Chapter 15 #3
“There’s no doubt in my mind Austin will make a great heir to my empire,” Harrison says proudly. The formality of this conversation is exhausting. Do people actually talk like this? “And you hopefully standing beside him as his wife.”
I gulp, the seriousness of the lie striking me straight in the chest.
Do it for Mom, Cove. One week. That’s it.
“There’s nothing I want more, Mr. Hartwell.” I smile softly, telling myself I can overcome this. I can do it and walk away with the money. Mom will have the funds to fix her house, and if we’re lucky, enough to take care of her indefinitely.
This will all be worth it.
But at the same time, why does my mind instantly think about Stetson?
Nathaniel and Harrison are huge names in the automotive industry.
Will Stetson get word of my relationship and supposedly upcoming marriage with Austin in as little as a week?
Stetson lives in Texas, too. Although I may not know the proximity to where we are, I’d imagine word travels fast in the millionaire world.
Or is it billionaire? Trillionaire?
Either way, I feel sick at the thought of him finding out without me telling him myself.
I want to tell him. But first, I’ll get settled here.
Find out where we’re headed for the next six days.
Then once I know the game plan, I’ll communicate discreetly.
I have to. Waiting a week will do more harm than good.
I don’t want to ignore him, but at the same time, I know there’s nothing I can offer him at the moment. And after him opening up about everything he’s worked for: the ranch, his family, his legacy. The letter he shared with me.
My heart crumbles. He’s such a good man. Which is even more reason I don’t want to drag him through my mess. The last thing Stetson needs is being caught with the lying woman who broke it off with the wealthy automotive bachelor stepping in to take over his father’s company.
Slander at its finest.
I know if I tell him I risk exposing us all and losing the money. So, I need to get my thoughts in order beforehand. As much as it kills me to prolong it.
I like Stetson. And that’s the unforeseen problem.
Happiness likes to meet me when I’m inches away from turning my life upside down. How unfortunate.
“How about we grab a drink and run through some numbers? Cove. Austin,” Harrison calls. “Let’s also discuss what to expect moving forward. Shall we?”
Austin and I glance at each other, waiting for someone to take the lead.
He seems confident that it’s him and reaches for my hand.
Everything about this feels wrong, and we aren’t even playing the part yet.
Well, he doesn’t know I’m faking it, but the guy knows nothing about me. How can he possibly be okay with this?
Oh, that’s right. Money. Big money, too.
His hands are clammy and soft.
Nothing like Stetson’s. Rough. Calloused. Skilled.
Glancing over at Austin is useless when I can feel his eyes on me—and not in the way I like.
Not how Stetson does with pure intention, making me weak in the knees.
His hoarse whisper meets my ear as we approach the lounge area of the local bar.
“Your father may have mentioned you were from Florida, but he sadly forgot the part about how tasteful you’d look with a suntan and heels. ”
I can confirm the hope I had for a decent guy is officially out the window.
Sleezeball, comin’ in hot at ten o’clock.
I plaster a fake smile, one that only someone close to me would be able to read for what it really is, and choke on my own words. “Oh, you don’t know the half of it, Austin. I’m full of surprises.”
His finger caresses the inside of my hand. I’m no stranger to men coming onto me. It’s par for the course with my job. But having to pretend I’m actually interested in this prick? Now, that’s an entirely different situation in itself. One I’d rather chop off my own tits to avoid.
Once we’re less than a foot away, I let go of his hand, dashing toward the closest available chair. It’s oversized and comfy, giving me space to keep to myself. Oddly enough, it’s also at the side of Nathaniel, making me feel slightly more comfortable than being hand in hand with Austin.
It seems I’m accompanied by not one, but three men who deserve poison in their morning coffee.
Not a bad idea, actually.
“Cove, we know this relationship between you and Austin is not traditional,” Harrison informs me as if I don’t already know that.
“But I can assure you Austin will treat you well. You’ll never go without, and that’s a guarantee.
I will have my lawyers get started on a proper NDA moving forward.
For both of your protection, I assure you,” he tells me, nodding between Austin and me.
It makes no sense to me how anyone would ever be okay with an arranged marriage. Especially with someone you don’t love. It’s tragic and frankly reminds me of the endings I read about in prehistoric novels. A sad revelation of love with no hope in the end. Death sounds better.
Harrison continues. “For matters of the press, your coming out will be this week in Waterstone. My team has ensured plenty of paparazzi will be in attendance at the week-long gathering, making your debut as a couple memorable. Or should I say, noteworthy?”
Did he just say…Waterstone?
“Waterstone?” I croak, my throat closing up. “Is that close by?”
“Roughly two hours. Give or take,” Nathaniel answers.
Stetson lives in Waterstone.
My clear thoughts dilute as Harrison explains the plan, Stetson’s proximity the only thing on my mind.
“With my retirement transition beginning in nine months, it’s imperative for you to date no more than six months, the wedding to follow two months after.
