Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
That’s the lie I’m telling myself as I knock on the door.
It takes a moment before it opens and I’m looking at his sister. Even though her hair is cut super short and she’s not wearing any makeup she’s so beautiful, I struggle not to stare.
Evinka’s her name, right?
Feeling intimidated by her, I practically squeak, “Hi.” I’m not sure if she’s deaf, and I hope I don’t offend her in any way as I add, “I brought food for Dominik.”
Her eyes remain trained on me, and the corner of her mouth lifts slightly as if I amuse her.
Dominik comes up behind her and mutters, “I’ve got it.”
At least now I know she’s not deaf.
When Evinka walks back toward the living room, I hold the plate out to him. “You should eat.”
He takes the plate and stares so intently at me that I start to fidget and quickly turn around so I can get my butt back to the mansion.
I don’t even make it past the roses that are planted around the cottage when Dominik falls into step beside me. I don’t see the plate of food and glance over my shoulder at the shut door.
“You’re not going to eat?” I ask.
He only shakes his head.
“But you made all the food,” I argue.
“For you,” he mutters.
Huh? Why would he make all that food for me?
When we enter the mansion through the French doors, he orders, “Get your sister and meet me in your father’s office.”
My feet come to a standstill, and I watch as he walks across the foyer.
Worry gnaws at my gut as I head up the staircase, and I quickly knock on the bedroom door before pushing it open. Ciara’s standing in front of her window with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Dominik wants to see us in Dad’s office,” I tell her.
“Why did you take him food?” she asks as she turns around.
“Because he made it.”
She gives me a worried look. “You’re not giving in, are you?”
“No!” I rush forward, and when I reach her, I rub my hand up and down her arm. “Of course not.”
She nods and gives me a relieved smile. “Okay.” The smile doesn’t last long and fades as she asks, “Do I really have to go to the office?”
I nod. “Let’s show a united front. We need to squash this crazy idea of a wedding between you and Dominik.”
When we leave her bedroom, Ciara hooks her arm through mine. Her eyes drift over my face, then she asks, “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I reply as we near the stairs.
“You look tired.”
I give her a reassuring smile. “I’m fine. I promise.”
Ciara is already stressed out of her mind, and the last thing she needs is me offloading on her about the panic attacks and sleepless nights I’m having.
When we near Dad’s office, Dominik’s tone sounds impatient as he snaps, “I don’t have weeks to wait around, Devlin. Push me and see what happens.”
“Sorry,” Dad quickly replies. “I was just hoping for more time to get the girls used to the idea.”
I’m first to enter the office with Ciara sticking close to my back.
Dominik is standing in front of the wall-to-wall bookshelf and doesn’t even bother to glance at us when he orders, “Sit, ladies.”
I gesture at one of the open chairs, and when Ciara takes a seat, I move to stand beside her.
Dominik still doesn’t look at us as he says, “It’s time to come to an agreement.”
I glance at Dad and stick to my guns as I say, “There’s still no way Ciara’s marrying Dominik. It doesn’t matter if he stays here for a year. Nothing will change my mind.”
“It’s not for you to decide, Grace!” Dad snaps, which makes Ciara startle.
Dominik finally turns to face us, and with his eyes locking on me, he says, “Then I’ll marry you.”
“Okay,” I agree without even thinking about it.
At the same time the word leaves my mouth, Dad exclaims, “No!” He glances between Dominik and me, then says, “Grace was already married. It’s Ciara’s turn.”
Having had enough, I tap Ciara on her shoulder and say, “Leave.”
With wide eyes, she glances at Dad before climbing to her feet.
“Sit down, Ciara,” Dad orders, a second away from losing his shit.
“Go!” I pull Ciara around me before nudging her toward the door. “Shut the door behind you.”
She obeys me, and when she’s gone, I level the men with a glare. “This. Ends. Now.”
Dad darts up from his chair and slams his fist down on the desk. “Jesus Christ, Grace. It’s not for you to decide!”
Like hell, it is.
DOMINIK
“I agree with Grace,” I say, which only earns me a dark glare from her.
“Ciara is the only option,” Ian insists, his hand cutting through the air as he doubles down on his decision.
“She will never be an option.” Grace takes a step closer to the desk, her eyes burning with rage on her father. “I won’t let you sell her for your profit.”