Chapter 7 – The Contract
Grace Wilson
POV
I’ve slept every night comfortably in bed, yet I still have nightmares of my time with John, I would wake up screaming, sweaty and sitting upright, feeling as if I’ve never even slept a wink. There are some things you just want to forget.
Walking out of the bathroom, my hair bundled in a towel, my hair is finally back to its normal healthy curls. My hair was matted it took Mia and me washing it all week, she had to brush my hair with a special brush she got off A****n.
I sigh in relief holding the towel in my hands.
“Gracelynn Anabella Wilson.” A deep familiar voice speaks.
I jump up in surprise, the towel falls from my hold and my eyes dart across the room. A familiar figure sits at the table at the far end of the room. He doesn’t bother looking at me, he continues to look at the file he holds in his hands.
“Age twenty-one. Birthday 11th February 1997. Eldest child to Melissa and Cole Wilson. Younger brother James Gray Wilson, a high school at an elite private school in Chicago. Gracelynn Wilson went missing three years ago, before he high school graduation, her family told friends she went to visit family in France.” He places the file on the table in front of him.
I look at him shock. How did he find out all of this? “Ho-How did you find out all of that?” I hold my hand over my heart. I was shaking in my boots.
He finally looks at me. He has a cold yet not menacing look on his face. The first thing I noticed was his forest green eyes, I’ve never seen a man as good looking as this man. Though all I’ve seen before today was men who looked like they’ve had ten too many beers. His sharp defined nose is the next thing you notice, after that my eyes fall on his lips.
My head tilts. I’ve never seen a man with lips as good as his. Though I’ve never actually been attracted to anyone. His sharp defined jawline is the next thing I notice. His broad shoulders. His hair tied into a bun. I take full inventory of his every feature. For all I know it might be my first and last time I see a man as good looking as he is.
I have no idea what he has in store for me and yet I don’t fear him, like I did the other guy.
His eyes narrow on me. “There’s not a thing in his world that could ever hide from me. This is nothing to me.” he says in a bored tone.
“I’ve looked at your medical report as well. You’re severely malnourished, that won’t do. I do hope Mia has been feeding you properly…” he gestures for me to sit.
On shaky legs I walk forward and take a sit in front of him. “She-she does feed me well. I eat three-three times a day.” I inform him. I fear he might hurt her if he thinks she’s not.
“So, is there anything you want miss Wilson?” he asks.
I shake my head.
“Okay so let me tell you why I bought you at that auction…” he pauses taking out a file and places in front of me.
I pick it up and read through it. “What’s this?” I ask when I see the words in bold. {Marriage Agreement.}
“My name is Rowan Priest. I’m one of the riches businessmen in the country if not world. I bought you because I need a wife. Though I would say fifty is a steep price for a wife.” His lips turn semi upward, before his face turns serious again.
Frowning I say. “I’m not worth being someone’s wife…” were the first words out of my mouth before I could even stop it. There’s no way trailer trash like me, a slave like me is good enough to be his wife. He has to be out of his mind.
“I don’t require anything from you of course. Though in a few years we’ll need to produce an heir… I guess you’re asking why would agree to something that ridiculous right?” he asks.
I nod in agreement.
“I’ll give you something no one else would offer you. I’ll give your freedom; you can come and go as you please. Of course, for your protection there will be someone watching over you. And you can work or study and if you do plan on studying, I’ll pay for that. All you need to do is marry me. I won’t interfere with your life; all you have to do is act pretty of course.” He says he takes the file out of my hand and pages through it.
He hands it back to me.
I look at the file before my eyes dart back to him. “Why would you do this?” I ask.
He shrugs his shoulders. “Something about you drew in my attention. I’d never love you; this is the least I can do for you. Though I did buy you, I have no intention to take your freedom away from you…” he stands.
Unable to answer I keep looking at the page scared it is all a dream.
“I’ll let you use the day to think about it. But we don’t have much time. If you agree we meet with my family tomorrow night. If you don’t, I’ll have to get rid of you of course.” He says before walking toward the door. He stops at the door and looks at me.
“Have you left this room all this week?” he asks.
I shake my head.
