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Nerves
Last Updated:
2024-07-12 22:56:45
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A Marriage of Convenience What do we do now?
Chris stares at me for what feels like a lifetime before his eyes slowly move to James behind me, and then to Shawn on his right.The room fell so silent, you could hear a pin drop. I couldn’t even make out a single breath between the four of us.“Say something,” I whispered, “Please.”No one said anything. Not for another long pause before Chris audibly gulps, “Are you on drugs, baby sis?”“Seriously? That’s all you have to say?”Disappointment twists through my gut at his suggestion. Chris knows me. He knows that I’ve seen him at his lowest, and pulled him from the trenches more times than I can count. Hell, I carried a dose of Narcan in my car for an entire year out of fear for his life….“What else do you want me to say? I feel like that’s more of an acceptable question than ‘Do you need to be evaluated for a mental health crisis’. Fuck,” he mutters the curse under his breath.My fingertips curl into my palms as I move my gaze to Shawn, who is still sitting silently with an unread
Last Updated : 2024-07-13A Marriage of Convenience Cult
“Can I see it?” Chris questioned as the four of us walked through the woods towards Blackstone’s pack lands.James wore a look of irritation. Since we all left the house, Chris has had about a million questions. Some have been genuinely curious, and some have been downright ridiculous.The man had the audacity to ask my husband if that was why his dick was so big….I’ve been wearing the secondhand embarrassment from that since the words left his mouth. Reaching up, I feel my cheeks are still heated and I’m not sure that’ll ever go away.“See what?” James sighed, running his fingers through his hair. The strands are sticking up in every direction, a clear sign of his nervousness and frustration.“Your werewolf. That crazy thing that almost murdered me today…” Chris stared at James as if his question was stupid.“No.”Chris turned towards me with narrowed eyes, before fluttering them into a dramatic roll.“You’re acting like a child,” I hissed.“Tell me you didn’t want to ask when you f
Last Updated : 2024-07-15A Marriage of Convenience Redstone
“You brought the sacrifices?” Dante smirked at James, and if I hadn’t experienced who he was before now; I would be terrified. Dante was a large, burly looking man. His face held this permanent scowl when he wasn’t smiling.“What the fuck?” Chris squealed, his eyes bouncing between James and Dante in horror.“You’re a cruel man, you know?” James chuckled, walking up to Dante and clapping him on the back.“Rosalind, nice to see you again,” Dante winked before looking to both Shawn and Chris. Shawn’s face had remained impassive while Chris’ jaw hung loose from what appeared to be shock and confusion.I nodded at him with a knowing smile, and my cheeks heated when Chris’ head snapped towards me in confusion.“I’m assuming you trust these two?” Dante held James’ gaze for a moment, and a silent conversation passed between the two of them.“The water tested positive for extremely high levels of both Aconite and Fluoroacetate. Both of which are extremely toxic to wolves,” Dante explained.“So
Last Updated : 2024-08-02A Marriage of Convenience Target
“Just Jeramiah Red,” Chris rolled his eyes. “The one and only CEO of Red Pharmaceutical. Father of the year to the outside world to his two, Golden children. Part of the top two percent. He’s a real fucking gem.”“No,” Dante shook his head, “I know that name. Jeramiah isn’t a common name. There is no way it’s a coincidence.”“Trust me when I tell you, my father may run a company, but he’s no Alpha wolf. He’s just a pompous asshole who thinks he’s better than everyone else because of his namesake,” Chris spoke through gritted teeth.His words made me frown. I’d always looked at my father like a God. He was kind, smart, and attentive. He would always smile when my mother never did. He treated me with respect when I chose to follow my own path, rather than suggesting I should be some rich trophy wife.But after our interaction about the Aconite pills, I’m not so sure how I feel. And then there is my issue with Marina. Why did my father have those photos locked away in his safe? A progres
Last Updated : 2024-08-02A Marriage of Convenience Figure it out together
