Chayton (7 page)

“Got it. So you're taking her on the run?”

“I'm going to take away his desire to marry her. It's the easiest way to protect her.”

“By going back to the states? But isn't he from there?” Leander sounded confused.

“By marrying her myself.”

“...whoa, whoa. You're
what?”

“She's on board with the idea. It's a temporary fix, that's all. Once Anton realizes she's off the market and unreachable, he'll turn his attention to easier prey.” Chayton didn't have any hesitation about taking this step. He hadn't broken into a cold sweat, had second thoughts, or felt the desire to flee far and fast from the situation.

Silence stretched down the line. Finally, Leander said, “Are you sure about this?”

“Yes.”

“Are you going to have a pre-nuptial agreement drawn up? How do you know you weren't the target all along? I mean, what if she's
working
with Anton? What if she knows damn well who you are and how much money you have?”

Those were all valid questions. Chayton knew if he was in Leander's shoes, he'd be thinking exactly the same thing. The members of the Royal Elite were a paranoid, wary bunch who typically questioned
everything.
He'd made the offer on gut instinct, and he still felt it was the right decision after asking himself some of the same questions Leander posed. It must sound crazy to his brethren.

“I'm confident that's not the case,” Chayton said after a moment. “And no, there's no time to call my lawyers and have anything drawn up. We'll be doing this tonight or tomorrow or something, I think. The sooner we do it, the safer she'll be.”

“Wow man, you're blowing my mind,” Leander said, never one to hold back. “We'll get on the security. Let us know when you're planning to depart the city, too, so we can meet you at the airport.”

Chayton smiled, but didn't outright laugh at Leander's shock. “Plan for it soon. See if Mattias can get the jet cleared as soon as possible. I'll need one of you for a witness, too. Depending how it goes.”

“I...we'll...yeah. A witness. You got it, brother. I'll call Mattias now and get things arranged.”

“Thanks.” Chayton rang off. He knew Leander wanted to call Mattias—and probably Ahsan and Sander, too—to tell them what was going on. That Chayton might have lost his mind. He expected Mattias to call and try to be the voice of reason within the next ten minutes.

While he waited for Kate to finish, he started pulling clothes from the drawers to set them on a nearby chair. It didn't take long. He never fully unpacked his suitcase whenever he traveled for just this reason: he might need to make a quick exit, and the less he had to pack, the better.

The hair dryer blared to life just as he put the last pair of socks atop the stack. He glanced at the bathroom door, then reached for his phone when it beeped. That hadn't even taken the ten minutes he'd guessed.

“Mattias,” Chayton said, without bothering to glance at the caller identification. He knew who it was.

“I just heard the most incredible story,” Mattias said by way of hello.

“It's true.”

“As your friend of many years and a member of the Elite, I have to ask—are you positive about this, Chayton?”

“I think it's the best way to keep her safe. We'll attend a few soirees, show up at a ball or two, until Bertini can't deny the inevitable and moves on. Once he does, and once his attention is fully diverted, we'll simply get an annulment. Easy.” Chayton paced to the window, looking out at the expansive cityscape bathed in late afternoon sunlight.

“I hope you're inwardly as sure as you sound over the phone. This is a huge step, especially if you're not going to make time for a pre-nup. You're putting a lot on the line anyway.”

“I believe her. She didn't jump on marriage—in fact, she was wary when I brought it up. She agreed, but in that halting,
am I doing the right thing
kind of way. She's not after my money, I'd bet my stake in the family empire on it.”

“What gets me is that I can totally see Ahsan doing something like this, but not you. You're always the voice of reason and clarity. That's why I know you won't mind if I do some extra background digging.”

Chayton rumbled a quiet laugh. “I expect you all to do that, yes. Dig. See what you find. I don't know her last name yet, so I can't help you there.”

“Did you ask if she was pregnant?”

“No. She said she's never been with Bertini, so I doubt that's an issue.”

“What if she's lying?”

“I feel confident she's telling me the truth. It's just instinct. Her tone, expression, actions—they all enforce the story she told.”

