Mason wrapped his arms around me. “That was a cute bonding moment with my family.”
“You needed to know how they felt.”
His blue eyes glinted. “I’m a lucky guy. I’m engaged to the perfect woman.” His nose slipped across my neck. “I could never give you up, Chelsea.”
Fuck, my plan backfired. The evil prince still had to have me for himself. He was determined to make his brother suffer. I shook in his arms.
“No need to fret, princess.” He stood to his full height, staring down at me. “You’re in good hands.”
Our families were oblivious to my torture. He wanted me no matter what it cost him. I was the prize he had to win.
PULLING MYSELF TOGETHER became excruciating the longer this farce went on. The day after Thanksgiving, I laid in bed all day. Mom and dad checked on me. I lied, telling my mother, I wasn’t feeling good without any sign of a fever. The next best reason for a girl to remain in bed all day. Cramps.
She hovered over me. “Chelsea, I’ll grab a bottle of aspirin. I thought your cycle happened at the beginning of the month?” See this was why having a doctor for a mother could be problematic.
“Mom, it switched. Twice a year my cycle changes to the end of the month.”
“Oh, yeah. I remember.” She stood and clapped her hands. “I’ll return with chamomile tea, aspirin, and a heating pad.”
“Mom, you’re the best.”
She winked and scurried out of the room.
I needed the break from Mason. I’d milk this alone time for all it was worth.
Monday morning, I was on the prowl. Where was little Miss Priss? I spotted her a few minutes later. She strutted down the hall in her black Jimmy Choo’s. I followed at a distance. She slipped into the restroom. Strolling in a few seconds later, I gazed in the mirror pretending to freshen up my makeup.
Marisa exited the stall and sighed. “What the fuck do you want?”
A wide grin stretched across my face. “Marisa, don’t be bitter. I came to give you a personal invitation to my Christmas wedding.” I placed the card in her hand at the same time flashing the ten-carat engagement ring in her line of sight.
Her nostrils flared and her gray eyes narrowed. She reluctantly snatched the invitation from my hand.
“Is that all, bitch?”
I closed the space between us. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. You didn’t have to serve me and Tate up to Mason. I bet you regret you ever went along with his destructive plan. Looks like I’ll be barefoot and pregnant in a few months with his heir.”
She motioned her hand toward my face. I caught her wrist. “You only have yourself to blame.”
I twirled and clanked out of the restroom in my kitten heels. The door slammed behind me. A blood-curdling scream penetrated the thick wooden door. A devilish smile curled my lips. My work was done.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Are we ready?” I paced. “I mean, really ready?”
I glanced between Matt and Rocco.
“We are,” Rocco reassured.
“Let’s go over the plan one more time.” I smoothed my hand over my dark ponytail.
The wedding was upon us. There was no way I could marry Mason. We had to find Tate.
Matt and I peered over Rocco’s shoulder at the laptop screen. The boiler room was creepy and drafty, but the best place to discuss our plans.
“Matt, I will freeze the cameras. You have less than a minute to enter the basement.” He pointed at the screen. “Remember to follow the long hallway and make a right. Keep walking until you find the underground dungeon.”
Matt slipped his fingers through his blond locks. “I got this. And why again will my guns have blanks instead of bullets?”
“We’ll be in a foreign country. The last thing you want is to be tried for murder there.”
His lips protruded. “Good point.”
“The earbuds are a must to communicate with each other.”
“Agreed.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Matt, I’ll cut the power the moment you and Tate exit the basement.”
“Yup, I got it handled.”
“Rocco, thank your father again for calling in that favor. Without the original plans of the hidden underground, we may have never found Tate.”
“Chelsea, I will thank him. All right, see you two next week.” Rocco smiled.
I hugged both of them. “Thank you, guys for being my knight and shining armor.”
“Doll, there’s no way we’d stand by and allow this shit show to continue.”
I smiled as I stepped back. “Let’s bury those bastards.”
