voice boomed through the speakerphone.
Jordan tapped the button on the side of his phone to turn down the volume, just the sound of his grandfather’s voice reminding him of the seriousness of the game he was about to play. Even relaxed and jovial, the power in Grandfather’s tone wasn’t missed. Jordan wondered how terrible his life would be if he just allowed the old man to disown him.
“Doing good,” he answered easily. “The chartered flight from New Zealand went smoothly. You hired a good pilot.”
“Of course,” Grandfather said, as if the thought of anyone on his staff being less than perfect had never crossed his mind. “And Miss Stone, what do you think of her?”
“Miss Stone?” Jordan asked, deciding at that moment that he would allow his time with her today and tonight to be off the clock. He would also learn if there were security cameras along the paths on the island. “Is she here?”
“She arrived on the island a few hours ago, this morning your time.”
“I’ll seek her out, then,” Jordan offered.
“Good. If she doesn’t meet your needs for a social organizer I’ll need to know within the next twenty-four hours. Princess Tory arrives tomorrow afternoon and you’ll need to give a good show for Her Highness.” Grandfather’s tone lowered, the joviality disappearing when he continued. “Jordan, this is the chance of a lifetime, boy. I hope you see that I wouldn’t do this for any of my other grandchildren.”
Then why him? He wouldn’t ask. What was the point?
“Your mother is heartbroken that you’re throwing away your Harvard degree playing ranch hand. You’re thirty years old, my boy. It’s time to grow up.”
“I’m grown up, Grandfather.”
Grandfather’s laugh bordered on dangerous. “Don’t cross me, Jordan. Anyone else in the family would kill for this opportunity. The Alixandre family is one of the most prominent Sicilian families. Their royal line dates back centuries.”
In other words, Grandfather wanted to marry Jordan into the Mob.
“Your marriage to Princess Tory will unite two of the most powerful families on this planet,” Grandfather boasted, as if the event were already sealed. “I want to hear from you immediately after you’ve met Princess Tory. Keep an open mind, boy. You already know she’s gorgeous. Take your time getting to know her and understand she will probably be terrified flying to an island away from her home to meet a man who very likely will be her future husband.”
“I know how to be a gentleman,” Jordan said, barely able to keep the disgust out of his voice. They weren’t in the Dark Ages. Arranged marriages were a thing of the past. And in spite of Grandfather stressing that all of this was his and Princess Tory’s choice, Jordan wouldn’t be surprised to learn Grandfather had already arranged where the wedding would be held.
“I’ll also be curious to hear what you think of Miss Stone,” Grandfather added.
Jordan frowned. “I’m sure she’ll be very capable of doing her job,” he said, trying to figure out Grandfather’s interest in the social organizer.
“I want to know what you think of her as a woman,” Grandfather stressed.
“Why would it matter?”
“Because she is equally as beautiful as Princess Tory.” Grandfather didn’t elaborate. “I’ve got to go, my boy. There are people waiting.” The line went dead without another word.
Jordan stared at his cell phone for a moment and pondered his grandfather’s game. He had said both women were equally beautiful. Did Grandfather believe Jordan might fall for Amber over Princess Tory?
Dropping his phone on top of his notepad, Jordan stood slowly and stretched. Grandfather would be grossly disturbed to discover he didn’t know his grandson as well as he thought he did. Jordan had no intention of falling for any woman. Not here on the island or on the ranch. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t take the time to get to know both women better. It was Grandfather’s idea to put him on this island with two women. The terms of the agreement didn’t state he had to marry at the end of the month.
Jordan wasn’t going to marry anyone. All he needed to figure out was a way to get out of the alternative if he didn’t. There was no way he could work for Anton Enterprises. His grandfather’s corporation specialized in buying out businesses and then closing their doors, dismantling them and creating new, more organized companies that answered exclusively to Anton Enterprises. No way would Jordan spend the rest of his life putting hardworking people out of jobs.
Cook was obviously put out when Jordan informed her he wouldn’t be down for dinner. After entering his room again, loitering way too long, and leaving him with a formal five-course meal on a round table that a gentleman named Jesse set up for her, Jordan was alone again. And restless.
There was no cable TV on the island, but Jordan found an extensive DVD collection under a large, flat-screen TV attached to the wall in an adjoining room to his. There was a billiards table, too. He wasted a few hours in the room before wandering outside his quarters, taking a different path through the castle and exploring a bit. The architecture was amazing, every room incredibly decorated and full of personality. It was impossible to believe there were only five people on the island right now including a staff of only three. A large staff had to have maintained this castle at one time and Jordan wondered where they were now.
A back staircase took him to a wing he hadn’t explored before. It appeared to be part of the castle used strictly to entertain. He found very large stained-glass doors that were heavy as hell, but after pulling one of them open, Jordan stared into a ballroom that made him swear he’d just been swept back to a previous century. Incredible chandeliers, each as large as a small car, hung well over his head. If he were more of a romantic, he could probably induce his imagination into seeing many couples swinging around the dance floor, moving to the music of some accomplished quartet.
There were other rooms outside the ballroom, a coatroom about the size of his bedroom upstairs, and a kitchen that would make Aunt Penelope turn green with envy. There was also a foyer, its marble floors so shiny and dust free he started wondering at the accuracy of Cook’s statement when she informed him there were only three servants on staff here.
The courtyard outside had so many flowers growing in large pots the air was filled with their perfumed scent. It was make-out central out here; with so many secluded locations, bordered with small trees and flower gardens, a couple could disappear and never be spotted by mingling guests. Something to keep in mind, he pointed out to himself. Especially if his social organizer decided to take advantage of all the castle had to offer.
It was a decent hike past the courtyard and around to the backside of the castle. The old stone barn was an ominous shadow in the darkness. But the scented air, mixed with the smell of salt from the ocean and various fragrances from tropical plants surrounding him, created a surreal atmosphere. Throw in some fog and it would be the ultimate setting for seduction and lovemaking.
Jordan always thought it would be hot as hell to fuck a willing lady in the barn back at the ranch. Unfortunately, he didn’t know many willing ladies. Mary and he had had sex a couple times over the two years he’d lived there, but both times at her apartment. Mary dreamed of big cities, yet was born and raised in a small town. She had no desire to see the wonders of his ranch, or any other ranch in the area.
Pulling his cell phone off the clasp on his belt, he checked the time. It was barely eleven; he had a good hour before Amber would show up. And he bet she’d be there. Amber was as willing to seek out an adventure as he was. He guessed she came here for more reasons than a great-paying job. Realizing he’d forgotten to Google her, he made a mental note to do that as soon as he returned to his room.
“How are you doing, girl?” Jordan asked the mare in the first stall as he entered the barn.
Not bothering with lights, he moved through the large structure, stroking the brown