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.”

relief. I could come and go as I pleased. So, why did I have to stay here at all? What was

third grunt and then turned his back on us.

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

he has

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

I forgot all

It was huge.

mean, massive. It had to be the size of my

of sloped angles and

Chapter 18

walls around the desert-like gardens and the

I stared at the building wide-eyed as we drove around the garden platforms to the entrance. I could practically

swimming pool behind the house-in the middle of the garden. I bet the view from there was

it was really easy to build, actually,” Peter shrugged, nonchalantly. “Damon’s designs are really easy to follow.”

he designed this?”

course,” Peter said and grinned at me.

bags over his

floor with a grin, wiping his hands as he said, “Well, I’ll be sleeping over there if you need me. Mrs. Rivas can whip up anything you’d like for dinner. You should try her enchiladas, they’re

“Peter!”

woman in her sixties with dark brown skin appeared over the second. floor out of nowhere, a stern look on her face. She was a

muttered, ashamedly, grabbing both of my bags.

her accent as she 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 amor. I am so happy you are

was clear that Mrs. Rivas’

massive breath, trying to grin at her despite the

Chapter 18

little Spanish, but I knew what amor was. Was that really how he referred to me?

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

could. “But I’m

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

covered my ears as Mrs. Rivas

out, someone rushing from upstairs. Another woman appeared from the gardens, and

didn’t I hear her

Rosie called out with a

a young Spanish girl with a youthful glow to her. She was clearly just out of high school, still

to her room,” Mrs. Rivas

too! Follow me, Miss

my name right. Rosie chattered to me about the house and how it was built as she took me to my room. The house was much bigger than I thought it was as

Rosie stopped and gestured to one

you are! I’ll see you in the morning, Miss Adelaide,” Rosie grinned, then she skipped away,

was gone before I entered the room and realized that

It was Damon’s.

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

Chapter 18