Ruined in Vows (Marchetti Family #3)

1. Thalia

Chapter 1

Thalia

E xcitement courses through me as I spot the imposing sign on the brick wall.

Rhodes Farms .

The place I have wanted to train ever since I watched Mr. Theodore Rhodes, himself, compete at the Global tour in New York a few years back. I was mesmerized by him. The way he rode. The way he was at one with his horse. His riding was an art form. He won the whole competition, and I knew then I wanted to be just like him.

Theodore Rhodes is the number one show jumper in the world and the one person who can help me achieve my show jumping dreams. He won individual and team gold at the last Olympics - his third time competing for Team USA.

After much discussion—and begging on my behalf—my parents agreed to let me train with him, with the stipulation that I finish high school first. Of course, I agreed, and I graduated from St. Constantine’s private all-girls school a couple weeks ago. Now my journey can really start. I will be a showjumper. I will prove to my parents that this is what I want.

We pull through the wrought iron gates. I scan the area through the blacked-out SUV windows, taking in the lush green grass and palm tree lined drive before the barn comes into view. I smile knowing I am going to see my horses in just a couple more minutes.

Zeus and Lolly.

I have had them for a couple years now, competing on the East Coast whenever I had the chance between modelling, filming, and school. I want to take the next step now and that can only happen if I get the right trainer.

Coming to a stop, I open the door before the driver gets the chance to do it for me and hop out. I hear my father’s stern voice but that doesn’t stop me as I race toward the stalls. I have never gone this long without seeing my horses, so the excitement is real. Spotting a woman, I come to a halt.

“Hey, do you know where my horses are? Zeus and Lolly?” Her eyes widen before she composes herself.

“You’re Thalia Maxwell?” I nod in confirmation. It's only when her mouth gapes that I remember what my name means.

Thalia Maxwell, daughterto the owner of the world’s biggest diamond and jewelry corporation, Christian Maxwell III, and America’s sweetheart, movie star, Elena Maxwell. She straightens, clears her throat. I frown. I don’t want to be treated any differently from anyone else here.

“Uhh, yeah. Follow me.” She spins on her heel, and I follow her lead. “I’m Tessa by the way. Barn manager at Rhodes Farms.”

“Hey,” I reply. She glances over her shoulder with a small smile then carries on to my horses’ stalls. She comes to a stop at a door. I peek over, smiling when I see Zeus. He is gray in color and around 16.2 hands, big compared to my five-foot six height. Spotting me, he neighs. I open the door, strolling in and wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Hey boy. Did you miss me?” I ask even though he can’t reply.

“Zeus and Lolly have been very well looked after,” Tessa says. I glance over at her and smile.

“Thank you. This is the longest I have gone without seeing them,” I tell her. Both my horses were transported from New York to Florida over a month ago. I know it sounds cliché, but I have been lost without them.

“Lolly is next door,” Tessa adds. I release Zeus and make my way to Lolly. I grin at my girl. She is around 16 hands and brown in color with a black mane and tail. She is beautiful. Opening the stall door, I walk in and wrap my arms around her just the same as I did with Zeus. I breathe her in, breathe in the smell of horses.

It feels like home.

I hear footsteps approach and I know it is my father. My mom couldn’t make it today, as she is on location for a new movie she is filming.

“Thalia?” I release Lolly, stepping out of the stall to find my father with his cell in hand and a frown marring his face.

“Here, Daddy.” He glances up at me with a smile.

“Come. Mr. Rhodes is in his office.” I swallow down my nerves as I follow my father. I have never met Theodore Rhodes in person, but I have seen pictures. He is known as the hottest guy in show jumping and it is not hard to see why. With his dark hair, striking blue eyes, and chiseled features, he is a god. Beautiful. I have been around good-looking men, worked with them on several modelling campaigns, but Theodore Rhodes beats them all. Unfortunately for all women that covet him, he isn’t single. He has been with his girlfriend for six years and as far as I know, there has never been any rumors of him being unfaithful. Not like you would be if you were dating British socialite, Melody Whitworth. With her blond hair and brown eyes, she is gorgeous and together, they look like the picture-perfect couple.