∞
“How do you feel?” Worry laced his words to my surprise.
One eye popped open. “Just fine, Tate,” I whispered.
“Go to sleep like everyone else on the jet. The time change will suck later. I figured if I slept now, maybe I wouldn’t be so tired when we arrived.”
I heard my dad whistle-snore three rows back like he did whenever he was exhausted. A single fluid low light bulb ran around the wall of the jet, providing minimal light while we slept.
I snuggled into the plush tan leather seat, pulling the blanket up to my neck.
“Are you ok?”
I hated to make eye contact. At that moment I saw the man I loved. Those blue eyes that stole my heart. Those curly dark locks I missed running my fingers through. And that broad chest that served as my haven.
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll go to sleep.”
Did I sense Mason wasn’t thrilled to follow through with his grandfather’s deal? What did it matter? He’d clearly do anything he wanted. Didn’t matter if his true love sat in the audience watching him tie the knot with his obsession. Maybe the guilt of betraying his brother was weighing on his heart. If so good.
The twins darted down the hall. “Emma and Carson, hold on,” Nina yelled, scurrying behind them. Mason said he needed to find his grandfather. My heart lurched in my chest just thinking about that evil old man. What kind of person would harbor a child for years behind the parents’ backs? Brian and my dad said they were looking for the bar. The maid staff and seamstress whisked mom, Melissa, and me into an oversized bedroom on the second floor. I tried swallowing past the huge lump in my throat. All I wanted to do was ransack every room until I found Tate. Peeking out of the window at the lush green landscape, I clutched my arm. Get a grip, Chelsea. You have to hold it together. Don’t let them win. You will be reunited with Tate. I squeezed my eyes shut. You just have to believe.
His belongings have to be here somewhere. The moment I have time alone I’d uncover his clothes. To inhales his scent would bring me solace.
“Chelsea, Chelsea.” Mom gripped my arms, staring at me eyes wide. “What’s going on? Talk to me now.”
“I’m fine, Mom.” No smile followed to reassure her I was ok. Not sure how I’d sleep knowing Tate, and me were under the same roof.
“Chelsea, if you aren’t ready to get married say the word and I will call it off.”
Melissa stepped over, stroking my hair. “Tate, will understand, if you cannot follow through.”
The tears streamed down my face. “I need to sit down and catch my breath.” They helped me over to the bed. Mom and Melissa wrapped their arms around me.
“Melissa and I are here if you want to talk.”
I shook my head. “There isn’t another man I ever envisioned myself marrying.” Until, Mason hijacked me, forcing me into an arranged marriage.
“Time to try on my wedding dress.”
They sat back and smiled.
“All right,” Mom stated.
A few minutes later, I stared at my reflection in the tall mirror. My fingers lingered over the embroidered white A train skirt.
“You look stunning, honey.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I admired the off the shoulder dress.
“I am famished. Is it lunchtime yet?”
Melissa glanced at her watch. “Chels
ea, I will call the kitchen and have the chef whip up lunch for us.”
“Great.” I smiled.
“We should freshen up. We’ll meet you downstairs.”
The seamstress helped me climb out of the dress.
“Ok, Mom.”
The second I was alone, I ventured out on a private tour of the fortress.
Why would someone need so many bedrooms? I sauntered next door and peeked left to right, before entering. I turned the knob and scooted inside. My heart raced as I opened and closed every drawer. On my hands and knees, I glimpsed under the bed. I left nothing to chance. The walk-in closet was the last place I checked for anything Tate may have brought on the trip. I won’t give up. If I had to search the other wing, I’d wait until after the party. I sat on the bed closest to the door in the fifth bedroom. “Ugh,” I groaned.
