Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Driving down my road the following day after a grocery grab, I slowed as I approached my house. The scene up ahead made me frown. Even with the large crowd that had gathered, I could see a silver convertible smushed up against a lamppost, which now stood at a wonky angle. Sat on a nearby bench, a young man pale as death held a white, bloodstained cloth to his head.

Riding shotgun beside me, Alicia strained to get a better look. “Doesn’t seem that anyone was hurt, thank God. What do you think the odds are that Thaddeus is completely sober right now?”

“Not high,” I replied, pulling into our driveway. Our twenty-one-year old neighbor was spoiled rotten and impossibly reckless. He’d been pulled over by the cops in the past for driving while drunk. He was never held accountable due to his parents being close friends with the sheriff, and that was part of the problem—he had no incentive to change his behavior.

He was such an idiot at times that he’d actually once heckled my mom while blitzed as he’d seen her exit my home. She’d only snorted at him.

Thinking of Vienna made me remember the call I’d received from her earlier …

“How the hell did you know that me and your dad didn’t marry for, shall we say, the typical reason?” she’d asked.

“I overheard you both once talking about it,” I’d replied.

“And you kept the information to yourself until the time you most needed to use it. God, you are your father’s daughter through and through.”

She’d then gone on to try to chip away at my resolve to marry Dax, feeling certain I’d otherwise regret it. Keeping her tone soft and poignant, she’d tossed a bunch of questions at me:

“Won’t you feel sad standing at that altar when you realize how non-special that moment is to you?”

“Wouldn’t you rather plan a wedding you’re elated to be throwing rather than one that’s a necessity?”

“Do you really want to raise children in a home where their parents feel nothing for each other?”

“You won’t get the proposal you dreamed of, Addie. You won’t experience that moment where the man you love gets down on one knee and asks you to spend your life with him. Won’t you lament that at some point?”

There were more questions where those came from.

I hadn’t addressed any of them. I’d merely repeatedly stated that my mind was made up. Eventually, she’d let it go. But I didn’t for a moment believe she wouldn’t give it another shot.

Snapping me out of my memories, Alicia unclipped her seatbelt and said, “I wonder if anyone has bothered calling the cops to report Thaddeus’ stunt.”

“I doubt it. They’ll know the sheriff won’t do anything about it.” I exited the car and did a long stretch.

“One thing’s for sure,” began my sister, meeting my eyes over the hood of the car, “Dax won’t take too kindly to the damage here. Oakengrove is his now.”

My stomach did an annoying somersault at the sound of Dax’s name. He’d emailed me earlier to say he’d be at my house sometime within the next hour or so.

“Maybe he can get through to Thaddeus,” added Alicia as we made our way to the rear of the vehicle.

Using my key fob, I opened the trunk. “Maybe.” But I wasn’t hopeful.

Thaddeus was too used to people bailing him out of trouble. I knew from what I’d seen in Blaise and others like him that a lifetime of not facing consequences could erode a person’s moral base. Thaddeus might fear Dax enough to better his ability to escape detection, but he likely wouldn’t alter his behavior. At least not initially, anyway.

“Stranger things have happened,” said Alicia as she snatched two bags. “Like you getting married to an old flame as part of a pact.”

Not wanting to discuss that in public, I said, “Let’s just unload the car, shall we?”

“Sure.”

I grabbed a bag. “Appreciated.”

“Hey, need a hand over there?” asked a male voice.

I froze, and my sister quietly groaned in an exasperation I shared. Looking behind me, I forced a smile for our neighbor. “We got it, thanks.”

But Jenson strutted over, his smirk as slimy and cocky as always. Ugh.

He often “helped” us, using any opportunity to enter our home, essentially ignoring our boundaries and invading our personal space like we had no right to it. Which was why my smile wavered when, ignoring my response, he came to my side. “Really, it’s fine,” I told him.

Using his thumbs, he gestured at himself. “What kind of man would I be if I let two ladies struggle?”

“It’s genuinely no struggle,” Alicia assured him, clutching the handles of her bags tightly, as if he might otherwise rip them from her.