“Can we talk?” Chris crossed his arms over his chest once we arrived back at the house.His features were stuck in a permanent state of frustration that only grew worse the closer we got to the house. Chris was never one to remain silent. The man didn’t know how. Even when he was younger, he was like a tiny politician. He had an answer for everything. An explanation for the unexplainable.But right now, he was silent.“I’ll wait in the car,” Shawn nodded with a tight-lipped smile, and just as I was about to protest, Chris offered a thanks. James pressed a kiss to my temple before his lips brushed against the shell of my ear, “I’ll be in my office.”“Would you like a drink?”“The strongest shit you have,” he muttered, sliding open the patio doors and stepping out without another word. His shoulders slumped as he gave me his back before flopping backwards onto one of the loungers.I hesitated staring at the array of liquor we had before settling on just grabbing the entire bottle of sc
Last Updated : 2024-08-03A Marriage of Convenience A promise
“What do you want to do?” James whispered, peppering my shoulder with soft kisses.My lips pulled into a frown, “I haven’t thought that far ahead. I think today shockingly turned my brain into mush. I don’t even know how I’m going to go back to work tomorrow.”“Take the day off.” James’ voice soothed my soul as his fingertips applied just enough pressure to my aching muscles. “In three years, the only time I’ve seen you take off is when you were attacked by a shark and Dr. Orth refused to allow you to come in.”His fingers moved to my shoulders, and a groan bubbled from my chest, “But I love my job. I don’t think taking off for miniscule things is very Rosalind Red of me.”James chuckled, “Might I remind you that finding out your family are werewolves isn’t just a ‘miniscule’ thing?” There was a playfulness to his tone that instantly made me relax. That and the fact that his hands were magical.“You and Onyx really surprised me today.”I’ve seen James get jealous. I’ve heard Onyx spea
Last Updated : 2024-08-05A Marriage of Convenience Detail(James POV)
“I need a favor.”My office was quickly cleaned and put back together with new furniture and décor.Throwing my expensive leather dress shoes atop my new desk, I impatiently wait for Dante to respond. After what feels like a lifetime, I hear him sigh on the other end of the receiver, “Why is it that every time you say that, I feel a new wrinkle forming?”I groan in frustration, “Are you going to do it or not?”“Depends,” he chirps, pausing again just to piss me off. Unfortunately, Dante being my uncle makes him think that he can also be a pain in my ass. “Is this going to hurt your beautiful wife?”“This is for my beautiful wife,” I speak through gritted teeth. I want to be irritated with Dante for questioning me, but the fact that he’s willing to put Rosalind first warms my heart.‘He’s a good man. Very smart,’ Onyx mutters in my head, making me roll my eyes.“Start talking,” he mutters.“I need you to run detail on Marina for a few days. She’s gone silent, and Rosalind confessed to
Last Updated : 2024-08-06A Marriage of Convenience Disguise(James POV)
I’ve never been inside of a Walmart before today. The place has far too many people moving around for my liking, and it smells like old fish.‘You’ve gone soft in your time parading around as a human,’ Onyx snarls, making me roll my eyes. He doesn’t understand the difference between a high-class supermarket versus this place. When you walk into my favorite family-run market, the smell of artisan coffee swirls around you. Baked goods linger in the air, and kind, familiar faces recognize you.Here, it’s like a swarm of bodies bustling through, tossing whatever junk they can into their cart to get out of here before the stench of old fish clings to their clothing.I need to make myself look like everyone else so that I can blend in. My face and style are far too recognizable and if I want to attempt to do what Dante does, I need to make sure that I look the part.The clothes section here has a surprising number of options, and I quickly grab a plain black t-shirt, black sweats, and a bla
Last Updated : 2024-08-07
Latest chapter
A Marriage of Convenience Escape(Shawn POV)