Maybe his grandfather stored his luggage in the basement. I performed the same searches I did in the previous bedrooms. There were a couple of distinct differences between this room and the others. The masculine cherry wood wardrobe closet to my right was one. And the dark walls was the other. Was this Tate and Mason’s room? I hurled across the room, swinging the wardrobe doors open. I gaped and my chest heaved. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. A chill shot up my spine as I stared at the duffel. The same duffel I retrieved a shirt from at the lake house. Tremors over took my body. I slowly unzipped the bag. All of his personal items were inside. I grabbed a T-shirt out of the bag and buried my face in the soft cotton material. His scent embodied the T-shirt. Popping back to reality, I checked my surroundings. I couldn’t risk Mason finding me in the room he and his brother shared. Quickly, I zipped the bag and closed the doors. I slipped the T-shirt under my blouse and scurried out of the room. Before joining the family for lunch, I stored Tate’s T-shirt in my suitcase.
I tried pushing down the joy I felt, but no such luck.
Mason clutched my shoulder. “You’re chipper, babe.”
Fuck, I wanted to throat punch the asshole.
“I’m happy you cheered up. Melissa and I were ready to call off the wedding.”
I wish mom wouldn’t have mentioned my cold feet.
Mason gruffly rubbed his face. “What happened?”
My smile rose and fell. “Just a little teary eyed. We’re getting married tomorrow. Everything is ok now.”
Not one person at the table took their eyes off of me.
I caressed Mason’s face, staring into his blue eyes. “I am marrying the boy who stole my heart when we were kids.” Pain shot through my body probably because of the bald-faced lie.
He crushed my lips, I hated returning the kiss, but I had to play the game.
The second I returned to my room; I’d wash off my lips.
I scanned the blushed faces at the table. “I need a nap before tonight’s big party. Please excuse me?”
“I’ll walk you to your room.” Mason stood.
Luckily, I hid Tate’s shirt in my bag. I almost placed it under my pillow.
The second we were through the door; I curled my legs into my stomach on the bed. “Show’s over, you can go now.”
He locked the door and sat beside me.
“Fuck off.”
“How about you show me how well you can roll those hips while riding my cock,” he whispered in my ear.
“Get the fuck away from me.” I shoved my palms into his chest. Did he really think I was warming up to him? Hell no.
He snickered. “Tomorrow you’ll submit and perform your wifely duties.” He rose to his full height.
I hopped out of the bed. “Oh, yeah? You bring your dick anywhere near me and I will cut it clean off.”
His eyes darkened. “You will do as you are told. If you step out of line again, lover boy will pay the price. I’ll break his arm. Better yet, he can rot forever.”
I palmed my mouth. “You’ve had your fun. Got your revenge, now leave us alone.”
“I will be content after we are married. The look on his face when I tell him you are my wife—he’ll never be the same.”
“Get out.” I pointed at the door.
He pressed his hand against my mouth. “Keep your voice down. Rest those pretty blue eyes. I will see you downstairs in that pink dress I picked out for you.” He kissed my forehead, then walked out of the room.
I fell onto the bed, staring at the wall. Our plan had to work tonight. If Tate wasn’t in the basement, I was screwed.
“I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU tried to tie the knot without telling us.” Megan shook her head.
We were swallowed by the room full of guests that surrounded us in the monstrous ballroom.
“So, you twisted Matt’s arm, so he’d tell you about my secret wedding, in bed no doubt.” I quirked a brow, crossing my arms.
She ran her hand along the back of her neck. “All that matters is I came to support my friend.” She looped her arms around my neck.
“Did Matt tell you anything else?”
She stepped back. “Like what?” Her brows rustled together.
“Like where we are going on our honeymoon, silly,” I chuckled.
She laughed. “No.”
“Good, it’s my surprise gift to Tate.”
“Awe that’s so sweet.”
She looked beautiful in the red shimmering ball gown. Her brown hair was pinned in a ball on the top of her head.
Matt met my gaze, placing one finger against his lips.
“The Forrester estate is stunning.” Megan’s eyes darted around the room, admiring the holiday decorations no doubt.
“That tree is to die for.”
