"Where's Eric?"Danielle was seated facing Claire, who was working from her desk. Jenise had perched on the edge of the cluttered desk, and was typing away at her phone."I told him to wait outside for me." Danielle smiled, her eyes crinkling.It made Claire warm inside to know her friend had finally found a man who could care for, defend her, and still love her unconditionally. She felt tiny twitch of jealousy. When would she have that too?Claire shook her head to clear it. "Why didn't you bring him in?""Because I don't want to stay long. We have a lot to do today in New York." Danielle responded carefully.Claire wrinkled her brows. "A lot? You have no family or friends here. What do you have to do in New York?"Danielle avoided hsr eyes. "Oh, just this and that."Claire reached over the desk and slapped her on the arm. "Spit it out, D."Danielle's eyes flew up to hers in surprise. "Ouch! That hurts, you know!""It was intended to hurt." Claire retorted witha sweet smile. "Are you
The drive back down the cliff saw Axel and Donald trying to figure out how Rose McLennie fitted in the entire scheme of things."There are too many players in this sick game of killing me." Axel observed."That's not as much a problem as their motives." Donald pulled on to the main street in the opposite direction of the Lysander's vehicle. "Everyone seems to have their own plans, but I feel it's just one person using all of them as puppets."Axel rubbed his temple, where an ache was slowly forming. "So, what have we got so far?"Donald spread his palm and began counting. "We know Leo Morris was directly involved. So are Mr. Davinsky and Rose McLennie. The Manager of the branch in China was obviously taking orders from someone."Axel sighed wearily. "When it rains, it pours."Donald glanced at him. "There's something else in your mind, isn't there?""It's my father. He is really putting pressure on me, but this time for a cause I cannot in good conscience refuse." He slumped against h
Claire had to collect her jaw from the floor. She put a finger in her ear and shook it, just to make sure she was hearing quite well."Excuse me?"She looked at Donald. Nothing from his stance or expression told her this was some kind of sick prank. She looked over at Jenise, and Jenise looked as surprised as she was. Claire turned back to Axel."You're kidding, right?" She said with desperation. "Tell me you're just joking, Axel."Axel shook his head and extended the ring box. "We need to get married immediately. My father has brought me a deal I cannot refuse, and it will only take place if I am married."Claire could not believe her ears. "You want to marry me because of the company?" She hollered.Axel had the gall to look affronted. "Why not?"Claire could not help gaping at him. "No way!"Axel shrugged. "It's either that, or you pay the breach of contract fee. That should be enough to cover my losses if this deal passes me by."Claire shook her head. "I must be dreaming. Donald?
Claire excused herself to go to the bathroom. She was glad the walls were soundproof, because she could not hold it in any more. She wanted to cry. She kept asking herself if it would all have turned out better if her father had not been a psychopath.This was not how she had imagined getting married. She had thought so much about that day. Claire had dreamed about wearing a gorgeous white dress, and walking down the aisle with Danielle to meet the sweetest and most understanding man in the world, who didn't care about her past or scars. Who just wanted her because he loved her.She could not say the same for Axel. It all happened so fast. She had barely been in New York for a month, but she was already married to it's most eligible bachelor. It was something so many women dreamed of, but she didn't want to get married to Axel. Not now, not this way.Her eyes strayed to the charming diamond ring on her finger. For all his arrogance, he had taken time to pick out a very simple but beaut
Axel stood outside the front door to his parents' mansion. He wondered just how he was going to break the news to them that he had gotten married less than two hours after he had been given the ultimatum. His mother found him there."Hey. You're here? What are you standing there for?" She latched onto his arm. "Come on in."She pulled him across the living room straight to his father's study."Carson!" She called and propelled the door open with her feet. "Look who is here!"Axel meekly followed her through the door. His father was sitting with his back to the door, reading the newspaper. He folded it and turned his chair to face them."Son." He took his glasses off and put it on the desk. "I just saw you off less than a couple of hours ago. How come you are back here so soon?"His mother turned to leave. "I'll go get you both tea."Axel stalled her movement by grabbing her hand. "Don't go yet. I'm here to see you too." She gave him a bewildered look, but stopped moving. She touched
When Claire finally emerged from the bathroom, she found her desk uncluttered and her bag packed. Axel was no where to be found, but Jenise and Donald stood by the door."Did I keep you waiting?" She asked and grabbed her bag and keys from the desk.They shook their heads."Claire." She looked up at the sound of Donald's voice. He glanced at her with uncertainty before looking away again. "Are you sure you're okay?"Claire walked to him, reached a hand out and gently tapped his shoulder."Don't worry about me, Donald. I'm alright."His concern was sweet, but Claire didn't want that. She wanted him to treat her as he usually did."I'm not worried." Donald grinned finally, to Claire's joy. "I'm just trying to wrap my head around the fact that Axel has gotten married. And the fact that you have gotten married. What is more, you both married each other."Claire snorted. "Are you scared you might have to put out constant fires?"Donald scoffed. "I would rather you both don't start any fires
"I am not afraid." Claire chanted in her mind. "I am not afraid."Axel was looking at her like she was a piece of broom he would very much like to snap at that moment. She didn't respond to his question. She just stared at him rudely, while her heart was hammering inside her chest. The darkness that clouded his eyes made her doubt if she was doing the right thing.Axel suddenly laughed. The sound sent chills running through her spine. She could feel goosebumps cover her skin. He stopped and fixed her with a piercing gaze."Are you ignoring me, wife?"Even if she had wanted to answer, she couldn't seem to find her voice at that moment."I see." He nodded, more to himself than her.He suddenly reached out and she flinched. His expression hardened instantly and he pulled her into the penthouse and shut the door. He slammed her against the closed door, but Claire felt no pain, just a tingling sensation in her toes."Did you think I would hurt you?" He asked softly, his face just inches awa
Claire woke up with a start. It took her a second to register the fact that she was not on her own bed, and two seconds to remember the fact that she was married to the most powerful billionaire in New York. She rolled around, but found the other side of the bed empty. Where was Axel?She slipped out from under the sheets and walked to the bathroom. Claire peeked in to find it empty. She pulled the door shut and opened the bedroom door. The suite was quiet, but there was a light filtering from a crack in a door down the hallway. She tiptoed towards the source of the light. The door was half open, and Axel sat in front of his laptop.She grabbed the door handle and opened it fully."Axel?"He slammed the laptop shut and looked up guiltily. Claire raised a brow."I thought you were sleeping."Claire gave him a suspicious look. "Why do you have that guilty look on your face?" She smiled slyly at him. "Oh. What were you watching?"Axel narrowed his eyes at her. "It is not what you're think