Page 18 of Whispers in the Dark
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’twant 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’sproblem.” 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.
Chapter five
Alina
My eyelids flutter against the morning light as I snuggle deeper beneath the warm blanket, my body sinking into the soft cushions—Wait.
In a panic, my eyes pop open as I sit up and view my surroundings.Oh my God.
I fell asleep on Mauro’s couch.
I smack my forehead and bring my feet to the floor, my hands cradling my head.
Ugh.Please tell me I didn’t snore. That would certainly add to the mountain levels of embarrassment building inside me.
