Vow

two - taylor

Drew: He's all settled in 

Sighing to myself, I turned off my phone and sat back in my chair. I couldn't focus knowing that there was a new person in my house, even though I'd arranged, approved, and sent him off there myself. It was strange to know I hadn't locked everyone out to arms length.

But I needed this. As much as I hadn't wanted to admit it, Scott was right. Shit in the city was getting rocky and people were starting to realize that I wasn't out to help anyone but myself. Something they should have noticed a lot earlier, but it was losing me opportunities. Marrying someone from a rival family was going to work like a charm.

I only hoped I could pull it off. I knew Travis could; pay someone enough and they'll do anything. But I wasn't sure my acting skills were up to par. I played the dominant mafia queen day after day, but that came naturally. A loving girlfriend? That Taylor had died years ago.

Pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I turned back to my computer and messaged back the contact I had who was going to get me some believable wedding rings. I'd already had our marriage license done, and the next thing to do was actually get married. God. We'd have to actually have a wedding, but I was insisting on no one there but the essential witnesses. Only enough to make it legal. For discussion purposes, we'd say it was a private affair.

After a few more hours of procrastinating the eventual act of having to go home, I finally made myself do it. Drew drove me back without a word, and even though I knew he wanted to say something, I knew the stony expression on my face stopped him if nothing else did. He just wished me good night like he always did, waiting until I went inside before going to lock the gates.

When I walked into my house, I could just feel the presence of someone else. Then I heard sounds from the kitchen and walked down, turning the corner to find Travis by the stove, cooking and talking to Benji, who was sitting on the counter. Meredith and Olivia were still in their hanging cat beds in the living room, and when I glanced over at them I saw that they looked about as happy with the situation as I felt. 

"Cats like fish right?" Travis said, and I looked over to see him feeding a sliver of salmon to Benji.

"You'll upset his stomach." I snapped, making Travis jump and look around. He obviously hadn't heard me come in. "What..." I had to stop and take a breath so I wouldn't yell at him. I'd said he could make himself at home, so I couldn't snap for him doing just that. "What are you doing?" I asked in a strained voice.

"Well I thought I'd...make dinner?" Travis suddenly seemed unsure. "I don't know, I am in your house. I figured I needed to do something."

"I'm the one paying you to be here." I pointed out, clicking my fingers at Benji. He didn't move. "Fucking betrayer." I grumbled at him. One man gives him fish and suddenly I'm not his favorite anymore. "You've won over my cat." I said grumpily, folding my arms.

Travis blinked at me, and then I realized how ridiculous I was being. I almost laughed.

Almost.

But instead, I just turned on my heel and went down to my bedroom, locking the door behind me. I'd get used to Travis; I knew I would. I was just still uncomfortable with seeing another man in my space. After my last relationship had ended in him cheating and me slitting his throat and leaving him to bleed out on a hotel bathroom floor, I wasn't really keen on sharing my space with a man again. But we didn't even need to talk to each other within these walls. It'd be fine.

I spent the evening in my room, not wanting to venture out even though it was my damn house. I might act all high and mighty but in reality I was scared of bumping into Travis. What would I even say to him?