Page 12 of Isle of Seduction
“Go where?”
“Shopping.”
“And you’re what? Andrea’s errand boy?”
Nothing I say seems to phase my new brother-in-law. “I’m the person he trusts most. Now let’s go.”
Nico guides me to a door by the kitchen that leads to the garage, where a black Audi calls my name. It’s unfortunate that they drive on the other side of the road because I’d love to feel how smooth this baby is.
Once I’m settled in the passenger seat, Nico drives us out of the property. I stay silent as I reluctantly observe how gorgeous it is. It’s isolated and surrounded by a thick forest. The small dust road leading to the cottage is bordered by magnificent alder trees on both sides. Sanctuary is the word that comes to mind.
We make our way onto a national road before entering a modern highway that screams of a big city.
West Hill looks a lot like London, though it’s definitely smaller. My nose is almost to the window as I take everything in. We pass residential areas with cafes and people milling on and about, then hit a bit of traffic when we enter what I think might be the heart of the business district, with skyscrapers and lots of dudes in suits.
It’s almost forty minutes after we’ve left the house that Nico stops and parks on a long cobblestone street filled with high end boutiques. This place isn’t Kalliste; it isn’t warm and welcoming, familiar and vibrant, but it has charm and seems to have a rich history.
For the next three hours, I visit every shop. Most of them don’t carry my size, but those who do get the payday of the week.
I was determined to hate every step of this ridiculous process of settling in Andrea’s life, but spending two-hundred thousands pounds with my new husband’s credit card is something I want to do again very very soon. My father was well off growing up, but this level of luxury is new and exciting. A comfortable buzz takes hold of my body, and I ride the high the entire day.
I’m coming out of Kiki de Montparnasse lingerie shop with ten thousands pounds worth of goods when someone bumps into me, almost making me drop my bags to the ground. I wouldn’t care but I’m sure Nico would be mortified. He wisely skipped this one.
“My apologies, Miss. I was running and didn’t see you there. Can’t quite believe myself because you’re so gorgeous you’re hard to miss.”
Ugh.
I sidestep the middle-aged man in a suit, but he mirrors my move, and I tense up. I’ve been training in a boxing ring for years, but I don’t think my husband would be very happy with me if I ended up in a jail cell on my first day here.
“It’s a shame we’ve never met before.”
“I don’t come here often,” I say.
I could have just smiled and left but I had to open my goddamn mouth, giving him an opening for conversation.
“I gather from your accent that you’re not from here. How delightful. My name is Parker Addams. Here’s my card. I’m always happy to help a new face in the community. If you need a job or just want to make new friends.”
The exchange must last only a few seconds, but it’s already too long. Before I can refuse Addam’s card, Nico’s at my side, and I release a sigh of relief. The smile on the man’s face slowly vanishes when he recognises the man by my side. His voice trembles slightly when he asks me if I need help, and I snort.
“No, Mr. Addams, but thank you for your concern,” I say sarcastically. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re expected somewhere.”
I turn around and walk to the car, Nico in tow. My brother-in-law gives a look to the other man that would make me squirm if it was directed at me. He’s so intense. But I’m thankful for it. I shiver dramatically, shaking my shoulders from the lingering creepiness of the conversation.
“Are you okay?” Nico asks, though his voice doesn’t betray any emotion.
“Yeah. He was just weird.”
“He’s Andrea’s opponent.”
“Opponent? What do you mean?”
“Ask Andrea.”
I don’t think my brother-in-law likes me very much, but at least I get very clear solutions with him, which I appreciate. I can’t believe he dutifully followed me around without a complaint or a word. And he never rose to any of my incessant attempts at conversation, except this one. Granted, it was mostly to get dirt on his brother, but I have to say, I admire his strength.
When I get back into the cottage, I rush to my room. I change the sheets and replace them with the dark blue high-count-thread Egyptian cotton I bought, then place the pink and bright yellow throw pillows on the bed and the club seat. I already feel my anxiety quieting down to a manageable level.
Colours and textures have always quieted my mind and helped it not go into overdrive. This entire room was sending me into a panic.