Claimed By The Wrong Brother

Three Days Until The Wedding

MADONNA

I woke up with a start, breathing hard. I relaxed as the surroundings started to become familiar. It was just a bad dream, I assured myself.

As I swung my legs over the bed it hit me. It was two days until the wedding. Forty-eight hours before I'd be permanently chained to the wrong brother.

A maid was already in my room laying out clothes. She didn't speak, she just gestured to the dress on the bed before leaving. I got dressed quickly, my mind racing through possible plans. I needed to find out where Adrian was and when he'd return.

As soon as I finished dressing, Ethan knocked on the door and opened. He was dressed in an immaculate black suit. I wondered if he wanted me to go with him to his place of work.

"Good morning," he said, offering his arm. "I want to show you around. Introduce you to people."

Okay. So he wore this immaculate suit just so he could stroll around the mansion.

I took his arm because I didn't have a choice. We walked through the estate and everywhere we went, people stared. Maids whispered to each other; I was just a peasant like them, why did I deserve better? Guards watched me with suspicious eyes. I kept my shoulders straight, my head high. They looked down on me with scorn but I paid them no mind, I was here on a mission.

"This is the east garden," Ethan said, gesturing to a massive outdoor space with fountains and perfectly trimmed hedges. "My mother designed it before she died."

"It's beautiful," I said, playing the impressed bride. "Does your whole family live here?"

"My father and I do. Adrian has his own place on the property."

My ears perked up at the name, Adrian. "Adrian?"

"My older brother," Ethan said, his voice tight. "He's away on business."

"When will he be back?" I asked, trying to sound casual. "I'd like to meet him before the wedding."

Ethan's steps slowed slightly. "Why?"

"I'm marrying into this family. I should know everyone." I shrugged nonchalantly, to make it look like it was inconsequential.

But he wasn't buying it. He stopped walking completely and turned to face me. "You're very curious about Adrian."

My heart hammered but I kept my expression innocent. "Is that strange? He's going to be my brother in law."

"Adrian isn't family," Ethan snapped, and I was a bit taken back by the venom in his voice. "He's a monster we keep on a leash. The less you know about him, the better."

I wanted to ask more but I could see the suspicion growing in Ethan's eyes. I dropped it and let him continue the tour. The security terrified me, there was just too many cameras, too many guards.

By noon we were in the main dining hall for lunch. The room was filled with 'clan members', all dressed in expensive clothes and watching me like I was a bug they wanted to squash. Klara sat at the far end of the table, her eyes burning holes through my skull.

I sat next to Ethan while servers brought out the food but I could barely eat. Tension ran through me as I could barely shove the food down my throat. Everyone on the tabls was whispering about me and it was hell, them throwing glances my way. I caught fragments of conversation.

"Where did he find her?"

"A nobody from the streets."

"She won't last a week."

Ethan's hand found my thigh under the table, squeezing possessively. "Ignore them," he whispered. "They're just jealous."

*Of what? Every person seated on this table, male or female, were hundred percent better than me, either by beauty or clothing.*

I doubted that but I nodded anyway. Halfway through the meal, Klara stood up with her teacup. She walked around the table slowly, and when she reached me, she paused.

"Madonna, isn't it?" she said sweetly.

"Yes." I looked up at her warily.

"Such an interesting name." She tilted her cup slightly and hot tea spilled directly onto my lap.

I gasped and jumped up, whimpering.

"Oops," Klara cooed, snatching some serviettes from the table, trying to wipe the spill but somehow making it ten times worse.. "I'm so clumsy around things that don't belong."

Ethan stood up fast, his chair scraping loudly. "Klara, that's enough."

"It was an accident," she replied innocently. "I'm so sorry, Madonna. I hope you're okay."

The entire room had gone silent, everyone watching to see what I would do, including her as she stared down on me with an evil smile.

"It's fine," I said quietly. "Accidents happen."

Ethan insisted we leave immediately.

"Are you hurt?" he asked once we were in the hallway.

"I'm fine." I muttered, Klara was just petty.

His jaw clenched. "Klara crossed a line. I'll deal with her later."

We went back to my room so I could change. Ethan followed me inside and closed the door behind him. He walked over to where I stood by the closet, his hand reaching up to cup my face.

"You're mine now," he said softly, his hands straying down to meet my waist. I wanted to throw his hands away but this was all part of the plan. Play along until Adrian arrives.

"I won't forget," I whispered, batting my lashes like I was innocent.

He smiled and finally let go. "Good. Get changed and meet me downstairs in an hour. We need to finalize wedding details."

After he left, I locked the door and leaned against it. My hands were shaking. I was running out of time. If I married Ethan tomorrow, everything would get more complicated. How was I going to get Adrian to come tomorrow so I could kill him and get this over with. I texted Sergei about what was going on, and he was happy with the turn out of events. I realized he wanted me to stay so I can be intel for him.

I was out on the gardens later, admiring the flowers when Ethan caught up to me. He grabbed my hands and swung me around. "The wedding is happening tomorrow." I barely had time to recover from the bombshell of that news before he dropped another one.

"Adrian finished his mission early, so he'll be back tomorrow night." His face turned pale. "For all I know, he may be coming back with a bride. So the wedding will happen at the crack of dawn tomorrow. I need you to be ready "

As I listened to him rant, a cold shiver trickled down my spine. That gave me less than twenty-four hours.

"Do you understand?" He shouted ate, pulling me out of my reverie. I nodded absentmindedly. He pulled me towards the dining room.

Everything was moving too fast, there was no time to prepare, nothing.

I barely touched dinner, my mind wondering if I should fake a sudden illness so I don't have to marry him. If I could go out in the middle of the night, track Adrian and kill him.

When I went back to my room I was exhausted. Sergei would kill me if I didn't complete this mission.

I paced the room for over an hour, anxiety eating at my insides. Then I heard it. The sound of engines approaching. Multiple vehicles moving fast up the private road.

I rushed to the window and looked out. Headlights cut through the darkness like knives. Three black SUVs were coming through the estate gates. My heart started pounding so hard I thought it might break through my ribs.

This wasn't tomorrow night. This was now.

Adrian's convoy was arriving a full day early.

He's here.