Page 10 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)

CHAPTER NINE

VANESSA

I looked out the window of Attikus’s fancy car, replaying the surreal events of the day. When I woke up this morning, preparing my grand opening, I didn’t expect to end the day with an arranged fake marriage.

I turned and looked at Attikus, who was focused on the road. He knew I was staring at him but didn’t comment. He was going to be my husband.

As a child, I dreamed of getting married one day and having a family. Many people had this dream. It was sold to them in fairytales and romance novels. I had believed in it until I realized that the world was cruel, and the men who ran it were the reason.

I didn’t dare think about such things anymore. My fairytales were scattered all over my artwork. Sometimes, I poured love and hope into them. Other times, I channeled my rage.

Like everything else about Attikus, his profile drew me in. More shadows played out over his features as the evening city lights cascaded over his face.

“See something interesting?” He turned to meet my gaze.

Heat blossomed on my face, and I turned away quickly, praying the evening hour hid my embarrassment.

“Just trying to get to know my future husband,” I lied. “If people question me about him, I want to reply without hesitation.”

The car stopped at a red light, and I stared at the couple walking in the street holding hands. They seemed happily in love. How long did that phase last until the real person emerged? It was too difficult pretending to be someone else. Eventually, your true self would be revealed.

The car moved, but Attikus didn’t turn down the street toward my apartment.

“You missed the turn.”

“No, I didn’t. I’m picking up dinner at my sister’s house. It’s time you meet your in-laws.”

“Isn’t it too soon? Is that necessary?”

He looked at me. “If you want this marriage to be believable.”

I just wanted to stay with my small circle of people. I didn’t want to meet new people who would ask questions I didn’t want to answer.

“Well, I don’t have anyone for you to meet on my side.”

Curiosity sparked in his eyes, but he didn’t comment.

“We met online and chatted for several months. We wanted to keep it quiet, but you fell in love with me and demanded I make a move. I gave in, and here we are.”

“Why do I have to be the one to fall in love first?”

“Because they’d never believe it otherwise. Trust me.” He turned down a street with lots of trees on the sidewalk. “That would prevent a lot of questions.”

“We don’t need a wedding reception.”

“No, we’re doing it at City Hall and then going on vacation to where I have a business meeting. That’s our honeymoon.”

I stared at him. “How romantic.”

“This isn’t an actual marriage, remember? I’ve got things to do. And you can tell me about the man threatening you. I want the entire story. Then we can figure out a way to stop him.”

“Wait a minute.” My heart raced, and I held up a hand. “You’re helping me stop him?”

“Isn’t that what you want?”

Do I want that?

I’d wanted to use his social status so Emmanuel would back off. No one would get hurt. I never expected him to help me with whatever he had in mind.

“I was hoping he’d just leave me alone knowing I was married to you,” I sighed. “It’s not your business to intervene.”

“As you pointed out, you are my investment. We have a business deal. This marriage is a business contract, isn’t it?”

I thought about it for a moment. To my dismay, he was right. My marriage with him had many strings attached to it. I wasn’t thinking properly when I offered the proposal.

“Okay,” I said. “We’ll discuss it later.”

Fear and hesitation nibbled at me. How much should I reveal about myself to him? I didn’t want him to know everything. What if the truth was too much for him to handle? Would he divorce me?

A thought occurred to me. I looked at him, horrified I hadn’t thought about it earlier.

“Are you . . . with anyone?”

“Don’t you think it’s too late to ask about that now?”

Silence hummed in the air. Not knowing what to say, I chewed on the inside of my mouth.

He broke the silence. “I’m not with anyone. I wouldn’t agree to this marriage if it didn’t benefit me.” He looked at me. “I require a one-of-a-kind painting from you when this marriage is over.”

“Then I require something at the end of the deal too,” I said. Why should he be the only one to get something?

“What do you want?”

I didn’t know what I wanted at the moment. I needed the time to think clearly. He obviously had a list of things he wanted from me. All I wanted was for my mother to get out of prison so we could start over where people didn’t know us. But that was something I wanted to do on my own.

“I’ll let you know when the time comes.”

We arrived at a house outside of Providence.

It wasn’t a mansion like I had thought, but one of three brick Colonials in the cul-de-sac.

He pulled into the driveway, got out, and grabbed his cane from the back seat.

I was about to open the door, but he met my gaze, shook his head, and mouthed, “Stay.”

A second later, he stood outside my door and opened it for me.

I got out. “You didn’t have to open the door for me. I’m capable of doing that.”

“This isn’t about capabilities, Vanessa,” he whispered in my ear, his warm breath sending heat skipping down my spine. “We’re playing our role as husband and wife. My family will be looking out the window. If I’m introducing my fiancée to them, we need to play our part.” He offered me his hand.

This was all happening too quickly for me.

I didn’t realize it required so many details.

Attikus seemed to be a man who already had the map spread out in front of him.

He saw miles ahead and understood what was required to make this fake marriage successful.

I, on the other hand only saw a few feet ahead of me.

My limited perspective was due to limited resources, stress, fear, and exhaustion.

I was grateful he had a map to guide us along. If I got lost, perhaps I could borrow that map. But I wouldn’t tell him that right now.

I placed my hand into his grip, and energy zipped through us.

My body jerked, and I looked at him. He didn’t show any response.

Perhaps I was the only one who felt anything.

I shoved down the strange attraction to him.

What else could it be if it wasn’t an attraction?

The last thing I needed was to complicate matters.

I stared at our joined hands, wondering if I was making a mistake. I felt like someone who lived without direction, making abrupt decisions that I would later regret. This spontaneous marriage would forever change my life. Fear bubbled in me, but I kicked the self-doubt away.

This arranged marriage had to be successful for me to save myself and my mother. I had to cut ties with Emmanuel once and for all. If he knew I was married to a powerful billionaire, he wouldn’t dare ask me for more money, right? I didn’t have any other options.

“Thank you, darling.” I squeezed his hand. “How am I doing?”

A smirk slid onto his face before disappearing quickly.

Attikus said nothing as he led me to the front door. A pretty wreath of spring flowers hung on the door.

His finger reached for the doorbell, but then the door opened.