and refining my culinary skills, and that I also had a natural aptitude for computer science.
“You won’t have any use for that sort of thing,” Mrs. Godman had told me, her words striking hard. I’d always imagined I would be more than just someone’s wife. After that meeting, I realized what marrying into this family would truly mean for me. I would lose my freedom, my independence…and my self-respect.
“Look at me when I’m talking to you.” Carter towered over my petite frame, his tuxedo camouflaging the animal inside of him.
I felt powerless against his strength. Tension as thick as the smoke radiating from the nearby black marble fireplace settled over us. Resting upon the mantelpiece was a doomsday clock that ticked away the minutes. Soon the official announcement of my engagement would be made to the hundreds of guests who’d gathered in the ballroom. The press would be notified and then the wedding frenzy would be set into motion. I’d be counting down the hours until my miserable day of reckoning when I’d finally become Mrs. Damien Godman.
“You’re scaring me,” I whispered.
“You remember who my father is, right?” Carter asked, sneering.
A voice boomed from the doorway, “That’s hardly any way to treat my fiancée.”
Carter’s older brother walked into the room—the man who used to make my heart soar whenever I saw him…right up until the day he’d made it clear he didn’t actually like me.
Carter glared at Damien. “I stopped her from leaving. You’re welcome.”
Damien shot a look of disapproval my way. “I see.”
He was a tall, ruggedly handsome man of thirty-two. The epitome of what a gentleman from the ruling class should be—all new money and decadence.
I’d once found Damien’s confident jaw, dark intelligent eyes, and full, sensual mouth incredibly appealing, back when I’d watched him from afar and before we’d been formally introduced. I’d flown too close to the solar glare of a man whose aggressive tactics intimidated all who came close to him.
Damien Godman was his father’s son.
My affection for him was fading. I’d been in love with the idea of him. The idea of an us.
“She thinks nothing of embarrassing this family,” said Carter.
“Tell him to let me go,” I pleaded as my hand snapped to Carter’s wrist, trying to ease the pressure of his grip.
Damien eased his hands into his pockets. “Carter, you’re being very rude.”
“I’m not done with her.” Carter looked at his brother defiantly.
The fact he hadn’t pulled his brother off of me was my punishment for trying to leave. I saw that now. He had probably found out about my escape attempt from a member of the staff. Or perhaps Carter had sent him a text before dragging me back in here.
Damien’s dangerous expression intensified. “I’ll take it from here.”
Carter clenched his jaw and released me, stepping back. “The Bardots will regret the day they handed you over to us.”
“I don’t belong to anyone,” I snapped, caressing my throat. I hoped his aggression wouldn’t leave a bruise.
“Why do you insist on insulting us, Pandora?” Carter replied. “Our guests want to meet you.”
Damien smirked. “Sweetheart, it appears you’ve been very naughty.”
Carter glared at him. “Make sure she doesn’t embarrass us any further.”
“I’ll handle her,” Damien said darkly.
The way Carter looked at me caused the hairs on my nape to prickle.
“Out.” Damien’s tone was severe.
With a final glare of contempt, Carter turned and marched out the door, proving he was just as wary of Damien as the rest of us.
The air was saturated with a coldness that I shouldn’t have felt—not with a fire ablaze nearby. I could smell the scent of burning logs and hear the torrid crackling.
Orange flames reflected in Damien’s chestnut brown irises…eyes that had once looked upon me with kindness. His devastatingly attractive face rarely smiled now, reminding me that he was a Godman.
I’d heard a rumor that Damien was set to follow in his father’s ambitious footsteps and one day rule the nation from the Oval Office. Such ambitions had to be the reason he always looked past me, like I was a frivolous distraction to be tolerated when present.
My own father insisted the Godmans could turn around the damage inflicted by the current administration and the incumbent President’s selfish agenda. My parents had reassured me that marrying into this family would benefit everyone. Including my father’s own political aspirations; he wanted a place in Godman’s Cabinet.
“I sent the staff to find you,” Damien said tersely, running a hand through his raven hair. “Now I know why they couldn’t.”