Ryder’s eyebrow rose again. He wasn’t taking my word for it.
I kissed Jade on the forehead and took a step backward.
My gaze met Ryder’s. His eye twitching, which had been barely noticeable when I’d arrived, had become far more obvious. My stomach roiled at the sense of impending doom.
As soon as we got into the car and drove away, I turned to Ryder.
“You okay?” The twitching was making me nervous as fuck.
He wavered for a second before he answered. “I have a bad feeling, man. Like something is happening to Eva . . . something really, really bad.” His face was hard as granite, and small beads of perspiration had formed on his forehead.
My heart thumped against my ribs. Fuck no. I’d bargain with the fucking devil himself if he’d keep her from harm. I pressed my foot down on the accelerator, and we sped through the neighborhood until we hit the freeway.
Chapter 38 — Eva
Standing with my ear to the door, I listened until I heard footsteps and then a door slam shut. I nodded at Sofia to open the bathroom door. It was hot and steamy with the door closed, and I was still feeling faint and queasy. With my heart beating rapidly in my ears, I wondered what was waiting for me in the room.
On the bed lay a wedding gown of pure white lace and silk. Although it was beautiful and most likely very expensive, it wasn’t what I would have chosen myself. But then, neither was the man I was getting married to. And knowing Nolan, he’d be sure to have a watertight pre-nuptial agreement in place so that I’d never escape unless he wanted it.
Maybe, if I was lucky, he’d tire of me and toss me to the side. How crazy was my situation and my thoughts? What bride went into what was meant to be the biggest day of her life with trepidation and fear, hoping for it to fail before it even started? The promise I’d made was becoming too much to bear. Would Harrison ever realize the price I was prepared to pay for his life and his freedom?
Sofia took me by the arm and led me to the vanity. I sat in front of the mirror, still and lifeless as she combed my wet hair, then dried it. I avoided looking at the gown, the symbol of my imprisonment, by turning my head so that I wouldn’t see the reflection of it in the mirror. As the minutes ticked by, dread filled my soul.
Sofia’s nimble fingers weaved flowers into my dark hair. Their sweet fragrance filled the room, and I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths to calm myself. She made a strange soft humming noise, as if she was trying to soothe me. I loved that she tried to help me in whatever small way she could.
Eventually, I had to face the dress waiting for me. Jones had returned to tell me I had fifteen minutes to go until he was coming for me. Fifteen minutes before my life changed forever.
A sense of emptiness gripped me as I stared at myself in the mirror. The sooner I made peace with the void that would reside where my heart used to be, the better I’d cope with the situation.
I’ve sold my soul to the devil.
But it would be worth every agonizing moment if it meant that Harrison was spared. He’d never know of my sacrifice, but I would, and that was enough for me. True love wasn’t about oneself or about one’s ego; it was about ensuring that the one I loved was safe and happy.
For a moment, I stared into my own eyes in the mirror. They seemed vacant, as if I’d already left my body and gone somewhere else.
Just over a year ago, I would have been the happiest woman alive marrying Nolan. I didn’t know what kind of man he was then. It was strange how sometimes the people we believed to be our heroes turned out to be nothing like the character they portrayed to the outside world. Behind the mask was another person we didn’t know existed.
I wasn’t the only fool though—thousands of people trusted Senator Parker to be a standup guy of good morals. If only they knew that beneath the façade of decency lurked an evil man who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. I shuddered as I thought of all the promises he’d made to get elected. I wouldn’t be in the least surprised if nothing came of it.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d become a Stepford wife. Pretending to be something I was not was one of my worst nightmares. Most likely, I’d end up stabbing my new husband and landing in prison. At least that wouldn’t be as bad as living a lie.
Sofia brought the dress to me and held it so that I could slip into it. I gulped for air.
This is it.
Cagey and overwhelmed, I stepped into the frothy creation with my heart pounding in my ears. I stood dead still while Sofia fastened the row of tiny buttons at the back.
For the first time, I was glad my mother was dead. I’d dreaded my wedding day since she’d died of cancer because I’d miss her presence so damn much. But now I was relieved that she wouldn’t have to witness how I’d sold out on my dreams.
Sofia smoothed the dress with the palm of her hand before helping me slip into the shoes that had been left with the gown. Everything fit perfectly, including the satin underwear I wore underneath. Nolan hadn’t spared any expense; that much was clear. Only it wasn’t what I would have chosen.
“Thank you,” I said with a weak smile as she handed me a bouquet of white lilies.
I hated lilies. To me they were the flower of death. How appropriate.
My head jerked up when the hard door knock came again. Jones stepped inside unceremoniously, and raked his gaze over me.
“Not too bad. You’re a bit too skinny for my taste; I like my women full and voluptuous. Some meat on their bones to hold on to.”
For a fleeting moment, I wanted to burst out and laugh. Jones’s revelation was far more information than I’d ever expected from the serious, badass dude I’d become accustomed to. I relaxed just a little, letting my shoulders drop a fraction.
But before I could even comment, the hard mask had slipped back over his features. The moment was gone as suddenly as it had appeared. Yet it made me realize that no matter what we portrayed to the outside world, no matter how tough we appeared, we were all only human. Even Jones.
For the second time in a matter of minutes, Jones surprised me by holding out his arm to escort me out. My bodyguard was keeping me close. Smart man.
His ominous voice spoke in my ear. “I wouldn’t do anything silly if I were you. Smile and act like a blushing bride as if your life depends on it. There are cameras waiting.”
My heart pounded and my mouth went dry. I had no option but to slip my arm through that of the burly man because my knees were shaking so hard I was afraid I’d be unable to stand through it all.
Jones started walking toward the door. Sofia shuffled closer, and lifted the train of the dress off the ground. It was time to do this.
Chapter 39 — Eva
The bright sunlight reminded me that I hadn’t been outside in days. I blinked a few times and my eyes watered as I fought back a sneeze. I wondered what it was about the bright sun that caused a person to have such a strong reaction. I must Google it.
My mother had always said “bless you.” How I wished she was there to rescue me. She would have seen right through Nolan and put a stop to this.
Funny the stories we make up in our heads when we don’t want to face the harsh reality of what was happening to us.
“People survived the Holocaust by keeping their minds strong. Remember that, Eva.” My mother’s voice spoke in my head with every step I took closer to my ill fate.
Becoming aware of movement in the distance, I squinted and saw a few people out on the lush lawn—all wielding cameras. What if I told them what was happening to me? Would they believe me? Help me?
What if they thought I was crazy?
Maybe I was.
I nearly stumbled over a stone on the pathway. I cursed under my breath as pain shot from my toes through to my ankle. Jones’s grip tightened as he jerked me upright and held on to me. “Be careful and watch where you’re going.” Irritation was clear in his voice.