Coming to a stop at a big oak door, my father knocks. A few seconds later a deep male voice responds, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Come in.” My father pushes the door open before stepping through. I follow behind him only to come to a stop when I spot the man behind the desk. My breath hitches. I swallow.

Hard.

Jesus. Pictures do not do this man justice. In person, he is even more god-like. Noticing my stare, he clears his throat and holds out his hand for me to take. “You must be Thalia?” My cheeks heat in embarrassment at being caught ogling him. I take his hand.

“Yes,” I breathe. He smirks. A smirk I feel right down to my…pussy? I frown, stunned by my reaction. This never happens to me. I have never been interested in men, choosing to focus on my horses, yet for some reason, this stranger has my stomach in knots with lust.

This is bad. Really bad.

The guy is not only in a long-term relationship but is twelve years older than me. I glance at my father who would, for sure, have me back on our jet and back to the East Coast if he heard my thoughts right now. Being the baby of the family, I am my father’s little princess. The good girl. Never had a boyfriend and I am sure he would like to keep it that way. My father takes a seat, dragging me out of my thoughts.

“Nice to meet you, Thalia. I’m Theo, but I am sure you already knew that,” He says smugly, releasing my hand. The instant loss leaves me cold. I shake my head trying to compose myself.

“Nice to meet you, Theo,” I say in a voice I don’t quite recognize. I need to get it together before my dad realizes something is wrong. And anyway, Theo is way out of my league. A grown man with a girlfriend who I am sure has no interest in me other than training. I am a paying trainee. He is my trainer. I chant the words silently to myself, reminding myself to keep my head in the game and off this glorious specimen in front of me. He smiles once more before rounding his desk and taking a seat.

“So, Mr. Maxwell—” My father holds his hand up to stop him.

“Please, call me Christian.” He nods before carrying on.

“Christian, I know we spoke in detail before about Thalia’s ambitions and what she is looking to achieve from training with me. We discussed her accomplishments so far and that she is now looking to step up a level, move up the ranks.” Theo’s gaze moves to me. I blush at the intensity in his blue eyes. “Is that correct Thalia?”

Clearing my throat, I nod. “Yes. I have followed your career for a long time now, Mr. Rhode’s…” I trail off at the look on Theo’s face.

“Please call me Theo. If you are going to be training with me, I would rather we be informal with each other. Mr. Rhodes is far too formal when we will be working closely.”

I nod. “Like I was saying, I have been following your career for a long time now, Theo. Your performance at the Beijing Olympics was extraordinary. It is what inspired me to want to do more. To be better. I have wanted to train with you for a long time, but I needed to finish school.”

Theo’s eyes light up at my hero worship and my tummy flutters with excitement that I have pleased him. “I want to compete at a higher level. Do the tours in Europe. Maybe make the nations cup teams. I understand I have a long way to go but I am willing to do what it takes.” I feel my father’s stare at my speech, but my eyes stay locked on Theo’s. My gaze drops to his lips when I see them twitch.

“You are passionate, Thalia; I will give you that. But I need you to understand the work that will go into getting you to that level. It does not and will not happen overnight. Show jumping is one of the toughest sports.” I frown at his words, but he continues. “But with your parents’ backing, I think you have as good a chance as any. Show jumping is also a money sport, you have that. Your father has already informed me that you will have your parents full support in whatever we need to do to get you to where you want to be.”

“Whatever it takes,” my father cuts in. Theo nods.

“I have schooled both your horses and studied videos of you competing. While they are both nice horses, they are average at best. They need to be exceptional to compete at the level you want to.” My jaw clenches, fists ball at the audacity of this man. How dare he speak about my horses this way. Before I can stop myself, the words tumble out of me.

“My horses are just fine. They may not be competing at top level yet, but they can,” I hiss. I feel my dad’s eyes on me, but I don’t move my gaze from Theo. Something flashes in his eyes, his lips curving into a smirk.

“Thalia,” my father warns. Being childish, I shoot Theo an indignant look before he carries on like the arrogant asshole he apparently is.