I’ve never wanted to kill anyone. Not once in my life had the thought crossed my mind.Until now.I fucked up keeping my heart sealed away from Rosie. I thought I was doing her a favor by keeping my distance. I loved her with so much depth, that I let her go, and I’m going to regret that decision until the end of my life.Rosie was a Red. She was royalty to the world. An heiress. A billionaire. Her namesake was a given, and me? I was Shawn Pierce, son of two drug addicts that didn’t want him, and a hoard of mental issues that were never discussed.I lived with them through my childhood until Jeremy Red found me huddled in a closet one day with my hands over my ears, rocking back and forth. I was sobbing uncontrollably, and my heart felt like it was going to explode.Instead of dragging me out of there and telling me to man up as my father had done in the past, he rushed a doctor to the residence and had me diagnosed with anxiety. I was prescribed medication, that Mr. Red paid for, and
A Marriage of Convenience On fire
Searing pain rolls through my body. My back arches against the pole, and I feel myself ripping at the restraints.A scream echoes around the warehouse, but I’m not even sure if it’s mine.Everything hurts and I feel as if I have lava swimming through my veins.“Rosie!” Shawn’s voice shouts. “What’s happening?”“It…. IT HURTS,” I scream again, unable to contain it.I’ve experienced pain. In the last year I’ve not only been bitten by a shark, but also a werewolf. Both of which hurt more than I care to admit, but I’d get eaten alive by a shark slowly over this.“JUST KILL ME,” I scream at the flashing light bulb in the corner.“Rosie, what is happening?” I hear him grunt. Something keeps hitting my fingers, but I can’t tell if I’m doing it or if Shawn is.“Please,” I sob as the pain tears through my chest. “It’s too much.”My vision tunnels, and I feel weaker by the second, but the pain eases up, and I finally fill my lungs with a sharp inhale.“Everything hurts, Shawn,” I whimper, feeli
A Marriage of Convenience I'm not leaving you
“Are they off our backs?” Marina practically chased James down as he calmly walked us back into the warehouse.She scoffed when she saw me untied and with free will, “You can be so foolish, James Wood,” her voice echoed around me, but I spun on my heel, pinning her with a glare, “I followed through on my end of the deal. Shawn needs food and pain killers.”Marina let out a low growl, stomping towards me, but James stopped her, “A deal is a deal, Marina. Go. I’ll stay here.”“You can’t be serious,” Marina moved in front of James, shoulder checking me.“Dead. Serious,” he snarled, and out of my peripherals, I saw her spine straighten.Good. She deserves that tiny ounce of fear, and so much more if I had my say.The heavy thudding of her boots as she stomped out of the warehouse was like music to my ears.“There are rags and soap in the bathroom. You can clean him up, but he stays restrained,” James walks away, disappearing out of sight.I practically bolt around to see Shawn sleeping, h
A Marriage of Convenience Hopes and lies
“Rosa, dear,” Joanne grabbed me, pulling me in for a tight hug. Her embrace was warm, and for the second time in the last ten minutes, I wanted to collapse. “How are you doing?” She pulled my body away just enough to look me in my eyes, “And don’t you lie to me. My nephew can be a real pain in the ass.”I snorted at that.She had no idea. “I’m good,” I plaster on a fake smile, “Wishing I had another piece of your apple pie.”“Darlin’,” she winks, “You come on over anytime for a piece of that pie.”“Better be careful,” James’ voice holds a playful tone, “She might visit every day with a promise like that.”Joanne winked again, “And you tell me how that would be a problem?”She released me, walking right up to James and wrapping her arms around him. He was stiff at first before realizing he was meant to be acting and wrapped his arms around her with a quick pat on her back.How do I make it clear that I’m not here by my own free will? I silently wished I had abilities like they do to s
A Marriage of Convenience Illusions
“Try any tricks, and I’ve got a prepared message to Marina to end pretty boys’ life,” James snarled as we approached Joanne’s pub.It looks just as I remember, minus the heavy number of cars filling the now empty spaces in the parking lot.Why I agreed to this meeting, I have no idea. My nerves have been haywire since I stepped out of the shower and James thrust a new cardigan at me in the event that it was possible we were photographed leaving the bank.I’d considered the fact that maybe he’d gone insane, but when he does something as calculated as having me wear a different outfit based solely on the fact that someone possibly snapped our photo, I squash that thought like an unwanted bug.James is too cold. Too calculated for this to be fake, and each moment that passes by trapped in this hell with him pushes me further and further from the feelings that captivated me for so long.The man I’d loved was fake. An illusion meant to lure me in like a Venus fly trap. His words were like
