The Ironwood Wolves
1152 Words
Chapter 4
POV: Stephanie
Marcus's hand was cold when he kissed my knuckles. His smile was perfect, but something about it made my skin crawl.
"Come," he said, keeping hold of my hand. "Let me show you inside. You must be freezing."
I looked back at Steve. He was staring at Marcus with a hard expression I'd never seen before. "I should stay with—"
"Nonsense," Marcus interrupted smoothly. "Steven has business to handle. Don't you, brother? Jenkins has been calling all night about the Singapore contracts." He gestured toward a thin man in a dark suit who stood near the entrance. "You've been gone two years. The company won't run itself."
Steve's jaw tightened. He looked at me. "Stephanie—"
"It's fine," I said quickly. I didn't want to be a burden. "Go handle your business. I'll be okay."
"See?" Marcus smiled wider. "She'll be perfectly safe with me. I'll take excellent care of her."
Steve looked like he wanted to argue, but the thin man approached and started talking urgently about meetings and contracts. Steve shot me one last look, then turned away.
Marcus's grip on my hand tightened slightly. "Come along, Stephanie. Let me show you your new home."
He led me through massive front doors into the most beautiful house I'd ever seen. The entrance hall was huge, with marble floors and a crystal chandelier that looked like it cost more than my entire ranch. Paintings covered the walls. Real paintings, not prints.
"This is incredible," I whispered.
"This is just the entrance," Marcus said. "Wait until you see the rest."
He walked me through room after room. A library with thousands of books. A dining room with a table that could seat thirty people. A music room with a grand piano. Every room was more beautiful than the last.
"You must be overwhelmed," Marcus said as we climbed a curved staircase. "Coming from a small town to all this."
"A little," I admitted.
"I understand completely. When my mother married into the Savage family, she felt the same way." He glanced at me. "She was from a small town, too. A sweet, innocent girl who had no idea what she was getting into."
Something in his tone made me uncomfortable. "What happened to her?"
"She died when I was twelve. Tragic accident." His voice was flat, emotionless. "Steve was sixteen. He took it very hard."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It was a long time ago." He stopped in front of a large door. "This is your room. I had the maids prepare it while we were waiting for you to arrive."
"You knew we were coming?"
His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Steven may think he's unpredictable, but he's my brother. I always know what he's going to do."
He opened the door. The bedroom inside was enormous, decorated in cream and gold. A massive bed sat in the center. French doors led to a balcony.
"It's beautiful," I said.
"Steve's room is just down the hall," Marcus said casually. "Though I should warn you, he doesn't sleep well. Nightmares. He's had them since the accident."
"What accident?"
Marcus looked at me strangely. "The fire. When we were children. Has he not told you?" He shook his head. "Of course not. Steven never talks about his past. Especially not with women."
"What do you mean?"
"My brother has a complicated history with relationships," Marcus said carefully. "He gets close to people, then pushes them away. It's a pattern. I've watched it happen over and over." He touched my shoulder gently. "I'm not trying to scare you, Stephanie. I just think you should know what you're dealing with."
My stomach twisted. "Steve wouldn't—"
"Wouldn't what? Lie to you?" Marcus laughed softly. "He already has. He let you think he was homeless for months. What else might he be hiding?"
Before I could respond, a maid appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Savage, dinner will be served in one hour."
"Thank you, Marie." Marcus turned back to me. "Freshen up. Wear something nice. Tonight is Valentine's dinner, and we have several important guests coming."
He left, closing the door behind him. I stood alone in the huge bedroom, my head spinning. What had I gotten myself into?
I found a closet full of expensive dresses. Someone had prepared this room knowing I was coming. But how? Steve said he'd been hiding for two years. Nothing made sense.
I picked a simple black dress and got ready. An hour later, a maid came to escort me downstairs to the dining room.
The table was set with china and crystal. About twenty people stood around drinking champagne and talking in low voices. Steve stood near the fireplace, now wearing a black suit. When he saw me, his expression softened.
"Stephanie," he said, moving toward me. "Are you okay? Did Marcus—"
"I'm fine," I said quickly. "He was very nice. Showed me around."
Something flickered in Steve's eyes. "What did he say to you?"
"Nothing. Just stories about the house." I didn't want to mention the things Marcus had said about Steve's past. Not here, not now.
Before Steve could respond, the room went suddenly quiet. Everyone turned toward the entrance.
A woman stood in the doorway. She was stunning. Long dark hair and perfect makeup. She wore a red designer gown that probably cost more than my car. Diamonds glittered at her throat and wrists.
She smiled and walked straight toward Steve. She moved like a cat, confident and graceful.
"Steven," she said in a warm, rich voice. "Darling. I'm home."
Then she grabbed Steve's face and kissed him. On the mouth. Right in front of everyone.
My heart stopped. Steve stood frozen, not pushing her away, not pulling her close. Just frozen.
The woman pulled back and turned to face the room. Her smile was bright and cold at the same time.
"I apologize for my dramatic entrance," she said. "I just flew in from Singapore. I'm Elena Martinez. Steven's wife."
The room fell silent. Every eye in the place stared at me.
Elena's gaze landed on me. Her smile grew sharper. "Oh, darling, did Steve forget to mention me? How careless." She walked toward me slowly. "We've been married for three years. I've been away handling business in Singapore, but I'm back now for Valentine's."
She stopped right in front of me. Up close, she was even more beautiful, and her eyes were like ice.
"So tell me," she said sweetly. "Who exactly are you, and why are you wearing a ring that belongs to the Savage family?"
I looked down at my hand. At the simple gold band Steve had given me in the helicopter. My mouth went dry.
I looked at Steve. His face had gone completely blank.
"Steve?" I whispered. "What is she talking about?"
But he just stood there. Silent
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