Austin must be on track toward marriage in order to be grandfathered in as CEO of Hartwell Enterprises.
Now, I’m not expecting an official union before proceeding with the acquisition, but I need trusted assurance that marriage is to come.
You may date apart until living arrangements are in place, especially with how busy Austin will be in the coming months.
Give the media something to talk about, and I’ll sign the deal this week. ”
I knew the reality of this all would hit me eventually, but sitting here with these two strangers who share a last name—a father and son—knowing they genuinely think I’m in this for the long haul…it makes me feel just as guilty as the absent father beside me.
The Hartwells may be corrupt businessmen, but they are people. And to someone like me, that still means something.
But I won’t let it stop me from making sure this happens. No matter how hard I may want to be the grown woman who runs and cries in her mother’s arms.
I can’t.
“That won’t be a problem,” I whisper, upturning my lips into a smile, but inside, it feels like a frown. Deep and hollow to its core.
“I’m open to marriage without restrictions.”
There’s no way I heard that right. I swing my head to Austin, unable to control the repulsion in my glare. “Hartwell billionaire, say what?”
Nathaniel clears his throat beside me. “Cove.”
Austin doesn’t seem fazed by my outburst; in fact, he’s quite entertained. “An open marriage. Should I explain?” He grins.
“Save the energy, please.” I hold my hand up in disbelief. As much as I’m completely against the idea of an open marriage in any case, I’m here to play a role, and telling him that wouldn’t be doing my job.
So, I play along. “I guess it’ll be nice to have the option if, for some reason, you lack in performance.” I smile, feeling like I could vomit glass.
“No problems there. Isn’t that right, Father?” I couldn’t make this shit up if I tried. Austin just relied on his father to defend his sexual capabilities. I shake my head, no interest in knowing the sick games that happen behind closed doors at the Hartwell residence.
“Not the time, Austin.”
How old is this child I’m supposed to date?
Nathaniel taps his glass on the table beside him before taking over the platform. “Now, onto the matter at hand. This week.”
“Ever been to Waterstone, princess?” Austin asks.
Call me princess again, and you won’t be alive to make it there.
I bite my cheek. “Can’t say I have.” My voice strains between perkiness and disgust. The pursuit of humor is simply a Band-Aid.
I really hope this gets easier.
“Cove.” Nathaniel directs his stone-cold attention at me. He’s such a bore. “You will be accompanying Austin and me to a week-long event celebrating the fiftieth birthday of my best friend. He will be hosting us in his home.”
That doesn’t sound horrible…
“You actually have friends?” I blurt, earning myself an eye roll. “Week-long, huh? Sounds like a party.”
Nathaniel shows the teeniest sign of laughter but locks it tight. “His family is physically unable to do things halfway.”
“That’s the only way to do it,” Austin chimes in.
“So, the three of us are staying there? And it’s a week-long party? What’s the catch?” I’m genuinely curious.
I understand going to his best friend’s birthday celebration. But the part that has my thoughts spinning is why this party in particular is where I need to fake it with Austin. I’d imagine the home of his best friend is the last place to finalize business.
Especially if they’re as close as he makes it seem.
Nathaniel sneers. “There is no catch. Seeing you together in a normal life setting is believable. We need real, authentic, and genuinely in love publicity. Picture the headlines…Austin Hartwell, heir of Hartwell Enterprises, falls for the beautiful small-town flight attendant, Cove Davenport. Photos. Sleeping in close quarters. Bonding with her father’s best friend and family.
No better time to fall in love than in Waterstone, Texas. It’s country living at its finest.”
“Practically kismet,” Harrison contributes.
Except, I’m from the city. Not a small town. And not one part of me wants to sleep anywhere close to Austin.
Leave it to my biological father to put his forgotten daughter in an uncomfortable position. Every part of this is so wrong.
“What makes you so sure people will see us there? I can’t say I’ve ever heard of paparazzi hanging out in corn fields,” I note, trying to put the pieces together.
“Trust me. It helps that he was just named Most Eligible Bachelor by Forbes Magazine. Paps will be lurking, whether they’re successful or not. In this case, any publicity is good publicity.”
It can’t be…
“Wait, did you say Forbes Magazine?” I stammer, my heart rapidly firing in my chest.
“The one and only. Coleson Ranch even has a full spread. It’s incredible for marketing,” Nathaniel tells me, not at all aware that I’ve stopped breathing.
Coleson Ranch. Waterstone Texas. There’s no way that’s a coincidence.
“Who did you say this man is? The one who owns the ranch?”
“Only the most sought-after cowboy in all of Texas, princess,” Austin rambles, but I tune him out.
My focus is on Nathaniel and the words he mutters as if they mean nothing. A matter of zero importance to him.
But to me? They’re catastrophic.
“Stetson Cole. My best friend of nearly twenty years.”