THE MAN SHE WAS WARNED ABOUT
910 Words
The Halcyon was the kind of Manhattan club that didn't bother putting its name on the door.
Mia Summers was already waiting inside when Avery arrived, her dark curls piled on top of her head and guilt written across her face.
“Before you say anything,” Mia began, “I am a terrible friend.”
“Agreed.”
“And I'm sorry about the yacht.”
“Also agreed.”
Mia caught her hand. “Seriously. I looked everywhere after you vanished. Was something wrong?”
Avery could still feel the stranger's fingers closing around her wrist. She forced herself to breathe evenly.
“There was an incident,” she said. “Security got involved. I'm okay.”
“An incident?”
“I'll tell you when I've worked out what happened.”
Mia studied her face and, wisely, didn't push.
“So why did you drag me here?”
Avery leaned closer. “Because apparently I'm marrying Adrian Blackwood.”
Mia stared.
Then she laughed.
When Avery didn't join in, her smile fell away.
“Oh, Avery.”
“That's almost exactly what I said.”
Mia's gaze flicked over Avery's shoulder. Her eyes widened.
“Please tell me you know what you're doing.”
Avery turned.
A man had entered the club with two others. The room changed around him—not dramatically, not all at once, but enough. People stepped aside. Conversations lowered. A server abandoned an order to greet him.
Adrian Blackwood wore a charcoal suit without a tie. He was taller than Avery expected, and much younger than the newspaper profiles made him sound. His expression suggested he found the world disappointing but was willing to tolerate it for another hour.
There was a white bandage wrapped around his right hand.
Avery's pulse skipped.
She remembered the crash of the decanter. The shadow of a hand reaching for her.
No, she told herself. Half the men in this city wore dark suits. A bandage didn't prove anything.
“Miss Bennett.”
He had crossed the room without her noticing.
His voice sent a chill through her.
She stood. “Mr. Blackwood.”
He looked at Mia, then back at Avery. “I asked for a private meeting.”
“And I asked for answers. My friend stays.”
One eyebrow moved. It was the only hint of surprise he allowed himself.
“Very well.”
They took a corner table away from the music. Adrian declined the drinks menu. Avery ordered sparkling water, then folded her hands to stop herself looking at his bandage.
“Your family needs money,” he said, dispensing with introductions. “Mine can provide it.”
“And you need a wife.”
“I need a marriage.”
“Interesting distinction.”
He studied her in silence.
Avery leaned forward. “Why me?”
“Your name.”
“My name isn't special.”
“To me, it is.”
She waited for an explanation. None came.
“You understand how alarming that sounds, don't you?”
“I'm not asking you to love me, Miss Bennett.”
“Good. That would make two of us.”
Mia coughed into her water glass.
Adrian's mouth almost curved. Almost.
“This would be a public arrangement,” he continued. “Specific obligations. A specified term. Legal representation for both parties.”
“Am I allowed to say no?”
He did not answer immediately.
That told her more than a yes would have.
“Your stepmother has made her position clear,” he said at last.
“I'm asking for yours.”
Adrian sat back. “You can refuse the marriage. I won't have someone forced down the aisle on my account.”
“Then guarantee my brother's care whether I marry you or not.”
Something hardened in his face.
“The funding proposal is connected to the transaction.”
“Then you can call it a choice all you like. You're still helping her put a price on my brother's life.”
Across the table, Mia went utterly still.
Adrian looked at Avery for a long moment. “You don't know the full story.”
“Then tell me.”
“Not here.”
“Convenient.”
He slid a cream-colored card across the table. It bore an address in East Hampton.
“Come to my family estate tomorrow. Bring an attorney if you prefer. We'll discuss the terms, and I'll show you the documentation concerning your brother's treatment.”
Avery picked up the card. “And if I decide you're lying?”
“Then we have a different conversation.”
When he stood, she saw his injured hand again.
“The bandage,” she said before she could stop herself. “What happened?”
For the first time, Adrian seemed genuinely caught off guard.
“An accident.”
“At sea?”
Silence stretched between them.
His gaze sharpened. “Why would you ask that?”
Avery forced a small smile. “Just a guess.”
He regarded her for another beat, then walked away.
Mia waited until he was out of earshot.
“Okay,” she whispered. “I'm officially terrified of your fiancé.”
Avery watched the place where Adrian had disappeared.
So was she.
Not because of his money. Or his reputation.
Because she had heard that voice before, in a dark room where she had thought no one would hear her scream.
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