Lana: Okay Nais. Love you.x
I smile, my fingers flying over the screen.
Me: Love you too.x
I put my phone down, and climb out of bed, heading straight for my closest. Since it’s just a family dinner, I decide to keep it casual. My clothes are organized by category – dresses, skirts, shirts, pants. After spending a good five minutes searching through them, I settle on a pair of black skinny jeans, a red top and my trusty Converse. I change quickly, pull my hair into a high ponytail, skip the make-up, and then wait for my brother.
“My babies,” my mother coos, pulling me into a tight hug as soon as I step inside.
“Hey, Mom,” I laugh.
Harrison presses a kiss to the top of her head, looking more distracted now than when we were in the car. “Mom,” he murmurs, before moving deeper into the penthouse.
Mom pulls back, her eyes locking on mine. A flash of curiosity leaks onto her expression, lips twisting up in a thoughtful smile. “You look different,” she murmurs.
My whole body flushes.
Can she tell I’m no longer a virgin?
Does she know I’ve been sleeping with Evan?
No. No way. There’s no way Mom can look at me and know I’ve been fucked seven ways to Sunday by Evan Maxwell.
“I’m just tired. Lana and I went to a club last night.”
She frowns, cocking a perfect brow. “I hope it was an under twenty-one club?”
Laughing, I roll my eyes. “Of course.”Lie.But I can’t exactly tell her how irresponsible I was, drinking straight vodka.
Her conspiratorial grin tells me doesn’t believe me. “How is Lana? She hasn’t visited in a while.”
“She’s good. Taking summer classes.”
Arm in arm, she leads me to the dining room. Pulling out of her hold, I hug my father before settling in the seat opposite my brother. The smell of lemon chicken invades my nostrils and my stomach grumbles with hunger. It’s Mom’s specialty and one of my favorite meals.
After dinner is served, we all fall into easy conversation. But when dessert arrives, my father clears his throat and suddenly the air thickens with tension between him and Harrison. I glance at my brother, noticing the tightness in his jaw. Then I look to my father, catching the flicker of determination in his eyes. Finally, I meet my mom’s gaze, and though she’s smiling, I can tell it’s forced.
“What’s going on?” I ask, glancing between them.
It’s Dad that speaks. “After much discussion, we’ve decided Harrison is getting married.”
I choke on air, screeching out. “Married? Harrison’s getting married? To who?”
My gaze meets my brother’s, and I frown. It certainly doesn’t look like he wants to get married.
“A business partner from Russia. He has two daughters. We’ve been negotiating a merger between his company and Lauder Telecommunications, with us beholding seventy-five percent ownership. The only way agreed was an act of faith. And since Nikolai has no sons…” The implication is clear.
My jaw drops.
Was my father seriously planning to arrange a marriage for me, like we were living in the eighteenth century?
Hell no.
My accusing eyes snap to him. “You were going to sell me off to the highest bidder, like some bargaining chip?” I grate out, shooting up from my chair.
“Sit down, Anais,” Dad snaps, and for some unknown reason, I do. He sighs. “No. I was not going to sell you off to the highest bidder.” He runs a hand through his hair. “If Nikolai had a son, I’d have offered you the option, not the obligation. I wouldn’t force you into anything.” His eyes soften, and I know he’s being honest. My body relaxes. “But your brother agreed to it. I didn’t pressure him. And if Harrison decided against this marriage, I’d accept that.”
Harrison speaks up. “Merging with Abramov telecommunications will give us seventy percent control over the global telecom market.”