A Marriage of Convenience If we make it out
My breath catches in my throat, eyes wide, as I stare at James and Marina.James’ skin is flushed, and his hair looks as if he’s spent the last thirty minutes running his fingers through it.Such a simple act used to bring a smile to my face, but now, it only makes me angry that I ever saw it as anything more. For years, I overlooked everything about James that was… unfavorable because there was a tiny voice in the back of my mind telling me that he was the one.The Goddess…. His Goddess paired my soul with his. Separated one into two, and what I thought was fate brought us together. I’d ignored the hateful look in his eyes when I’d work on Marina. I’d shielded myself from the words he’d spewed, hoping that someday, the gentleness that he’d whispered into Marina’s ear would be directed at me.I was foolish. I’d accepted years of mistreatment, and dare I say abuse, for a man that was never going to see me as anything more than a revenge plot.I’d given him everything, and for a moment,
A Marriage of Convenience We have a problem
“Hey,” I whisper, “Just tell me if I’m moving too fast.”Shawn lets out a frustrated sigh, his honeyed eyes freezing my movements. It’s clear that he hates the fact that I’m being forced to spoon feed him like this or take care of him at all. I can’t think of a time growing up when I ever remember him allowing anyone to take care of him. When he was sick, he’d fake it, telling my mother that it wasn’t that bad, even when he could barely get himself to the bathroom.“Stop,” I whisper, pleading with my eyes, “Let me take care of you without you feeling like I shouldn’t. You’re weak, and I need to know that you’re going to be okay. Food will help you heal.”“You shouldn’t have bargained with him,” Shawn gritted his teeth. “I would rather have died strapped to this pole than to know that he did you a favor.”“I don’t care about any of that, Shawn,” I protest, but he cuts me off, “I do,” and then growls out a sound that mimics pain.I stuff the spoonful of soup into his mouth, knowing that
A Marriage of Convenience Worried(Chris POV)
Another day, another bottle. Glancing around my apartment, I internally cringe at the mess. Am I fucked up? Is that even a question anymore? I snort at my own thoughts. I’m definitely fucked up. As I go to stand, my head swims with dizziness, sending me hurdling back onto the couch where I’d fallen asleep last night. My back aches like nobody’s business considering I’m six foot four, and around two-hundred twenty pound. Couches aren’t made for men like me. I peer over the back of the couch to my kitchen. The digital numbers on the microwave sway from side to side, two of them merging into one. It’s twelve thirty. Practically another day gone. I’ve been here before. Years ago, I ended up with a short stint in rehab. I’d paid my dues, said all the things I needed to say, convinced the doctors with a good old fashion lie, and boom, I was all better they said. I’d say the jokes on them, but really, the only joke is me. Rosalind was always the star in our household. I didn’t hate
A Marriage of Convenience The letter
“Did she complete the task?” Marina speaks through gritted teeth as James walks me back inside the warehouse blindfolded. He didn’t bother zip tying my wrists, as I was being cooperative. “Flawlessly,” James purred, and I heard a relieved sigh fall from Marina’s lips. “What is with that necklace?” I question now that we’re no longer at the bank. Not only that, but James’ mood tanked after three separate people asked for photographs with him as we left the bank, so I didn’t bother asking on the ride home. “Nothing that concerns you,” Marina snapped, and I heard her step closer, grabbing James and planting a sloppy kiss on his lips. The act was intentional to grate on my nerves, and I wanted to claw her eyes out. I wasn’t jealous any longer, but it still stung having your failures rubbed in your face. “My father thought it concerned me,” I interrupted their make-out fest, causing James to let out a groan, “I don’t remember you talking this much.”“My talking didn’t seem to bother y