Disregarding her statement, he grabbed the last two bags from the trunk and then closed it. “Lead the way,” he said, still smirking.

Locking my car with the fob, I subtly exchanged an I’m gonna stab him one day look with Alicia. She let out a low grunt.

As we crossed to our front door, I said, “You can just leave the bags on the doorstep.”

But he didn’t. The moment the door was open, he swanned right inside like it was his own home, calling out, “That would just be lazy.”

Motherfucker. Gritting my teeth, I turned to Alicia. “Do you think anyone would notice if he mysteriously ‘disappeared?’”

She pursed her lips. “Yes. But I also think they’d be relieved.”

It really wouldn’t surprise me.

I didn’t mind a little arrogance in a man, providing it was one he’d earned through accomplishments and that he didn’t treat others as less. But Jenson was full of his own sense of self-importance and thought of himself as somewhat superior to all us mere mortals. As if being good-looking, rich, and a sales director put him a step above the rest. He considered himself an alpha but had no real clue what that meant and merely exuded an insecure-wannabe vibe.

Resolved that I’d get him out of the house quickly, I followed him into the kitchen, where he’d set the bags on the island. “Thanks for the help, we appreciate it. Have a good evening.” I swept my hand toward the door.

He didn’t leave, though. He headed over to the coffee machine and pointed at it. “You know, I have the same one. How about I make you both a coffee?”

“No, thanks,” I said, feeling my jaw harden.

Alicia plopped her bags on the island a little too roughly. “I’m good.”

He rubbed his hands together. “Well, I could sure do with a latte right now.”

“Then you should go home and help yourself to one,” I said, feeling my patience dwindle fast. “My sister and I are really busy. We can’t sit around and chat.”

His mouth curved. “Don’t worry, I don’t expect you to entertain me. I just want to spend some time with you girls.”

Okay, I was done. “What I meant to say was that we want you to leave now. So leave.”

His smile faltering, he raised his hands, palms out. “Hey, I didn’t mean to make you ladies feel uncomfortable—I’m horrified if I have. I realize you don’t know me well and so might not be comfortable having a stranger in your home. But the only way we can fix that is if we get to know each other so I’m no longer a stranger,” he said, all reasonable.

I planted my hands on the island. “What I said still stands. We want you to …” My words trailed off as I heard footfalls enter the house. Alicia had left the front door open in a gesture that Jenson wasn’t invited to stay.

Moments later, Dax loped into the room with a masculine grace, each stride slow and confident. My pulse thudded and spiked. Excitement burst to life in my belly. And everything feminine in me woke right up and rose to greet him.

My hormones started fanning themselves as they drank him in. God, he was too freaking gorgeous for it to be real. I was sure he must have made a deal with Satan or something, because no one could naturally be that striking. No one.

He didn’t look in the least bit hesitant or awkward about breezing into a kitchen that wasn’t his own. He gave off his usual air of unwavering cool, looking perfectly at ease and comfortable. As if he belonged here.

His mismatched eyes zeroed right in on me, unreadable and unflinching. “You left your front door open.”

“For Jenson,” I explained. “He’s not staying, so …” I was totally going to reward myself later for how unruffled I sounded.

“I see.” Dax’s gaze briefly skipped to my sister. “Alicia,” he greeted, who only smiled in response. He then honed in on our neighbor. “I hadn’t expected to see you here, Jenson. How’s the ankle?”

The creep straightened. “Better, Mr. Mercier, better,” he replied, his top-dog act shrinking under the weight of Dax’s presence.

“And your parents?” asked Dax. “How are they doing?”

“Fine, absolutely fine.” Jenson cleared his throat. “I was just helping Addison and Alicia carry their shopping inside.” He didn’t say it, he bragged it. Like he’d done his country a service.

Dax glanced at the bags. “And you’re all done, I see.”

“Yes, I …” Jenson trailed off. Possibly because he couldn’t offer a good reason for why he hadn’t yet gone home, given I’d told him to go.

I caught his eye. “You were just about to leave, weren’t you?”

“I was.” He hesitated a moment but then flashed my sister and I a courteous smile. “Remember I’m always next-door if you need anything.”

