Lukas' Angel (Ryan Family Book 1)

by Loni Ree

  "Luke, you aren't seriously considering sticking me with the Steele girl, are you? You know I am the last person who should ever have to get married. It would be wrong. Completely, fucking wrong." Oh my God, shut the Fuck up! I won't take the fucking, whiny, baby crying anymore. If one of these fuckers comes crying to me one more time, I swear I will put him out of his misery and be done with it! "Nikolas, get away from my door and go get your stupid ass ready for the dinner tonight. I have already decided who is going to be stuck with the girl. I will announce my decision after dinner. So begging isn't going to help anything."

  I actually have decided Aiden is the one who will treat Madison the best. He had a girlfriend in college, and he brought her to the house every break for several months until something happened and we never saw her again. He has never told any of us what happened, at least not to my knowledge. He and Annie are incredibly close so she may know the whole story. Anyway, he treated Amanda, the girlfriend, quite well. Besides, he is the nicest of my brothers, and the one who I believe will treat Madison Steele the best. I do have a heart after all.

  Of course, I didn't invite my former mistress and personal assistant Marta, to the debacle tonight, even though she begged, pleaded, and also tried to invite herself. For one thing, she has proven to be untrustworthy after the whole dressing room incident. For another, as my personal assistant, I think maybe her talents are better used in the office and not the bedroom. Now convincing her of this fact has become another shit show in my life. My headaches multiply.

  My thoughts return to Madison. Her parents divorced when she was younger, and she and Bradley moved away with their mother. There are no pictures of her since the divorce. From what I have heard, and from the last photos of her I could find, she is quite dull.

  After listening to the complaining, I demanded my asshole brothers be in the main living room with Gramps George for the formal meeting. Here goes the shit show. I hear Marcy, the woman who runs our household, leading our guests down the hall and I am getting ready for the drama. I feel like I am punched in the stomach.

  What the fuck does Useless think he is doing bringing a date tonight, he knows my sister is going to be here, and where is his sister? Where the fuck did an ugly fuck like him meet MY Angel? My God, she is something, exactly as I remembered. Tiny as shit, maybe five feet, curly long blonde hair; and oh God, look at those big, purple eyes. Surely, they are contacts, no one has purple eyes. Even her lips are full and gorgeous. When she smiles, I see perfect, little, white teeth. Her beautiful, heart-shaped face with a cute, little nose that has a slight tilt to the end has haunted my dreams for the last week. The purple concoction she is wearing shows off her perfect breasts and ass. I'm in heaven, but I want to blind my fucking brothers for staring at my woman. That Useless fucker Bradley is losing his date first thing. Then I'm kicking his ass for embarrassing my sister. Next thing I know, the stupid fucker opens his mouth, and my world turns upside down completely!

  "Madison, these are the Ryan brothers, Lukas, Nikolas, Aiden and Brayden and their sister Annie. Also, next to them is their Grandfather, Gramps George Ryan." My Angel turns and starts to take my hand, and I feel the electricity from my toes, all the way to the top of my head, "Hello, Mr. Ryan, a pleasure to meet you." God even her voice is angelic, it whispers through all my nerve endings. I can see everyone waiting for me to say something, but I feel as if I'm paralyzed. Finally, Nikolas takes mercy on me and grabs her hand away. "Madison, call him Lukas, and you can call me, Nikolas, we are all so glad to finally meet you." You lying shit. An hour ago you were at my door begging for your freedom. As I'm standing there trying to figure out what the hell is happening to me, I realize all the rest of introductions have been made. I also know, I want to rip my brother's hand off for daring to touch my woman. What the fuck? The stress may have finally finished me off. Fuck me.

