Instead of waiting for an answer, William walked into the office. They had to talk, and Jamie didn’t want to in front of the girl. William was sure of it, and Jamie was behind him rather quickly. He heard the door close, and he whipped around.
“I’ve told you before, don’t question my methods.”
“I wasn’t.”
He pressed his lips together. “Why don’t you just pay me and I’ll be on my way.”
Chapter Two
Jamie was shocked at how relaxed William was. He was so calm, like nothing could bother him, but there wasn’t much she could say. She knew the situation she was in when it came to him, and though she didn’t want to deal with William, Jamie didn’t have a choice. She knew that after seeing Carmella, she wasn’t going to be able to doom her to an existence that William had described only briefly. She knew enough about trafficking to know that she didn’t want to send Carmella into it.
While she tried to stay calm and send out the same message as William was, it was impossible. She was upset, and payment was the last thing on her mind. Jamie had questions, but his demeanor threw her off. Instead, she went to her desk and wrote a check.
Passing it to him, her hand shook a little bit. She pulled it back so that he couldn’t see it, but the grin on his face told her that he did.
“So, I think my rate is going to go up for the next one, Jamie. Say, double.”
Her jaw dropped. Not only had she said that she wasn’t going to take another woman from him, but now he wanted double? She was amazed at his audacity.
“I don’t think that is going to work. I told you before that I wasn’t going to be able to keep doing this, William. While I am not going to ask how you get these girls to come to me, that doesn’t mean that I don’t care. I know enough, and I don’t want to be a part of it.”
“Well, like I said before, if you don’t take them, then I am sure I can find someone else that will. I have two more that are of the quality you want. They are going to be ripening soon. So, if you want them to live that kind of life, it’s up to you. I am not going to lose my investment. I have far fewer emotions about it than you do. I figured you would want to do the right thing.”
Jamie could feel the bile coming up in her throat. She wished many things at the moment but dealing with him another second wasn’t one of them. He was so smug, so sure that everything he wanted would turn out just so.
“I will have to think about it, William. I imagine this check will keep you in suits and limos for a while.”
That got a chuckle. “You don’t like me very well, huh, Jamie?”
“I think you know that I don’t.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter if you do or not. I am sure that we’re going to be seeing each other again. Carmella is a good one. She will be perfect for whatever rich shifter you have her lined up. It will be just as profitable for you as in the past. Don’t think I don’t see the upgrades you have made to the place. Remember that while you are condemning me.”
Jamie felt guilt run through her. Of course, what he said was right. She didn’t know why she couldn’t stand up and say something, but she knew that it was more than just getting up the courage. Jamie would have to doom another two girls, though she was wary that there were more. The last girl said that it had been years she was held until she came of age. That told Jamie that there could be a lot more of them. She didn’t want to think about it, though. At the moment, all she wanted to think about was getting him out of her office and out of her life. The latter would come; she really had to believe that.
“If there is nothing else, I have another client coming in soon. I don’t think it would be good for you to be here.”
“Ah, yes, another client. Like I said, you stick with the program and both of us can make a considerable amount of money on this. You find them good matches, they are happy, we make money, and we’re happy. I don’t see why this has to be a bad thing.”
“Some of us have morals.”
He snickered. “Well, tell me how that works out for you.”
She only sighed when he left the office. He said something low to Carmella, and then he was gone. Jamie was going to have to figure out a way to get rid of him permanently.
Jamie asked Carmella if she was hungry, and Carmella said that she was. She also looked like she had a buzz, and there was liquor on her breath. Jamie doubted that she was even old enough to drink. Jamie was grateful for the fact that they had to be virgins. It was a horrible thing to need in one sense, but it kept them safe from men like William. If there weren’t rules in place about it, the girls would come to her in much different condition.
Carmella was shy, and she asked to use the restroom. Jamie showed her where it was and tried to tell herself that she was doing the right thing. She had a client that would be perfect for her, one that had been looking for a while. He was older but prominent, like her own family. The life would be similar.
Jamie was trying her best to make herself feel better. The guilt was going to eat away at her; if only she could find a way to make it right. William was right in that sense. If she found the women good matches, then it would be better than nothing.
Jamie kept telling herself that the rest of the night. The more she got to know Carmella, the more she realized how sweet the girl was and didn’t want to let another girl like her get caught up with William. Jamie knew that she would do what was necessary to keep the last two safe, even if she had to pay double.
Carmella stayed the night with Jamie, and she washed her dress so that she would have it on when they met with one of her romantic options. Jason Biggs was a customer that came via word of mouth, and he was a nice man from all accounts. His wife died a few years back, and Jamie had been trying to find him a bride for several months. Now, though, she was sure that the two would hit it off. Carmella was gorgeous, a shifter from a good family line, and she was eager to please.
When the doorbell rang, Jamie went to answer it, and she smiled at Jason. He looked just like the picture she had gotten. He was handsome, a bit older, but it made him appear more distinguished.