“If you have even a sliver of doubt all of a sudden, don't hesitate to call it off. And I've cleared the jet, we can leave any time. Just give us a couple hours notice.”

Chayton heard the open skepticism in Mattias's voice, the concern and worry. Oddly, he wasn't worried at all. The dryer cut off in the bathroom. Chayton twisted a look toward the door, then faced the window again.

“I'll find out in the next half hour what the plans are and I'll contact you. Thanks, Mattias.”

“Any time, brother.”

After the call, Chayton slid the phone back into his pocket. He turned just in time to see Kate exiting the bathroom. The jeans and baby blue eyelet shirt enhanced Kate's delicate femininity. She had one of those figures that made most men look twice. Chayton tried to ignore the smooth skin above the scooped neckline, the hint of collarbone disappearing under the material, and how he had the strange desire to skim his fingers along the slender column of her throat. He met her eyes.

“Feel better?” he asked.

“Much better, thank you. I used your little shampoo and conditioner, I hope you don't mind.” She lifted a hand to touch the wayward strands of blonde hair that she'd affixed into a messy knot.

“Of course I don't mind. Have you given any thought to where you want to do this? There's a jet standing by is why I ask. We need to give them a couple hours notice before take off.” He leaned the back of his hips against a desk and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Well. I can't seem to decide if we should 'fake' a small ceremony, or just call in an official. But I do think we should do it back in the states.”

“If we got all dressed up, we can have someone take photos and pass one or two out to the media. That should get his attention faster than word of mouth.”

“It should. You won't mind people finding out you're 'married', only to have an annulment a few months later? I worry about tarnishing your name,” she said, fidgeting with the hem of the shirt.

He rumbled a laugh. “Don't worry. I'm not concerned what others will think of a quick marriage and annulment. It serves a purpose—hopefully without bloodshed—and that's the best outcome we can want.”

A thought seemed to strike Kate. She frowned. “You don't have a girlfriend or someone you're dating who will mind?”

“I wouldn't have offered if I did.” Chayton hadn't been in a binding relationship in several years. With the pick up in activity with the Royal Elite, he found it easier to remain unattached.

“Oh. Okay then.” Kate's gaze skipped from his face to the window, then to his clothes sitting in the chair. “I can help you pack, if you'd like.”

She reminded him of a doe on the edge of the woods, ready to dart under cover at the slightest provocation. He supposed he couldn't blame her. Before he could answer, a hard trio of knocks interrupted the conversation.

Kate jerked in surprise, gasped, and clapped a hand over her heart. Her body tensed and she darted a look from the door to Chayton. “Oh god, have they found us already? Where should we go?”

“Shh.” Chayton pushed off, dropping his arms to his sides. When he reached her, he set a hand on her shoulder to soothe her. She really was on edge. “I ordered you some clothes. Like I said I would, remember? Just to get you through until we get back to the states.”

“How can you be sure it's them and not the others?” she asked, staring up at his eyes.

He had the urge to cup the fine line of her jaw and cradle it in his palm. “I can't be positive, but I'll check before I open the door. All right?”

Chayton stepped away and went to the door, glancing through the speakeasy before swinging it open. A hotel employee stood there with several glossy pink boxes in his arms. Behind him sat a trolley with two garment bags hanging from the rack.

“Sir, your order from the boutique.”

“Thanks.” Chayton accepted the boxes and put them aside on a small table, then hooked his fingers through the hangers of the bags when the attendant passed them across next. Fishing money from his pocket, he tipped the employee and closed the door. He glanced at Kate to assess her mood. The intense fear was gone from her face, replaced by relief.

“That's all for me?” she asked.

“It's not as much as it looks like, probably. But it'll get you through the next two days while we travel back to the states. See if everything is all right. I can have something else brought up if not.” Chayton laid the garment bags neatly on the bed, then pulled his phone out while Kate came over to inspect everything.

“Thank you,” Kate said.

“Of course.” Chayton turned away and shot a text off to Mattias. “Did you decide where you want to do this? One of my homes, or at one of my acquaintance's?”

