The Reluctant Wife: Chapter 32

“I’m sorry, Papa, I know this means his family will not invest in Verenza. It’s going to affect the future of our country.” I wring my fingers together. “But I can’t marry him. Not when he did what he did—” I swallow and gather my thoughts. “And not when I have feelings for someone else.”

I’m conscious of Ryot’s gaze boring into me, but I don’t dare look at him. If I do I’m going to lose my courage. And I need every bit of it to get through what I have to say. I’m done not being true to myself. From now on, I’m going to say and do the right thing, no matter how difficult.

Spine straight. You’re a princess.

I appreciate my mother’s advice even more now. Perhaps that’s what her words really mean? To be a true princess, I need to start by staying true to myself.

“I can’t start my married life on a lie. That would be disrespectful for everyone concerned, including you.”

Gavin shuffles his feet. He opens his mouth to speak, but Ryot glares at him, and he subsides. Ryot hauled him to Arthur’s study where my father was waiting for us. I followed them and narrated what had happened.

So far, my father hasn’t said anything. Once I started speaking, his gaze slid away from me. Now, his forehead is furrowed. A look of disappointment crosses his features. Oh, no. My heart sinks.

“I truly am sorry, Papa. I know how disappointed you must be.” I swallow.

My father leans back in his chair. He and Arthur were seated in front of the fire in Arthur’s study, deep in discussion when we arrived.

Arthur walks over to his bar, pours out a finger of whiskey in a tumbler, then returns, handing it over to my father. “Your Highness, perhaps this will help?

My father nods his thanks and takes a sip, then stares into the contents of his glass with a contemplative expression.

Arthur resumes his seat in the armchair twin to my father’s.

A log crackles in the fire. The silence stretches. I sense Ryot’s perusal from across the room where he’s standing next to Gavin. His stance makes it clear that he’s watching Gavin. I have a feeling he wishes Gavin would try to escape so he’d have a chance to bury his fist in Gavin’s face. To be honest, I’d like that a little too much myself.

Ryot’s made sure to put himself between Gavin and me, and while I’m sure Gavin won’t try anything, I’m thankful for that.

The longer my father doesn’t speak or meet my gaze, the more my stomach ties itself up in knots. My nerves are so stretched, I’m sure they’re going to snap. It’s clear my father is not happy. I’ve disappointed him. I’ve compromised the future of my country. My shoulders droop.

“I know this is not what you want to hear.” I look away, then back at him. “I know how much you were relying on the money coming in from Gavin and his family. But how can I go through with this marriage when I know he’s not the one for me?” I plead.

My father finally looks at me. His jaw is tense. There’s also resolution in his gaze, like he’s made a decision. My pulse rate goes into overdrive. If he asks me to marry Gavin anyway and sacrifice my future for the betterment of Verenza, will I do it? Especially knowing I’ll never feel the way I did with Ryot with anyone else? I can’t help myself; I glance at Ryot.

He, too, must read my father’s expression, for his jaw hardens. He takes a step in my direction, but Arthur shakes his head. Ryot glares at his grandfather. Then, in direct contradiction of his grandfather’s order, Ryot walks over to stand next to me.

Arthur’s eyes gleam in a pleased expression. How strange.

As for me? I’m glad to have Ryot near me. But also, I don’t want to make this entire situation worse. Before I can say anything, my father places his glass on the accent table. There’s a look of such anger on his face that I flinch.

Then he glares at Gavin. ‘Get out.”

Relief fills me. The tension gripping me drains away, and I sway. Ryot instantly grips my shoulder and steadies me. He doesn’t remove his hand, and I don’t pull away either.

Gavin’s features turn hard. He looks older than his years. Or perhaps, he looks more like himself. I realize now that the innocent boy persona he likes to wear is an act and this is the real him.

‘If I walk out the door so do the millions my father was going to invest in Verenza.”

“Out.” My father points to the door. “Is that clear enough for you?’

Gavin seems taken aback for a few seconds, then he turns to me with an ugly look on his face. ”You, are going to pay for this, you whore.”

My father draws in a sharp breath. But it’s Ryot who closes the distance between them and grabs Gavin by his collar, hauling him up until he’s barely touching the floor with the tips of his Italian loafers.

