Page 62 of Wicked Heiress

Maybe their silence?

Their cooperation?

It could have been anything. Money never motivated him.

Cole strolled over to the group with Drake, Sonny, and Aiden at his sides.

“Did you run off to cry, Marshall?” Rhys tipped his head back and laughed, his eyes moving from Cole to his friends. “I bet your boyfriends made it all better.”

His lip curled into a snarl, the rage bubbling beneath the surface.

Sonny stepped toward Rhys, ready to attack.

Aiden grabbed his suit jacket, tugging him backward. “He’s not worth it. This piece of shit is only trying to get under your skin.”

“No,” Sonny agreed, fixing his jacket with a sneer aimed at Rhys, leaning into Aiden’s arm like they were lovers. “He’s not worthy of shining my fucking shoes.”

Rhys ignored him and grabbed my wrist, raising my hand to let them see the diamond. The ring on my finger weighed down my left hand. I felt every ounce of responsibility and everything that came with it.

“She’s mine, Marshall. Let it sink in because our wedding is the last time you’ll ever see her.”

Cole inspected my finger, and a wild expression danced across his face. If looks could kill, Rhys would have been dead. His eyes drifted to me for a second, then back to Rhys. “Whatever game you’re playing, I will find out. And when I do, this engagement is over.”

“Nothing is going to get in my way of marrying Grace.” He squeezed my shoulder and pushed me in front of him. “This is a done deal.”

I hoped Cole was right about this being a game—because that meant he could win.

“You’re not married yet,” Cole said through clenched teeth.

“The wedding is at the end of the month,” Rhys commented. “There’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

Cole glared at Rhys. “You won’t last until then.”

He laughed. “You should know better than to bet on me, Marshall. I always win.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

GRACE

Rhys swept me into his arms and paraded me around the ballroom. His glittering smile aimed at our guests said, “Look at my prize. Isn’t she beautiful? Isn’t she the luckiest girl in the world to be marrying me?”

He won, but he didn’t play fair. The bastard tricked me into thinking he wanted me. That he liked me for more than what my family could give him.

I felt so stupid for walking right into his trap. Cole tried to warn me about Rhys when he’d first arrived at Fort Marshall. But I was too blinded by his good looks and wicked charm to see he was a snake.

He lied to me.

Manipulated me.

Used me.

Once we made our rounds, Rhys guided me to where his family waited. Remington, Helena, and Grayson Vanderbilt looked like Founders. Rhys had inherited his father’s good looks—even the same evil glint in his green eyes.

Helena wore a black gown that reminded me of couture you’d only find on a runway. Her long brown hair was curled at the ends, hanging in a perfect knot over her shoulder.

His brother, Grayson, was two years younger and the mirror image of their father. Except Grayson didn’t have the same villainous expression. He had kinder green eyes and smiled when he spotted me with Rhys.

“Congratulations, brother.” Grayson patted Rhys on the back. “Well done.” His gaze flicked to me, and he extended his hand. “Welcome to the family, sis.”

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