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.”

go as I pleased. So, why did I have to stay

then turned his back

a silly grin. The gates. began to

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

Was he messing with me or just insane? Joe didn’t seem

into view, and I forgot all about

It was huge.

had to be the size of my apartment building!

full of sloped angles and massive

Chapter 18

the stone walls around the desert-like gardens and the wooden panels between the windows,

house?” I stared at the building wide-eyed as we drove around the garden platforms to the

the middle of the

really easy to build, actually,” Peter shrugged,

mean he designed this?” I gasped in

said and grinned at me.

my bags over his shoulder like they were nothing, simply walking into the

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

“Peter!”

floor out of nowhere, a stern look on her face. She was a plump woman in a messy apron and had a very strong Spanish

grabbing

Mrs. Rivas cried with her accent as she rushed down the stairs. She pulled me into a fierce hug, and I was afraid my ribs

Rivas’ first

she let me go, I sucked in a massive breath, trying to grin at her despite the redness

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I knew what amor was. Was that really how he referred

for you!” Mrs. Rivas said as she kissed both of my cheeks and then my forehead. “Ah, you are too skinny. Double portions for you.”

said as politely as I could. “But I’m a bit tired

you are. There’s always breakfast. My finest omelet for you. I’ll have Rosie take you to your

as Mrs. Rivas practically screamed out the name.

nana!” a youthful voice called out, someone rushing from upstairs. Another woman appeared from the gardens, and I glanced at

didn’t I hear her feet from upstairs?

with

glow to her. She was clearly just out of high school, still bright, and her eyes shined with

her room,” Mrs.

happy too! Follow me,

at least Rosie got my name right. Rosie chattered to me about the house and how it was built as she took me to my room.

stopped and gestured to one of

in the morning, Miss Adelaide,” Rosie grinned, then she skipped away, light

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

It was Damon’s.

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

Chapter 18