Page 20 of Biker Bride (Hell on Heelz MC)

Vince’s arms tightened around me, but he didn’t say a single word. I wasn’t sure if telling him was a huge mistake or not.

Chapter 14

The days following that night were strange. Vince was distant, like the deep connection we shared had spooked him. He’d leave early and come back late, avoiding any meaningful conversation. No more dangerous sex games.

I figured it was his way of dealing with my confession. The truth about my past was heavy, and I wasn’t sure he knew how to handle it. But it wasn’t like he was marrying me for real or anything.

It was finally time to leave for his parents' estate, a place called Hartwood Manor in upstate New York. The morning we were set to leave, he barely spoke to me. We packed in silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. I knew he was still playing his part, but the real distance between us was vast.

The drive to Hartwood Manor from the airport was long and something Vince insisted on doing himself even though he could have had a driver. He remained silent, his jaw clenched and his hands gripping the steering wheel. I tried to make small talk, but his responses were curt. It felt like he was shutting me out, and it pissed me off. If we were going to pull this off, we needed to be a team.

When we finally pulled up to the estate, I couldn’t help but be impressed. Hartwood Manor was massive, with sprawling grounds and an imposing main house that looked like it steppedout of a Victorian novel. I expected a close-knit family to come rushing out to greet us, but instead, we were met with silence. Vince led the way inside, his demeanor cold and guarded.

His parents, Harold and Vivian Mancini, were waiting in the grand foyer. They were dressed impeccably, their expressions haughty and judgmental. Harold looked like he had a permanent scowl etched on his face, while Vivian’s thin lips were pursed in disapproval.

“Mother, Father,” Vince greeted them with a nod. “This is Sybil, my fiancée.”

Vivian’s eyes raked over me, taking in every detail of my appearance. I had the impression that I was being judged and found lacking. “Sybil,” she said coolly. “Welcome to Hartwood Manor.”

Harold grunted, barely acknowledging me. “Vince, we need to discuss the business arrangements. We’ll talk in my study.”

“Of course,” Vince replied. He faced me, his expression unreadable. “Dinner is black tie. Be ready by seven.”

With that, he followed his father down the hall, leaving me standing there with Vivian. I forced a polite smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Mancini.”

She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Dinner is at seven. Don’t be late.”

Great. This was going to be fun.

I was shown to our room by a stern-looking maid named Agnes, who seemed to share Vivian’s disdain for me. The room was luxurious, with a king-size bed of polished wood that matched the walls. Everything around looked like it belonged inan ancient history museum. There was a view of the grounds from a balcony. I sat on the edge of the bed, feeling out of place in this world of wealth and privilege.

As I unpacked, I heard a knock on the door. Vince’s sister, Claire, waltzed in with her husband, Richard, and a friend, Melissa. Claire was the spitting image of her mother, with a permanent air of superiority. Richard looked bored, and Melissa was drop dead gorgeous and had a sly smile that made me instantly dislike her.

"Oh look, it's Vince and his new project," Claire said, sounding like she had a stick up her ass. “Sybil, is it? I hope you know what you’re getting into.”

Melissa snickered. “Yeah, Vince has a habit of picking up strays.”

I wanted to punch them so bad, but I held back. “I can handle myself, thanks.”

Richard rolled his eyes. “This should be interesting.”

They left, leaving me fuming. I changed into a black gown for dinner, feeling like I was playing dress-up in someone else’s life. When I went downstairs, the dining room was filled with people. It wasn’t just Vince’s family. There were others too, all dressed in black tie and looking like they belonged to a secret society.

Vince returned just before dinner, his expression still distant. He offered me his arm, and we walked into the dining room together. The room was grand, with a long table set with fine china and crystal. Conversations hushed as we entered, all eyes turning to us.

“Everyone, this is Sybil,” Vince announced. “My fiancée.”

There were murmurs of surprise and polite applause, but I could feel the skepticism in the room. As we took our seats, I felt like I was on display, every movement scrutinized.

Dinner was a formal affair, with multiple courses served by an army of staff. The conversation was stilted, with Vince’s family making subtle digs at him and me. They talked about business deals and family matters, all very secretive and coded. It was clear that this was more than just a wealthy family. It felt like I was sitting in a mob meeting.

“Tell us, Sybil,” Claire said, her tone deceptively sweet. “How did you and Vince meet?”

I forced a smile. “We met at a charity auction. Vince won a date with me, and the rest is history.”

There were a few chuckles around the table, but Claire’s eyes were cold. “Interesting. And what do you do for a living?”

“I worked at a fern farm,” I said, deciding to stick to the truth as much as possible. “It’s Seville’s biggest crop. You know, you have some of my ferns in the foyer. I can tell. But Vince said I should quit to prepare to be a full-time mom.”

---