Mrs. Vale by Contract

The drink in front of Lydia sat untouched for several minutes.

Her thumb drifted across her ring finger.

A pale line circled the skin where the ring had rested for two years.

She lifted the drink and swallowed. The burn down her throat was easier to bear than the ache in her chest.

The bartender slid the bottle away. "I'm cutting you off."

Lydia gave him a tired smile. "Please."

Tomorrow was supposed to be her wedding. A small ceremony with family and friends. She had spent months imagining it.

She lifted the glass before the tears could fall.

And this time, she didn't taste the alcohol at all.

When she finally stood, the floor tilted left, and she grabbed the bar to keep from following it.

She descended the stairs, gripping the railing.

Two men nearby noticed her.

One stepped into her path. "Easy. Where are you going?"

"Move."

Another laughed and caught her wrist.

Lydia jerked against the grip. "Let me go."

Louis Vale emerged from the private elevator with Carter. Carter's gaze immediately settled on the woman being held. "Sir."

Louis looked at him.

"That's Richard Hayes's daughter, Lydia."

Louis looked at Lydia. Her hair was dishevelled, and she could barely remain upright.

Before returning to Port Aster, Louis had Carter investigate everyone tied to Vale Group. Lydia's name was among the files.

Louis's gaze returned to the men. "Carter, help her."

Carter stepped forward. "Let her go."

One of the men scoffed. "Mind your own..."

Immediately, hotel security rushed through the doors.

The men released Lydia and went away.

Carter caught her before she fell. "Miss Hayes."

Lydia looked up. For a second, her eyes seemed to focus.

Then her lips moved. "Ryan..."

Lydia leaned heavily against Carter. "He said..."

Her words dissolved into a murmur.

Carter caught her as she swayed. "She isn't able to walk on her own."

"Bring her upstairs."

Minutes later, Lydia lay on the bed in Louis's executive suite.

Her fingers curled into the blanket.

"...wedding..."

Louis glanced at her. "find out what happened to her."

Carter nodded and left.

Louis stood by the window while rain tapped against the glass. He had no interest in her issues. He only needed to know whether anything connected to her could interfere with what he had in mind.

Carter returned later.

"Sir."

"Go on"

"Lydia Hayes was engaged to Ryan Cole and the wedding was scheduled for tomorrow."

"Was?"

"She found Ryan in bed with her stepsister, Vanessa." Louis's eyes moved briefly to the woman lying on the bed. His problem had been finding a woman suitable for the board's condition. He had spent a week without a solution. Perhaps one had just walked into his hands.

By morning, Lydia's head felt as though someone had driven a nail through it.

She opened her eyes slowly. The ceiling above her was unfamiliar.

She frowned.

This wasn't her room.

She pushed herself upright. Her hand knocked against a glass on the bedside table. It fell.

The sharp crack made her flinch.

Only a bathrobe covered her body.

Her heart began beating faster.

Where were her clothes?

Where was she?

The bathroom door opened.

A man stepped out. A white vest stretched across broad shoulders, while a towel sat securely around his waist. Damp black hair fell across his forehead.

She had no time to appreciate the looks, immediately her body moved from the bed before her mind could follow.

Her legs nearly gave way. She caught herself against the mattress and pulled the robe tightly around her.

"Who are you and how did you get in here?"

The man looked at her. "It's Louis, and the room is mine."

He said it as though that should have been enough.

Then his brows lifted slightly. "Why are you acting like you don't remember what happened last night?"