Chapter 4 Who Are You Really

As the butler, Jax Gray, guided Caitlin up the stairs, he offered a word of warning. "Miss White, since you're new here, you haven't seen how Shawn handles things. He does not care for people who are too chatty or who get too close. You'll want to keep your distance unless it's urgent. He can't stand sweets, avoids cilantro like the plague, and only drinks his coffee black..."

Caitlin gave him a sharp look. "I'm not on his payroll. You don't have to brief me on every quirk he's got."

He pushed his glasses up his nose and said, "It would be wise to remember them, Miss White. The last three women in your position lost their lives. All because they couldn't keep their distance or made him angry. You wouldn't want to end up as number four."

Caitlin was lost in thought for a moment. Was that supposed to scare her? There was no way a butler would dare say something like that without a reason. For all the world, Shawn looked weak and soft, but this butler seemed genuinely nervous around him. Was this all a stunt to let her know who was in charge?

Jax stopped outside a room and cleared his throat. "Your room is here, Miss White."

She glanced at the door, and then glanced back. "Fine, I'm here. But where's my husband?"

"He is in the room next to yours," Jax answered.

Caitlin raised an eyebrow and replied, "No, that's not going to cut it. If my husband is sleeping somewhere, I'm going with him."

He stammered, caught off guard, "But-"

She did not wait for an answer. Instead, she brushed right past him and walked straight to Shawn's door.

"Miss White!" Jax sounded desperate, chasing after her.

Caitlin stepped inside Shawn's room without hesitation. Jax stayed out in the hallway, clearly too afraid to follow.

In Shawn's room, she took in the plain decor. For a man born into the Harris legacy, the space felt almost cold.

Over by the window, Shawn turned around and frowned at her intrusion. He fixed her with a hard, cold glare. "Leave."

Pretending he had said nothing, she marched straight over and started unpacking. Each piece of clothing went into his closet, as though she owned every inch.

She didn't bother hiding her confidence. The place already felt like hers.

Shawn's voice was low and sharp. "Your things belong next door. That's what the butler told you."

Caitlin closed the distance, leaned down, and let her fingertips glide across his jaw. "Our families have made a deal. We're practically a couple now. How can we sleep in separate beds?"

Shawn didn't flinch. His eyes glittered with something dangerous as he allowed a slow smile. "Miss White, do you have a favorite flower?"

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and grinned. "Trying to win me over already?"

He barely looked amused. "Name one. I'll make sure they're placed on your grave by next year."

As soon as he spoke, a knife glinted in his hand and sliced toward her throat.

Caitlin reacted fast, catching his wrist and twisting the weapon free.

She spun the dagger in her hand, admiring the deep blue stones on the handle. "Nice touch. Sapphires, right? Must've cost a fortune. I think I'll hold onto this as a keepsake."

Shawn's stare sharpened. That move was not something he expected.

He fixed his gaze on her. "No one from the White family fights like that. Who are you really?"

A mischievous smile spread across her face. "I'm your wife, of course."

The word dripped with so much sugar it might fool a stranger into thinking she was in love.

Shawn asked, "Is that how all White family daughters act?"

Caitlin moved in close, leaving barely an inch between them. "That's just the White family for you. Better get used to it," she teased.

Shawn studied her face, something in her gaze tugging at an old memory.

Without thinking, he reached up, shielding the lower half of her face. Those eyes reminded him of the woman in the parking lot.

A gentle kiss landed on his palm as she caught his wrist, and her free hand drifted across his chest.

The contact jolted Shawn, and he shoved her away, eyes wide. "Jax!"

Jax appeared at once, anxious and ready. "Sir?"

"Take her back to her room," Shawn barked.

"Yes, sir," Jax replied quickly, beads of sweat forming at his brow. Caitlin didn't strike him as reckless, but now he was second-guessing. "This way, Miss White."

Caitlin's fingertips had searched Shawn's upper body for a necklace.

Finding nothing, she pulled back, twirling the dagger in one hand. "Leaving now, darling."

When the door closed behind her, Maverick entered quietly. "Mr. Harris?"

"Get everything you can on her. I want the full report tonight," Shawn said coldly.

"Yes, sir. I'll handle it right away."

Down the hall, Jax ushered Caitlin to the room next door. "Miss White, you'll find gowns and sleepwear in the closet. Please don't leave this room tonight."

She barely glanced back. "Sure thing," she said, shutting the door with a flick of her wrist.

Alone, Caitlin crossed the room, unlatched the window, and let a cold breeze spill in, tossing her hair.

She dropped onto the sofa. Before she could even settle, someone else entered without a sound.