“We’ll remember,” I said.

“Sadly can’t forget,” Alicia muttered only loud enough for me to hear.

I had to clamp my lips together to bold back a snort.

Jenson pretty much sashayed out of the room—it was honestly sad to watch, not to mention uncomfortable.

Dax fixed his gaze on me again. “Does he do that often?”

I inched up a brow. “Strut like a peacock?”

One corner of his lips twitched. “Overstay his welcome.”

I guessed he’d overheard me telling Jenson to leave. “He tries. We always manage to shoo him along. Eventually.”

Dax hummed, his lips setting into a displeased slash. “I’ll have a word with him.”

“We’d appreciate that,” said Alicia. Looking from me to him, she pointed upward. “I’m going to head upstairs. I have a call to make. Several, actually.” She scampered, leaving me alone with the bane of my hormones’ existence.

As Dax and I clashed gazes once again, the air began to hum and thicken with sexual awareness. It made my pulse have a meltdown.

He took another step into the room. “How did your birthday go?”

I shrugged. “Same old, same old.”

Just then, Gypsy leapt onto the kitchen counter and sauntered over to him.

As he reached out to stroke her, I grimaced. “She’s really not very … Huh.” The little feline melted into his hand as he petted her. Typical. Even the cat wasn’t immune to his charm.

He lifted her with both hands and smiled into her eyes, his mouth curved slightly … and I wasn’t ready for how that image hit me right in the ovaries. Now I got why my mom always smiled whenever my dad gave their new cat, Artemis, some attention.

I swallowed. “You like cats?”

“I like most animals.” Dax gently placed her back on the counter and then once more pinned his gaze on me. Wholly on me. And with such devastating intensity it made my mouth dry up. “Well, do you have an answer for me?”

I licked my lips, my stomach fluttering when his eyes lowered to them. “Yes.”

He arched a brow. “And?”

Swallowing, I gave a slow nod. “I’ll do it. I’ll honor the pact.”

His expression didn’t change, except for the pure male satisfaction that crawled into his eyes. “Good decision.”

“We need to get a few things straight, though,” I said, dragging a grocery bag toward me. “First, do you want coffee?”

He gave his head a brief shake as he settled on a stool at the island. “I’m guessing one of the points you wish to address is the matter of a prenup. I’m aware that your parents and your family attorney will insist on one. Mine will as well. I have no issue with that. You?”

Opening a cupboard, I replied, “None at all.” It made sense to ensure that we were protected that way. And if we didn’t, it would only cause our immediate relatives to put up a supreme protest to the marriage—they were already opposed to it.

“Then we’ll each have contracts drawn up and get them signed.” He rested his hands on the island, his fingers linked. “With regards to the wedding … I have no preferences when it comes to the particulars. All I ask is that it be put together swiftly. I don’t want to wait.”

“I can make that happen,” I said, stacking tinned goods in the cupboard.

“We can hit Vegas, if that will be easier.”

“Nah, I’ve got this.” Given my contacts, experience, and my amazing team, I wouldn’t struggle. “You really don’t care about the venue, theme, music, location, nothing?”

“I’d like it to be local. I have no interest in throwing a big production and inviting all my business associates—I’d prefer something that includes only friends and family. As for the rest? I’ll leave it to you.”

It wasn’t rare for soon-to-be-grooms to have so little involvement. But, given Dax liked control and had strong opinions, I’d thought he’d contribute to the plans. Then again, why would it matter to him when he had a complete lack of emotional investment in our upcoming marriage?

“I’d prefer something small and local, so I’m good with that.” The grocery bag now empty, I set it aside and grabbed a full one. “I know you co-own a security firm, so I’m assuming you’ll take care of security yourself? We’ll need it.” Our families were each, in their own way, high profile. People would gatecrash the wedding for sure if they could, even if only to snap pictures.

Dax dipped his chin. “I’ll have that covered.”

“Okay,” I replied, pulling the fridge door open. “I can take care of the logistics of the wedding, but I’ll need your guest list.” I paused as I began placing vegetables in one of the fridge drawers. “Email it to me when you can.”

“I’ll get it to you tomorrow.”