The enormous Christmas tree dazzled one corner of the room. It was gorgeous. Mr. Forrester spared no expense. I hadn’t seen him since we arrived.
Matt slipped his hands around Megan’s waist. “Having fun, sweetheart?”
“Yes.” She melted into his chest.
They looked adorable together.
“Matt, don’t you look handsome in your navy suit.”
“Thanks, Doll. You know I had to out shine my man Tate.”
“In your dreams, asshat.” Mason gripped my waist from behind. My stomach churned in his embrace.
“Happy you could make it, brother.”
“I wouldn’t miss your big day for the world.” Matt was convincing. Never let on that he knew it was Mason parading as Tate.
Matt flagged down a waiter. We each grabbed a glass of champagne off of the tray.
“I’d like to propose a toast.” Matt smiled.
We raised our glasses.
“Don’t go to bed mad at each other.”
Megan peeked up at him with a questionable gaze.
“My parents pride themselves on that motto. They’ve been married forever. So, I believe it’s great advice. Anyway, cheers.”
We clinked glasses. “Cheers,” we said in unison.
I brought the glass to my nose, inhaling the sweet drink. We swallowed the wine in a few sips.
“That was delicious. We need another.” I waved over another waiter serving the guests.
“Chelsea, it’s so good to see you.” I could hear the humor in his tone. He probably got a kick out of my situation.
“Welcome to my home,” Mr. Forrester grinned. His eyes poured over my body. Not like a grandfather, but like a dirty old man. My body pulsated and I felt my throat closing. I wanted to get away from him. But I couldn’t. I felt trapped in a tiny box.
He exchanged pleasantries with Megan and Matt.
“I need to borrow the happy couple.”
Mason intertwined our fingers, and we followed Mr. Forrester down a long hall into his office. Books filled every shelf on both walls. A large tan light fixture hung from the ceiling overhead. I felt like I was standing under an interrogation light. Mason closed the door and his grandfather leaned against his desk, crossing his legs at his ankles. He clapped his hands. “Tomorrow’s the big day. Aren’t you excited?”
“Yes, ecstatic.”
“Good. The moment you two tie the knot, Chelsea, you will sign the agreement made between your grandfather and I.”
My face twisted. “What agreement?” My fists clenched at my sides.
“Now, now. No need to get defensive. Your grandfather has offered shares of his oil company.”
“No, he wouldn’t do that.”
“He would if there is an heir involved. The second you two procreate, I’ll be richer than I already am. You are an heiress, darling. The moment you marry, you inherit billions of dollars. And the second you conceive a child the baby is instantly a billionaire. I struck a business deal with him. He will bail out my company the moment your child is born. In a one time deal. I must promise not to extort money from him ever again. He’s a tough old bastard.”
“It doesn’t make sense. Just because I’m having a child with a Forrester means nothing.”
He shook his finger in the air. “Oh, how you’re wrong. Your grandfather was caught with his pants down. I have the pictures to prove it.” His deep throaty laugh grated on my nerves.
“You are pure evil. I won’t let you get away with this. I will not bore a child with Mason.” I turned on my heels headed for the door.
“Not so fast, heiress. You will do exactly as I say. Or, Mason here will take Tate’s place permanently. I have no problem killing Tate. His fucking self-righteous ways.”
Seething I slowly turned, meeting his gaze.
“That ungrateful fucker told me he wouldn’t marry you for the money. He was too good all of a sudden. I didn’t make him privy to the black mail. I just needed to see was he willing to follow orders like Mason here is.” He patted Mason’s shoulder.
“See he is a grateful grandson.”
“You...are a monster,” I roared.
“You nursed him back to health only to use him. Probably made him feel guilty that if he didn’t do things your way, you’d remind him how he almost died and you saved him.” I inched closer. “You are pond scum.”
He wrapped his hands around my neck. He had a death grip on me. I clutched his hands trying to break free.
You're To Blame 2: A High School Bully Romance (Haven Saints High) Page 5
