I pulled myself out of Sebastien’s arms and searched his face for a glimpse of a smile to let me know that he was joking.
Girl, have you heard Sebastien Quantum crack a joke since you’ve been working for him?
“Let me get this straight. You want to pay off my debt, protect me and keep my secret, but you can’t do it because you’re just a good person at heart, so the price I’ll have to pay is marrying you?” Bitterness was laced in my tone. “How are you any different from the men who promised me a better paying job and lured me into prostitution?”
Did Sebastien think that because I was poor I could be bought? Him paying the debt equaled paying a bride prize in my books. What made him think I’d allow him, him of all people, to claim me as his wife? And why the fuck had I babbled everything to him? I should’ve just let him throw me back out on the street. But no, now he knew my secret, and if I don’t go along with this stupid plan of his, he’d probably tell the whole world about what I did or hold it over my head for the rest of my life.
“Ms. Malone, what other options do you have, at the moment?” His voice was calm, but his eyes darkened slightly.
I glared at him. He didn’t have to be so smug about it.
When I didn’t answer, he continued, “I’m pissed that Dean thought he couldn’t come to me for help, and I’m even more pissed that you were dragged into this. But the reality is, paying off Dean’s debt isn’t going to stop those men from coming after you.”
As much as I hated to admit it, Sebastien had a point.
“However, once they realize you’re taken by a powerful man, like myself, and they know you’re protected, they’ll back off. And besides, this situation is a win-win for both of us.”
“Pray tell, oh powerful man. How is this a win-win for both of us?” I crossed my arms over my chest and lifted an eyebrow.
Sebastien’s eyes glinted with amusement. “As a married man, it'll mean that I’ve now settled down. Investors love to throw money behind married men…something about stability makes them give in. Plus, we’ll both be invited to exclusive events reserved for married couples, and me, other events just for married men. It’ll bring in more business for both of us. I’ll get new clientele, and you’ll get to show off your amazing event planning skills. Of course, this will just be temporary.”
My heart lurched.
“Temporary?”
He nodded. “Once we’re sure you're one hundred percent safe, and we’ve accomplished whatever goals we have for the company as a couple, we can quietly divorce and go our separate ways. You can even launch your own event planning company, bigger and better this time.”
I leaned back and thought about everything Sebastien said. I had to admit it, I did need help. But from Sebastien?
“Why should I trust you? You were mean to me when we were kids, and now that I’m working for you, you’ve only gotten worse. Why would I enter a marriage, even temporarily, to suffer under your hands? It’s not like you're suddenly going to be nice to me. Either way, it appears I’m screwed.”
I caught the confused look on his face when I glanced over at him.
“What do you mean, I was mean to you as kids? All Dean and I ever did was pull a few pranks on you. That’s what kids do.”
A hollow laugh escaped my mouth. “When you and Dean pulled pranks, it was done in the privacy of our home. But when it was just you alone”—my voice grew louder, sharper—“you took things to another level. Like when you hooked a fake snake to my skirt, and when I fell, my skirt flipped up. Or how about the time you gave me some of your soda and it was mixed with chili pepper? Or my personal favorite,” I continued icily, “when you made me believe that David Fletcher had a crush on me and had sent the note asking me to the dance. You bastard!”
Then I closed my eyes, squeezing them tight to stop the avalanche of tears from falling. My voice cracked. “The only friend I had was Dean, and when you became his friend, I thought…maybe…we’d be friends too.”
Sebastien placed his hand on mine. His voice was soft as he spoke.
“Delilah, I never realized how much my pranks affected you. I only saw them as a way to get a few laughs. I never meant to hurt you. You always laughed at them, so I thought they were okay. I’m sorry. I was wrong. I was an asshole. Please, forgive me.”
I looked at Sebastien. He was right, though; I always did laugh at his pranks, but not because I liked them. It was because I was too embarrassed to react any other way. But I saw the sincerity of the apology in his eyes.
I squeezed his hand and opened my eyes. “I forgive you, but the verdict's still out on you being an asshole.” I inhaled. “I know I’m not in any position to be making demands…”
“But you’re going to make one anyway,” Sebastien stated.
I nodded. “If I’m going to do this marriage thing, you’re going to stop talking down on me and treating me like trash. And I’ll still work for you and pay you back every penny of Dean’s debt so that when we do get divorced, I’ll leave with a clean slate. Deal?”
“Those were four demands.” The corners of Sebastien’s mouth tugged into a small smile.
I rolled my eyes, removed my hand from his and extended it. “Do we have a deal?”
“Deal.”
He shook my hand and then fished into his pocket for his phone.
“Now that we have that settled, let me call the doctor to check your shoulder and head.”
I rolled my injured shoulder backwards slowly. “I don’t think my shoulder is that bad. And my head has stopped spinning, it just hurts. Nothing two painkillers can’t fix.”
“You’re probably right,” he said, putting the phone to his ear, “but to be on the safe side, I’m calling anyway.”
