She was beautiful.
Catherine Kennedy was everything Garrett Byrne ever looked for in a woman. She was a rich heiress and she was gorgeous.
He had to admit that he had had doubts after his friends led him to believe someone else was Catherine. But this woman was so much more. She was flawless in every way.
Her golden hair radiated off her head and graced her perfect face. He had never seen such a beautiful woman in all his life, which was saying something because they had come in contact with many beautiful young girls who were now married to members of The Abduction Club.
He knew he was only marrying her for the sole purpose of her money, since he was entitled to nothing, but even still, he desired her love. He wanted her to actually love him.
"Now that, I could live with," he remarked to his friends, James Strang and Knox.
"I told you," Knox stated. "She's a beauty."
Byrne kept his eyes on her as he said, "Knox, keep an eye on the father, would you? If he starts getting close, engage him in conversation."
"You can rely on me, Byrne!" Knox took off to go fulfill his duties for his friend.
"I don't know why you bother with him," Strang said.
"Oh, he's harmless."
And that's when an angel came into Strang's sight.
He froze. "Who is that with her?"
She was truly angelic in every way. Byrne could have Catherine. She wasn't his type. He knew this was Byrne's abduction, which meant he couldn't interfere at all, but he couldn't help himself. That girl was absolutely beautiful. She was wearing a black ribbon around her neck and had golden hair like her sister. She seemed more spirited, and Strang liked that in a woman. He could feel his heart start to hammer in his chest at the thought of talking to her. After all, if Byrne was to have Catherine for his wife, this girl would be in the picture too.
All thoughts left Strang's mind. While Byrne had looked at Catherine one way, he was looking at this girl in a totally different way. He wanted to get to know her. He wanted her love.
No. He couldn't think that way. This wasn't his abduction. He would have to wait his turn.
But by that time, that girl could already be off and married to some other gentleman. Just the mere idea of her with another man twisted his insides.
He continued to stare at her perfect features. She had wonderful smile that was more carefree than Catherine's. Her face made him wonder what he had been missing all his life, as he had never got picked for an abduction yet, and did not know the feeling one got, the rush that came with it, and the thrill of the beloved saying yes to the marriage.
He wanted her so much. She was perfect.
"Don't even think about it, Strang," Byrne said, knocking him out of his thoughts. "You're only here to make me look good."