Claire: The Forced Virgin Of The Billionaire

Decide what I need to know? Wow. Does any one of these men know this is the 21st century? And okay, not only did I hear gunshots and see dead bodies again, what was that now, 4? But my supposed fiancé had just very frankly made the fact that he liked to see fear on my face known to his brother, his employees, and a guy who maybe wasn’t making it out of the office alive. I was now being ushered, in skimpy pajamas and Azriel’s robe, to his father’s house.

When I got there, Lisa was in the doorway to receive me, literally. She hugged me and pulled me into the house, ignoring Dario and the two muscle guys behind him, “Are you okay?”

I heard Dario on the phone, “Bro, we’re here,” Then he looked to Lisa, “Yeah, she’s fine. Lisa has her.” Then Dario and the two guys disappeared into the office.

I nodded, not knowing what to say because I didn’t know what she knew. She was in a robe, too, her hair pulled up into a messy bun. She walked me to her kitchen where an older grandmotherly-looking black woman was frying bacon,

“Hello, Claire, I’m Nita!” the woman said to me cheerily with a Jamaican accent “Coffee, right?”

I nodded and sat at the table with Lisa and then that Nino guy came into the kitchen with a bag in his hand, “Clothes, Miss Dawson,” he said and I peeked in the bag and saw a jean skirt, top, matching underwear and bra, and my purse. He also handed me an iPhone box, shrink wrap half on and half off, “Mr. Clarke wants this with you at all times,” he said.

“Thank you,” I said and put it on the table in front of me.

He took two steps back and stood against the counter. I looked up at him and then to Lisa.

“Nino?” Lisa asked.

“I have orders to stay within 3 feet of Claire at all times, Leese,” he said softly. Obviously they were good friends by the way he spoke to her. She nodded at him, resigned-looking, then Nita passed me a cup of coffee, “Two sugars, Rosita told me?”

I shook my head and smiled. Two sugars. “I’ll need one more, thanks.” I said sweetly. She smiled what looked, to me, like a knowing smile. She must be in the know about Rosita’s sugar hatred. I wasn’t going to let this happen, I had so little control over my life right now the one thing I could control was how many f*****g sugars I’d get in my coffee so I was taking that third sugar.

“So,” Lisa started.

I looked at her. Nita was passing Nino a coffee and pulling another package of bacon out of the fridge.

“I hear we get to help you plan your wedding and that it’ll be here!”

My face must’ve said, “Duh, what?” because a familiar voice chimed in, Azriel’s uncle, coming into the kitchen, “Ah, my little dove, that wasn’t common knowledge yet.”

“Oh?” Lisa blushed, “Sorry,” she smiled at her husband and shrugged. He leaned over and kissed her on the top of her head.

“Good morning, Claire, ” he was dressed in a suit, as per what seemed to be the usual, and leaned over and poured himself a refill from the coffee pot.

“Mornin’,” I said and my voice came out hoarse.

He smiled at me and sat down at the large bistro style table with us.

“Everyone, leave me and Claire for a moment,” he said and everyone left the room, including Nino and Nita who lifted her pan onto another burner and then abandoned the stove.

He put his hand over mine, “Are you okay, dear?”

I nodded and avoided the urge to yank my hand back.

“Dario tells me you threatened him and Nino with a knife,” he had light in his eyes, a playfulness very much like what I sometimes saw in Azriel’s eyes.

I tried to crack a smile but I don’t think it looked very genuine.

“Azriel tells me you’re perfect. I can see that. You seem calm and together right now despite probably wanting to run for the hills, screaming.”

If only I could. I thought this, but didn’t speak it.

“You’re a spitfire. Beating up my son, pulling a knife on a guard. I think you’ll fit in here just fine. Dario’s been calling you Claire Tyson. You are a fighter.” He tapped my hand gently and then stood up, “My boy has demons. I think you could be the one to exorcise them,” he smiled. I didn’t know what to say, “And your father tells me you can cook like nobody’s business. That’s always a good quality in a wife.” he winked at me.

I opened my mouth, wanting to speak but his eyes narrowed and I decided against it. I clamped my mouth shut. It was hard to keep quiet when all I wanted to know was what business he had with my father…. f**k! Another complication. He looked pleased. It was almost as if I’d just passed a test. I frowned. What a bizarre thing to say right now and what…the …heck?

He stood, “Your husband-to-be should be here any minute. We’ll all have breakfast.” He left the room. A moment later Nino returned, “If you’d like to get dressed I can escort you to a guest room.”

I nodded, stood up and brought my coffee and the bag he’d brought me with me. My father must’ve had a conversation recently with Thomas Clarke, one where he talked about me at length in a way that would result in my dad talking about my hobbies, my talents.

That sort of conversation didn’t typically come into play when someone was threatening you — no, that sort of conversation came with bargaining with someone, trying to sales pitch them. Did my father sales pitch me to Azriel Clarke?

But…… my father couldn’t have possibly known Azriel before me…… could he?

Nothing made sense anymore.