Chapter 10
ROSE
I’m not sure if I’m up to this. When sister Agatha told me about the test, I never thought for one second it would be like this.
I’m so confused and even more at how happy I am that my hand is in his.
I’m warm inside when I should be cold. So much has happened since I left the convent, and the fact a man was murdered because of me is playing on repeat in my mind.
“That man.”
My voice falters as Julius guides me to a seat.
“Which one?”
“The, um, one who is no longer living.”
“What about him?”
“Who was he?”
I sink into the comfortable chair, mourning the fact that Julius lets go of my hand and takes the one opposite, staring directly into my eyes as a flicker of distaste passes across his face.
“He worked for the man inside the plane. Liam Dettori. Their plan was to replace your cab driver, who they murdered for showing up to work that day. Liam’s guard took his place, and his intention was to take you to Liam, where the marriage would take place.
By the time the plane landed, I’m convinced you would be holding a marriage certificate and already pregnant with Liam’s child. ”
“For my inheritance.”
My voice is sharp, and it’s as if I’m beginning to wake up from a dream, hell, a nightmare that I’ve forgotten was the reason for fleeing to the convent in the first place.
“Yes.” Julius shrugs, and I stare at him hard.
“And you. Is that also your intention?”
I study him carefully and the flicker of anger in his expression is confusing.
“No,” he states simply, and for some reason it’s a tremendous relief that he’s not the enemy.
“My intention was to get you safely to Washington. My father anticipated the interest in your family and took steps to avoid trouble.”
“Two men are dead already because of me. What if you’re next?”
My words catch on my breath because the idea of anything happening to Julius is painful, and I’m not sure why.
“I won’t be.” He shrugs, and the steely glint in his eye should terrify me.
It’s only now that I’m aware of how much trouble I’m in that it becomes clear that they sent a demon to slay another.
Evil versus evil in this case, and yet I can’t judge Julius too harshly because he has done nothing but protect me.
“What was the plan when I got to Washington? Would you be around to protect me there?”
I have to know because as I wake up to the facts, I’m beginning to realize that my knight in dark armor may not be as gallant as I thought he was.
“I have been assigned to protect you throughout your year out. To help you, to be here for you and to be your contact.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes, and if anything, I’m shocked by how disappointed I am at that.
“I want to go back.”
The words may leave my lips, but I don’t really mean them. If anything, the past few hours have been the most exhilarating of my life, but I want to test my theory.
I study him carefully, and the flicker of disappointment in his expression confuses me. Is it because he wants to steal the prize, or is it because he feels more than he is letting on?
“Rose.” His voice is calm, but his eyes flash.
“You have just left, and it’s understandable you are scared.
Anybody would be, but you have my assurance that this year will be the best one of your life.
Until now, you have been caged like an animal, and I have the keys to that cage.
Allow me to show you the pleasures of life, and if you wish to return at the end of the year it will be based on an informed decision. ”
“But I’m scared, Julius.”
I state the freaking obvious, and my heart leaps when he moves and takes the seat beside me, and I almost jump out of my skin when he cups my face with his hand and stares deep into my eyes.
I can’t breathe as he holds my attention and whispers huskily, “It is okay to be scared. Let me do the worrying for both of us, and just so you are aware, I don’t worry because I am always three steps ahead of my enemies.
It’s why I am the perfect choice to guide you through, so take those doubts and pack them away and face this adventure with bravery and an open mind. ”
His thumb rubs against my skin, and I swear I almost pass out.
This is so intense; he is so intense, and I’m drowning.
I no longer see the gardener when I close my eyes.
He is nothing compared to this man holding me so tenderly, and my entire body shivers as he strokes my face, causing a sensation inside me that I want to hold on to.
“Do you trust me, baby girl?”
His thumb drags against my lips, and I hitch my breath, the madness of life tying me up in abandonment.
“I do.” My whisper is barely audible, and he leans forward a little, his breath hot against mine, his lips millimeters away.
I am yearning for something I don’t understand, and he cocks his head to one side and says softly, “We will work well together, Rose.”
“I agree.” My smile causes his eyes to flash with passion, and I hold my breath, struggling to remember what we were talking about.
Then fear comes crashing back into reality, and I gasp, “My sisters. They are leaving the convent. What if they are in danger?”
“Shh?” He places his finger on my lips and whispers, “They are fine.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
I’m so worried, and Julius continues to stroke my cheek with his thumb and says gently, “We have protection in place, and that is all you need to know.”
Tears well in my eyes as I picture either of them getting hurt, and then it strikes me that one important piece of information has yet to be explained.
“You say I’m worth billions. I don’t understand.”
He drops his hand, and I immediately regret my question because it creates distance between us.
He leans back and runs his fingers through his dark unruly hair and sighs. “Your father left a great deal of money in his will, with conditions attached.”
“Which are?”
He turns, and a regretful smile hits me as he says huskily, “He left it all to his three daughters to be divided equally as long as the youngest is married by the age of twenty-five and pregnant. You have until then, and if that doesn’t happen, it all goes to his mistress, Morgan Sorcusi.”
“My stepmother.”
I shiver.
“So what you’re saying is–” I inhale sharply. “If Tiffany isn’t married and with child by the time she is twenty-five, we lose everything.”
“If she is the youngest, then yes.”
“And Morgan inherits billions.”
“She does.”
My hatred for that woman clouds my reasoning, and I stare hard at Julius and hiss, “Then I accept your offer, Julius. I will see this through and hope I meet a decent man and marry before the deadline because the idea of that woman having even one dollar of my father’s money is more frightening than spending the year outside my cage. ”