The inside of Clint’s car was cool, and her legs shivered as she slid across the leather. She hadn’t been shown a photo of him, just told that her husband’s name was Clint Sage and he owned a company that did consultant work. She hadn’t been told that her husband would have enough wealth to have such a car, in fact, they’d told her little else.

He had hair that was a soft brown, trimmed neatly, and clean shaven, almost military short, which had frightened her at first sight. It reminded her too much of home. His eyes were a deep blue like she’d never seen before, and for being as wealthy as he appeared to be, he obviously found time for other more personal pursuits, because she could see his firm muscles bulge under his fitted flannel shirt.

He ducked into the car after her and sat comfortably, used to the opulent trappings. Though he didn’t sit close, his knee rubbed against her thigh as the driver came around and closed the door for him. The noise outside was immediately silenced as it clicked shut. Soft blue light illuminated the inside of the car, as the windows were darkly tinted and most of the outside light never made it in.

“We’re alone now.” His voice was low and gravely, husky, like he was trying to seduce her. But why? He didn’t need to. She’d signed a contract saying by all rights, she was his, in every way.

“The driver can’t hear a thing once he’s back in the car. I know you’re not from Wyoming. How about you tell me the truth?”

She bit her lip, knowing even the action would give away that she kept a secret. She’d been keeping secrets so long it was second nature and she wouldn’t tell him anything unless she was forced to. The less he really knew about her, the better for him. She had to protect herself, and him, and the best way was to hold her tongue. If she did, her new husband would be safe too. Her brother was ruthless, and it was never her intent to put this husband in danger. If she hid her tracks well, he never would be.

“I’ve only lived in Wyoming for a short time, but it is where I’m from.” She refused to turn to him or he might see her lie. She’d never set foot in Wyoming until that day when the agency had to book a rushed flight for her to meet him and set up arrangements for them to wed.

“And do you have family and friends here we can visit, or invite to the wedding?”

The agency hadn’t warned her he might be suspicious. They’d made it sound easy, show up, marry him. Happily ever after. Like a fairy tale.

“Is this a test?” Her heart raced. She hated lying, but her life depended on it. “I have no family left. I keep to myself, which is why I need a service to find a husband. Now you know everything.”

He actually knew nothing at all, but she’d keep him blissfully unaware if possible. The service had told her he would be so enamored of her upon meeting that he would whisk her off to marry immediately and her troubles would be over. Now, she wasn’t so sure. He squinted at her, trying to catch her eye and his firm lips held tight in a strong line of disapproval.

The agency had warned her she’d better not get returned… His satisfaction was guaranteed.

“Shall we start over?” Margaret turned her legs so she faced him, making sure she brushed his knee with hers and held out her hand. If she was going to lie to him, best make it the biggest, but most believable she could, and use every resource she had. “I’m Margaret Hawk. I am from Barnes, Wyoming, but originally, my family came from Russia. I’ve lived here most of my life. I enjoy riding horses and dancing.” That, too, was a lie. She’d never been in Russia in her life. But he could never connect her to Ukraine, the fewer people who knew her secret, the less likely she would ever be found. This American wouldn’t know the difference between Russia and Ukraine.

He waited until she was done and stared at her as if he wasn’t sure whether to trust her or not. After an uncomfortable moment, he shook her hand, though he didn’t grasp it as she expected, and she didn’t know whether he truly believed her.

“I’m Clint Sage. Don’t ever lie to me, especially to my face, nothing will get me angry faster. I enjoy riding, but I enjoy fast cars more. I’ve never danced sober. I live in New York, but I do own a ranch in Texas and I go there to get away when I can. I have horses.”

She hadn’t been able to ride for a year, and she’d given up the photo to commemorate it. Life had taken a terrible turn after her parents died in an airplane crash, months before. Her brother had become violent afterwards, even insinuating that the crash had been caused by some rival military group. She’d always tried to ignore him. The less she knew about her brother’s plans, the better.

“Good. See, we have a beginning.” She tried to smile, but his lack of warmth and abundance of suspicion was as daunting as getting into the US had been.

He regarded her slowly, from her knees to her eyes and back again. The urge to cover herself screamed in her head and if anyone else had looked at her like that, he’d get a palm to the nose.

“There’s no way you should need any help finding a husband. I have my doubts about why you’re here.” He crossed his arms and his clothes suddenly were incongruous with his manner. He was all business, while his clothes were relaxed.

“I don’t see how you could know that after a five-minute chat. If we’re talking about looks only, I could say the same for you. You should have no reason to pay for a bride.” She bit her tongue and flinched back, covering her face with her arm. Her brother would’ve slapped her for less, and blocking the blows had become natural, even months later.

“Hey,” he said, suddenly relaxed, almost soothing, “I’m not going to do anything to you.” He pulled her arm down, his eyes filled with worry. “What was that all about?” Concern poured off him like a heavenly perfume.

She slid farther away from him, still in self-preservation mode. “Nothing. I’m sorry. Sometimes I let my mouth get the better of me.”

“So far, I think your mouth is one of your best parts.” He laughed. “I don’t know anything about you, and that’s the only way to find out.” He pressed a button on the armrest of the chair. “Patton, I’m ready to go.”

“Yes, sir.” came a voice from a speaker above her head.

“Patton is my driver. He’s been with me for quite a few years. As long as you’re with me, he’ll take you anywhere you need to go.”

He was uncomfortable, talking just to make noise. His laugh wasn’t full, or usual, it was the laugh men made to fill up uncomfortable space. She knew it well. It was the laugh the foreign consulate had given her when she’d requested help. No one wanted to take on her brother.

She breathed deeply. “You don’t believe in arranged marriages. You don’t trust me. Why did you do this if you’re so skeptical?” She slid closer to the door and tried to see out the darkly tinted window, still unsure about Clint and wishing she hadn’t signed any contract, or that she could at least back out on this one.

She dashed a glance back at him as he scratched his lightly stubbled chin and stared at her. “I’ve gone around and around with women who get angry when I can’t attend to them every minute. If I don’t pay them the right compliment at the right time, or take them to all the right shows, buy the right clothes or jewelry, or send money to anyone they ask…well, they become disinterested quickly. Very few people want to be with me for who I am. Even you, signed up to be a bride, but only for the wealthiest of men. Don’t tell me you’d jump into an arranged marriage with just anyone, either. If I was Joe Construction Worker on one of my sites, you wouldn’t take a second glance.”

She frowned and tried to understand where he’d gotten that idea. She knew the bridal service was expensive, but they never discussed how much, and they never made any assurances that the men would be wealthy.

“I have no idea what you do exactly or how much money you make. We weren’t told such things. Only that the service is expensive so only those who are serious, will apply.”

He shook his head and heaved a dry laugh. “Only those who are serious? You have no idea what I had to pay to have you in my car right now.”

His words made her feel like a whore and she tugged her sweater across her chest to cover more of her. She loved attention, craved it, but on her terms.

“And if you return me, will you get your money back?” Since he seemed to be headed in that direction anyway, she might as well know.

“Why do you care? Do you want to go back?” He tilted his head to look in her eyes, but she only met his gaze for a moment. She’d never been able to look someone in the eyes and lie, it was why she’d had to leave her home in the first place.

“Never.”

“Well, then. I guess we’re stuck with one another.”