Chapter Six: I Do?

Could I have just agreed to marry a beast?

I didn’t want to call Darren back because his opinion was heavily biased and he'd probably exaggerate the truth so I’d leave Ryker. He was against me marrying this way from the beginning.

The moment I thought about calling my best friend she called me. “I heard you left the auction early and someone saw a fancy limo pick you up!” Emily exclaimed as soon as I answered. “What’s going on??”

“I’ll tell you in a second,” I said nervously as I dragged myself out of bed. “Um, what do you think about Ryker Hart?”

“Ryker Hart? I’ve only formally met him once but I’ve been to a few events that he’s been to.” That’s what I thought. “I think he’s really hot, I mean if you’re into guys who are a little scary.”

I face palmed and said, “No I mean like as a person, do you think he’s a bad person?”

Emily hummed thoughtfully. “I—Wait, did you leave the auction with him?? Reina!!”

I held my phone an arm's length away from my ear and cringed at her loud squealing. “Emily.”

I told Emily everything that happened yesterday and about the message Darren left me. “If you ask me you have nothing to worry about,” Emily said. “I don’t think he’s exactly a bad person.” I had a feeling she’d say that, which was why I called her instead of Darren. “Ryker has a lot of enemies so he’s hurt a lot of people but I doubt he’d hurt his family especially not his wife. Shit that’s so crazy, you’re going to be his fucking wife Rei! This is what you’ve wanted!”

Emily and I spent a lot of sleepovers talking about our hopes and dreams for the future since we were kids. She knew this was my dream and I didn’t want anything to get in the way of it.

There was no stopping the smile on my face, Emily was right. “Yeah, I just want my family to like him. I’ll talk to you later,” I said as I heard the shower turn off. “Love you.”

“Bye, love you too girl,” she said before I hung up.

I got back into bed and thought about calling Darren back quickly but Ryker walked out of the bathroom. “You're awake,” he said, “Good.”

“Good morning to you too,” I said with a giggle escaping.

Ryker smiled. “Cute,” he complimented before continuing, “I was thinking we could have breakfast and then go down to the auction house to sign the engagement agreement.”

I tapped my index fingers together thoughtfully. “Um I do want to sign it but I really want us to meet each other's families.”

“You know that wouldn’t happen if we went by the general auction guidelines, right?” he questioned.

“Yes, but we haven’t exactly been following the guidelines of the auction.”

“Fair enough but would our family’s disapproval change anything?” He grabbed me by my waist, pulling me out of the bed and to him, making me blush. “I don’t want to waste time Reina, and I don’t want to risk you changing your mind.” Romantic. “I’m a busy man and I don’t see the point in meeting each other's families if this isn’t official.”

I swallowed before impulsively saying, “Okay, I’ll sign it.”

Ryker let go of me, walked to his closet, and came back with clothes. “Get dressed and we’ll leave after breakfast.”

I nodded and walked to the bathroom. As I got dressed I thought about what I agreed to.

When I was dressed I left the bathroom and walked to the door. As soon as he opened the bedroom door the aroma from the food the chefs prepared.

We walked downstairs and breakfast was just as delicious and filling as dinner last night.

As we left the house I let my mom know I was stopping by after swinging by the auction hall. I also told everyone I wanted Ryker to meet to be there so he could meet everyone together.

Ryker opened the door for me and I climbed into the limo. He got in after me and sat across from me. During the drive, Ryker was on the phone and it sounded like business calls. Seemed like had and still was moving his schedule around for me. Our engagement really must have been spontaneous.

While he spoke on the phone I scrolled through mine to get caught up on recent news. Several auction marriages were announced. It was also reported that the country Valkaria in fact did have a long-lost heir but they didn’t give the identity of the individual. Hopefully, it would be someone who could have good relations with our country's leader. Political conflict was the last thing we needed.

When we arrived at the auction house Ryker opened the door and got out first to help me out. Once we walked in things moved along quickly. I stared down at the marriage contract and began to fill it. “Do you want your parents to receive the money?” Ryker asked.

“My Mom,” I cleared my throat after correcting him. “My Dad died years ago.”