Carmella, though, didn’t seem as enthused as she could have been. Jamie wasn’t sure what had her expression changing so suddenly, but then it was gone, and Jamie had to wonder if she’d even seen it all or not. It could have just been her imagination.
Chapter Three
Carmella felt like her head was spinning. She’d known all along that her life was going to be figured out for her. She’d not been so happy to hear about the plan to marry her off but had gone with it. It didn’t seem like it would be that bad. She’d had it framed to her as an adventure and helping the family. Carmella was interested in both and, at the time, thought that it would be some great thing. Now though, she wasn’t so sure that was going to be the case of not.
The guy was old. He wasn’t ancient but there was definitely some salt and pepper in his hair. He was tall, handsome, and he had dark green eyes that seemed to see it all. She was instantly pulled to him because he just had such a dominant personality.
The way he looked at her wasn’t that hard to see through. He wanted her, like all men seemed to want her. They didn’t want to get to know her; Carmella had realized that long ago. They were basically being intimate with their eyes, taking her in, just like this guy was, and she was finding it hard to ignore. Would she be able to?
Carmella looked down after he took her hand and kissed it.
“She’s rather lovely, Jamie. I was starting to wonder if it would be worth it to wait. I never should have doubted you.”
Carmella smiled when he touched her chin and made her look at him. She didn’t want to, didn’t want to see the open lust in his eyes.
“I only regret that we will have to wait another ten days until the moon is full. Then we will be married if that is to your liking.”
Jamie seemed surprised that he didn’t want to talk about anything, ask questions, etc. Carmella wasn’t surprised, though. She knew that he wan
ted her the minute that he laid eyes on her. What she said, thought, felt didn’t matter to men like Jason. She’d been around enough to know that men like him were used to getting their way, and she was just another conquest on his list. While she wasn’t sure if she wanted that sort of life, Carmella knew that they would all be that way. She’d been around money most of her life. Carmella knew what it was.
She tried to plaster a smile on her face. He was smiling back, so Carmella figured that she had at least accomplished that. It was actually harder than she would have imagined it to be. It seemed like there was something telling her that it would be okay, some feeling inside. She didn’t necessarily feel it when she looked at Jason leering at her, but it was there, somewhere unknown and unseen. It allowed her to relax, if only just a little bit.
Carmella was asked privately once the man left for coffee if she would like to continue with Jason.
“I am serious, Carmella, when I say that you have a choice in all of this. I know that you may not have had a choice with William, but that’s not how I do business. I want you to want to do this. It could be a good life, you would have everything you ever need, but I want this to be something that you actually want. You can understand that, can’t you?”
Carmella wasn’t sure why Jamie was looking at her that way, saying those things, but she agreed that she was fine. Everything was fine and Jason would be fine.
“You said fine three times in one go. Are you sure that you are all right with this? I have other clients—many, actually. I could have you meet a couple more if you would like.”
Carmella waved her off. She didn’t see the point. Jason was just as good as all the rest of them. When she had agreed to get married for money for her family, so they could pretend that they weren’t broke and still at the top of their game, she knew there wasn’t going to be any love. That’s not what came from arranged marriages, at least not at first. Love could come slowly, though; she’d heard it before.
“Jason will do just fine. This is a marriage of circumstance, not love. That’s okay. I will have a comfortable life and I will be able to help my family. It’s what I want, Jamie. Thank you for introducing us. I think I will go with him and take it from there.”
Jamie was surprised and hesitant. “Are you really sure?”
Carmella laughed. “If I didn’t know any better, I would think that you were trying to talk me out of it, but that wouldn’t make much sense. I mean, you want this, right?”
Jamie agreed. “I think that the two of you will be good together. You are a quality match. It could be good if you are willing to keep an open mind, I suppose.”
“Because he’s so old?”
Jamie snickered and coughed. “You are not at all what you seem, Carmella.”
Carmella shrugged. “I am a realist. Jason will do fine.”
Jamie still didn’t look all that sure about it, but Carmella was. She’d made her decision, and since he wasn’t horrible but actually a bit cute, she was sure she could find some way to feel something for him. It was just going to take time.
Carmella was happy with her decision. She knew that it wasn’t going to be easy, her new life, but she tried to stay optimistic. It was all about perception, so Carmella was convinced she was going to have to just look at it from the bright side. She was out of Texas and onto her new life.
“I can’t believe Dad is going to buy a bride.”
Constance shook her head. “I really don’t think that’s how it works, brother. You’re acting like Mom hasn’t been dead for years. It’s time for him to move on.”
Jeff had a feeling that it wasn’t going to matter what he said; it wasn’t going to change anything. His father wasn’t looking for their approval. When he’d told them about it at breakfast, it had come out and that was that. There wasn’t a discussion.
“I know it’s been years, but does he have to buy one? I mean, it’s going to be some stranger, and it just makes no sense. He already has women in his life. Why does he need a bride too?”