“Do all your family members know about the pact?”

“Only my brothers.” Unlinking his fingers, Dax began tapping them gently on the island. “They’re supportive of it. Now that I know we’re definitely going ahead with the wedding, I plan to tell the rest of my family. Probably tomorrow.”

I slid a tray of eggs onto a fridge shelf. “How do you foresee them reacting?”

“They’ll no doubt be surprised. Maybe even disappointed, to a certain extent. They’ll want more for me than an arranged marriage. But they’ll understand and respect my reasons, and they’ll accept you just as Caelan did. It’s how they are.”

Personally, I thought it was possible that he was being a little too optimistic. But I didn’t know any of them well enough to be sure. I’d only met them a few times.

I carefully positioned a milk jug in one of the side compartments. “I told my family yesterday, because I knew then that I’d give you a yes. There was some ranting and raving, but they calmed down and swore they’d support me in this.” I nudged the fridge door shut with my elbow. “I warned them before I left that if they felt the need to contact you they needed to wait until this evening so I had a chance to talk to you first.”

“Dane will probably ask that I reconsider this.”

“Several times,” I hedged, moving onto the next bag of groceries. “He’s persistent. I don’t doubt that he’ll pester me the same way during the run-up to the wedding. Others will as well—possibly from both my family and yours.”

“It will be a waste of their time.” He gave me a pointed look. “I won’t change my mind.”

“Neither will I.” I placed the loaf in the bread bin, stupidly almost trapping my fingers. “What exactly do you want out of this marital arrangement? Just to be clear.”

His gaze snared mine, a warning and a promise there. “It may be an arrangement, Addison, but we’re not going to have separate bedrooms or any of that shit. You’ll sleep next to me, where you’ll belong.”

As thoughts of what would happen in his bed—well, it would be our bed—slinked through my mind, butterflies took wing in my stomach. “I had no intention of doing anything else.” I paused. “We’re both busy people, but I think it’s important we spend time together at home the way any normal couple would.”

“Agreed. You’ll be my wife, not my housemate. Our behavior should reflect that.”

Relief fluttered in my chest. It was only then I realized I’d worried he had some notion that, to a large degree, we’d live separate lives. I wouldn’t want any children we had to think that was what a relationship should be. “So we can be friends, then?”

“Friends?” he echoed, tasting the word. “Yes, we can be that. It wouldn’t have worked before.”

Back when we weren’t “involved” with each other, he meant. And no, it wouldn’t have worked, because we’d have crossed platonic lines for certain. “Good. If we’re going to parent children together, we should at least be friends. How many kids do you want?” I really hoped they had his mismatched eyes—a silly thought, maybe, but I loved them.

“I don’t have a specific number in mind.” He twisted his mouth, his expression thoughtful. “Two at a minimum.”

“Works for me.”

“I suggest we don’t try to conceive straight away. We should take at least eight months to get settled and find our balance.”

“I agree.” It would be both stupid and selfish to bring a child into the kind of situation we’d be navigating until, as he’d said, we found our balance. “Where is it exactly you want us to live?” I asked, placing some spices on the counter rack.

“My villa here in Oakengrove. Come visit me there tomorrow evening. We’ll have dinner. I’ll show you around. You don’t like it, we’ll move.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that. I wouldn’t live in a place I didn’t like. Do you think I’d ask it of you?”

“No, I guess not.” I shoved tins of cat food into one of the lower cupboards, which reminded me … “I’ll be bringing Gypsy when I move. My cat.”

“Not an issue. Anything else you want to get straight?”

“I think it’s important that we be honest with each other. Good communication will be key for us, considering we don’t have the emotional connection most married couples do.”

“Yes, honesty is important.” An odd glint entered his eyes. “A point which, in fact, brings me to what I meant to ask you after we’d finished our discussion, but now is as good a time as any.”

I threw him a wary glance. “What is it you want to know?”

“Why your parking sign near your office building was graffitied.”

Motherfucker. “How did you hear about that?”

“I have my sources. One notified me of it earlier.”

