The Wrong Bride (The Windsors, #1)(9)

I watch as he marches out and suppress my smile. It isn’t just my family and I that love Raven. It’s everyone she comes in touch with. She’s so easy to love, and the entire world sees it but her.

I glance out the window, hesitating for a moment. I genuinely don’t like the idea of her going around unprotected. What would have happened if I hadn’t been there last night? What if fucking Brad hadn’t taken no for an answer?

I grab my phone and stare down at it, swallowing my pride as I call the one man I fucking despise. He might be an asshole, but he’s the best at what he does.

“Silas Sinclair,” he says.

I grit my teeth, annoyed at the mere sound of his voice.

“This is Ares Windsor.”

“I know. I have caller ID. All phones have that in this day and age.”

I fucking hate this man. “I need two extra bodyguards. I want the best you’ve got, but there’s a caveat.”

“A caveat?” he asks, intrigued.

I clench my jaw as memories of Raven on his arm come to mind. For years, the two of them were seen together, dating on and off again. I wish there was someone else better suited for the favor I need, but this fucker truly is the best of the best.

“I want them to stay out of sight. They are to protect someone without her knowing about it. I want all threats to her eliminated before they even have a chance to materialize. That includes men that harass her or that won’t take no for an answer. I don’t care how they do it, but the second she looks even remotely uncomfortable, I need someone to step in.”

He chuckles darkly, the sound fucking irritating. “Who is it that requires protection to that extent? Your fiancée? I thought we already put someone on her?”

I look up at my ceiling, an inexplicable hint of nerves running down my spine. “Raven Du Pont.”

He falls silent for a moment. “You would go to such lengths to protect her in secret?”

I close my eyes and inhale deeply. “I would.”

“It’ll cost you.”

“I’m sure it will.”

“One favor. To be called whenever I please, and you cannot deny me.”

I hesitate. Silas fucking Sinclair. He knows how much a favor from a Windsor is worth.

“Anything but that.”

“Then I suppose you’ll have to find someone else, Windsor.”

Fuck. This fucking asshole. “Did you ever even give a fuck about her?” I snap.

He laughs, the sound grating. “I did, and I still do. My wife and I both love Raven as though she’s family, and we always will.”

“Yet you demand such a high price for her protection?”

“I don’t mix business and my personal life.”

“That’s bullshit. You founded your entire company to find your wife.”

He laughs again, and never before have I been this tempted to punch someone in the face.

“Yes,” he admits. “Alanna is my only exception.”

“Fine,” I say through gritted teeth. “One favor. So long as it doesn’t harm anyone and doesn’t breach my personal values.”

“Done,” he says. “Raven will never realize some of the most skilled and ruthless men I’ve got are protecting her round the clock.” Then that fucker laughs again. “By the way, you should probably know that Raven has unknowingly had my protection for years now — for free. You just paid one hell of a premium just to keep men’s advances at bay, something I never bothered with. You should probably ask yourself why.”

Then he hangs up on me, leaving me fucking fuming. Fucking piece of shit.





Chapter Six





Ares





I’m apprehensive as I park in front of the Du Pont mansion. I should be looking forward to celebrating Hannah’s birthday tonight, but things just haven’t been the same between us in a while, and it’s becoming harder for me to ignore it.

With a mere month until our wedding, every issue we’ve ever had seems amplified. Perhaps I’ve just got cold feet, but it feels like more than that. Part of me wonders if the only reason she and I even started dating was the knowledge that we’d end up together eventually, through our arranged marriage.

Except... would we have? The woman my parents wanted me to marry was Raven. If I hadn’t… if that night hadn’t happened, would I be married to Raven now?

I run a hand through my hair and draw a shaky breath. It doesn’t matter now. There’s no going back in time, and cold feet or not, I’ll have to marry Hannah if I want to keep my job and my inheritance.

I steel myself as I get out of the car, feeling oddly out of it. I haven’t felt like myself lately, and I’m not sure why. It isn’t just about the wedding. It’s more than that.

“Ares!”

I look up to find Hannah’s father standing by the door, a wide grin on his face. It’s been a while since I last saw him, and I have no doubt he’s got a nice bottle of scotch to share with me. When it comes to my future father-in-law, I’ve hit the jackpot. He’s a genuinely nice guy, and he quickly became a second father to me. He makes my own father’s absence a little easier to bear. The pain of suddenly losing your parents never really goes away, but it dulls over time.