A Bride's Tangled Vows. Dani Wade
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âYouâd do that to her, your own daughter?â Aiden asked James.
Having watched him since she was a kid, instinctively knowing he was even more dangerous than her own family but drawn inexplicably by Lilyâs love and concern, Christina fully acknowledged what James was capable of, the lack of compassion he felt for others. Heâd turn every one of them out without one iota of guilt, might even enjoy it if he was alive to see it happen.
She rubbed trembling, sweaty palms against her thighs. Would Lily survive the impersonal, substandard care at that facility? For how long? Although Lily was in a coma, Christina firmly believed she was at times aware of her surroundings. The last time theyâd moved Lily to the private hospital for some necessary tests, sheâd gotten agitated, heartbeat racing, then ended up catching a virus from hospital germs. How long could she be exposed to the lower standards at the county facility without being infected with something deadly?
As numbness gave way to fiery pain, Christina stumbled forward. âOf course he would.â
She didnât mean for the bitterness or desperation to bleed into her voice. The fire that started to smolder in Aidenâs almost-black eyes sent a shiver over her, though he never looked her way.
âYou son of a bitch,â he said, spearing James with a glare. âYour own daughterâno more than a pawn in your little game.â
Christinaâs heart pounded as fear battled awareness in her blood. This man, and the fierceness of his anger, mesmerized her. She instinctively knew he could introduce a whole new element of danger to this volatile situation.
James punched the bed with a weak fist. âThis isnât a game. My legacy, the mill, this town, must continue or all will be for nothing. Better two people pay the price than the whole town.â
Aiden frowned, his body going still. âTwo of us?â
Canton raised his hand, drawing attention his way. âThereâs an additional condition to this deal. You can accept all or nothing.â
Dragging a hand through his hair once more, Aiden moved away, stopping by the window to stare out at the heavy rain. Lightning flashed, outlining his strong shoulders and stiff posture.
Canton cleared his throat. âYou must marry and reside in Blackstone Manor for one year. Only then will your grandfather release you from the bargain, or release your inheritance to you, if he has passed on.â
Aiden drew a deep, careful breath into his lungs, but one look at his grandfather seemed to crack his control. Words burst from between those tightened lips. âNo. Absolutely not. You canât do that.â
Jamesâs body jerked, his labored breathing rasping his voice. âI can do whatever I want, boy. The fact that you havenât visited your own mother in ten years means no judge will have sympathy for you if you try to get custody.â His labored breathing grew louder. âYouâd do well to keep your temper under control. Remember the consequences the last time you crossed me.â
Christina winced. Sheâd seen more than one instance of Jamesâs consequencesâthey hadnât been pretty. Lily had told her Aidenâs continued rebellion had cost him access to his mother, and eventually cost Lily her health.
âWhy me?â Aiden asked. âWhy not one of the twins?â
James met the question with a cruel twist of his lips. âBecause itâs you I want. A chip off the old block should be just stubborn enough to lead a whole new generation where I want it to go.â
The cold shock was wearing off now, penetrated by sharp streaks of fear. Nolen, Marie and Lilyâthe other residents of Blackstone Manorâwerenât technically Christinaâs relatives. Not blood-related, at least. But they were the closest sheâd come in her lifetime to being surrounded by people who cared about her. She wasnât about to see them scattered to the winds, destroyed by Jamesâs sick game of king of the world.
Besides, she owed this family, and the intense, dark-eyed man before her. Most of all, she owed Lily. Her debt was bigger than Lily had ever acknowledged or accepted Christinaâs apologies for. If being used as a pawn would both settle her debt and protect those sheâd come to love, then sheâd do it. Christinaâs family had taught her one lesson in her twenty-six years: how to make herself useful.
The lawyer stepped up to the plate. âEverything is set up in the paperwork. You either marry and keep the mill viable, or Ms. Blackstone will be moved immediately.â
A strained cackle had Aiden glancing at his grandfather. âTake it or leave it,â James rasped.
Christina barely detected the subtle slump of defeat in Aidenâs shoulders. âAnd just where am I supposed to find a paragon willing to sacrifice herself for the cause?â
âIâd think youâd be pretty good at hunting treasure by now,â James said, referring to Aidenâs career as an art dealer, already reveling in the victory they could all see coming.
âIâve never been interested in a wife. And I doubt anyone would be willing to play your games, Grandfather.â
Taking a deep breath, Christina willed away the nausea crawling up the back of her throat. She pushed away from the wall. âI will,â she said.
âOh, and one last thing...â
When spoken by James, those were not the words Christina wanted to hear. She eyed the door to the suite with longing. Only a few more feet and sheâd be free...
For now.
âA platonic relationship between you two isnât acceptable. My goal is a legacy. I canât get that with separate bedrooms.â
Panic bubbled up beneath the surface of her skin until Aiden replied with a droll, âGrandfather, you can lead a horse to water, but you canât make it drink.â
Even from her new viewpoint near the door, Christina could see the twist of Jamesâs lips. âMy dear boy, lead a horse to water often enough, and it will damn sure get thirsty.â
The bad part was, James was right. Sheâd only been in the room with Aiden for a half hour and the awareness of him as a man sizzled across her with every look. But sleep with him? A man who was practically a stranger to her? She couldnât do that.
But what about Lily?
Christina noted the fine tension in Aidenâs shoulders beneath his damp dress shirt. The whole room seemed to hold its breath, waiting on someone to make the next move. But it wouldnât be herâright now, she had no clue what to do, what to think. She just needed out of here.
Echoing her thoughts, Aiden turned toward her and took a few steps, only pausing for a brief glance back at his grandfather. âI refuse to make this kind of choice within a matter of minutes. Or to let Christina do so. Iâll be back later tonight.â
Aidenâs