“As I was saying. While they are both nice animals, I feel that to compete at top level, you need a top-level horse. Fortunately for you, I do have one in mind and although the owners aren’t desperate to sell, I have it on good authority from the current rider that they are willing to allow you the chance to view and purchase him. We will need to be discreet, but I think it will be the perfect horse for what you are looking to do.” Theo glances at my father then back to me.

“You know my position, Theo; I am willing to spend the money to get my princess,” I cringe at my dad calling me that in front of this man, “to where she wants to be. What sort of figures are we looking at?”

Theo clears his throat. “I have been told he is going to be in the high six figure numbers. That being said, it will be worth it if it gets Thalia the results and exposure she wants. He is competing at top level in Europe and is on all the Dutch Nation Cup teams with very good results. I think it would be the perfect fit.” I frown at his words. Although it would be exciting to have a new horse, I don’t want to sell my current ones.

“I don’t want to sell Zeus or Lolly. I won’t.” I look at my dad, shaking my head as if to drive the point home. My father’s eyes soften.

“Princess, we won’t be selling them. I just think that if you want this as much as you say you do, you are going to have to take Theo’s advice. He knows what he is talking about and if that means buying a better horse then that is what we will do.” I smile before my gaze moves to Theo. Something passes in his eyes that I can’t quite decipher before he speaks.

“I think this is the right move, Thalia. Of course, we will spend a couple of weeks getting to know one another, so I can see the level you are at with both horses. But ultimately, I think buying a horse or even a couple of horses that have good records competing at top level is the best way forward.”

I nod, feeling my anger at his earlier words dissipate. “Of course. I want this and I trust your advice. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.” He eyes me for a long beat before he nods.

“Good. I am glad we cleared that up. Now onto the next thing. You will have two assigned grooms and one stable hand which are included in the price of your monthly fees. I will introduce you to them later today. You will also meet my whole team. I have three other students here training with me and they all live on site, as do the staff. Your father mentioned you will be living off-site in a condo purchased for you.” My father cuts in.

“Yes, that is correct. It is around ten minutes from here and Thalia has a vehicle to travel back and forth.”

“Good. I also understand you will be taking college courses online so I will take this into account when working out your schedule.”

“This is important,” my father says in a tone that leaves no room for argument. “Thalia knows that it is part of the condition of being here, so she knows to take her studying seriously.” My father shoots me a stern look to remind me that I promised to continue my studies. The fact I can study online is a bonus. I don’t want to go to a classroom.

“I am sure we can come up with something that suits us all. With two horses, Thalia will only need lessons four or five times a week. The rest will be trail rides, flatwork, or the horse exerciser.” The way Theo says my name has my core clenching. I didn’t know my name could sound so sexy on someone’s tongue.

“That is what I want to hear. Studying is important and although I know Thalia is determined to make a career in show jumping, I still want her to continue her studies. She is a very bright girl.” My father beams at me while my eyes slide to Theo to find him watching me intently. Something in his stare makes goosebumps break out all over my body and wetness seeps between my thighs. What the hell? That’s new. I squirm and as if he knows what he is doing to me, Theo grins before his eyes move back to my father.

“Theo, I would also like to discuss the NDA. As you know, my wife is a very high-profile actress. But not only that, Maxwell is one of the biggest names in the US and while I trust you to be discreet during Thalia’s training with you, it is something I insist on being signed by yourself and the people who will be working closely with my daughter.” Annoyance flashes in Theo’s eyes before he schools his features.

“That won’t be a problem, Christian. Consider it done.” I don’t miss the bite in his tone. I grimace that he is having to do this, but it comes with the territory. When you are the daughter of a world-famous actress and one of the richest men in the world, it is something that must happen.

“Good. Now that the formalities are over, I would like to take Thalia to her condo and then tomorrow, she is all yours.” My father pushes to a stand, holding his hand out for Theo to shake. “It was nice to meet you in person, Theo. I trust you will make sure my daughter gets settled once I leave.” It’s not a question. My father expects Theo to take care of his ‘princess’.

“Of course, Christian. I will make sure she feels at home here at Rhodes Farms.” Theo’s eyes slide to me before going back to my father. I push out of my chair, my gaze on Theo as I flash him a small smile. He smiles back causing my stomach to twist. Ignoring it, I rush out of his office and back to the waiting car that will take me to my condo.