“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. He nodded toward the house. “Let’s get out of the rain.”
The fastest way out of this maze was with someone who knew all its secrets.
I crossed my arms over my chest to hold in my heat as he bent down and retrieved the umbrella. He swung it over our heads as I wiped the rain from my face, and my gaze traced the framework beneath the black fabric.
“You’re holding a metal pole in a lightning storm,” I said.
The corner of his mouth twitched, but it was gone a moment later. We were already alone in the maze, but being tucked together under the safety of the umbrella felt . . . intimate. Like we were hidden from the entire world.
“Assuming we survive the walk back,” he said, “the first thing we need to do is put a lock on your door.”
I kept my tone dry. “Afraid you won’t be able to stay away?”
Royce’s expression was haunting and deadly serious. “It’s not me I’m worried about keeping out.”
Oh, my God.
THREE
I BARELY SLEPT MY FIRST NIGHT in the Hale house. It didn’t matter that the king-sized bed was comfortable or that the sheets were soft. The detergent on the linens was pleasant but unfamiliar. Even with the curtains drawn, shadows seemed to move in unexpected ways in the cavernous room. Every foreign sound echoed and jolted me awake, and my gaze shot to the doorknob.
Thankfully, it never turned. Maybe Royce had exaggerated and there wasn’t any danger of Macalister coming into my room. Perhaps he’d put the fear in my head as a power move.
When sleep finally came, it wasn’t restful. The new room didn’t smell like my home, and it certainly didn’t feel like it either. Would it ever?
I stayed hidden in bed until the Hales left for work and the house went quiet. With them gone, I could finally think. The most effective way to derail Royce’s life was to figure out exactly what he was planning. I thought I’d have the day to explore the house on my own, but my phone buzzed with a text message. Alice, Royce’s stepmother, would be sending a car this morning, and she had several appointments set up for me.
Once I’d been whisked to Boston, I met her and a potential wedding planner for lunch. And when that was done, I was delivered to Alice’s personal shopper with a long list of occasions I needed to be styled for.
There were fundraisers and charity galas. Golf outings, and regattas, and a whole slew of events I would be expected to attend with Royce. His schedule had been synced with my calendar, and I’d been warned this was only the beginning. More parties and events were coming.
The first one on Alice’s list was dinner tonight, because once a week the Hales shared a meal together. So, this evening I’d sit beside my fiancé and be officially welcomed into the family.
In the dining room.
“Are you feeling all right?” the saleswoman asked, worried. She’d noticed my pale face, and perhaps the cold sweat dotting my brow.
“I’m fine,” I said as my stomach twisted into knots.
She put me in a short, rose gold dress that had an open back and a beautiful drape. It was business formal—not dressy enough for a wedding, but much fancier than anything I’d wear to dinner with my own family. It looked nice and sophisticated, though, and hopefully it would give me the confidence I’d need to get through this evening.
Royce made good on his promise. When I returned from my afternoon meetings, there was a deadbolt installed just above the knob on my bedroom door. It was brass and matched the décor perfectly, barely looking out of place. Only its shine gave away its newness.
I wondered if the same could be said of me in this house.
At six-thirty, there was a short knock. “Marist,” came Royce’s voice from behind the door. “It’s time for dinner.”
I balled my hands into fists, shook out the tension through my fingers, and strode to the door.
He was wearing a stone-gray suit with a charcoal colored tie. Like yesterday, he’d come straight from the office and hadn’t changed, but this time he hadn’t relaxed his look. The knot in his tie was sharp and perfect. Everything was buttoned down and polished.
Except for the way his hungry gaze roamed over me. It started at my nude heels and worked its way up, flowing over the pink hued fabric until finally finding my face. His blue eyes hinted at his indecent thoughts, and I did my best to pretend I didn’t care, nor was I having similar thoughts about the way he looked.
My exaggerated tone was sugary sweet. “How was your day, darling?”
He didn’t rise to take the bait. Instead, his appreciative gaze swiped over me once more, before landing on the engagement ring I wore. “Better now.”
Damn him. Unwanted warmth bloomed in the center of my chest. I went to push past him, but he put his arm on the doorframe and blocked my exit.
“Grab your phone,” he said. “You’re going to need it.”
That was strange, but I didn’t question it. I just did as I was told.
We walked together in silence through the hall, down the grand staircase, and as we approached the ornate wooden door to the dining room, trepidation turned my legs into unmovable cement. Panic bubbled in my stomach like over-carbonated cheap wine.
“Wait,” I whispered.
Royce’s warm palm pressed against the bare skin on my back. Not to push me forward, but to connect and calm. “Hey.” He matched my quiet voice. “It’s okay.”
Nothing was okay, though. Behind that door was the long dining table and flickering candelabras and nine men in tuxedos waiting for me—
I’d gone rigid, and Royce’s expression hung. “I, uh, can tell him you’re not feeling well.” He’d done his best to sound convincing, but it was pointless.
“Right. Because that worked out so well for Emily.”
Six weeks ago, my sister had tried to get out of lunch with the Hales, but Macalister hadn’t allowed it. He’d pushed until she’d made an appearance—one that ended with her throwing up all over his hand during their handshake.
Even if Royce told his father I was sick and that worked, it was only putting off the inevitable. I’d be right back in this situation again next week. Better to face it now and get it over with than live with another week of dread.
I swallowed a deep breath, forcing confidence into my body. “I’m fine. I can do this.”
I said it more for me than for him, but Royce nodded. “Yes. If anyone can, it’s you.”
He pushed the door open, and my lungs squeezed painfully tight.
The room looked so different than it had during the initiation. The curtains were open, and bright sunlight poured in from the oversized windows, chasing away shadows. The candelabras had been shelved on a side table. Even the impressive crystal chandelier overhead seemed transformed. It was elegant and regal, sparkling proudly rather than glinting sinisterly in the darkness.
The table had been set at the end closest to the door, opposite the side where I’d lain naked a little over a week ago and lost my virginity. I tried not to stare at the spot or think about that night. I needed to focus, anyway. The rest of the Hales were already seated, and, judging by Macalister’s irritated expression, they’d been waiting for us.
He sat at the head of the table, Alice to his right and his younger son Vance beside her. I worried for a moment the empty seat next to Macalister was for me, but Royce pulled out the farther chair and gestured to it.