Page 9 of Bride Unwanted

Just like everything he plans, we do just that. I get dressed in the pair of jeans and shirt I came here in before I put my wedding dress on. Then we go downstairs where one of the maids prepares a hearty breakfast for us. Once we’re finished, Talon leads me outside, where a black SVU is already waiting for us.

We slide into the backseat of the car, and I give the driver the address to my apartment. It isn’t until we pull up to the rundown complex that I feel a little self-conscious about showing Talon my place. Two of my neighbors on the sidewalk are eyeing the luxury SUV curiously while the driver finds a parking spot.

“I can just run up real quick. No need for you to come.” I try to keep Talon from coming with me, but he is not having it.

“Don’t be silly, I’m not going to let you carry your bags to the car,” he says with such authority I know there is no use in arguing.

I sigh and climb out of the car after Talon, who holds out his hand for me. I take it and together we walk up the small sidewalk toward the main entrance of the complex.

“Why do you seem so nervous all of a sudden?” Nothing gets by Talon. “You are not hiding any boyfriends I need to kill, are you?”

I giggle at his joke, only to realize he is not smiling. “No! I’m not hiding anything. It’s just… my place is not as nice as yours.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’m sure I’ll love it.” Talon’s reassuring words somehow calm me down.

Together, we take the beat-up staircase to my apartment. My fingers slightly tremble as I dig out my key from my purse, and they don’t stop shaking as I unlock the door and push inside of my tiny one-bedroom apartment. Somehow, today it looks even smaller.

Talon couldn’t look more out of place. I chew my bottom lip as I usher him inside of the cramped space. “It’s not much, but it’s home.” I’ve never felt self-conscious about bringing anyone back to my place, but no one I know has ever lived in a mansion, either.

“It’s cute, I like it,” Talon says without an ounce of sarcasm in his voice.

I sigh in relief, not even sure why it is so important to me he likes my place. I won’t be living here much longer, anyway.

The thought barely leaves my mind before Talon’s eyebrows draw together as he eagle eyes something on my fridge. He walks into the attached kitchenette and grabs the letter with the bright red writing on it.

“What is this?”

“Oh, it’s fine! Everything is taken care of now.” I rush over to grab the eviction notice from his hands. He doesn’t let me.

“I didn’t realize things were this bad. I will take care of this immediately.”

“You already did, Talon. I got the money from the agency. Your family already paid for this, remember?”

Talon doesn’t seem convinced. “I just hate that you were put in this situation. You must have been scared.”

Emotions I’ve been trying to avoid bubble up inside of me. Because the truth is, I was scared. And maybe I still am. I’m scared this is all just a dream and once I wake up, I will still be poor and next month homeless.

Blinking a tear away, I shake my head. “I’m okay now.”

Talon doesn’t say another word. He simply closes the distance between us and wraps his large arms around me, engulfing me in a comforting hug. “You are okay now,” he repeats. “I’ve got you. You never have to worry about money again. Matter of fact. You never have to worry about anything ever again.”

This time, there is no blinking away the tears. They simply run down my heated cheeks and drip onto Talon’s suit jacket. I pull away, not wanting to get his clothes dirty, but he just pulls me tighter to his chest. I quietly sob for a few moments, letting all that worry and anger go from my past so I can embrace my new future with Talon.

After a while, Talon rubs my back before releasing me from his bear hug. “Why don’t you show me your closet so we can gather your stuff?”

“Okay.” I sniff, taking his hand to lead him to my bedroom.

I grab my one and only suitcase from the bottom of my closet and throw it on my bed. Talon unzips it for me before taking a seat next to it on the mattress. Going back and forth between my closet and the bed, I fold all my clothes quickly and stuff them into the suitcase.

By the time I’ve got everything inside, there is still a lot of room in the luggage, so I decide to add some family pictures from my wall and nightstand. “I’ll grab some toiletries and put it in a plastic bag?—”

“That won’t be necessary. I already had the maid shop for those today.”

“Oh, okay. Then I guess I’m all packed up,” I say with a hesitant smile.

Talon stares at me as if he is about to ask me something, but then simply shakes his head and zips up the suitcase.

“Everything all right?” I ask curiously.

---