He frowns, opening the door and walking out. He just closes the door without saying a word.
I didn’t know I could leave the room, I’m a prisoner here. Why would they let me leave the room?
He is offering me a monthly allowance and to pay for me to study anything I want. I’d be dumb to accept his offer. He even added a clause that no one would lay a finger on me while in his care. There’s a clause that states he wouldn’t touch me unless we’re trying to produce an heir.
I’ve been living here for a week and other than that man, everyone has been treating me well.
Do I want this? Does this sound a lot better than being with any other man? Yes. I get my freedom yes, but being someone’s wife? I don’t know if I can be. I don’t know if I’m cut out to be anyone’s wife. If I wasn’t a good daughter, would I be a good wife? I know he doesn’t expect anything from me. Do I believe in the fairy tales I read all day? Good Lord no. I don’t think it’s real, do I believe in love? I don’t know. I know there would be no love, it’s in the contract. In bold letters stating there will be no love whatsoever in this marriage.
I stay seated for I don’t know how long thinking about my future as if I actually had a say in it.
Chapter 8Rowan PriestPOVI walk into my bedroom after speaking to her. I throw myself onto the bed. The entire week has been playing on my mind, if I didn’t buy her what would have happened to her? It makes me sick to my stomach to think of a man older than my own after touching her, maybe it’s because she looks so much like her that I can’t help myself.Though Angelica never looked like a little deer when she was around me. This girl looks like she could die of fright.It didn’t take long for him to jump on the bed and lay beside me. I’ve got an all-black Maine coon male cat named Demon King. I’ve had him since I was eighteen. When I first got him he was the tiniest little thing, he is almost as big as I am. I stroke him. He moves closer to me.“Hey buddy, did you miss me?” I ask him sitting up.He lays his head on my lap. I smile at him.He has free reign in the west wing where my bedroom is. While where I have my own privacy. The girl is in the east wing. Demon King loves roaming
Chapter 9Grace WilsonPOVWhen Mr. Priest left, I stayed by in the garden and look a look around, the garden was so beautiful, I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. I couldn’t help but be envious of people who take beauty like this for granted. I imagined having a cup of coffee in the morning here like the women described in books.I bend down to touch the dandelions it’s the flowers I loved most. They looked so beautiful amongst the other flowers. Ever since I’ve been brought to this house, I’ve experienced things I never even imagined experiencing. The room I stayed in was amazing, being in a home library, not having to worry whether all the pages are in the books is something new to me as well. I’ve been really appreciative of what he has done for me.“Miss Grace let me lead you to your room…” Mia says from behind me.I turn my head to look at her.I nod getting up. “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, I know you’re busy.” I tell her.Mia nods and leads the way; I notice rig
Chapter 10A few hours earlierRowan PriestPOVMy patience has been wearing thin listening to this fool rattle on and on about how he was framed, he hasn’t given us any information. But he sure as hell knows if he is involved in any way, I will put a bullet in his head myself.I eye him. I couldn’t stand his babbling any longer. Though I am trying to spot his lie if there’s one. I’d find it.Andre’s standing behind him. Andre’s eyes are on me. His hand behind his back, no doubt he’s got his hand on his gun.I finally speak. “How does your entire crew go missing with an entire shipment gone to?" I ask him.He swallows not answering me. He looks at me panicked.I narrow my eyes at him. Andre begins to say something, but I stop him.“I don’t know anything Rowan, I swear. A few days ago, there were couple of guys sneaking around asking about you, but I got them sent off site. Then when I showed up to work this morning none of the crew pitched and then the police came to arrest me. and th
