The expression of horror on her face is curious, and she shakes her head.
“No, please, you are a guest. It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“I don’t care.”
“No, Miss Zaferelli, please allow me to do my job.”
She heads off, leaving me wondering about her job. I mean, did she not see the freaking guns outside and the wall of menace that appears to have followed us on board?
This is not normal behavior and I am so done with this shit. The only good thing about this entire trip is that the beast is not in my sight. I’m guessing he is lurking though, and when I do get the opportunity, he will take the verbal lashing I am already practicing in my mind.
How dare he kidnap me against my wishes and order me to be his wife? What century are we living in? Not the current one for sure.
The attendant returns with a pretty floral dress and a small bag.
“Take this, too. There’s makeup inside and a hairbrush. Some perfume, and a spare toothbrush and toothpaste. Freshen up, and I’ll have your meal ready when you return.”
“I can’t thank you enough.”
I really mean that, and she nods, her sad smile confusing me a little as she whispers, “Good luck, Miss Zaferelli.”
As she turns away, I dwell on her strange choice of words but conclude they are extremely appropriate. She’s right, good luck indeed, because I’m not stupid and realize it will take a huge amount of luck to get me home to the convent and keep me safe in this strange and rather disturbing world.
CHAPTER 3
JOSEPH
Ihave no desire to entertain my captive and spend the entire flight with Spencer going over the plan. We eat while conducting the meeting, and I freshen up in my bedroom before landing.
The attendant was instructed to provide Tiffany with everything she requires, and as the plane touches down in London, I breathe a sigh of relief.
I’m home.
Unlike my brothers, I prefer to live abroad. Our family business is in New York and Washington, but I prefer to head up the international side of our business. London is perfect for me because it maintains distance from my family. I’m only required to travel home on occasion, and that suits me perfectly.
I have carved out a new life for myself here, and I love the freedom it gives me. Now I must take a wife, and I have no reason to believe that freedom will change.
She will exist in my home like a ghost, and I will bring her out when required and ignore her the rest of the time.
Her one job is to provide me with a child before she turns twenty-five, so I’m hoping that once will be enough to seal thedeal, while leaving me to carry on using and abusing the women who flock to my side.
They love the intrigue, and the sense of danger that being with me brings. Heiresses, actresses, and models all desire my particular brand of attention, believing they are the one to tame the beast inside me. They are wrong. I have never met a woman I enjoy the company of and that will never change.
Impartiality, cool reserve, and a closed mind have protected me from emotion all of these years. A woman’s touch, her attention, is all that I enjoy. My main passion is way darker than sex, and I’m impatient to get back to it because this life ruins souls and requires a strong resolve to deal with that.
The jet taxis to the stand, and I note the line of black cars already lining the tarmac as they wait for us. Spencer will deal with the legalities of our arrival before we disembark, and if my guest decides to object to anyone who will listen, she will be angry to discover they are all on my payroll. Money buys a lot when you don’t have much, and turning a blind eye costs thousands in the right hands.
She is in the car when I make my way off the plane, and I do a double take because, fuck me, what happened?
The nun has gone, and in her place is an attractive woman who has surprised me.
“I see you’ve changed.”
She shrugs.
“State the obvious, Mr. Ravera. I thought you were better than that.”
“Obviously, your personality could still use some work.”