A LOVE Worth Ruin

Chapter Two

Evelyn's Pov

His gaze was intense and felt overwhelming. I looked away quickly, staring at my father in alarm as the words he said finally sank into me.

He wanted to take me with him today. I barely even knew who he was!

“Mr Kane, but it's not-” my father began, moving his hands around.

“Is there a problem?” I heard that chilling voice ask. Why was he so cold? Why was he so rude to my father?

I heard my father clear his voice and then he looked at me. The pain in his eyes echoed in my heart. He slowly shook his head, while still looking at me.

“No, Mr Kane. There's no problem.” He said gently.

“Good. I'd like to take my bride with me now. You're all welcome to the reception in my house.” He announced, then I heard heavy footsteps behind me.

I could feel my legs threatening to give up as the footsteps got closer. Soon, the steps stopped advancing, but I could feel a presence behind me. A tall, imposing presence.

I pleaded with my eyes to my father, and he only bowed his head in regret. My mother patted his back gently, but she didn't meet my eyes either.

“Evelyn!” That voice called me. I turned around, to look at him. A small gasp escaped me at his appearance. He clearly wasn't an old man.

He was tall, with Raven black hair and a slit across one of his eyebrows. His nose was crooked, but pointed. His jaw was set in a hard, sharp line…but it was his eyes that stood out to me the most.

They were grey…cold, and hooded, and all together, I felt like they saw too much. I looked down, finding my eyes gazing at his chest that was slightly exposed by the two opened buttons of his black shirt, revealing tanned skin.

“Evelyn!” His voice called me again, and I let out a small ‘mmm’ but kept my head down.

“You're coming home with me, now,” the finality in his voice struck another chord of alarm in me.

I raised my head, the question swarming my thoughts by their dozens.

“Now?” I muttered, before I could stop myself.

“Yes. No need to take anything. I'll get you anything you want when we get home,” he said and took my hand in his.

A shiver went through me at his touch. His hands felt just like he looked - weathered, callused and hard.

“But-” I looked back at my parents and they watched as he pulled me with him as he addressed the men that were seated in our living room.

I couldn't hear what he was saying to them. My emotions were loud, blocking anything that was happening. I could only see the helpless defeat on the faces of my parents.

“Mr and Mrs Voss, the reception begins at my place. You're invited,” I heard his voice again, and soon the men were getting up and leaving the house. I was being pulled away by my ‘husband’.

As we headed to the door, I felt his gaze on me. It was searching, but I didn't look back at him.

We got to his car, a sleek black car and he held open the door for me.

I entered and glued my eyes to the window, looking out of the car. I saw my parents come to the door and stood there. I could tell my father was barely holding back tears. My mother lifted her hands and gave a small wave.

Soon, he was driving out of the compound, followed by the convoy of men he came with.

The drive was silent, thankfully so, as I didn't want to talk to him or even acknowledge him.

My legs tingle a little and I squeeze them softly, trying to be discreet with it.

After long minutes, the GPS announced that we were almost at his house. I looked out the window, seeing a mansion far off.

That couldn't be his house.

Then he turned his car into a driveway that was gated. He pressed his thumb into a screen on his car and the gate to the huge mansion creaked open.

This was his house?

It was a castle!

He drove to the house and then stopped the car.

There were decorations and chairs arranged in a dinner setting in a garden close to the house.

A man came closer dressed formally and stood by the car.

“Hello Sir Kane!” The man said, when Adrian came down from the car. I watched them speak in low tones before Adrian came over to my side of the door and opened it.

“Welcome home," he said and headed inside the house. I sighed and looked around.

“Hello, Mrs Kane," The man came towards me and gave me a small bow.

“Hello,” I muttered back.

“I am Butler Smith. I'll be your guide till you get accustomed to your new home. Please, let's go in," he said warmly and led me inside.

I could hear chatters coming from the inside of the house and I readied myself for the stares I knew were going to come.

“Don't worry, Mrs Kane. Most of them are guests at the wedding. You may not have to speak to them if you do not want to,” Butler Smith reassured me.

I smiled my gratitude and followed his steps. He took me through the house completely avoiding the strangers.

We had just got to the top of a long stairwell when I heard the chatters get significantly louder.

“Where is he?!!” I heard a female voice shout.

“Where is Adrian!”

Butler Smith sighed deeply and gave me a smile.

“Please wait...I have to handle something.”

He wa

s going down the stairs when Adrian appeared, leaning on the railings at the top of the stairs.

“Cassandra Vale! You're causing a scene!”