Trading for Love

7. New Territory

Vincent POV

Charlotte was sleeping, her slow, deep breaths barely audible over the trucks engine. Twenty minutes ago she was standing in Andres entryway with a gun leveled at me and now she was asleep as we were headed for my country home. She was either a psychopath or relieved to be away from Anthony. At this rate it was a toss up considering she had also agreed to fake a marriage with me.

My standings as the Don had been firmly placed for years, but as I had neared thirty there has been talk in the underbosses that I was not grounded enough, my lack of a love life becoming more than just a hushed whisper at this point. I was getting pressure from everyone to take a wife, settle down to make the next generation of mafia bosse. That was everything I didn't need right now.

After the death of Mother and Father five years ago, there had been a lot to deal with and many attempted uprising to squash before I settled into the position. On top of all of that there was the matter of Evelyn. She had just turned twelve and has spent the better part of the year causing me more headaches than anyone else. Her therapist had said it was just her acting out after our parents death but she needed a serious reality check. I'd spent more than I had ever thought possible to send her to some of the best boarding schools money could buy just so she could have a chance to get away from this life. She deserved a chance to grow up normal but every school she ended up at, ended in disaster.

Her latest stunt being flooding the third floor dorm bathrooms and dumping a gallon of red dye in it. I'd cut the school a check large enough to replace the whole building to keep them from pressing charges after expelling Evelyn. She'd smiled like the cat that caught the canary the whole way home, nothing I said phasing her in the slightest. With summer so close I had refrained from enrolling her anywhere else, hoping some fresh air and time away would help her get a new perspective on life.

The sight of the front gates coming into view brought me back to the present. I eased into the drive, stopping long enough to enter the gate code before passing under the stone archway they were connected to. The drive way curved, creating a loop in front of the house.

My father had designed the house to be regal as well as intimidating. Plain white siding with red shutters on the windows. It was three stories tall, stone pillars going to the roof covering the white marble porch. Inside there were fifteen bedrooms and bathrooms, an industrial kitchen, a formal dining room, a movie theater, a home office and library, a home gym, servants quarters, and even a ballroom that was currently serving as a meeting room more often than not. I'd kept the home staffed year round so it was properly maintained, even when I was pulled away to my city penthouse. In the backyard was a six stall garage, a pool with a stone waterfall, slide and diving board, stables for the horses and a fenced arena. Beyond that was acres upon acres of pastures and woods. It was our own little slice of heaven.

I parked Charlottes truck by the front door, killing the engine. Mitch and Heath rolled in behind us in the Suburban. I turned, taking in Charlotte as she slept. She had been guarded while at Andres, her emotions hidden behind a mask. That mask was gone now that she was asleep. She looked at peace, her long lashes brushing her cheeks. There were dark circles under her eyes that had been less pronounced before but in the evening sun streaming through the truck windows, they were clearly defined against her pale skin. She had a pale smattering of freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her long ponytail hung over her shoulder, following the curve of her neck down her chest. She had the perfect curves, that much was apparent even under her hole ridden jeans and baggy t-shirt. She had a gentle hourglass figure that dipped and curved in all the right places. How someone as gorgeous as her ended up almost married to Anthony was beyond me.

I climbed out of the truck as Mitch and Heath walked up, Mitch with Charlottes duffel slung across his shoulder. He'd mentioned needing to talk back at Andres but by his tone, it was a conversation best left for when Charlotte wasn't around.

" How's she doing?" Mitch asked nodding toward the truck.

" She's asleep." Mitch and Heaths eyebrows both shot up, exchanging a glance before looking back at me. Before they could ask anymore questions I wasn't in the mood to answer I cut them off.

" Take her things to the guest room next to mine. She can sleep there for now." Mitch and Heath both nodded to me before turning toward the mansion, unspoken questions dieing on their lips. They had only made it a couple of steps before I called after them.

" Not a word to anyone about the true nature of her arrival." Mitch and Heath both nodded again as they walked on. Of all the men under my command, those two were my most trusted guards and I knew without a doubt they would follow my orders to the letter.

I walked around the truck, slowly pulling Charlottes door open. She was still passed out against the seat, her cheek resting against the headrest. I reached around her, unclipping the belt. Slowly, I slid my arms around her, doing my best not to wake her as I pulled her against my chest. As I picked her up a small grumble escaped Charlottes lips before she sighed, snuggling against me. Her tiny hand knotted in the front of my shirt as I lifted her, carrying her bridal style toward the front door. I felt my heart soar for a moment before I caught myself, shoving the feeling down. I couldn't get attached to Charlotte. She was here to get the underbosses off my back. The moment I became attached to her she would become a liability and a weakness. I couldn't let that happen. Not now, not ever.