Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)
by Crystal Perkins
Prologue
Darcy
I can’t believe I’ve been doing this stupid mission for almost two months now. Actually, I can’t believe I’m actually on this damn mission. Everyone always goes on and on about how the Society isn’t a dating service, yet here I am. I’m pretending to be the upstanding fiancée of one of the biggest manwhores in the world. Who also happens to be a prince. Yeah, it’s of a small country that no one would have heard of if he wasn’t sleeping his way through every model and actress he can get his hands on, but still. A prince. One I so do not belong with.
Not just because I grew up with a father who was a con man, making me one of the least upstanding people you could ever find, but also because I have no desire to be sweet and quiet like they want me to be. “They” being his mother, and the palace staff. I’ve been stashed in Paris for all this time while they try to dress me and instill culture in me. I couldn’t exactly tell them that I already know all about the paintings and sculptures in the museums because of my past. Or about the best designers and clothing because of my present. I just have to smile and pretend that I’m grateful for their time and attention. When I really just want to throw on some leather pants and play Call of Duty.
But alas, they won’t let me near leather pants. I’m making do with leather skirts in all different colors and styles. I even like some of them. The fancy tops could go, and so could the heels, but I can deal. I’ve been trained to deal. I drew the line at my hair when they wanted to change it. My orange tresses are the one thing I was unwilling to part with. I’ve worn wigs on more occasions than I can count, but I’ve never strayed from the color I chose when Mallory Daniels gave me the safety I’d been craving for more years than I care to count because I’d tried to rob her house. How was I to know that she was one of the leaders of a secret society of spies? Thank God she saw potential in me, and figured they could use my talents for good. Otherwise, I’d still probably be in jail these seven years later.
The craziest thing about this whole situation is that I have yet to meet my intended. When his mother came asking for help, Reina had apparently given her pictures of me, Jade, Ellie, and Audrey. We were the ones who—at the time—were unattached. Why she chose me, I have no idea. I’m more the girl who would sully an image, not clean it up. He’s apparently as against this whole thing as me, so he’s refused to meet up, even for engagement photos.
The whole situation is bizarre. Like I’ve mentioned, I am the least traditional looking of any of us. Ellie may favor bustiers and short skirts, but she has nice long brown hair, and manners. I don’t possess the “m” word. I’m nice to the people I like, but everyone else can just go away. I can pretend for short periods of time that I’m a functioning member of society, but this is a long term gig. And I’ve already used up my patience.
“Well, if it isn’t my beautiful bride to be,” I hear from behind me.
I smooth down the short black leather skirt covered in stitching that I’ve paired with a white and black flowy top, and turn to stand. “You’ve finally decided to grace me with your presence?”
I don’t get any more words out as Brayden James lets out a growl, and grabs me. He slams me into the nearest wall as his mouth descends on mine. My body immediately responds, and my mind shuts down. I know I said I wasn’t into this mission—or him—but this man is one of the hottest on the planet. And I’m a woman who hasn’t gotten any since I’ve been here. So yeah, I kiss him back.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for ten years.”
What? “We’ve never met, so how can that be. You can’t bullshit me with your stupid lines. I have more than half a brain.”
“It’s not bullshit, Cat.”
“My name’s not Cat.”
“In my mind it is. That’s what I’ve called you ever since I saw you climbing past my window when I was fifteen. You were wearing a black leather catsuit, and although your hair was different, I’ve never forgotten your face. Or what seeing you stirred up inside of me.”
“You-you saw me? I mean, someone who looked like me?” Shit. This was the other reason I didn’t want to do this mission. I have my own secrets to keep.
“Oh yeah, and that’s why I picked you for this. So I can finally kiss you, and also so you can tell me where the jewels are.”
“You got one of your fantasies, but you can keep dreaming about the other. If I knew anything about any jewels, I certainly wouldn’t tell you. And since it’s been ten years, they’d be long gone.”
“I can be very persuasive,” he says, caressing my breasts over my shirt.
“I’m not some model or actress who cares that you’re a prince.”
“No, but I think you do care that I can implicate you in a major jewelry heist.”
“You’ve had ten years to do that, and you don’t know it was me.”
“Oh, I know it was you,” he says, continuing to drive me a little wild with those caresses. I know I should pull away, but I can’t. “I told you I’ve been thinking of you for ten years, and I haven’t forgotten one little thing about you, or your sweet little body. I just couldn’t find you. Until now.”