Page 36 of Commander

Chapter Ten

“Breathe, Tara,”I whispered to myself as my heavily embroidered bridal dupatta was set on my head.

One hour and counting. One hour until I’d take on my role as first lady. One hour until I’d officially become Ashur’s wife and have the funds to buy Ameera back.

My stomach clenched. Exactly at noon today, my net worth would become a hundred times greater.

I wasn’t a pauper but any means. The money I’d amassed over the years through my law practice and my work for Solon would make it so I could live a fabulous life without working another single day for the rest of my life. But all my money wasn’t enough to qualify to bid for Ameera in the auction. And even though Solon had more money than anyone could imagine, there was no way the organization could enter the auction without revealing itself. The only way they could help was by manipulating technology and providing manpower when an operation was activated. Solon’s board constantly monitored any leads or rumors on her whereabouts. The second they received credible news about Ameera, they’d deploy my team. The auction and the endless coordination was actually our contingency plan.

A wave of guilt hit me. What was Ameera doing at this moment, while I was covered in a million dollars of jewelry, getting ready to marry a man for his billions?

God, I’d fallen so far from the girl with dreams of white picket fences. Instead of marrying for love as I’d always imagined, I was using Ashur for money. Yes, he was the one who offered, and the sex was an added bonus, but when it came down to it, I wouldn’t have agreed to marry him if it wasn’t for his money.

I’d become the whore who only wanted Ashur for his bank account as Minesh Kumar had accused me of when I was eighteen.

“Ms. Zain, you’re all set. Your bridesmaids will be here momentarily,” my wedding stylist said as she clasped the last pin into my dupatta. “Want another bottle of water?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks for making my vision come to life.”

“It was my pleasure.” Dara gave me a beaming smile. “I’m honored Ms. Neya chose me to be your wedding attendant.”

“Maybe I can convince her to lend you to me for all my events.”

“I would love that.” She checked her watch. “My ride will arrive in a few minutes. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I think a few moments to calm the nerves is all I need.”

“I never expected you to suffer from a case of anxiety. You’re always so poised.”

I almost snorted but kept it inside. It wouldn’t have been ladylike to make bodily sounds.

“Don’t tell me you bought into the ice-for-a-heart crap the media like to say.”

“No. I’ve worked for Neya for years and she would never design anything for someone she couldn’t stand.” She smiled. “Plus, I’ve seen the way you and Mr. Kumar look at each other when you think no one is watching. There is nothing cold about the fire burning between you two.”

My cheeks heated and my body tingled remembering how hard Ashur had fucked me yesterday.

Before I could respond, she spoke again. “You soften him. When he was running, many of us wondered if we could vote for a man who kept such a tight rein on his emotions. To go from a president who was ruled by temper and volatility to one that was so cold that it didn’t bother him when people referred to him as an asshole was a hard pill to swallow.”

“He was never an asshole. There are just things in his past that make him cautious.”

Like what happened when we were kids, and then of course everything he’d experienced during his three tours in the Air Force.

A throat cleared, and we both turned in Casey’s direction.

“Your bridesmaids are on their way up, and Ms. Dara’s car has arrived.”

We said a quick goodbye as Dara gathered her belongings and then exited with Casey behind her.

Taking a deep breath, I turned my attention back to my reflection in the mirror in front of the dressing table.

My long black hair was curled in large ringlets and fastened under my dupatta. My face had a natural glow that wasn’t natural at all. My makeup artist, Walter, had told me the idea was to look like I woke up gorgeous, even when my real face was hiding somewhere underneath five layers of makeup. The one thing I had wanted over the top was my eyes. I loved the artistry of doing intricate eye makeup, so I’d asked Walter to match the colors of my gown. And he hadn’t disappointed.

Yes, it wasn’t demure as was expected of the first lady, but I couldn’t care less. My wedding day, my way.

With the combination of Neya’s amazing wedding outfit, Dara’s hair expertise, and Walter’s makeup magic, I looked like I was walking off the pages of a Bollywood wedding magazine.

The only thing missing was a debonair groom. And I’d be meeting him in… I glanced at the clock. In forty-nine minutes.

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