I go to step around Noah, but before I can, his arm comes out and swings the door closed. “You’re not going anywhere,” he says, blocking the only exit. “I tried to be nice… patient. I catered to your every fucking whim while you cried over him…” Oh my God, what the hell is going on? “You and I are going to get married. You’ll live here, and we’ll raise the kid together like a perfect little fucking family.”
“No, we’re not.” I shake my head to emphasize my point, backing up in fear of the stranger standing in front of me. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but in case you’ve forgotten, Isaac was like a brother to you.”
Noah throws his head back as the most maniacal cackle fills the air, sending chills racing up my spine. “Isaac’s nothing more than the past. But you, my sweet Camilla, are my future.”
He stalks toward me, and I back up, only I have nowhere to go, so my back hits the hard wall. He reaches out and I release a shriek, assuming he’s going to slap me, but instead he fists my mane, bringing my face close to his. “In three days, you and I are getting married. I suggest you get with the program, or I’ll be forced to take matters into my own hands.”
And with those final words, he turns on his heel and exits the room, leaving me alone and confused, and so fucking scared.
The second the door shuts, I run to it, only the doorknob doesn’t turn, and it’s then I realize I’m locked in. What the fuck? He locked me in. How did I never notice the lock is on the outside? Or did he recently do this?
“Noah!” I yell, banging on the door. “Let me out!”
When he doesn’t answer, I go to the window, only to find it’s been screwed shut.
“Damn it!” I slap my hand against the glass.
I look around, trying to find something I can break the window with, but there’s nothing aside from a bed, a dresser, nightstands, and a chair, all too big and heavy for me to throw. I race to the bathroom, scouring the cabinets and linen closet. Nothing. I go to the closet, but aside from a few items of clothing and some shoes, there’s nothing. I go back to the door, wiggling it again, praying this is some kind of joke or dream.
As I slide down the door, it hits me—I’m locked in here, with no phone, and nobody even knows to look for me. What the hell am I going to do?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CAMILLA
“Today’s the day,” Noah says as he strolls into the room like he isn’t holding me freaking captive and forcing me to marry him. He lays a white knee-length dress on the bed along with a pair of heels and turns to me. “You need to get ready. The officiant will be here this afternoon.”
“You hired an officiant?” I spit out in disgust. “How did you even get a marriage license?”
Noah snorts. “I’m Isaac’s right-hand man. Did you forget he owned the city? I forged your name and applied for one.” He walks over to me and gets in my face. “And the officiant has already been paid off, so if you think you can cry help to him, you’re wrong.”
“You’re fucking crazy!” I hiss, which only makes him laugh, proving my point.
“I blame it on my daddy issues.” He shrugs before stalking out and slamming the door behind him.
Swatting the clothes and shoes away, I climb onto the bed and snuggle into the blankets. There’s no way I’m going to wear that shit or go willingly. If he wants to hold me here and force me to marry him, he’s going to have to drag me out of this bed kicking and screaming.
Ready for my afternoon nap—and the escape being asleep brings—I close my eyes and let sleep overtake me.
A sound of some sort jostles me out of my slumber, and for a second, I assume it’s Noah, coming to collect me for our fake marriage. But before I can turn to find out, I’m being lifted out of my bed. My eyes fly open and land on the most beautiful set of brown eyes, and I smile in pure happiness, realizing I’m dreaming. He’s come to me so many times in my sleep, but it’s never been this vivid. I can smell his signature earthy, cedar scent, and I lean into his hold, inhaling it deeply, hoping to store the smell in my brain for later.
He glances down at me as he carries me out of the room and through the house and I can’t help the tears that fill my lids. His hair is longer and his scruff is now a full beard, but he’s still my Isaac. The man I love more than life itself.