Forty-five minutes later, Dr. Gina St. Claire had examined my shoulder and head and was writing me a prescription for heavy painkillers.
“Ice your shoulder twice a day for a week, and you don’t have a concussion, so you’ll be fine. Use these meds only if you have pain. And if you feel as though the pain has gotten worse, come see me immediately.”
I nodded and she stood, handing the prescription to Sebastien, who was leaning against the desk.
He tucked the prescription in his shirt pocket and extended his hand to the doctor, who shook firmly. “Thank you, doc. Let me walk you to your car.”
“It's okay. My husband is in the lobby waiting for me. Good night.”
“Good night,” I said as the doctor exited the office.
I turned to Sebastien and smirked, “See, painkillers. Just as I predicted.”
But his face remained serious. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.” He helped me to my feet, my handbag hanging loosely over my shoulder. “Now, let’s go get your things from your apartment.”
I froze. I didn’t want to go back there, especially not this late.
“Can’t we do that tomorrow?” I tried not to let the fear show in my voice, but I knew I was doing a horrible job at it.
Sebastien squeezed my hand gently. “Nothing is going to happen to you. Do you trust me?”
“No,” I whispered.
He lifted an eyebrow and a smirk tugged at his lips. “Then, I have to change that now, don’t I? Let’s go.”
When we entered the parking lot, my car had been moved and two SUVs sat there, four security guards leaning against the cars casually. I knew two of them, Tony and Rex, but I’d never seen the other two before.
They greeted us, and Tony opened the door of one of the SUVs, Sebastien helping me inside. Sitting on the seat were my car keys. I slipped them into my handbag as Sebastien closed the door. He circled the vehicle and slid in beside me. Rex and Tony took their seat in front, with Tony at the wheel.
“We’re heading back to Ms. Malone’s apartment. It was trashed earlier today. Get your men there to scope it out to make sure there’s no one there, still lurking in the shadows.”
“Yes, boss,” the two men said in unison.
I closed my eyes and leaned back as Rex spoke into his phone. Even though Sebastien didn’t touch me his presence was very much felt. A presence I needed. A calming presence that kept my jitterbugs in check.
Honestly, I was happy that he not only offered to help me and Dean but that he didn’t judge me for what I’d done to protect my brother. But, that didn’t mean I trusted him. Having worked with Sebastien the past few weeks, I knew he didn’t make decisions on a whim. He made calculated decisions, determining the best outcome for him and his business. I knew that this arrangement would be no different.
The only problem with being married to Sebastien was that I’d be in close proximity to him, especially after work.
It was already impossible to keep him out of my thoughts. But, how on earth was I going to cope with being under the same roof as a man who drove me totally insane but also made my heart skip a few beats?
It’s only a temporary marriage, Delilah, remember?
The SUV stopped and I heard car doors opening. I opened my eyes and realized Sebastien was no longer next to me. My car door opened. I left my handbag on the seat, as Sebastien helped me out.
I expected him to let me go once I had gotten out, but he didn’t. It was as though he knew I needed the extra support. Together we walked to my apartment.
After pausing for a moment at the door, I stepped into the apartment with Sebastien. It was exactly how I left it. My breath hitched as Sebastien stared at the words scrawled on the wall. He didn’t say anything about it, though.
“Where do you keep your documents?” he asked.
“In the bedroom.”
He nodded, and I led him to the small bedroom. It was even worse than the living room. I didn’t care about the furniture, but when I saw the shredded picture of my parents, my eyes misted.
“Delilah,” Sebastien’s voice was soothing, his hand gently rubbing the small of my back as I clutched the shredded picture of my parents in my hand. “I know how much that picture meant to you, but we can print another picture of your parents. Let’s get the documents and you can pack anything you want to take. Once we leave here, you’re not coming back.”
I nodded and swallowed hard.
A knock on the door startled me.
“Mr. Quantum, a word please,” Tony said by the doorway.
Sebastien squeezed my arm. “I’ll be right outside,” he said and walked away with Tony.
I busied myself with getting my documents; my passport, birth certificate and other important papers I had hidden under a loose floorboard in the closet. Then, I packed my clothes and placed them in the suitcases that were thankfully still intact. By the time I was finished, I had two suitcases waiting.
“Ms. Malone, are you ready?” Rex asked, appearing in the doorway.
I spun around to face him and nodded.
Without another word, he picked up the suitcases and headed out. Just then, Sebastien returned.
“Which hotel will I be spending the night in?” I asked. “Or are you putting me in the apartment you offered me with the job?”
“You’ll be staying at my house,” he replied firmly.
My jaw dropped. At his house?
“W-why?”
“Because I’ll be able to protect you better under my roof.”
The only thing that escaped my mouth was, “Oh.”
“Let’s go.”
I hoped he’d take my hand again, and when he didn’t, I was disappointed.
As we drove away from my apartment, I stared out the window, trying to ignore the growing desire for Sebastien, and prayed that I wasn’t about to make the worst mistake of my life.