Although he’d been kinder to her than his twin had, that scar made him darker and harder around the edges, less approachable.

She jumped when the door opened—no knock this time. He stood framed in the doorway, like death had come to claim her. Faith tried to calm her breathing, but he never looked at her calmly. It was always with an intensity that made her afraid to breathe, to exist. As if she needed to be very still and quiet to stay safe.

He strode across the room so fast she couldn’t stop herself from cringing. When he reached her, he placed a small box on the desk. It looked like a jewelry box.

“Open it,” he growled when she just stared at it.

What could be inside a jewelry box? Jewelry was the obvious answer, but Faith couldn’t think of a reason her captor would give her any kind of jewelry.

Her hand trembled as she reached out and opened the box. She couldn’t help the gasp. What a rock.

“W-what is this?”

“Haven’t you ever seen an engagement ring before?”

“Y-yes, but…”

Before she could go any further, he stopped her with a speech he’d obviously prepared.

“My family will be here next weekend for the Christmas holidays. You’re going to pretend to be my fiancée during that time. Put the ring on.” It wasn’t a request.

“I-I… w-what will happen? W-what will you do?”

“Do you find me that repulsive?”

“N-no.” She shrank from the disappointed look on his face. Every time she ended a sentence now, he got that look.

“You won’t have to worry about sex. You’ll continue to sleep on this end of the house. My mother is pretty religious and wouldn’t be pleased with us sharing a room. You just have to pretend you’re in love with me when we’re all together. The most you’ll be subjected to is holding hands and a few kisses.”

“I…”

“Put the ring on. Now.”

His voice had taken on that edge again, and she scrambled to obey his request. She was surprised when it fit.

“T-this must have cost a fortune,” she breathed, almost caught up in the fantasy. For a brief moment, she could see the room and the tree and the ring and imagine this was some romantic proposal from a rich boyfriend right before Christmas. But only for a moment. Then she was brought back to the reality of her situation—this man she didn’t know and couldn’t trust, who might snap and do anything to her at any moment.

“It was quite expensive, yes. But my family would never buy the ruse if it wasn’t. They know me too well. Now will you do as I asked and pretend we’re engaged? I should warn you, if the true nature of your stay with me should come out, you will disappear. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Y-yes,” she whispered. The casual way he spoke of killing her was exactly why she was so afraid. His moral compass had a crooked arrow.