  I need to try to get some control back. "Let's head into the dining room for dinner." I pull Marcy aside and ask her to seat Madison on my right side, instead of at the far end of the table by Nikolas and Aiden. She goes to do my bidding, without batting an eyelash. It pays to have good help. Before I can even get to my seat, Nikolas leans over next to my ear and whispers. "I changed my mind, I'll happily take her." I glare at him and then raise my eyebrow and stare at his seat. After a second or two, he gets the message and sits his stupid ass down. Once I help Madison into her c, and everyone else is seated and dinner is underway, I feel I can try to sit back and think of a way to turn the situation around. I refuse to look like a fool. I run the show. But now things have changed, and I know there is no way I am giving my girl to Aiden. I make grunts and half comments throughout the meal; all the while trying to wrap my mind around my problems. Finally, I think I may have it. The old man owes me big time for this mess, and now he will be paying up. I need to get him alone after dinner and before my big decision is revealed.

  I give Gramps George my signal, and he stands and asks to speak to me after dessert is served. I tell him plans have changed, and I will be marrying Madison. He doesn't look shocked by my demand. Gramps George knows I have a reason for every decision I make. The night has taken a surprising turn, but I get to marry My Angel, and I don't look like a fool.

  I make the announcement after drinks, "After looking at all the possible scenarios, Gramps George believes the best course of action will be for me to marry Madison and for Bradley to marry Annie, as planned."

  Needless to say, there is quite a bit of surprise, but everyone knows better than to question my decision. I see Nikolas's smirk, and the sneaky fucker inconspicuously rubs his middle finger up the side of his head, but I ignore him and continue with my explanation. The spoiled shit will have to get over himself.

  I let Useless know, "After the Autumn Ball and the two engagements are announced, our companies will be united, and we will help you transition into control of Steele Co. But, I expect you to keep your end of the bargain. Max Lewis, my right-hand man, will be at your headquarters to start your introduction into how we Ryans operate and help you to learn, as quickly as, possible. I hope you are a quick learner. We will not tolerate fuckups, and I have no problem running both companies."

  "Madison, I will pick you up tomorrow morning at eight, so we can pick out rings and arrange an appropriate wardrobe for you. I expect you to be ready. While we are out, we will get you a dress for the Autumn Ball, I have an image to uphold, and I expect for you do the same. As a matter of safety, you will move here, immediately. I have a separate suite in my wing you will use, until the wedding. I will arrange for your things to be moved tomorrow. I will also arrange for a bodyguard to be at your house first thing in the morning. I'll see you tomorrow; Bradley has my number if you have any questions, or need anything before then."

  CHAPTER 3

  MADISON

  I 'm not really sure what is going to happen tonight. We arrive at the unbelievably fancy mansion, and it looks like one of those mansions you see on the television shows that take viewers inside the lives of the rich and famous. It is three stories high, and the entire front which stretches on for what has to be close to a football field is all windows. When we ring the bell, we are greeted by a cute little granny-like housekeeper. She shows us into the formal living room, where the entire Ryan family is waiting.

  The king jerk looks a lot like his picture. Well, except, he is way more handsome and way larger in person than he looks in photos. Up close, I can see how strikingly blue his eyes really are, and it is absolutely unfair how long his lashes are. He has the right amount of stubble on his perfectly square jawline and two adorable dimples; I bet there are craters when he smiles. After meeting him in person, I can see why women fall all over themselves to get his attention. Of course, he ignores me when we are introduced. Nikolas is actually the first brother to talk to me.

  I find myself genuinely liking his brothers, they seem like big kids who have been overindulged their entire lives. They are equally, as handsome as, Lukas but for some reason,
I am not at all attracted to any of them. It is really a shame, considering I am going to be forced to marry one of them.

  Lukas remains quiet throughout dinner. I am seated directly to his right, and he barely acknowledges me at all. Brayden asks me several questions and I answer, but it seems every time a conversation I can participate in begins, Lukas changes the subject to business, and I sit quietly and listen. I finally give up on trying to participate in any of the dinner conversations. Lukas barely engages himself. He appears to be in a foul mood. I can see Lukas and Gramps George Ryan making some eye gestures across the table, and I wonder if those gestures have to do with tonight's announcement. I wish it were over with.

  Gramps George Ryan asks to speak with Lukas after dinner. They are in the library for maybe ten minutes, and then we are told to gather in the formal living room to discuss the upcoming Autumn Ball and the announcements.

