Page 17 of Vicious Heir

Which means he’s fucking serious about this.

I glare at the bar, then shove myself up and storm back into my office.

Good thing I planned on paying a visit to the Willing-Morris family home tomorrow already.

Chapter 6

Lucy

Another boring day at home. I’m curled up at the bay window with a book in my lap. Reading is my only escape these days. I swear, sometimes I feel like a prisoner here, especially now that I’m engaged.

Grandmother made it clear: no going out, no socializing, nonothinguntil I walk down that aisle.

She wants to minimize any possibility that I might screw this up ever since I went out to that sex party and failed so spectacularly.

Which is fine, honestly. It’s not like I’d go anywhere anyway. I haven’t gotten any social calls in a long while, not since my family’s financial problems became public a few years back.

That’s the problem with making high-society friends. The second you show any weakness, they’re gone.

“Lucy!” Kennedy comes rushing in through my suite’s door. She slams it closed behind her, out of breath, beaming with excitement.“He’shere!”

I stare at her blankly. “Who?”

“You know!” Kennedy’s smiling like her face might crack in half. “He’s really,reallyhot too. Kind of scary, but scary in a good way? Like he’s going to grab your hair and?—”

“Kennedy,” I hiss at her, snapping my book shut. “Who are you talking about?”

Her eyebrows waggle. “Adriano Marino’s down in your grandmother’s sitting room right now.”

My jaw drops.

“Right now?” I ask, head spinning. I’m back in his office again, and he’s kissing me, and his hands are on my hips, and he’s fucking me and licking me and making me come— “Oh my god, he’s with Grandmother?”

“They're talking business or something. I’m supposed to bring them tea, but I ran here to warn you.” Kennedy looks at her watch. “Shit, she’s going to chew me out.”

“Stall!” I run to my bedroom and start grabbing clothes. “Do something!”

“There’s nothing I can do,” she says, sounding nervous. “Seriously, Luce, I gotta get that tea. Just come down, okay?”

“What the hell am I going to wear?”

She stares at me and shakes her head. She walks over, puts her hands on my shoulders, and stares straight into my face. “Wear what you have on. You’re beautiful.”

I chew on my lip and glance away. “I’m a mess.”

“Cut it out. You’re Helena Willing-Morris’s granddaughter. That means you’ve already survived the worst. You’re strong and gorgeous. Come meet your future husband.”

“Fair point.” I take a deep breath to steady myself. “You really think this is fine?” I’m in tights and a big comfy sweater.

“Put your hair down. Follow me in like ten seconds, okay? I’m stopping at the kitchen, so hurry.” She gives me a quick hug. “You’ll be okay. Seriously, he’sreallyhot.”

She has no idea how hot he can be.

Kennedy leaves, and I’m left alone. I consider changing, but I don’t have time. If he’s with Grandmother, any delay increases the chance that she’ll somehow make my life even worse. I need to get down there and distract them from whatever discussion they’re having, especially if it’s aboutmyfuture.

I keep my chin up as I slip out of my room. My hair’s down, and I pause to check myself in an antique mirror. I look, well, notgoodbutmostlyfine, and I guess that’ll do. I hurry down the hall, down the back staircase, and toward Grandmother’s formal sitting room.

I approach the door and hear voices drift out.

---