Chapter 7
Chapter seven
Madeleine
Someone just kill me and take me out of my misery.
As my eyes scan the opulent room at Le Noir, one of my family’s many restaurants, I take in the horror before me.
Scarlett appears by my side, her blue eyes trailing over the space. The scrutiny on her face matches my own as she tucks her long blonde hair behind her ear. “It looks…”
“Like Pepto-Bismol threw up in here,” I finish for her.
Pink flowers. Pink tablecloths. Pink banners. Pink centerpieces.
Pink. Pink. Pink.
Scarlett grimaces. “I tried to suggest she tone down the pink, but she thought you would like it.”
I roll my eyes and scoff. “Anyone who knows me knows pink is not on my color palette. I’m all about neutrals, gold, black—”
“Hi, Madeleine.”
I jump, placing a hand on my chest. Turning around, I find Cressida, the mastermind responsible for today’s festivities, standing behind me. Oh, fuck me.
Her long, platinum-blonde hair cascades over her shoulders, gliding across the pink fabric of her knee-length dress. Her brown, wide doe eyes only enhance the princess image she portrays. She’s petite, quiet, and normal—completely the opposite of her twin brother, that’s for damn sure.
“Do you not like it?” she asks softly, her eyes glistening. Shit, is she about to cry?
“Of course I do!” I quickly reply, catching Scarlett’s eye.
“It’s just so…beautiful,” Scarlett adds as she peers around, feigning awe.
I place my hand on Cressida’s shoulder. “I appreciate this, really.” Yeah, her brother is a goddamn asshole, but she doesn’t deserve the hatred I feel toward him.
“You’re sure? Because I can change things before anyone else arrives. Maybe I could—”
“Oh my God.” Alina approaches my other side, her deep brown eyes wide as she takes in this atrocity. “Who decorated this—”
“Cressida designed everything,” I swiftly interject. “Isn’t it lovely?”
Alina looks too stunned to speak, so I lightly elbow her in her side. “Ow… Oh yes. Yes! It’s just so…elegant.”
Cressida beams at the compliment, dabbing at her eyes. “I’m just so happy you’re marrying my brother. I wanted to help in any way I could.” Her pink glossed lips widen. “After all, we’ll be sisters soon enough.”
The floor feels like it just opened beneath me, sending my stomach free-falling.
I’ve always wanted a sister. Scarlett and Alina, my two best friends for as long as I can remember, have always been the closest I’ve had to sister figures in my life.
But Cressida? She seems nice enough, but anyone who shared a womb with Alastor for nine months isn’t someone I can ever fully trust.
I muster a tight smile.
“Oh, I see the caterer sneaking out the back,” she says. “I need to catch him before he leaves! I’ll be right back!” She hurriedly strides after him in her six-inch heels, calling out his name.
I sigh. “She means well.”
Alina interlocks her arm through mine, pressing the side of our heads together. Her long brown strands blend with my black ones. “At least I spotted a chocolate fountain in the corner; we can totally ambush it later.”
I frown. “I’m not sure chocolate will lift my spirits right now.”
A gasp escapes Scarlett, and she abruptly places her hand on my forehead. “Oh my God, are you sick?”
I laugh, waving her hand away. But just as quickly, my smile fades.
Sick? No.
Depressed? Most definitely.
“Hello, ladies.”
The deep timbre of Eli’s voice rushes over me, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.
“Eli, thank God you’re here.” Alina laughs as she adjusts her glasses. “Madeleine just told us she didn’t want chocolate. We think she might be sick.”
I roll my eyes, tugging my arm from Alina’s. “I’m not—”
The palm of Eli’s hand presses against my forehead, and my whole body stills as words escape me.
He’s touching me. And yeah, it’s not in a sexy way since he’s merely checking my temperature, but his touch alone does something funny to me.
Leaving me momentarily incoherent and disoriented.
His brows furrow as he looks me over. A flush spreads across my skin, heat coursing through me.
“You’re a little warm,” he notes with concern in his tone. “Should I take you home?”
“I…” I blink a few times and clear my throat, taking a step away from his touch as I internally shake my head. “I’m fine. Alina”—I point a glare in her direction—“was just teasing.”
His eyes don’t leave me, and I feel a honeyed warmth course through my veins under his attention. I scratch my arm, dropping his gaze as I look off into the distance.
“I’m surprised you’re not still sleeping,” Scarlett says to Eli, causing his eyes to travel to her. “You and Leo got home pretty late last night. Or should I say early this morning?” She laughs.
Excuse me?
“I’m used to having to stay up for long hours. Part of the perks of military life,” he jokes with a slight grin.
