Chapter 8%
Gunner’s POV
After Sloane left, I called her number over and over. But damn it, it just went straight to voicemail. I sent her hundreds of messages! But all of them just seemed to have disappeared into the fucking void.
Brandi’s POV
I couldn’t stop replaying last night in my head–the way I lost myself in it. I wasn’t ready to let go of that pleasure just yet.”
But then I remembered, ‘Tonight, I’d finally meet the heir of the Carnegies!‘}
And just like that, whatever disappointment I’d felt vanished.}
The marks all over my face? They didn’t bother me one bit. If anything, they made me feel wanted. Satisfied. A little extra concealer and no one would notice.
The Bloombergs had money, sure–but not as much as the Carnegies had. This grand party was unlike anything we’d seen before.> Still, the moment I walked in, all eyes were on me. Everyone in Los Angeles knew: the Carnegies sole heir had snatched up everything the eldest daughter of Mr. Bloomberg liked and gave it to her sister.}
People whispered. Apparently, the Carnegies sole heir had dated all kinds of women, and now he was into the “quiet and sweet” type. No one really got it, but whatever. His taste, his choice.
I held my head high, shoulders back, already carrying myself like the future wife of the Carnegies sole heir.
“And now, please welcome Mr. Darrell, the Carnegies sole heir!“}
The second a guy walked in, I lifted my gown and ran to him.” “Mr. Carnegie!“}
But then… he frowned, like he didn’t recognize me at all.)
“Who are you? And how the hell did a face like yours get through the door?“>
I flinched, but I smiled anyway. “It’s me–Brandi! The one you sent gifts to! D–Don’t you remember?“}
‘What the hell’s going on? Shit… This is freaking me out!‘}
Luckily, Darrell seemed to remember something.}
“Oh, you.” But he paused. “I don’t know you. But my dad’s third brother does. He sent those, not me. Speak of the devil–Uncle, you’re here!“}
That title hit me like ice water. ‘Third Uncle? That’s the man who sent all those gifts? No freaking way!‘
I turned–and there he was.
“Gunner?”
Something suddenly clicked in my head.”
“You… You’re the third son?!“}
! lit up, walking toward him like nothing had happened. ‘Wasn’t everyone saying the third looked like a monster?‘
“I–I’m sorry, Gunner. I didn’t know it was you. If I’d known… I never would’ve turned you down.“”
But he barely looked at me.”
“You’re mistaken, Miss Brandi.”
My smile faltered. “What are you talking about? Last night we were just-“}
“Miss Brandi,” he cut in. “Please don’t make baseless claims. I didn’t propose for myself. I sent the proposal to find a wife for my driver.”
I stared at him, my voice trembling. “Gunner, what are you talking about? I’m Brandi–it’s me!”
I tried to reach for him, but he stepped back like my touch burned. And then–another man stepped beside me. His face… was horribly scarred!
I screamed. “No! No! Get away from me! Freak!”
“Aw, come on, babe,” the ugly man said. “Didn’t I make you feel good last night? You sure were loud. I even recorded it.“8
Suddenly, the giant screen lit up. Me. In bed. Twisting, moaning, completely undone… The lights had been off. I hadn’t seen the man’s face clearly. I’d been so sure it was Gunner. Oh, god.M
But the camera never left my face. Even in the low light, it was obvious. It was me. Unmistakable.
“No! Get the fuck away from me! Who the fuck are you?! That’s not–Gunner, tell them! It was you last night! You started it! Please! Gunner, say something!
But he didn’t even look at me again. He turned, grabbed my arm, and dragged me straight to the registry office… where he really married me off to his fucking driver!
I swear, that was the end of me.2
11:18 AM MM
Gunner’s POV
“Take me to San Francisco.”
