Secret Billionaire’s Contract Bride: Marrying My Enemy’s Lover

Chapter 18

“Where are we going?” I asked, a bit nervous as we passed the sign heading out of Las Vegas.

The drive was long, and the sun began to set. The air cooled down as it always did on desert nights. Without the neon lights around us, there was very little to guide the way down the long stretches of desert road.

I could only trust that Peter knew where he was going. Darkness surrounded us as we drove, the city’s lights fading into the distance behind us.

“Damon has a house not far from the city. He wanted you to stay there,” Peter said, gently. “Sorry about all this. I don’t want you to think I’m kidnapping you or something.”

“I didn’t, Peter,” I told him, my alarm growing, “until you said that.”

“Oops,” he chuckled. “My bad.” He tried to smile at me in the rearview mirror but my mind was racing.

I tried to calm my nerves throughout the drive. Honestly, I didn’t see why I had to live anywhere but in my own apartment.

Sure, it wasn’t the most comfortable since you had to take showers in cold water because the heater was broken and my neighbor liked to slip his “samples” under everyone’s doors but…

You know what, never mind. My apartment was a hole, but it was mine. I didn’t know how I felt about staying at Damon’s house.

I leaned my head against the car window, gazing through the tinted darkness. Above, I could see the stars so clearly. Like tiny twinkling diamonds in the sky.

I’d never seen so many before. I could count on my hand the number of times I’d left the city but it was nice to be able to see the stars. Eventually, my eyes shut as I dozed off, the coolness of the glass soothing me.

“We’re here!” Peter said excitedly.

I jerked awake at Peter’s claim, feeling like I’d only slept for a minute. The car pulled up to a large metal gate, a twenty-foot fence surrounding whatever was behind it.

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If I knew Damon, it was probably electrified or something. Anything to keep his life private.

A security guard dressed in black approached us with an unfriendly look.

Peter rolled down both of our windows and the unknown man’s eyes locked onto me before turning to look at Peter.

“Hey, Joe!” Peter greeted him like they were old friends.

Joe only grunted, that scowl still on his face.

“This is Adelaide. She’s the wife I was telling you about. You know, that one,” Peter hinted, not subtle at all. I would have to ask Damon what he’d been telling people about me.

Joe’s eyes looked at me, and he grunted again. I was beginning to think that was all he did.

“I know! Can you believe Damon of all people got married?” Peter laughed. “Anyway, Damon wanted her to live here for the time being, so you should be seeing her come and go as she pleases. Damon’s words, not mine.”

least I’m not a prisoner, I breathed in relief. I could come and go as I pleased. So, why did I have to stay here at all? What was

then turned his

talking to you, Joe!” Peter waved bye with a silly grin. The gates. began to open as Joe took his place in the security office just

to him sometime, he has some wild stories,” Peter told me as we

glanced at him, incredulously. Was he messing with me or just insane?

the house came into view, and I forgot all about Peter or Joe. I

It was huge.

had to be

modern house was full of

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Between the stone walls around the desert-like gardens and the wooden panels

around the garden platforms to the entrance. I could practically see all the way through the house with how

the middle of the garden. I bet

Peter shrugged, nonchalantly.

he designed this?” I gasped

and grinned at

of shock as we got out and Peter threw both my bags over his shoulder like they were nothing, simply walking into the house as

there if you need me. Mrs. Rivas can whip up anything you’d like for dinner. You should try her enchiladas,

“Peter!”

stern look on her face. She was a plump woman in a messy

muttered, ashamedly, grabbing both of my

rushed down the stairs. She pulled me into a fierce hug, and I was afraid my ribs would break from the force as she suffocated me. “You are Damon’s

Mrs. Rivas’ first language was not English.

breath, trying to grin at her

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amor was. Was that really how he referred to me?

said as she kissed both of my cheeks and then my

thanks,” I said as politely as I could. “But I’m a

course, you are. There’s always breakfast. My finest omelet for you. I’ll

as Mrs. Rivas practically screamed out

a youthful voice called out, someone rushing from upstairs. Another

her feet from

with a smile. “I’m Rosie.”

youthful glow to her. She was clearly just out of high school, still bright, and her eyes shined with hope. She had smudges of paint on her overalls

her

be happy too! Follow me, Miss Adelaide.”

how it was built as she took me to my room. The house was much bigger than

stopped and gestured to one of

Rosie grinned, then she skipped away, light on her feet like

before I entered the room and realized that this wasn’t just my

It was Damon’s.

desk in the corner was piled to the top with papers and pencils,

Chapter 18