hit the jackpot! Think about the number of threesomes we’ll have, Ellie. Even Kimmy will be game to join if you’re my wife. Le paradis est juste ici.”
I narrow my eyes as if he can see me. “Why do you sound so happy?”
“Because I am! I’ve been imagining the look on King’s face when he finds out you’re my fiancé.” He hums. “You think I’ll be able to catch his expression on camera before he chops my head off with an axe?”
I smile despite myself. “Probably not.”
“I’ll ask Knight or Nash to film it, then. I’m leaving a legacy behind. Oh, and a fortune. You’ll be one of those lethally rich widows who dresses in black and has three black cats.”
I laugh, stopping near the corner. “You’re such a twat.”
“See? Marrying me won’t be so bad. We’ll have so much fun.”
“Be serious, Ronan.” I sigh. “Why don’t you tell your father you don’t want to get married?”
“I can’t tell my father anything. His word is law in this household.”
“So you’ll agree?”
“Already done. I’m an earl’s only child and heir, Ellie. It’s written in my birth certificate that I’ll have an arranged marriage. I’m lucky it’s with you and not with some snob that will suck the life out of my bones. You know how fucking scary that is?”
I pause, thinking about his point of view. I never thought Ronan would have these types of worries. He’s always so playful and carefree, no one sees the weight he carries on his shoulders.
“But I —”
“I know.” He cuts me off. “King, that lucky bastard, came first. Fucker. However, I’m not allowed to refuse the engagement from my side. You have to be the one to stab your sword straight to my virgin heart.”
“You’re such a dork.” I laugh.
“And you have such an awful taste in men,” Ronan mocks with an edge of drama. “Now if you excuse me, I’m going to nurse my broken heart with some weed and a girl — or two.”
I hung up with a smile.
The smile falls when I realise that Ronan’s completely out and I have to be the one who ends this. I groan. Is there no other way aside from hurting Dad?
“Are you going to agree?”
I jump at Teal’s quiet voice. I didn’t even notice she was there.
“You know about it?” I ask.
“Agnus mentioned it.” She studies her black nails, not meeting my gaze. “Thirteen already agreed to marry you.”
Since that practice football game, Teal often calls the horsemen by their jersey’s numbers.
“I thought you were with Eleven?”
“I am… sort of,” I say. “I won’t marry Ronan. I just have to find the appropriate way to tell Dad.”
Teal meets my gaze, but she remains silent. “Dad needs that alliance with the Astor family. Earl Astor has the best title amongst the voting committee and if he pledges to Dad, everyone else will follow his lead.”
“I know that.” That’s why it hurts so much, and my brain is working in overdrive.
“If you know, why don’t you act?” she asks with genuine curiosity as if all of this is too easy.
“I can’t do an arranged marriage when I already have someone else in my heart.”
“That’s why it’s better to have no one in your heart. Those who show weakness lose.”
“It depends on who you show that weakness to, Teal.”
She gives a sharp nod and sidesteps me to walk towards her room.
I’m tempted to follow and ask her why she’s been in such a pissed off mood today — more than usual — but I choose to give her space.
Besides, I’m too caught up in my own head right now.
My phone vibrates.
My heart jumps with joy at Aiden’s name.
Aiden: Come out the back entrance.
I don’t even think about it. I jog down the hall and straight to the back door used by the staff.
The moment I step outside, a strong hand wraps around my mouth. I gasp, but the sound is drowned into the skin.
The hard, strong skin I recognise.
My gaze meets Aiden’s for the briefest second, and excitement whirls into my bones.
I barely get a glance before he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder like a caveman.
Squealing, I hold on to his back with both hands. “W-what are you doing, Aiden?”
“I’m kidnapping you, sweetheart. It’s been long overdue.”
26
Elsa
I’m being kidnapped.
How does someone react when they’re kidnapped?
It’s not like I have the manual or something. Considering my relationship with Aiden, I should’ve probably bought the thing.
Deep down, I knew he’d do this someday. I knew