“Like having a child outside of your marriage?”
A storm blew across her face, and I knew I’d gone too far. “Let’s get back to the table. You need to know when you use what utensil.”
And I’d lost her. But I had a feeling she hadn’t completely wiped the idea from her mind.
When the day came to meet my future husband, I looked more like a high-priced call girl than a future wife of one of the Royal family sons. I knew that when my father showed me a family picture of the clan just a day ago. He’d only given me a glimpse, so I didn’t look surprised when I met the guy. I had to admit, David Royal was quite handsome, as were his brothers.
The dress I wore was too tight and too shiny in my opinion. Father had kept his wife locked up too as she wasn’t in touch with the latest trends. Either that or it was payback. Maybe she wanted me to look like a clown to embarrass my father or the both of us. My boobs were squished so it appeared I had cleavage for days. I wasn’t lacking in that area, therefore it looked obvious my boobs were on display. My hair was teased and had so much hairspray a tornado wouldn’t move it.
Clearly, this was punishment. Valentina wasn’t a fashion disaster, but today I surely was. Maybe it was a good thing. David would take one look at me with makeup that was shellacked on my face and run. I barely recognized myself when I was given a moment to check myself out in the mirror before I was whisked off to a motorcade.
In the car, my hands were sweaty. I hadn’t been given details of this meeting. For all I knew, this was going to be my shotgun wedding. I really hoped not. As we drove, I chanted in my head I could do this. For Liam. For my mom.
I had a plan, and when we arrived at a country estate outside of Chicago nestled in the woods hidden behind ancient trees, I planned to execute it.
We got out and instead of chains, my father looped his arm through mine as if we actually gave a crap about one another.
The house was fascinating, as I didn’t think I’d seen another like it. I couldn’t allow myself to enjoy the view. The moment of truth was quickly headed my way.
A nervous housekeeper opened the door and ushered us in. She asked us to wait as she hustled away to locate a member of the family.
I looked up and saw through a clear roof that gave what could have been a dark place a lot of light.
“Hello.” A deep rich voice forced me out of my head and looking forward.
Well then. David Royal was every bit as good looking as his picture. He stood several feet away with a posse of men that matched those that stood behind my father and me.
“David Royal,” my father said, sounding as self-superior as he always did.
“Nicolas Cortez,” David said, rising to the occasion and showing he had backbone. “I presume this is your daughter, Natalia.”
I stepped forward. “It’s just Natalie.”
My father not to be overshadowed, stepped forward with me. “It’s Natalia.”
Even the best laid plans can fall to ruin when adrenaline was high. I whipped my head to my father and snarled, “You might be able to make me do this, but I will keep my name. Natalie!” I was shouting by the time I finished my rant.
Father grabbed my arm so tight it would leave marks as he yanked me so he could whisper. “Don’t ever disrespect me in public again.” He didn’t need to add ‘or else’. That brimmed in his dark eyes.
I slowly turned to face David. “Excuse me. It’s a lot.”
His smile was kind. “I get it.”
“Do you have a powder room I can freshen up in?”
“Sure.” He turned and the housekeeper who had been hidden in the shadows appeared. “Please take our guest to the powder room.”
I firmly pulled away from the man that had sired me but not enough to make a scene. Then, I briskly followed the maid. I heard everything that was said until I closed myself into the bathroom.
“You can leave her here so we can get to know each other.” It was David who spoke.
Father laughed. “You think I’ll leave my daughter here alone with you? I don’t know you that well. For all I know, you’ll try to blackmail me for her safe return.”
“Fine. Give us a couple of hours.”
“I’ll give you an hour and I’ll be here. My men will walk your lovely grounds just in case my daughter decides to wander off. I wouldn’t want her lost.”
The housekeeper and I reached a door and she waved at it. It dawned on me she hadn’t spoken except to tell us to wait.