Read Online Chayton by Danielle Bourdon - Free Book Online

whenever he traveled for just this reason: he might need to make a quick exit, and the less he had to pack, the better.
    The hair dryer blared to life just as he put the last pair of socks atop the stack. He glanced at the bathroom door, then reached for his phone when it beeped. That hadn't even taken the ten minutes he'd guessed.
    “Mattias,” Chayton said, without bothering to glance at the caller identification. He knew who it was.
    “I just heard the most incredible story,” Mattias said by way of hello.
    “It's true.”
    “As your friend of many years and a member of the Elite, I have to ask—are you positive about this, Chayton?”
    “I think it's the best way to keep her safe. We'll attend a few soirees, show up at a ball or two, until Bertini can't deny the inevitable and moves on. Once he does, and once his attention is fully diverted, we'll simply get an annulment. Easy.” Chayton paced to the window, looking out at the expansive cityscape bathed in late afternoon sunlight.
    “I hope you're inwardly as sure as you sound over the phone. This is a huge step, especially if you're not going to make time for a pre-nup. You're putting a lot on the line anyway.”
    “I believe her. She didn't jump on marriage—in fact, she was wary when I brought it up. She agreed, but in that halting, am I doing the right thing kind of way. She's not after my money, I'd bet my stake in the family empire on it.”
    “What gets me is that I can totally see Ahsan doing something like this, but not you. You're always the voice of reason and clarity. That's why I know you won't mind if I do some extra background digging.”
    Chayton rumbled a quiet laugh. “I expect you all to do that, yes. Dig. See what you find. I don't know her last name yet, so I can't help you there.”
    “Did you ask if she was pregnant?”
    “No. She said she's never been with Bertini, so I doubt that's an issue.”
    “What if she's lying?”
    “I feel confident she's telling me the truth. It's just instinct. Her tone, expression, actions—they all enforce the story she told.”
    “If you have even a sliver of doubt all of a sudden, don't hesitate to call it off. And I've cleared the jet, we can leave any time. Just give us a couple hours notice.”
    Chayton heard the open skepticism in Mattias's voice, the concern and worry. Oddly, he wasn't worried at all. The dryer cut off in the bathroom. Chayton twisted a look toward the door, then faced the window again.
    “I'll find out in the next half hour what the plans are and I'll contact you. Thanks, Mattias.”
    “Any time, brother.”
    After the call, Chayton slid the phone back into his pocket. He turned just in time to see Kate exiting the bathroom. The jeans and baby blue eyelet shirt enhanced Kate's delicate femininity. She had one of those figures that made most men look twice. Chayton tried to ignore the smooth skin above the scooped neckline, the hint of collarbone disappearing under the material, and how he had the strange desire to skim his fingers along the slender column of her throat. He met her eyes.
    “Feel better?” he asked.
    “Much better, thank you. I used your little shampoo and conditioner, I hope you don't mind.” She lifted a hand to touch the wayward strands of blonde hair that she'd affixed into a messy knot.
    “Of course I don't mind. Have you given any thought to where you want to do this? There's a jet standing by is why I ask. We need to give them a couple hours notice before take off.” He leaned the back of his hips against a desk and crossed his arms over his chest.
    “Well. I can't seem to decide if we should 'fake' a small ceremony, or just call in an official. But I do think we should do it back in the states.”
    “If we got all dressed up, we can have someone take photos and pass one or two out to the media. That should get his attention faster than word of mouth.”
    “It should. You won't mind people finding out you're 'married', only to have an