7
Mecca
If Arjen didn’t think I saw the way he kept ogling me, he could think again. He was attracted, probably would take me to bed right now, if I allowed it. Handsome and well-built or not, my plan was to keep our marriage what it was, a business arrangement.
If he wanted more, he would have to earn it, and there was no easy way to earn me. I believe he read it in the way I kept fake-smiling at him that I didn’t plan on being the easy-going obeying type of wife he assumed he would get when he was set to marry my cousin. Little did he know, my cousin was no pushover either. Desiree may have been all goo-goo-eyed over Khane, but if he stepped out of line, she would give him a piece of her mind.
She walked up on cue, holding onto Khane’s hand. The two had been joined at the hip since they married. She let his hand go long enough for us to immerse each other in warm hugs and congratulations.
“I told you, Mecca. He can’t keep his eyes off you.” Desiree whispered in my ear before she released me. One side of my lip lifted while flashing her my signature side-eye.
Khane and Arjen were lured away by two older men that appeared to be talking business while Desiree kept nipping at my ear about Arjen.
“Don’t fight it, Mecca. If he wants to have a relationship, give it a chance.”
My cousin believed in romance, and worse, love. She believed there was a special someone for everyone. She had found hers, so she wanted the same for me. As far as I knew, lightning didn’t strike twice in the same place, and fate was a stingy, stuck up bitch that wasn’t keen on issuing out double doses of happiness. However, I enjoyed seeing Desiree smile, so I nodded and rolled my eyes playfully.
“Okay, I won’t fight it.” It wasn’t a total lie since there was a nagging touch of curiosity lingering in the back of my mind of what if. Besides, I doubt anything we did would equate to a romantic relationship.
Patrena walked up and like Desiree, went right to my ear.
“I saw that kiss, and I see where his eyes keep going,” she said, holding our hug so she could tease me about Arjen. I gave her a playful elbow jab that she ignored to keep me linked to the teasing session she was giving me.
We three stood in our huddle talking about of all things, our next spa date. We had found a new spot since Desiree and Patrena had watched our old one get turned into Khane’s slaughterhouse.
In the middle of his conversation with someone, Arjen turned his attention in my direction. His lips were moving, talking to the man in front of him, but his eyes were glued on me. I turned away, no longer interested in playing his seduction game.
An hour later, I had successfully avoided his game until it was time for us to make our grand departure. A chill raced up my back when he placed his hand there to escort me to the gleaming black Maybach waiting to take us home. The car was decorated with white and blue flowers and a cheesy sign in the back window that announced us as, Just Married.
The crowd cheered, and I offered them gracious smiles and dainty waves, not letting on that my husband’s hand sliding ever so slowly down to my lower back was having a strange effect on me that I couldn’t shake.
We silently sipped champagne in the back of the car on the drive home, the bubbles tickling my tongue and popping on the way down. I needed the bubbly to mellow me out and dilute my busy mind. I didn’t want to think. I wanted to get tipsy and sleep, since I hadn’t had more than two or three hours between working and watching my back.
Married. Me.Despite it being an arrangement, I never expected it to happen. Pulling me away from my thoughts, I could sense a set of gray-blue eyes set on me.
“I’m aware that you are going to be busy running the Black Saints, but if, or when you would like a honeymoon vacation, just say the word.”
His words brought on an instant smile, one I chewed into my bottom lip, attempting to hide.
“That’s thoughtful of you, but my uncle…” My fist tightened at the thought of that man, and I bit into my lip in anger this time. “My uncle left one hell of a mess behind. I have a lot of work to do before I can even think about relaxing. Honestly, all I want tonight is at least six hours of uninterrupted sleep.”
“I understand and I will make sure you get those hours. I’m also aware that you are capable, but if you need help with anything, let me know. We are here.” He made a sweeping hand gesture.
“I appreciate that.” I wasn’t going to turn down a helping hand because I may need it. However, I planned on exhausting all of my efforts before I went crawling to my husband for help. I didn’t like needing anyone as I believed it would make me appear weak at a time that I needed to be seen as a pillar of strength for the Black Saints.
The Vallins and the syndicate had valuable resources that I could use to improve the Saints, and I fully intended to use them, but I wasn’t big on having anyone else assist with running the organization I was tasked with.
Our conversation died after his offer. The view lured my gaze out the window to spiraling mansions, well-manicured landscaping, and tall, fluffy trees whose leaves danced to a breeze that appeared to only exist in this exclusive area of the city.
The fluffy clouds in the distance were dancing atop the mountains and cast the setting sun as a strobe light. Nature was putting on a unique performance for my weary eyes.
If there were a way to be stuck in a moment, I’d sit in this one for a day because tomorrow I would have to dig into the shit pile of work I needed to do to restore the Evans name.
“Thank you for taking on this deal my uncle made with you, although I’m sure it’s not what you had originally bargained for.”
Arjen flashed a broad smile, tilted his head and looked in my direction. “I have a feeling that you will make it work, far better than Raymond Evans ever would have.”
I eyed him, my curiosity about his intentions, stirring. This was the second time that he had displayed an unwavering confidence in me. He didn’t know me outside of what he probably discovered through background checks, so I didn’t understand his positive assurances. I sensed that he was being genuine, despite my usual reluctance to trust easily.