“I knew you would make it happen,” I confirm, making her smile get even bigger.

“How’d it go?” She slides to the side of the bed, swinging her legs back and forth.

“It was okay.”

“Okay? That’s all you’ve got?”

“I don’t know. He’s so intense. Sometimes I think he doesn’t even like me. Then other times I feel like he wants to eat me whole.”

“I’m thinking he’s into you,” Tabby says immediately. “He couldn’t stop looking at you. He got asked multiple questions and didn’t even answer them because he didn’t know people were talking to him. He was too busy staring holes into you.”

“Really?” I ask incredulously, feeling myself tingle all over. No one looks at me like that. They’re always looking at Tabby.

“Hey.” She jumps off the bed. “You kinda like him, don’t you?”

I shrug, not sure how to answer. “There’s something about him, but he seems so cold. Cold would be hard for me.” I wring my hands together. “To have a marriage like that would be scary. And what if I did fall for him and he was always that cold around me? I don’t want to fool myself that I could get it to go away.” I try and shake away the thoughts.

“You don’t even really know him yet. Maybe he’s different when no one else is around.”

He did seem a little different when it was just the two of us.

“It doesn’t matter. I’m his. I’ll just have to hope he doesn’t crush me. Mentally or physically.”





6





Roman





I wait until I see the light go off and then I step out from behind the trees. I make my way silently across the lawn and up to the terrace. A concrete wall lines the side of the balcony and is designed to look like vines. But all it does it offer me the perfect way to climb up to Alena’s room.

I take one big jump and grab a hold of it, pulling myself up. A man shorter than six and a half feet wouldn’t be able to make it. I’m also in good enough shape to pull my entire body up with just my hands. When I’m up far enough, I can use my legs to help me climb. And in a few seconds I’m on her balcony.

After we went home I told everyone goodnight. Then I went to my room and took the secret entrance down to the garage and got on my motorcycle. I waited in the trees and watched Alena as she got ready for bed.

There was no way I could sleep tonight, not knowing that in days she would be mine in the eyes of the world. She’s promised to me, so technically she’s mine already. But tonight I want to make sure. I want to bind us together so tightly that she can’t try to escape. I won’t leave her decision up to chance.

Looking around the balcony, I see the French door to her bedroom is slightly ajar. I open it silently and slip inside, closing it behind me. There’s a night light on near the bathroom, and I can scan the room, looking for her. I see the bed and Alena in it, with a blanket covering her body.

I slip off my shoes and pad over to the bed, the carpet absorbing all the noise. When I get to the edge, I put one knee on the mattress, and then the other. I lean forward and place both hands on either side of her but am careful not to touch her.

She looks so peaceful in her sleep. Her eyes are closed, and her soft, pink lips are slightly parted. She stirs a little, and then I can hardly believe my ears.

“Roman,” she whispers as she snuggles deeper into the blankets.

I’m an animal for coming here, but I can’t stop myself. I’ve made my choice, and by law she belongs to me.