Knowing it could cause inter-family trouble, I hadn’t intended to tell him about Blaise’s stunt. The last thing I wanted was for Dax to be at odds with his cousins. Not merely for his own sake, but because it wouldn’t exactly endear me to his immediate relatives.

When moments of silence went by, he flicked up a brow. “You want honesty, remember?”

Holding back a petulant sigh, I none too gently perched a box of cereal on the counter, making a mental note to transfer the contents into one of the storage containers later. “It was Blaise.”

“Felicity’s son?”

“Yes. It was easy to ID him. He didn’t bother covering his face. Probably because he knew that being caught on CCTV wouldn’t lead to an arrest. You know how the sheriff is when it comes to friends and family.”

Dax let out a knowing, annoyed grunt. “How did your father deal with Blaise?”

“I didn’t tell him. My dad’s reaction would have been overkill.”

He shot me a So? look.

“Blaise is only nineteen. He did something stupid. Most kids that age do. Don’t get me wrong, if he does anything like that again, I will turn to my dad.” I was no sucker.

Dax’s chin inched up slightly. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll deal with Blaise.”

I was afraid he’d say that. “Let my dad handle it.”

“Why would I do that?”

“It would be better for you to stay out of this. Blaise is your second cousin.”

“And you’re my fiancée.”

My pulse did a little tap dance. Weird as it might sound, I hadn’t really considered that I was now technically his fiancée. This was a business deal, not a romance.

“Did he graffiti the sign in a stupid response to something, or was it a random act?”

Frustrated I’d have to also reveal yet another thing that could result in inter-family issues, I pulled the freezer door open harder than necessary. “I had a little spat with his mom the day before the vandalism.”

Dax’s eyes flared. “A spat?” A carefully neutral response.

“It was really nothing. She’s smug that Grayden went back to her, and she wanted to rub it in my face, thinking I’d be jealous.” I stared Dax right in the eye. “I’m not, to be clear. I see you doubt that, despite what I said to you at the pool the other day. Did I love him once? Yes. Does that still apply now? No.” I wouldn’t want the guy I was marrying to think I was hung up on another.

Dax watched me for a long moment, emotions working behind his eyes that I couldn’t quite make out. “I’ll contact Felicity, make her aware of the situation, and be very clear how much of a mistake it would be for her or her son to bother you again.”

“She’ll likely freak when she hears I’ll soon be part of the family,” I said, putting away the frozen meals. “I almost wish I could be there to see it.”

His lips curled just a little. “If either of them ignore my warning and approach you again, I want to hear about it.” It wasn’t anything close to a request. It was an order, plain and simple.

Ugh. “I don’t want to cause trouble between you all.”

“Any such trouble would be on them, because they’d be the cause of it. Not you. By keeping me informed, you’ll merely be doing exactly what you said it’s important for us to do—you’d be being open and honest with me. I need that from you, just as you need it from me.”

I exhaled heavily. “All right.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “I’m serious, Addison.”

“I see that, Dax.” I couldn’t keep the note of impatience out of my voice. “If they do anything else, I will tell you.”

He gave a satisfied nod.

My grocery bags now empty and tucked in a drawer, I walked to the opposite end of the island from which he sat. “There’s one last thing I want to cover. We might not be all wrapped up in each other. But for me, cheating will still be grounds for this to end.”

His eyes cooled. “You think I’d do that to you?”

“Actually, no. I just want to be clear how important an issue this is for me. Some guys in my past were shocked that I wouldn’t forgive such a ‘slip in control.’ Guys who thought that getting a hand job doesn’t count. In my books, it does. Touch another woman in any kind of sexual context, and we’re done.”

“That would never happen. I expect the same loyalty from you.”

“You’ll get it,” I swore. “I wouldn’t ask anything of you that I’m not willing to promise in return.”

“Then everything is settled.” He dipped his hand into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a black, velvet ring box.

My heartbeat stuttered, and I swallowed so hard I was surprised it wasn’t audible. He slid the box across the island toward me. My nerves scrambling, I picked it up, lifted the lid … and almost lost my breath. A sparkling round diamond lay at the center of a white gold band into which little pavé diamonds were set.

