can’t work. Very long story short, they need the money. Her medical expenses are through the roof. There is no one else to help out. If I don’t come up with some cash soon, they’ll end up on the streets.”

“That’s a very sad story,” he deadpans, his jaw tight. “Okay, if you’re going through with this, you’d better get dressed.” He tosses the things on the bed and starts to leave. “Don’t be late,” he says over his shoulder just before closing the door.

I don’t know what to make of him. At least I saw some sort of emotion today. I guess that’s something.

I open the first bag, and there’s a hairdryer and a curling iron. At least, I think that’s what it’s called. There are hair products like gels and hairspray. I guess a quick ponytail is out of the question. There is also a whole array of makeup products and applicator brushes. I really wish I could get a YouTube tutorial on how to use this stuff, but I can’t. I’m not allowed any contact with the outside world. What I wouldn’t give to call home. To hear my mom’s voice…Caleb’s, too. I swallow down a swell of emotion. I can’t cry now and make my eyes all red-rimmed and puffy.

There’s a leather bag, which I open. There is an array of smaller boxes inside. I open one and gasp when I see gold earrings. They’re the dangly kind, with a pretty pink stone. I open another box, and it’s a necklace. There are pearl earrings. A bracelet. A dress ring with a big square citrine. They’re all beautiful pieces. Not too fancy, but really gorgeous.

I gasp again when I unzip the other bag. There are several sets of underwear. All matching bras and panties. Lace, silk, satin. The colors vary from deep red to baby blue, each set more exquisite than the last. My heart sinks as I realize what this all means. Where this is headed.

Arghhhh!

I need to move on. I can’t think about it. I need to stay strong and hopeful that one of these men will be really nice.

There are several velvet boxes. I think there are shoes inside. I suck in a breath when I open the first box. Inside is a pair of Louis Vuitton heels. They’re open-toed with the symbols covering charcoal-colored leather. The heel is sleek and shiny black.

The next pair are Louboutins, for sure. They are black with the signature red sole. The epitome of elegance. I run my fingers over the smooth leather. I shudder to think what this must have cost. I’m almost too scared to peek into the rest of the velvet boxes or the garment bags. I have a feeling I’m going to find more of the same luxury items.

I’ll take good care of everything and give it back when I am done. I take my time doing my hair and makeup. I choose the pearl earrings. The dress ring is too big to fit on any of my fingers.

I go with the Louis Vuitton shoes because they’re not as high as the others, and pair them with a Gucci dress because it’s the most casual. It’s olive with a fitted waist and flowing skirt that goes down to my ankles. It’s quite beautiful. I would hate to see the price tag on these items. It must be horrific.

When I look at myself in the mirror, I can hardly recognize the person staring back, even though I barely used any makeup. My hair is down, but I blow-dried it, which is more than I do on most other days.

I have an unsettling thought: what if the guy I pick doesn’t pick me back? There aren’t that many women on Mistveil, but those I have seen are beautiful. Shifters are beautiful.

There is a knock at my door. “We need to leave in the next minute.”

It’s showtime.

“Coming,” I say, my voice surprisingly calm. I quickly spritz some perfume on my pulse points. It looks damned expensive, like everything else. Then I pull my shoulders back, tilt my chin up, and head for the door.