“Oh, I’m—“

Before he could apologize I shook my head and cut him off, “It’s fine.” I split the money up between Mom and Colton so he would have an inheritance. I also gave 5 million to Clara for supporting me. I would have given some to my brothers but there’s no doubt Mom would give them some for all the support they’ve given her throughout the years. I didn’t want to overcomplicate the payout.

I signed my name on every space my signature was required. When I got to the last spot I hesitated. My brother’s message ran through my thoughts. I looked up at Ryker and all I felt was desire. His eyes softened, almost sadly because of my reluctance. The overwhelming confidence he had before wasn’t the same. This man couldn’t have been a beast. The longer we went eye contact the more I felt that I wanted him just as much as he wanted me. That was all I wanted so I turned my attention back to the document and signed my name. I smiled and looked back at him to say, “We’re married…”

He placed his hand on the back of my head, his fingers entangled in my hair. “So I get to kiss the bride,” he said, causing my stomach to tighten. I closed my eyes as he brought my head close and introduced his lips to mine.

I’ve been kissed before but the sensation was different this time.

After we submitted the marriage contract and license we left the auction house and went straight to my mother’s house. I knocked on the door and heard a muffled conversation on the other side of the door. Pretty sure they were talking about me.

When Mom opened the door I could see the effort she put into her appearance today. I guess she was trying to make a good impression. “Hi I’m Reina’s mother, it’s great to meet you.”

“You as well, I’m Ryker Hart, Reina’s husband as you can assume.”

Mom gleamed with excitement and her approval made me happy even though I wasn’t sure if she was more happy for me or for the money and status she’d be receiving.

“Husband??” Logan reacted right behind our mother. “I thought she went to meet him, not to elope.”

Mom glared at Logan and then smiled at Ryker. “Ignore my son, please come in,” she said, waving him inside.

Ryker and I followed Mom into the kitchen where Clara and Emily were. I looked around and everyone I wanted Ryker to meet was here except Darren and Colton. Colton was at school so he’d have to meet Ryker another time but Darren didn’t have an excuse.

I introduced Clara and Emily to Ryker and they were both practically drooling over him but not in a disrespectful way I guess. “Come sit down Ryker, we have a few questions for you, don’t be shy,” Clara said, gesturing to the chair between her and Emily.

Ryker chuckled and kissed the side of my head before sitting down. His affection would take some getting used to…

Small talk between Ryker and the three of them was going smoothly so I left. I walked into the living room where my brothers were. “Hey, uh you guys don’t want to get to know my… husband?” Calling him that would also take some getting used to.

Cole shrugged, staring down at his phone. “There’s no fucking point, I already don’t like him,” he said coldly.

Logan nodded in agreement and stood up to walk to me. “Rei, how much do you really know about him?” he asked.

I frowned because I obviously didn’t know much but that was the nature of these kinds of marriages. “I learned enough yesterday,” I mumbled, looking off to the side.

“Oh okay so you know you’re a stepmother,” Logan said and I stared at him in utter confusion. “I knew you wouldn’t know.” He scoffed and practically shoved his phone in my face. The photo he showed me was of Ryker with a young boy walking beside him. He scrolled down so I could read a bit of the article aloud, “A rare occasion of Ryker Hart out in public with his six-year-old son Henry…” I trailed off and looked away again, feeling too embarrassed to go on.

“Logan it doesn't matter,” Cole said, “Hell, she didn’t look him up before she signed the marriage documents so I doubt it matters to her. We’re obviously the only ones who care about her safety. Mom cares more about money.” That wasn’t true, sure the money excited Mom but she’s always cared about me.

Cole’s words hurt but I didn’t say anything because I knew neither of them would understand. “Cole,” Logan said in a scolding tone while glaring at him. “Reina,” he said to me in a softer tone as if he was trying to get through to me. “It’s not too late, you can call the auction hall now and tell them not to submit anything.”

I opened my mouth to speak but didn’t say anything when I heard footsteps. I turned around to see Ryker walking into the living room. “Reina,” he said. “Are you ready to go? The movers should be here soon to pick up your stuff.”

I looked at my brothers and they both gave me a look that said, “Make your choice.”

I didn’t want to ruin my relationship with Darren, Cole, and Logan. I also didn’t want to give up on Ryker…

Either way, I had to sacrifice something.