Chapter 4 #3
I take my seat and gulp down a hefty sip of the amber liquid, finishing half of it and placing the remainder on my thigh.
I focus my attention on her and watch as she hesitates to bring the crystal to her lips before quickly swallowing a sip.
I can’t help the grin that forms on my face as she coughs from the burn sliding down her throat.
She pats her chest, scrunching her face in disgust.
It’s pretty fucking adorable.
“Why do you drink something that tastes like poison?” she croaks out, her eyes involuntarily watering.
My lips lift in a teasing smirk, causing her to laugh as she places the glass on the mahogany coffee table in front of her.
Using the back of her hand, she wipes at her skin where a bead of whiskey trickles down her chin, and I find myself wishing I could taste that single drop.
Her gaze slowly climbs to mine.
There are so many thoughts running rampant across her eyes.
Worries. Questions. Fears.
Too much chaos for one person to handle.
I reach for my drink and take a mouthful, giving her time to say whatever it is she needs to get off her chest.
“I need to get married.”
I cough up the whiskey, her confession taking me aback.
Not in a million years would I have guessed those were the words I was about to hear spill from her soft lips.
“I know,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“It’s pretty shocking. It took me by surprise, too.
” She laughs, but it sounds sad, like this is something that’s been consuming her whole for too long.
She lifts her hands in the air in exasperation before quickly dropping them.
“I’m in debt. A lot of debt. More than I could easily get myself out of. ”
I sit up straight, ready to type out for her to tell me a number, and I’ll give it to her, whatever she needs, but she stops me by holding up a hand.
“I won’t take money from you. Or anyone in your family.
” She sighs, leaning forward. “Things just…spiraled with school loans, and…other things.” She hesitates before saying, “I finished school last month, right before Christmas break. Finally got my master’s, so I can work as a deaf education specialist at the right school.
” She sighs. “Worst possible time to look for a teaching job. I’ve tried. Believe me. Every damn day.”
That’s when I notice it: the shadows beneath her eyes, along with the exhaustion etched across her face.
“So I took a job at Darkest Desires a few months ago as a cocktail waitress.” She shrugs.
“I heard the tips were good. Turns out, they are. But they come with a price like men who don’t appreciate hearing no.
” My fingers clench into fists on my thighs as I make a note to find every single man at the club who touched her.
“I had no intentions of ever…” Her cheeks transform into a bright shade of red.
“Stripping. But I became desperate. And, when a friend at work suggested I try it, well, I don’t know.
I guess I took the bait, and the next thing I knew, I was on that stage, living out my nightmare.
” She looks over at the fire. “But I wouldn’t have to do any of this if I could just find someone to marry. ”
Her words sound miles away between us as if she’s currently formulating a plan in her head.
I clear my throat, gaining her attention.
Why?
“Umm.” She worries her bottom lip between her teeth, her thumb pressing into her palm until faint half-moons appear.
What is going on inside her head? “I found out about a month ago that my mom apparently had a will when she died. It was just…recently discovered.” She hesitates.
“And she left…” She pauses, then exhales. “Money. For me. With a stipulation.”
Let me guess...
“I need to get married to inherit the money,” she says softly.
“Just temporarily. Sixty days to be exact.” She leans against the cushion, eyes fixed on the floor.
“It’s odd, I know, and I don’t want to sound like money is all that matters in life because I know that’s not the case, but…
” Her voice wavers. “When you don’t have it, and you really, really, really need it…
well, you start considering things you never thought you would. ”
She sighs and rubs at her temple, the weight of it all settling between us. I lean back in my seat and stare up at the ceiling, half of it glass, opening to a clear view of the night sky above, as I process every word.
“None of you were supposed to know where I’ve been working. I planned to take that secret to the grave. I really thought I could dig myself out of this mess before anyone ever found out.” She exhales. “But I guess that plan didn’t last very long.”
I pull out my phone and type, I won’t say anything. Neither will Leo.
Her shoulders sag just a little, relief softening her expression. “I would appreciate that.”
I type, And your dad?
She hesitates. “What about him?”
I arch a brow and type, He’s okay with this?
“He…” She bites her bottom lip, eyes flicking away. “He doesn’t know and won’t know. He has too much going on anyway, and I don’t want to worry him with this.”
Interesting. I know her father, Gregory Fowler. A good man. A man my father trusted. Before he retired, he helped Vin step into his leadership role after our father died seven and a half years ago. And I know, without a doubt, that he would never allow his daughter to be in a situation like this.
She reaches beside her, pulls the blanket from the back of the couch, and drapes it around her shoulders. A yawn escapes her as she settles against the armrest, exhaustion heavy in her eyes.
“So, that’s it. That’s my story.” Her voice is quiet now.
“I’ll probably be fired after what happened tonight, so I’ll have to start looking for a new job.
But I guess, that’s tomorrow’s problem.” She closes her eyes, tucking her hands beneath her chin.
“Is it okay if I rest my eyes for a few minutes? I didn’t get much sleep last night. ”
Before I can answer, her soft breathing fills the space between us.
Her long dark strands are spread out around her as she clutches onto the blanket, appearing peaceful.
With a heavy sigh, I finish the last of my whiskey and stand. At the end of the couch, I open a basket and grab the first pillow I find. Carefully, I lift her head and slide it beneath her. She doesn’t stir, just nuzzles into the pillow, sinking even deeper into sleep.
And the sight of it, well…
I rub at my chest as I take a seat on the coffee table and watch her closely. The shadows beneath her eyes tell the story she didn’t have to finish. This whole marriage mess is wearing her down.
My fingers lift on instinct, brushing lightly along her cheek.
The thought of her on that stage, where any man could see her and take advantage of her, sends heat flooding my veins. Fury coils tight in my gut.
How much debt could she have possibly gotten herself into?
I run a hand over my beard, questions piling up faster than I can sort through them.
But the longer I sit here, watching her sleep, the clearer one thing becomes. Temporary or not, there’s no way in hell I’m letting her marry any man but me.