“You know why, Jeff. Stop being so weird about it. You act like you’re going to have to call her mom or something. We’re grown, and it’s no longer our concern. What if he finds happiness? I think we all deserve a little bit after everything.”
He looked at his sister and knew that she was right. Constance usually was. She was always trying to see things the right way. That’s what he loved about her, but he was unwilling or unable to do the same himself. It was almost a shame, really. Connie seemed happier because of it.
“Tell me that you are really okay with it?”
She agreed that she was, and he knew that he wasn’t going to be able to complain about it anymore. His father had made his decision, and he was just going to have to be okay with it. He didn’t want to be. It was going to be hard, but when they got the call that he’d be back that evening with his bride-to-be, Jeff started to get nervous. Why, he wasn’t sure.
“I guess I will get used to the idea of it, but I don’t like it.”
She shrugged. “Neither one of us has to be okay with it. I think that it may be good for him. I like to think it will be. I guess it could end very badly.”
He agreed. It was all up in the air, and that was probably what made him feel the unease that he did. He didn’t like the feeling of it at all.
“I hope you’re right, Connie. I don’t want this to turn into a mess. Remember when he dated Jacklyn? That woman was a nightmare. This one could be even worse. I mean, she’s marrying him for money.”
“And because he is an alpha. You know that has a lot to do with it. One day, you will be an alpha as well, and you will have to—”
Jeff cut her off. The last thing he wanted to do was think about his own life. He didn’t want to be in the same boat, though he knew he would be. If he didn’t find love on his own, true love, then it would be found for him. It wasn’t all that different, he had to admit.
The more he thought about it, the more Jeff saw that it was for the best. His sister was right, and maybe it would be good for his dad. Jason was different after their mother died. He was still seen with all sorts of women, but there was a light in his eyes that had burned out. Jeff had never liked seeing it.
They were musing about the new stepmom when they heard their father coming in the back. The house was silent except for the clock ticking on the wall. Jeff was anticipating something; he just wasn’t sure what it was.
“I think they are here.”
Jeff agreed, but that didn’t make him want to move forward towards the stairs to go down to the front door. He knew he would have to meet her, obviously, but it didn’t mean he was ready for it.
When he opened the window, perfectly content to jump out of it to get away from whoever was on the other side of the door, Connie pulled him back. She told him he was being ridiculous. “You’re too old to be climbing out of windows, brother. Let’s go downstairs and meet our new mom.”
He growled at her, but Connie just giggled and went out the door. She was smiling and laughing, but he wasn’t feeling as lighthearted. It made him think of his own mom, the one he missed every day. The idea that someone was going to come into their life and try to be her didn’t sit well with him. That feeling didn’t change just because he was an adult.
When he was going down the stairs, he looked up finally and saw her standing next to his father. The surprise was real, visceral, and so complete that he fell down the last two steps. His face was red when he popped back up, brushing off the help from the butler.
“I am fine, thank you.”
Jeff wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but it wasn’t the beauty in front of him. She was gorgeous, and for an instant, Jeff didn’t want his father to have her. He wanted her for himself. That was hard to fathom, considering he’d never wanted a woman so badly. But her, this one, he did.
Straightening up physically and mentally, he walked towards them. His father had a grin on his face that was hard not to see. Jeff knew why it was the
re. His father was incredibly pleased with the bride that he’d bought. She was really young, probably younger than him, and he had to wonder if there was something that he could do to change the circumstance. There was no way Jeff was going to be okay with the woman in front of him being his stepmother. It made him sick to his stomach.
“Hello, Father. Welcome back.”
Jason was all grins, and that just made it worse. “Thank you, son. I would like you to meet my fiancée, Carmella.”
Jeff offered his hand to the woman and felt her tiny one slip into his own. It felt good there, really good, but then it was gone, and he was already missing the connection. It was hard to step back and clear his face of all expression, like he wasn’t shaking from her presence.
“I am glad that everything went well. Too bad the moon has already gone full this cycle.”
His father had his eyes on his bride, and Jeff tried not to clench his teeth. He couldn’t help it, though. The thought of the two of them together was really starting to bother him. It was silly. He didn’t know this woman. This beautiful blonde that was definitely not from around there. His father had brought back a gem
, and he wanted one too. Not just anyone. Jeff wanted Carmella.
Chapter Four
Carmella wasn’t sure what to think. The house was huge and magnificent. It was like something she’d seen in a magazine. The idea of living there was hard to get her mind around. The worst part, the most shocking, was her supposed stepson. He looked a lot like Jason: tall, handsome, regal almost. But he was younger and had a clear smile that shone in his eyes. He looked at her with need, like most other men, but it wasn’t a possessive kind.
When she looked back to Jason, he didn’t seem to notice, and that was okay with her. She was actually passed off to Jeff.
Alpha Shifter Bride Service: (A Paranormal Romance Series) Page 12
