Chapter Two
Boone
“This is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done.” Curt walks right past me and goes over to the bar in my study to pour himself a drink.
“I don’t remember asking you.” I don’t look up from my computer as I click on the security cameras at the gate to see when Phoebe Hawthorne arrives.
The property is located on the edge of Hollow Oak. The land was inexpensive but a good investment at the time. I had this house built out here so that I could get away when I didn’t have pressing business in the city. A long driveway, over a mile long and lined with trees, leads up to the house, so I can’t go out and wait on the front steps for her. There will be an alert when someone is at the entrance, but I want to know the moment she’s here.
“Her family is in debt up to their eyes and everyone knows it.” I hear him take a drink, but I don’t respond.
I wonder what she’ll be wearing. Will she have on a wedding dress? I didn’t specify when I said I wanted her delivered today for the ceremony. Some think it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding, but I can’t wait.
“Are you even listening to me?” He takes a seat in one of the leather chairs in front of my desk.
“No,” I answer and don’t look up.
“Boone,” he barks, and I sigh as I lean back in my chair to look at him.
“She’s well bred, I’ll give you that.”
“Watch it,” I snap.
“You know what I mean. She comes from a family with a history of wealth. That’s the only thing that’s saving her father from the loan sharks right now. And the fact that he’s agreed to pass his only daughter off to you like a used sofa.”
“Enough.” I slam my hand down on my desk. “She’s about to be your sister-in-law, and my wife, so I suggest you bite your tongue.”
He glares at me and then looks away as he takes a drink. “I’m just letting you know this is a mistake.”
“It’s mine to make.”
“You’re obsessed,” he cuts in, but there’s no way I’m denying it.
One look at her and I couldn’t let her go. Her golden eyes haunted me like nothing else. I’ve been good with money, investments, property—literally everything I’ve touched has become a success. But I’ve never been knocked to my knees by a woman before.
I’d gone to her dad’s office for a meeting he’d begged for. I wasn’t going to go, but I did him a favor because a few years ago he’d given a generous donation to my charity. I thought if anything I owed it to him to hear him out. After Phoebe nearly knocked me over, I went up to his office with my head spinning. making a plan on how I could find this little slip of a woman.
Then I saw a photo of her on his bookshelf and a plan began to form. I looked into his business and found out that everything he owned was leveraged against his gambling debts. It was enough that there’s no way he could get out without declaring bankruptcy. Unless someone like me came along and offered to make all his problems go away. All I had to do was bide my time until Phoebe could be mine.
“And what will you do once you’ve gotten it out of your system, huh?” Curt asks. “You’ll get your nut and still be stuck with her.”
“Say it again and I’ll cut your tongue out.” My voice is low and cold, and for once Curt sees that I’m serious.
“What is wrong with you?” He genuinely looks concerned. “I’ve never seen you this way before.”
How can I explain to him what I’m feeling when I’m not even sure? All I know is that I’m on the edge of insanity, and if I don’t have her under my roof soon, I’ll burn her father’s business to the ground and make him scoop up the ashes.
The chime on my monitor goes off, and I see the Rolls Royce Phantom pull up to the gate. I stand and straighten my suit as I look down at my brother.
“It’s my wedding day, and you’re going to stand beside me and witness this,” I say, clenching my jaw. “Then when it’s over you can get the fuck out and leave me with my bride.”
“Boone, don’t do this,” he pleads, but I glare at him.
“Do I need to get a member of the staff to witness this instead of my own flesh and blood?”
Curt stands, and we’re eye to eye. Both of us are built almost the exact same at six foot five. His shoulders sag a little when he sees I’m not budging on this.
“Okay, let’s do this.” He relents and gulps the rest of his whiskey.
I turn and walk out of the office, not waiting to see if he follows behind me. After only a beat of hesitation, I hear his footsteps on the hardwoods.
The house is sparse because I don’t need much, and when I’m here I like to work outside on the land. I’ve even camped a few times by the lake when the weather is nice. This is the place where Phoebe and I will stay so that it’s private and away from prying eyes. I have a small staff that comes once a day, but at night we’ll be totally alone. I’m hoping I can keep media attention away from this, at least for a short time while we settle in.
“Everything is ready for you, sir,” Mrs. Birch says once I enter the foyer.
“Thank you.” I asked her to prepare a small meal for Phoebe and me for after the guests leave. I’m not making an effort to invite them to stay any longer than necessary. There is a minister on the terrace waiting to perform the ceremony as soon as we’re all in place.
The double doors to the front of the house are opened just as the Rolls Royce pulls up to the steps. I walk down them and feel Curt at my back as the driver comes around and opens the door. First I see Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne, who silently nod hello and then step out of the way. Then Phoebe holds out her hand for the driver to help her out of the backseat, and I don’t like it.
“Move,” I bark at the driver, and he quickly does as I command.
I take Phoebe’s hand in mine and look down at her in the long white dress. She’s so beautiful that I have to look away or I’ll take her right here on the ground.
“Let’s get this done,” I say as I keep hold of her hand and walk into the house.
I’m not about to let her father give her away, because she’s already mine. If anyone is her daddy now, it’s me. The only reason they are here is because I’m allowing them to witness the transaction.
She’s silent as we walk through the home, but I’m too anxious to let her stop and look around. We step onto the terrace where the minister is waiting, and I nod to him as we wait for everyone to take their place. My brother is behind me and her parents are behind her as the ceremony begins.
It’s thankfully short, and the only vow we have to say is “I do” before I place a ring on her finger. It’s a seven-carat oval cut diamond and a matching platinum wedding band that I slide on all at once. When it’s her turn, her fingers shake, and I hold her wrist to steady her as she does it.
I stare into her golden eyes as everything around us melts away and it’s just the two of us. This pull I feel toward her and this overwhelming need feels like it might consume me if I don’t have her soon. As the minister says the last of the words and then holds out the paper for us to sign, it’s my turn to shake. Only mine is from excitement.