Be My Brayshaw (Brayshaw High #4)(9)

There’s no wind today.

A smile breaks free and I jump to my feet, promising the new lilies I’ll be back to give them their home, just beside the female that had offered it life.

I wipe my hands along the cool blades of grass near my thighs, peeking through the small sliding door to make sure the lock’s shadow is still seen beneath it, indicating it’s bolted in place, as normal. I’m locked inside.

I scoot over to the wall, tug on the brush twice, and wait.

It takes a moment, but then it’s tugged back.

A low laugh leaves me as I lean forward, reaching inside the thorny bushes, meeting a soft pair of fingers once I’ve stretched as far as I can go. I drop my head down, peek through the tiny opening, and there are his eyes, peering into a small hole he created, the rest of his face hidden behind bricks that separate me from everyone else.

“You’re back!” I grin even though he can’t see it. “And just in time. It’s almost midday, the bird will be flying by soon.”

Or maybe he can, because even though all that is visible are his eyes, I spot the fear and sadness clouding his.

“What’s the matter?”

“I can’t watch the vulture fly with you today.”

My excitement falls, bringing my shoulders down with it. “How come?”

He doesn’t answer right away, and then, “There’s a man. He’s come for you.”

“A man… what man?”

His gaze leaves mine a moment, but then it comes back, and the sadness is gone. “You’ll see. He’s on his way, and your father is with him.”

My eyes widen. “Now?”

“Now.” Strain pulls at his eyes and he sighs. “Be brave, do what he says, and you’ll be okay.”

“You’re scaring me.”

He hangs his head, whispering, “It’ll be okay, Garden Girl. I don’t know if he’s a good man, but if you listen, I know he’ll try to be.”

“What do you mean, why would I have to listen? Nobody’s allowed to talk to me.”

“They’re coming!” he hisses. “I can’t wait to see you.”

“See me how?”

“I’ll be with you soon,” he rushes out.

Something blooms in my chest, my hand sinking farther into the ivy. “Promise?” I whisper.

“I promise you. It’ll be you and me forever one day, no matter what.”

Voices sound in the distance.

“Go!” he hisses again.

I quickly glance behind me, and when I look back, the only friend I’ve ever had, but never even seen… is gone.

I quickly stand and rush back to the flowerbed, but the door is thrown open the moment I reach it, so I jump back to my feet, lowering my head as my father’s shiny shoes come into view, another pair planting just beside them.

“Eyes.”

I look up, forcing my gaze not to travel to the man at my father’s right, but then my father steps aside, and suddenly the man is before me.

He’s handsome, tall and trim, and wears a smile, one that meets the corners of his pretty green eyes.

“Hello,” he says so softly that the muscles in my body relax.

I swallow. “Hello.”

His gaze falls to the dirt on my fingers, and I quickly hide them behind my back.

He glances beyond me at my garden. “You enjoy flowers?”

I push my hair over my shoulders as I nod, and his strong stare follows the movement.

“Then I will give you all the flowers in the world.” His smile spreads and he turns to my father. “You have yourself a deal, Graven.” He hands him an envelope. “You’ll find your other daughters’ locations inside.”

My eyes widen and I take a half a step forward. “I have a sister?” Hope, if I had to guess, is what expands in my chest, making it hard to breathe.

But the hard, empty glare of my father swings my way, and it’s gone as quick as it comes.

I freeze, shuffle back, and lower my head.

He scoffs, turning to the man. “Walk out with her, and you don’t get to bring her back. She’ll be your burden from here on out, Brayshaw.”

Brayshaw?

Is that his name?

“No,” the man responds gently as he steps toward me, his fingers sliding beneath my chin, bringing my eyes to his. He smiles. “She’ll be my savior, and one day, my bride. Speak to or of her like this again, Graven, and I’ll be forced to make sure you regret it.”

My heart beats crazy as I try and make sense of their words, but all that clicks is ‘bride.’

He bends so we’re eye level and grips my hands in his. “Never lower your eyes when a man’s meet yours, never look away.” His gaze roams mine. “Never cower, sweet girl. Your eyes, a deep, daunting… perfect brown, are your power, and I’m going to teach you how to use them.”

Not five minutes later, I was in a car for the first time, with nothing but the clothes on my back and shoes on my feet.

Mero had given up Raven and her mother’s location, something Donley Graven had been searching for since the day her mother disappeared, and in exchange, my father gave him me.

Just like that, I went from the worthless, ignored, ghostly girl in the gated garden to a golden puppet, the highest valued, most precious tool in a stranger of a man’s world.