“Apologize. Right now,” Ryot growls.

Gavin’s features grow purple; he makes a choking sound.

“What was that?” Ryot glares at him.

“S-sorry,” Gavin stutters.

Ryot throws him out of the room. Tyler, who’s on guard near the door, shuts the door after him.

Ryot walks over to me. “Sorry about that.”

I shake my head. “He’s at fault, not you.” I am so glad my father supported my decision. But below the relief is this gnawing worry. I’m conscious of what this means for Verenza’s future too. I walk over to my father, and when he opens his arms, I walk into them.

It’s a testament to how upset he is that for the first time in a very long time, he hugs me. I hug him back tightly. When he finally releases me, I step back.

‘Thanks, Papa,’ I murmur.

‘I’m glad you’re okay.’ He kisses my forehead. Then, straightens and nods in Ryot’s direction. ‘Thank you for taking care of her.’

Ryot, who’s been watching the entire scene unfold with a stony face, bends his head in a half-bow. His eyes are hard, and his jaw is set. He seems angry.

Silence descends, broken only by the crackling of the fire. The firelight bounces off the rows of books which line one of the walls of the study.

The wall on the opposite side features a partially shredded painting by a famous British graffiti artist. It used to feature a girl with a balloon, until famously, when it was auctioned, the artist caused the bottom half of the painting to disintegrate. It only increased the value of the artwork exponentially. I had no idea Arthur was the owner.

He strokes his chin from his position in the armchair. He also notices my interest in the painting. His lips quirk. ‘Imelda, my girlfriend, loves the original street version painted by the artist, all of which have either deteriorated or been removed.’

I incline my head. ‘This is considered the definitive version. I didn’t realize the owner agreed to sell it.’

His smile widens. ‘It took some coercion, but —’ He raises his shoulder, leaving the rest to my imagination.

Ryot scowls at his grandfather. ‘We’re not here to talk about your art investments.”

“Indeed, we’re here to talk about the future of Verenza”—Arthur sends a significant look in Ryot’s direction—“aren’t we, grandson?”

Something passes between him and Ryot. Something which sends a frisson of apprehension down my spine.

There’s some kind of silent communication taking place between two of them, and for some reason, I suspect it might have to do with me.

Ryot’s shoulders flex. His biceps stretch the sleeves of his jacket further. He has changed into a freshly-pressed suit, tailored to his dimensions, and black in color. In contrast, the white of his shirt almost glows. His tie is a muted grey. It should look dull, but the flecks of green hidden in the material bring out the green in his eyes.

His eyebrows knit, and his look turns fierce. ‘You don’t get to play with my and the princess’ future,” he growls.

“Me?” Arthur assumes an innocent expression. One which is so patently false, a giggle bubbles up. Or maybe, that’s because I’m nervous, because there’s something taking place here, something I can’t quite put my finger on.

My father’s eyebrows rise, but Arthur doesn’t seem surprised. The silence stretches. A log breaks in the fire. It seems to be a signal, for my father rises to his feet.

He walks over to me and takes my hand in his. ‘I am sorry I put you in the position of needing to marry Gavin. I should not have put the responsibility of saving the future of our country on your shoulders.’

‘But I wanted to help. I’m the princess of Verenza. It’s my duty to do what is needed to help my country. But now’—I wring my fingers—’now, I feel like I’m risking our future with my decision.”

My father shakes his head. ‘The responsibility for our nation’s future does not rest solely on your shoulders, Aurelia.’

I shake my head. I’m relieved to not have to go through with the arranged marriage to Gavin, but the thought of having undermined the financial security of my country sits like a stone in my stomach. ‘I could have made a difference, and quickly,” I say softly.

My father’s expression turns contrite. ‘It’s true, it would have been a silver bullet of sorts to have Gavin’s family bring their familial wealth into our country to help with our reserves. That does not mean I will allow my daughter to sacrifice herself.’

“Thank you, Papa.” It feels good hearing that from him. Yet, that part of me which has always put country before myself wishes things were different. “If only there was more, I could do—” I fold my arms about my waist.

