Page 62 of He Will Come for Me

Finally, he pushes off the window and steps back. He’s still close enough that his chest touches mine as I slide by and walk as quickly as I can out of the ballroom. Once I’m out of his line of sight, I take off and dash upstairs. Running down the hall and to my room, I close the door and lean against it. Slowly sinking to the floor, I pull my knees up to my chest and stare blankly into the bedroom.

He has the upper hand. I already knew that, but he still makes me feel things I don’t want to feel. I’m pretty sure he knows it, too. Leaning my head against the door, I close my eyes. How am I going to survive this? Will I survive this?

“You will, McKenzie. You will.”

Chapter 28

One Month After Auction

Three Years Prior

Over the next month, I memorized every room. I even found a hidden room. My excitement was quickly doused when I realized it didn’t lead anywhere. I’ve been allowed outside, but only in the fenced-in backyard. I’ve learned Phoenix has a security guy named Rex, that goes with him everywhere. There are a couple of security guys that walk around the property looking important, but they don’t scare me the way Rex does.

Phillip and Clara are the only staff I can tolerate. They seem nice enough, but I don’t hold conversations with them. I refuse to get attached to anyone because I will leave here as soon as possible. Walking out of the bathroom in a towel, I stop atthe sight of a nervous Clara and stoic Phoenix standing in my room.

Dropping my towel so I can pull on my clothes, I enjoy the gasp from Clara. But my attempt at making Phoenix uncomfortable backfires when his eyes rake over me. “Maybe next time knock.”

He raises his eyebrows as he stares at me without a trace of guilt. “Why would I do that when this is my reward?”

I snarl at him as I grab my clothes and put them on quickly. “What do you want?” I ask as I yank on my sundress.

“You need to try on your dress.” I pull my lips between my teeth and squint at him.

“What dress?”

He gestures at the bag Clara is holding, and she unzips it to show a beautiful white wedding dress. “I’m sure it will fit, but I need you to try it to make sure.”

I look from the dress to him, back to the dress. “Why do I need a wedding dress?” Clara’s knuckles turn white with how tight she’s holding the dress.

“We’re getting married,” Phoenix says like he’s telling me about the weather.

“I…” I take a step back. “No.” I want to sound firm, but it comes out more as a gasp. Phoenix takes the dress from Clara.

“Thank you, Clara,” he dismisses her and turns back to me. I step back again as Clara gives me a sympathetic look before leaving. There isn’t anywhere for me to go.

“We’re getting married, Kenz.”

I shake my head.“I don’t love you. You don’t love me.” My argument sounds stupid, even to me. For every step back I take, he steps toward me until my back hits the wall next to my nightstand. He cages me in and I swallow.

“You’ll learn in our world love isn’t a thing.” As hard as I’m trying, my lips tremble and my eyes burn with unshed tears.

“This is your world, not mine.” A tear escapes and he watches it slide down my cheek before he leans in and licks it. I squeeze my eyes shut and place my hands against the wall, every muscle in my body wound tight.

“It’s your world now too.” I shake my head denying it, but knowing I won’t be able to get out of this. He owns me and if he wants to marry me, then I have to marry him. I should have tried harder over the past month to escape.

“When?” I finally ask.

“In a month.” I stare up at him. Maybe I can escape by then.

My stomach is full of butterflies as the lady Phoenix hired to do my hair pins the braid so it looks like a crown as the rest lays in soft curls around my shoulders. Phoenix likes my hair down. That’s the only request he made for today. I can’t believe this is happening. I can’t believe I didn’t find a way to escape. Phoenix’s security has surrounded me since the moment he told me we were getting married.

It’s like he knew I’d try anything to escape. If Phoenix wasn’t around, Rex was there, Louis, or one of the other guys. I still don’t understand why he’s marrying me. He bought me. He owns me. Why isn’t that enough? He has done some small renovations around the house, though.

He’s replaced all the chandeliers, and he replaced the furniture in my bedroom. He’s done some renovations in his room as well, but I haven’t been in there. My stomach knots even more. Is he going to expect to have sex tonight? Will I bemoving into his room? I haven’t touched him and he hasn’t tried to touch me since he told me about getting married. Except when he licked my tears.

I haven’t cried since that day either. I refuse to give him the pleasure. The wedding is happening here on the grounds, so people have been coming and going all week to prepare. Once my hair is done, I stand and look in the mirror. I haven’t had much input into the wedding. My only request was that it not take place in the ballroom. So we’re having it outside. Thankfully, the weather is nice today.

A photographer enters, followed by Phoenix. This day is going to be documented? Why? I simply stare at him and wait to see what he has to say. I can’t stop my eyes from roaming over him. He looks gorgeous in his black tuxedo. I hate it. His eyes trail over me as I stand before him in my robe.

---