Page 4 of Revealed
“The Roses make sure to never be caught off guard. Always prepared,” he answers me matter-of-factly.
He leads me to the back door of the middle vehicle, opening it for me to enter, but surprising me when he speaks again.
“Your mother is wrong. You should keep your fire. Hedemands strength. Make this arrangement worth your while,” he tells me confidently.
I tilt my head, studying him up close without the fear of someone witnessing me eye fuck a guard on my new husband’s payroll.
“I don’t remember asking for advice,” I retort as I raise my brow.
His beautiful face transforms into a smirk that has my lips twitching.
“There’s that fire, Princess.”
His smile brightens, showing a set of beautiful pearly-white teeth. I know I’m in trouble. My cheeks are warm and I’m thankful for the darkness of the night.
“Aren’t you supposed to be guarding him?” I ask, taking control of this conversation.
“Your father won’t jeopardize this deal, and I take orders when they’re given.” His voice lowers, leaning in slightly. “Besides, as your personal security, there’ll be few places that we won’t go together.”
“Hmm, good at taking orders. I’ll file that information away for later,” I say with a smirk.
“You do that, Princess. I’m Michael, by the way,” he formally introduces himself, sticking out his hand for me to shake.
I take it, our grasp lasting longer than normally acceptable. “Francesca.”
“Let me get you to our destination. There will be plenty of time for you to blaze a trail of fire.”
Chapter Three
FrancescaRose
The door closes as I slide across the backseat of Michael’s SUV. Once I’m settled I take in the vehicle, which feels much bigger on the inside. The windows are tinted, definitely darker than what the state allows, but I expect nothing less for the Rose family’s personal fleet. The car is top of the line. The luxurious leather seats provide a level of comfort I’ve never experienced, but my body refuses to relax. Outside the front window, Michael is speaking with one of the other guards, likely making plans for traveling to the airfield.
My head digs into the seat as I take a deep breath, silently absorbing my first moments alone since the ceremony. All my bravado slides down a notch now that I’m no longer in a room full of threats. I hold up my shaky hand and examine the diamond sitting on my finger. It’s so far from my style, but in the grand scheme of things the cut and setting of my wedding ring is the least of my worries.
If you were to ask my father, I’m sure he would say that my purpose has been fulfilled. My life has been attached to apowerful family and he’s a bit richer because of it. George Eden can officially wipe his hands clean of me, especially if the Rose’s keep me alive. Tradition states that the wife wedded into the new family must stay alive long enough to produce the next generation; after that her life is fair game. Most crime families have a surface-level respect for women and children, but I’m not sure what to make of my new husband. My mind flashes briefly to the ceremony and the look on Ashton’s face when he raised my veil. Did I imagine the attraction there? Is there a soft spot to be found within the Murderous Maniac? DoIwant that from him at all?
The sound of a door shutting brings my attention back to the front window to find Michael looking in at me as he makes his way to our car. He opens the door and when the interior lights illuminate his appearance, I stare unabashedly. Though I do my best to keep my face from revealing my thoughts.
“We’re going to head to the airfield now. There’ll probably be a small wait time on the tarmac depending on how long their meeting runs,” he informs me, starting the car as he buckles in.
“Thanks for including me in the plans.”
My father never bothered. Mother and I were just expected to show up wherever he demanded. Hopefully this line of communication stays open. It would be nice to have one person I can lean on in this new situation. Three SUVs from the line parked outside of my parents’ house drive along, situating us in the middle of the caravan. We’re driving away from the only home I’ve known before he speaks again.
“For your safety it’s important that we have an open line of communication.” His eyes flick up to look at me through the rearview before returning to the road. “I won’t pretend to know how you’re feeling, but I’m good at my job, and my number one priority is to keep you safe.”
“Wouldn’t want your boss to murderyoufor allowing me to get killed,” I say sarcastically.
“Like I said earlier, I follow orders well. And Princess, guarding you is my only job for the foreseeable future.” His lips tilt slightly.
My eyes roll at his nickname for me.
“So how bad will things be for me? With him?” I ask cautiously.
The humor in his eyes fades away and I watch his hands tighten around the steering wheel. I pray he doesn’t go quiet on me now. The more information I have, the more prepared I’ll feel.
“Honestly, I’m not entirely certain how this arrangement will play out. From my understanding, Evander is pressuring Ashton to produce an heir. If I had to guess, Ashton will treat this marriage as another item on his to-do list to be checked off.”