  Needless to say, I almost pass when Lukas announces, "After looking at all the possible scenarios, Gramps George believes the best course of action will be for me to marry Madison and for Bradley to marry Annie, as planned."

  He tells Bradley, "After the Autumn Ball and the two engagements are announced, our companies will be united, and we will help you transition into control of Steele Co. But, I expect you to keep your end of the bargain. Max Lewis, my right-hand man, will be at your headquarters to start your introduction into how we Ryans operate and help you to learn, as quickly as, possible. I hope you are a quick learner. We will not tolerate fuckups, and I have no problem running both companies."

  Then he turns to me and says, "Madison, I will pick you up tomorrow morning at eight, so we can pick out rings and arrange an appropriate wardrobe for you. I expect you to be ready. While we are out, we will get you a dress for the Autumn Ball, I have an image to uphold, and I expect you to do the same. As a matter of safety, you will move here, immediately. I have a separate suite in my wing for you to use, until the wedding. I will arrange for your things to be moved tomorrow. I will also arrange for a bodyguard to be at your house first thing in the morning. I'll see you tomorrow; Bradley has my number if you have any questions, or need anything before then."

  It is glaringly apparent, I do not fit in with my new family, and now I am stuck marrying the king jerk himself. The fact I am going to have a bodyguard following me around is the icing on the cake!

  For the life of me, I cannot figure out why his grandfather ordered Lukas to marry me. Surely, there is more to the story than I am seeing. Even Bradley appears to be as baffled by these new circumstances as I am.

  As Bradley, Uncle Andrew and I leave the room, I turn briefly and see the looks of shock on all of the Ryan brother's faces, except for Nikolas. Nikolas appears amused by this turn of events. Annie still looks shocked and shrugs her shoulder at my brother as we leave, and I assume she is trying to let Bradley know she had no idea these events were coming either.

  When I wake up the next morning, the first thing I think is, "I'm not too sure how I'm going to get used to being there." The house is so grand, it looks like a museum or like something off of a magazine cover. I'm sure one little housekeeper has tons of help to keep the whole place looking so beautiful. She must have a staff of twenty to help her. I walked around, all last night watching everything I did, in case I accidentally broke some priceless artifact or spilled something on the oriental rugs. To say I was exhausted by the end of the night is an understatement.

  I stayed up all night, frantically shoving my belongings into suitcases. I want things to go, as smoothly as, possible today and pissing off Lukas first thing, isn’t the way to start.

  When I hear the doorbell ring, I feel all the breakfast I ate earlier, coming back up my throat. I guess it is time to see what fate has in store for me today. As I walk into the family room, I see Lukas holding Bradley up against the front door with his finger pointed directly in Bradley’s face while they argue heatedly.

  When they finally noticed me standing there, Lukas backs away from my brother and tells me," It is time for us to leave. I have an appointment with the family jewelers at 9:30, so we can pick out your engagement and wedding rings. Then I will drop you off at La Femme, where you have an afternoon planned with the fitting specialists who have already been informed what kind of outfits I expect you to choose for your wardrobe. Bradley has told me your belongings have been packed. While we are out today, those will be taken to my home and put away in your suite. I have a full day of meetings today and later in the evening, so you will have tonight alone, to become acclimated to your new home. Tomorrow, I expect you to be ready to have dinner with my family at our regular time of 6:30 PM."

  Before I can respond, he brushes Bradley aside and ushers me out of the house and into the waiting car. He quickly helps me get settled inside the car, and we are off to our first stop. Being around Lukas makes me insanely nervous. I have never had feelings like these before, I know I should fear him but he doesn’t appear threatening. He is so big, and he sits in the middle of the seat which leaves very little room for me between him and the side of the car. My leg is brushing up against his, and I feel goosebumps up and down my body. I only hope he is oblivious to my reaction to being so close to him. He smells incredible, a combination of some expensive cologne and a scent that is uniquely Lukas. I've never felt such an intense level of attraction to anyone else in my life.