I turn my attention to him. “I didn’t know you were out last night.”
He nods. “Just taking care of some business.”
“Anything I should know about?”
“Nothing for you to be concerned with.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “You’re my bodyguard. You are my business.”
He arches an eyebrow, challenging me to continue. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” I uncross my arms, placing a hand on my hip. “The first night you’re on duty, and you leave me alone, unprotected. This is going as poorly as I imagined it would.”
His eyes darken as he steps closer, lowering his head to my level. “You think I would ever leave you unprotected?”
“Well, clearly you—”
“Mauro was standing post until I got back.”
My lips part in surprise. “Oh.”
He leans in closer, his breath warm against my ear as he speaks soft enough so only I can hear him.
“Your safety is my top priority. Always has been and always will be. So, you will do well not to question my methods.” He stands straight, towering over me as he glares down at me.
“Your brothers asked me to keep you safe, and I promised them I would. Some of us know what it means to keep a promise.”
My hands clench into fists at my sides, my blood pressure on the precipice of boiling over. “How dare—”
“Hey!” Alina squeezes herself between us. “Let’s go visit that chocolate fountain. I think I saw chunks of brownies we can dip in it!”
I lock my gaze on Eli, waiting for him to look away first. Surprisingly, he does. I smile in victory until I notice who has caught his attention—Cressida.
Looking back at him, I see that he can’t tear his eyes away from her, and suddenly, my chest tightens.
“Who’s that?” Eli asks.
Scarlett looks across the room. “Oh, that’s Cressida. Alastor’s twin sister.”
“Huh.”
Seriously?
Taking a step toward him, I give him a playful pat on the chest. “Be careful, Eli. You have drool running down your chin.” I toss my hair over my shoulder and turn to walk away, giving him something to really stare at when a voice suddenly stops me in my tracks.
“There you are, darling.” A sudden chill slithers over my skin, every muscle in my body locking up. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
I take a deep breath and turn, facing the man who haunts my nightmares almost every night.
“Alastor.” I feign a smile as he approaches.
His blond hair is slicked back, and he’s wearing a soft blue three-piece suit that appears straight off the runway, perfectly fitting his lean frame.
He unbuttons his jacket, positioning himself in front of Eli.
“I thought you were in Milan for business.”
“I was. But I decided to surprise my fiancée.” His sinister smile grows, revealing everything I need to know.
He’s not here to check on my well-being or because he misses my presence. That’s for damn sure.
He’s here to ensure I haven’t run away.
That I haven’t called the whole thing off.
And by the way his eyes dart over his shoulder at Eli, it’s clear he’s also here to claim his territory.
“Don’t you have a kiss for your future husband?” he asks, a menacing gleam in his beady eyes.
I swallow hard, trying to force down the lump in my throat.
So far, I’ve managed to keep a physical distance from Alastor as much as possible in these circumstances. Merely holding hands or standing by his side while in public.
But now, he knows I can’t deny him. Not with all eyes on us.
“Oh.” I wave a hand around. “Unfortunately, my throat has been a little sore. I would hate to get you sick—”
“Nonsense.” I’m taken aback when one of his hands slips around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest, while his other hand sneaks to the back of my neck. His fingers dig into my skin, holding me in place and ensuring I can’t escape. “You’re worth getting sick for.”
That’s the only warning I’m given before his lips crash down on mine.
Bile rises in my stomach as he kisses me, devouring me in front of everyone. I keep my lips pressed tightly together, breathing through my nose and enduring every excruciating second.
Finally, he releases me, a look of arrogance spreading across his ugly features. His rancid taste lingers on my lips, and I have to fight the urge to wipe my mouth with my forearm.
I glance to my side and see Scarlett and Alina with their eyes wide open, unsure how to react.
Humiliation washes over me.
Alastor then turns to his side. “Oh, I didn’t see you there.” He releases his grip on my neck and extends his hand toward Eli. “I don’t think we’ve officially met. I’m Alastor, the fiancé.” He emphasizes the last word, ensuring everyone hears it loud and clear.
Eli stares at Alastor’s outstretched hand, his jaw clenching forcefully. I know he wants to break it. He wants to twist each finger until he hears the bones snap, and Alastor screams out in agony. But when his darkened orbs look up, entrapping mine, I’m hit with an overwhelming surge of guilt.
This is my fault.
He looks ready to assassinate Alastor on the spot.
Anxiety skates across my body as tension forces its way between us, grasping its talons into me.
“Eli.” Eli takes Alastor’s hand, his knuckles turning stark white. His eyes never leave mine. “I’m the bodyguard.”