Kate paused her examination of the clothing. “Your home, I think. Montana, right?”

“That's one. We can do it there.” He smiled over his shoulder, then said, “We should be ready to depart for the airport in two to three hours.”

Kate exhaled and arched her brows as if to say,
whew, this is a big step.

He said, “It's just marriage. An exchange of
I Dos.
Do you think you can get through without stuttering?”

“I...I...I don't know,” Kate said, suddenly stuttering—and grinning.

Caught completely off guard, Chayton laughed. Maybe this fake marriage thing wouldn't be that bad after all.

Fifteen hours after departing Singapore on a private jet, Kate arrived at the place she would say vows she didn't mean to a man she didn't love. The Mediterranean style home nestled against a backdrop of forest and surrounded by rural flats of Montana had more than just size going for it. As the waning minutes of dusk started to give way to a darker gray, she studied the sprawling, blocky structure. Set off by encroaching shadows, lights cleverly situated in manicured hedges flickered on, illuminating three tall archways. Cathedral windows spanned the front, along with a high balcony that disappeared around the edge of the home. Two turrets provided a flair of whimsy. A four tiered fountain sat in front, where grass took over from the U-shaped drive. Pines had been brought in and placed strategically in landscaped areas, along with brilliant, deep pink roses shaped into short trees.

Kate stared out the window of the limousine, surprised at the stylistic choice. She wasn't sure what kind of home she thought Chayton would own, but this wasn't it.

Not unused to grandeur, she found the impressive home welcoming despite its size. A warm glow emanating beyond the window panes lured a person in, promising shelter, comfort and surcease from any storm.

Like Chayton. He exuded the same sense of security, at least once you got to know him. On the long trip across the ocean, he'd been an exemplary host, providing her with every amenity even though it wasn't his personal plane. He'd gotten her drinks himself, made deli sandwiches regardless of a stewardess there to do exactly that, and offered her the luxurious bedroom—the only one—on board the jet.

Chayton's acquaintances, Mattias and Leander, had also proven to be polite gentlemen and easy to get to know. Although she'd expected a flurry of questions, the men hadn't inquired after her personal life. They kept their conversation to more general topics, like galas, society gatherings and light political mentions. She'd slept after a while, content and secure that Anton couldn't reach her at thirty-thousand feet. Now they were here, pulling up before the heavy wooden doors, ready to take the ruse to the next level.

Chayton got her bags from the trunk himself and led her through the entry way, past a smiling butler, into a grand foyer done in Mediterranean themes. Patterned tile, elaborate wrought iron banisters and square pillars segregating sitting areas from dining areas and other rooms enhanced the overall effect. What glimpses she got of the furnishings was all rich leather and marble topped wood.

“The dresses you picked out on the flight over are already here. One of my assistants made the trip into the city so you wouldn't have to do it tomorrow,” Chayton said, leading her through the foyer toward the double staircase. He veered right, ascending with the same graceful gait.

Kate followed, palm running up the cool wrought iron banister. On the flight over, she'd perused dresses from a local shop that would suit the occasion via a borrowed laptop. The task had been harder than she thought, considering it probably didn't matter what the dress looked like, as long as it was white and screamed 'wedding'. “That's a big help, thank you.”

“Tomorrow we'll run through how we want to do this and once the photographer arrives, we'll take some pictures and say our 'vows'. I've got someone ready to send the photos to the right places where it'll be seen by the right people. If I had to guess, I'd say by tomorrow evening at the latest, Anton will know you're off the market for good.” Chayton led her into a private room off an upper hallway. Complete with its own master bath, the suite was a study in baby blues and light brown with cream accents. Mahogany dressers offset the lighter tones, as well as an impressive headboard sporting intricate leaf carvings around the scalloped edge.

Kate felt right at home in this room. It was large and airy with french doors leading onto a balcony. “Tomorrow evening? That's sooner than I expected. But the sooner he knows, the less harassment I'll suffer.”

Chayton set her bags on a tufted bench at the end of the bed. He glanced back. “Exactly. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask the staff or come find me. My room is down the opposite hallway, the only suite with double doors.”