Arthur leans back in his seat, a thoughtful expression on his features. I don’t know him well but having grown up exposed to the politics amongst my father’s closest advisers, I can spot someone who enjoys manipulating people a mile away. And Arthur counts among them. And based on how Ryot is watching him carefully, I’ll bet he feels the same way.

‘I should not have put you in a situation where you felt compelled to agree to an arranged marriage.” My father looks pained, then seems to get a hold of himself. “Either way, marrying Gavin is out of the question.’ He turns to Ryot. ‘Thank you. I owe you for keeping my daughter safe.’

Arthur drums his fingers on the armrest. ‘It would seem Ryot is personally involved when it comes to the princess.’

‘The fuck do you mean?’ Ryot asks in a cold, hard voice.

‘Language,’ Arthur comments, his tone mild. He fixes his gaze on Ryot. ‘How did you know when to come to the princess’ aid?’

Ryot sets his jaw. ‘I was outside her room.’

‘You were?’ I ask, surprised.

A flicker of movement crosses his eyebrows. ‘I was on guard.”

‘You were?’ I am repeating myself. But I thought he was pissed off with me. I thought, after the stunt I pulled, he’d never want to see me again. But he walked to my room to check in on me? I rub at my temple. ‘I…uh, I didn’t expect that.’

‘No matter our differences, you’re my principal. I wanted to make sure you were okay.’ His expression turns even more remote. ‘Your safety is my primary concern.’

I flick a glance in the direction of the two older men to find them watching both of us with curiosity.

‘Of course.’ I swallow. He was doing his duty. Ryot is too much of a professional. There’s too much of the Marine in him to leave anything half done. He felt responsible for my safety because he took on the function of my bodyguard. That’s the only reason he came to my room. ‘I’m glad you were there. You didn’t come a moment too soon.’

“You never should have gotten engaged to that tosser. He’s beneath you.”

I agree. I don’t think I was wrong in agreeing to marry him. It was the only way I knew to help my country. But meeting Ryot changed everything. Well, I got my unvoiced wish. The marriage is off. And my country is no better off. I’ve just put the future of my people at risk.

Panic wells up. I force myself to draw a few deep breaths, try to force myself to calm down.

“You, okay?” Ryot asks in a low voice.

I manage a nod.

“You sure?”

I take another few deep breaths. Then, when I feel more in control, I meet his gaze. “Yes.”

He studies my face and the expression on his gentles. “Whatever it is, we’ll get through this. I promise.”

I stare. When did the two of us become we? Not going to lie, it feels amazing to have Ryot in my corner. If only, I could keep him in my life forever. Wishful thinking, but hey, a girl can hope, right?

I’m conscious of the two older men watching us, but it doesn’t stop me from holding Ryot’s gaze. There’s lingering anger, but it’s mixed with something indecipherable. Something I can only classify as longing? And something more…calculating. Like he’s weighing options and has come to a decision. It makes me wonder what he’s thinking. Before I can ask, there’s a knock on the door.

Tyler opens it, exchanges words with someone, then accepts something from the newcomer. It looks like a piece of paper in a transparent bag.

I know then, it’s another anonymous note. My pulse begins to race. Sweat beads my palms.

“It’s from the same source who sent the last note, I assume?” I’m proud when my voice doesn’t quiver.

Tyler reads it, his jaw firms. He walks over to Ryot and passes it to him. The look on Ryot’s face has the hair on my arms rising. His features turn to granite. His left eyelid twitches. Anger pours off of him. Whatever he’s read in the note isn’t good. And the fact that he’s pissed off on my behalf is reassuring and hot. And turns me on. My stomach flutters. That familiar warmth encroaches in the space between my legs. I’m careful not to squeeze my thighs together; not when we have an audience. He nods at Tyler, who turns to me.

‘One of the guards chased away a man trying to break in.”

My heart rate kicks up. ‘Oh.’ I swallow. ‘Was he… Do you think he’s my⁠—’

‘We don’t know if it’s the same person who wrote the note and left it in your hotel room, or if it’s tied to the shooting, or if it’s someone else who tried to break through the security here.’ Tyler’s tone is gentle. ‘They did, however, find this note, which we assume the intruder dropped before he escaped.”

I hold out my hand. ‘May I see it?’