  After being cooped up in the back of the car for forty minutes with Lukas, I find it impossible to concentrate on any of the beautiful rings the jeweler shows to me. When I have a hard time picking out a ring, Lukas has me narrow it down to three rings, and he tells me that he will surprise me with the one he chooses from those three.

  Once I get to La Femme, I am overwhelmed with everything Annie has planned for the day. Annie, who owns La Femme, takes over and turns me over to her head stylist. The day then flies by in a haze of being measured, poked, prodded, waxed and buffed within an inch of my life. Midway through the day, Annie takes me to lunch and tells me all about La Femme. Come to find out, she owns the entire building and has an apartment on the top floor. I am a little disappointed when I realize I won't be seeing Annie at Lukas' home. I had looked forward to having another woman around.

  At the end of the day, I am so glad to get back to Lukas' home, well our home. Marcy, his cute, little housekeeper, takes one look at me and how tired I look and hustles me right up to my room, where I fall dead across the bed to sleep.

  The next morning, I wake up much refreshed, and I get ready, trying to remember all of the tricks they taught me the day before. After choosing one of my new outfits, I try to find my way down through the maze of hallways and down the grand staircase to the main dining room. There, I find Brayden and Nikolas already at the breakfast table, arguing about some game they had seen on TV the night before. I am greeted with dead silence when I walk into the room.

  Marcy comes bustling in the door, the first thing and says, "My dear what can I get you for breakfast? I have all kinds of breakfast cereals, pastries, muffins, eggs, bacon or sausage? As well as, many juices, coffee, tea or milk. What appeals to you?" I have to think for a few minutes because I'm really not too hungry. I finally decide, "Maybe coffee and a muffin, I'm usually not too hungry in the morning." Marcy is more than happy to get my breakfast, while I sit there in awkward silence with the two brothers.

  Since Lukas had given me orders for dinner tonight, but he left out what I was supposed to do during the day, I am going back to my room and text Bradley. I am curious about what is happening at home.

  As I wait to hear from him, I start to explore my rooms to see where all my stuff has been stored away. The suite is actually quite gorgeous with a large, open main room and a small sitting room with a loveseat facing a wall of windows. From the loveseat, I look out at the beautiful backyard of the estate. On the side of the sitting room, is a reader's dream. A whole wall of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, filled with every genre of books. I am in heaven with all the books.

&n
bsp; Once I choose my outfit to wear to dinner tonight, I find an interesting book and snuggle up on the loveseat. I forget the time, and before I know it, the clock reads 5:30 PM. I am going to need to rush; if I am going to make it to dinner on time.

  As I am getting ready for dinner, I realize Bradley never did text me back earlier. That is not a good sign. Tomorrow, I will have to call him and find out what's going on.

  Needless to say, my first dinner in the Ryan household is a disappointment, it is like I am not even here. The conversation goes on all around me, almost as if Lukas is trying to make a point as to how unimportant I am in his family. Anytime one of his brothers tries to draw me into the conversation, he changes the conversation to something I know nothing about. When dinner is finally over, and everyone is about to go to the basement entertainment room for drinks, I am so tired of trying with Lukas' family, that I go to my room and get lost in my book again.

  The next day, I try to call Bradley, but get his voicemail. I leave a message, and I'm hoping he'll call me back soon.

  Before I know it, a whole week has passed. I spend all the days pretty much the same, I have breakfast delivered to my room in the morning, I have lunch out on the back deck in the afternoon, and then I suffer through dinner with the family in the evenings. In between these times, I lose myself in one of the many books I have found on the beautiful bookshelf in my sitting room.

  Marta Jenkins, Lukas' "personal assistant," has come to the house twice, because she "accidentally" forgot to give Lukas something at the office. I doubt there's anything accidental about it, I think she is trying to show me, she is more than his personal assistant. The last time she came to the house, she decided to make some comment about how the three of us together at the Autumn Ball, we're going to be a little too unconventional. Lukas quickly shut her up and hurried her out the door.