Page 19 of Give It a Day
“Thank you for everything, Elle.”
She humbly shakes her head as if she didn’t just make me look like an actual blushing bride.
“Will you be attending the reception?” Catching her reluctant look, I add, “I hope you will.”
Elle grins, looking grateful as she nods. “That’s quite kind of you, ma’am—I mean, Kaye.”
I watch her pack, and I let her leave, even though she’s the only sane person I’ve met all day. It’d be so nice to have her warm presence around, while the weight of the afternoon ahead presses down on me like the fitted fabric of this dress.
But I’ve taken down operations with my stealth. I’ve taken down armed idiots who had their weapons pointed atme. So I remind myself I can survive this reception party for the night, and the brief entirety of this ridiculous arranged marriage with Damon.
“Alright, Kaye.” I give myself a little pep talk in the mirror as soon as Elle leaves. “Try not to punch Damon. Just kiss him instead. No punching, only kissing. If you feel like punching him, kiss him.” I nod at myself, forcing a smile. “Oh, he’s going to get so many kisses.”
Then I check my phone to look at the time, but really, I’m checking to see if my parents have tried to reach me at all. But there’s nothing.Nothing.
What a great time to get drunk. Or at the very least, tipsy. Like, super tipsy. So I leave the room and head out into the maze of halls, hoping I find some good ol’ liquid courage.
6
Damon
The air in the study holds a stillness that comes from years of secrets locked behind these walls. I stand by the window, overlooking the vineyard below. The golden glow of lanterns stretches across the rows of vines.
My mother’s down there, directing the staff. Servants hustle back and forth, setting tables, arranging flowers, making everything as flawless as it must be. The reception will be perfect. It has to be. I don’t perform below expectations. I always surpass them, especially when it comes to such an important occasion as this reception, where wolves in sheep’s clothing will be making trades with our family, seeing that our power’s only grown now with my marital union with a Knight.
But my focus isn’t on the view below, where they’re preparing the party. It’s on what’s weighing down my mind even more—that being with Kayla isn’t a simple business arrangement. Marriage with Kayla is a high-risk, high-reward investment, and like any gamble I’ve ever taken, I intend to win.
I’ve been in my study for the past while, reviewing my stock portfolio while the reception is being prepared. The wedding was planned to take place even later than this, but I’m a man who gets what he wants.
The edge of my lips lifts. And I got what I wanted even earlier than planned, because when I have a goal in mind, I do nothing but pursue it.
It’s much like my family’s line of work. I’ve spent my life stacking the odds in my favor, making calculated moves that turn impossibilities into certainties. That’s what I do. It’s who I am.
To most people, I might appear to have a gambling addiction. When I see a roulette table, I don’t hesitate. I go with my instincts and bet it all on black. After all, when has my gut ever been wrong?
Kaye is a high-risk investment personified, and I’ve built an empire on betting it all on black. High risks yield high rewards, and she is the highest risk I’ve ever taken. The stakes are monumental. This isn’t only about money or power anymore. It’s far more personal now.
There’s a clicking across the hall outside of my study. Then, a subtle, floral fragrance drifts through the air, soft but unmistakable. It’sher. My shoulders tense instinctively, and I turn toward the door. Before I can stop myself, I cross the room and open it.
Kaye stands in the hallway. She’s a vision, her dark hair impossibly sleek, falling straight down her back. The light pink-colored dress she wears clings to her curves, celebrating every inch of her, while the silver bracelet on her wrist catches the light. The rose charm dangling from it sways with her as she turns to face me. The rose reflects the pink of her dress so fittingly.
That dress was made for her. My lips curl into a smile before I realize, but I’m pleased,thoroughly. As I eye my wife, I appreciate that she can make plainclothes pretty, but in this body-clinging dress, she is every bit as perfect as I could only imagine in my dreams. Seeing her here and knowing she’s my wife makes my chest constrict in a way I’ve never felt before. Is this what greed over someone feels like? Possessiveness over a person?
Her lips curve into a faint smirk, amusement evident in those beautifulbrown eyes of hers I could stare at all day. “Were you planning to let me in, or are you just going to stare from over there with your jaw dropped?”
“You’re outside my study,” I say, pointing out the obvious, but my voice is steady as I carry some warning to my voice, though my pulse quickens when her amused smirk turns into a shimmering smile. “What brought you here? Were you looking for something, or rather,someone?”
“Don’t get any ideas. I waslookingfor a moment of peace,” she replies, lifting her chin. “It seemed quieter over here.”
Her words are casual, but her gaze is anything but. She’s already taking in my study behind me. And before I can stop her, she steps past me, into the study, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
“Kayla,” I say sharply, closing the door behind me. My voice drops, edged. “This isn’t a room you can just walk into.”
She doesn’t answer immediately, her attention drifting to the shelves lined with books and files. Her fingers trail lightly along the edge of the desk as she moves toward the window. “Nice view,” she says, her tone light. “You can see everything from here. Including everyone else’s secrets, I bet.”
My voice comes out sounding like a snarl. “Do you have any idea what’s kept in this room?”
She turns to face me, unnervingly unbothered by the edge in my tone. Her smirk returns, still faint but rousing. “Already keepingsecretsfrom your wife, sweet husband of mine?”