“It’s beautiful.” Understatement. It was stunning and elegant and absolute perfection. Swiping my tongue over my suddenly dry lower lip, I met his gaze. “You’re sure this is definitely what you want?”

“Positive.” He gave me a look of pure challenge. “Are you?”

“Yes.” To prove it, I plucked the ring from the box and slid it onto my finger. It fit a little too perfectly. “How did you so accurately guess my ring size?” I almost smiled at how offended he looked by the question, as if it should be obvious that he would guess correctly.

“I’ll take care of acquiring the wedding bands as well. How fast can you put the wedding itself together?”

“How fast do you want it done?”

“As soon as possible.”

I chewed on my lower lip, pensive. “Providing we keep things small and simple, we could have it a week from Saturday.” I had work commitments to stick to, and I wasn’t going to shove them all aside.

Dax briefly considered it. “An eleven day wait is acceptable.”

I almost snorted at the oh-so-imperious response.

He rose to his feet. “My villa is at the opposite end of the village. Number sixty-five. Can you be there for dinner tomorrow at six?”

I skimmed through my mental to-do-list. “Six works.”

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow evening.” He turned and stalked out of the room as slowly and purposefully as he’d entered it.

I trailed after him as he headed to the front door, unable to resist admiring that firm butt of his.

Dax pulled open the door and then half-turned to lock those incredible eyes on me. “Don’t take the ring off.”

I blinked. “I wasn’t planning to, but … why?”

He glanced down at it. “When you slid it on your finger, you sealed our deal. I want you to have that reminder that there’s no going back now. I also want anyone who thinks to interfere to see for themselves that they’re wasting their breath and the deal is done.”

People were likely to take it more seriously on seeing me wearing an engagement ring. Dax wouldn’t exactly go to the trouble of buying one unless he meant business, and I wouldn’t bother wearing one unless I was sure of my choice. “Okay. Just to say, I don’t need a reminder that I’ve given you my word. I don’t intend to break it.”

“You gave me your word when we made our pact, not taking it seriously.”

“That was different. I thought we were both kidding. Now, I don’t.”

He gave a satisfied dip of the chin. “Good.” Then he walked out.

Puffing out a breath, I resisted the urge to watch him stalk to his vehicle and instead closed the door.

Alicia skipped down the stairs, her eyes bright. “Well, how’d it go?”

“Fine. We covered everything that needed covering and now, well …” I held up my hand.

Her lips split into a gorgeous smile at the sight of the ring. “Oh my God, it’s beautiful. The man has taste.”

“Sure does.” I dropped my hand to my side. “I would have been disappointed that he hadn’t let me choose my own, but it’s exactly what I would have gone for.”

She eyed me carefully. “I thought you two would, you know, celebrate your decision, but you don’t look like a girl who just got railed.”

I felt my brows draw together. “Dax wouldn’t risk muddying the waters by bringing sex or emotion into the mix. To him, this is predominantly a business deal. He’ll ensure he’s pulled it off before he touches me. He won’t even do so much as kiss me until we’re pronounced man and wife.”

“Which will be when?”

“Next Saturday. I have eleven days before I’ll be pledging vows in front of a priest.” My stomach promptly began fluttering again.

“Luckily for you, you have the entire team at Sapphire Glade at your disposal to help make this wedding happen. If you need me to chip in, let me know—I’ll help in whatever way I can. You could let me and Harri choose the bridesmaid dresses,” she suggested, a note of excitement in her tone.

I sighed. “Fine, you do that.”

She beamed at me. “You know, I have to salute you for marrying someone like him. He’s just so … everything. In a good way. But it’s intimidating.”

For sure.

“I totally admire the people who work directly beneath Dax—I’m not sure I’d be all that productive if constantly around him. He demands attention with his presence alone.” Her gaze fell to my hand. “And God, I want that ring. Can I at least try it on?”

“No. Now let’s eat. In fact, you can look at bridesmaid dresses online while I cook. Just don’t pick anything too out there.”

“Why would you assume I might?”

“To poke at Harri, because you’ll get a kick out of seeing her panic that she’s got to wear some godawful monstrocity.”

“You know me so well.”