Chapter 11Rowan PriestPOVWalking into my parents’ house holding Grace’s hand, I could feel her sweaty palm, she’s nervous.I pause by the door. “What’s wrong?” I ask her.“We’re meeting your parents…” she whispers.I look at her confused. “So?” I ask.“What if they don’t like me?” she asks.I almost feel bad for the poor girl. She’s still a child and has been thrown to wolves.Before I can say anything, I hear my mother’s voice. “I swear none of my children love me…” my mother rounds the corner.Grace stiffens beside me. I don’t have time before my mother’s in front of us. My mother looks like she always does, a designer dress that fits her like a glove. Her hair tied in a tight bun like it always in.She startles when she sees me. Her eyes widen when her eyes move from me to Grace and then to our joined hands.Her hand goes to her heart. “Gesù, vuoi farmi venire un infarto? Mi è quasi sembrato di vedere un fantasma?” she asks. Glaring at me. {Jesus you want to give me a heart atta
Chapter 12 Grace WilsonPOVThe Priest family is something out of this world. They’re the type of family you see in Hallmark movies. Their mother is loving and very stern with her sons. When Damian gives snide remarks, she glares at him, and he shuts his mouth. When she asks Rowan about planning the wedding and he gives her one-word answers to show he has zero interest in something she glares at him, and he gives her the answers she wants afterward. It’s a family dynamic I’ve only ever seen in movies.Their father is quiet throughout dinner and barely says a word other than put food in his wife’s plate and eat his food. From what I can see he loves his wife dearly. Even when she’s scolding her sons, he has hearts in his eyes.“You, okay?” Rowan asks me.I turn to him, we’re on our way back to his house after dinner. I nod.When Rowan was saying bye to his parents Damian his twin brother approached me and told me I better give up on getting his brother’s love and that he would never l
Chapter 13 – AnnouncementGrace WilsonPOV“Grace your back to Rowan’s front. Yes, yes. Rowan wrap your arms around Grace’s mid. Yes, like that. Grace, can you place your left hand on Rowan’s hand so we can see the ring?” Willis the photographer directs us.Rowan and I follow his instructions.“Can you look over at me and smile.” Willis says before snapping pictures.I do my best to smile.“Grace, I said smile, not give me your best constipated look.” Willis shakes his head.I pout. “I’m sorry…” I apologize. I’m not used to doing any of this.“Grace is a little shy. She’s not used to having her photo taken. Why don’t you try to relax Grace?” Rowan asks.I turn to look at him. My face sandwiched between his hands. He smiles at me. I lift my hands to hold his wrists.“Relax Grace.” He whispers.I’m taken away by how green his eyes are. The camera flashing startles me.I turn to look at Willis wide eyed.“Look at Rowan Grace.” Willis tells me.I startle a nod. I look at Rowan. Why would
Chapter 14 – Dinner with the Hudson’sOne week laterRowan PriestPOV“It’s so nice to meet you Grace…” Gabby, Alex’s wife says as she sits down across. I’ve known Gabby for exactly five years now, they got married I think six years ago.Gabby’s met Angelica, though the two didn’t hit if off, she was always friendly to Angelica because she knew Alex and I were friends.Grace smile widens. “I’m so glad to meet you too. You’re so pretty. You like those model’s I see on tv. I can’t believe how pretty you are. You’re really pretty.” She goes on, but I take her hand in mine to stop her from rattling on.She looks at me before quieting down.“You’re making me shy…” Gabby says but the wide smile on her face says she’s looking anything but shy. “What is it you do Grace?” she asks.Grace looks at me for answers.We haven’t talked about it, but I’ve asked Rayna to apply at NYU for her to start studying there. They had the best fine arts program I could find. And it helped a lot that Grace’s gra
Chapter 15One month laterGrace WilsonPOVI stand in front of the mirror my future mother-in-law has tears in her eyes.We’re trying on my wedding dress just the two of us. I don’t have any friends and Rowan doesn’t have any other family.“The dress is beautiful Grace, but I don’t think this is the dress.” Sandra Priest says biting her lip, her eyes narrowed at the dress.The dress was a tightfitting lace ensemble. Though it’s beautiful and the most expensive thing I’ve had touch my skin in my entire life.I nod and head back into the fitting room with the consultant Samantha. She’s been super helpful, though I was ready to give up an hour ago, my future mother-in-law had other ideas. She was determined to get my dress today.“How about we try on the dusty pink dress you were eyeing?” Samantha asks.I bite my lip. I loved the dress; I don’t think Rowan would. “My fiancée would want me in a white dress…” I’m sure Rowan wants his virgin bride in a white dress.Samantha looks at me bef