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My father’s door is opened for him and he turns to look at me.
“Aubrey,” he says ominously. Once he has my full attention, he gives me a hard, pointed look. “Do I need to remind you what’s at stake if things don’t go smoothly tonight?”
“No,” I answer coldly.
He doesn’t need to remind me that he’ll ruin a little boy’s life if I don’t behave and comply.
“Good.” He grins, showing his teeth.
After straightening his bowtie and jacket, he climbs out of the limo.
Once he’s gone, Valerie looks to me with an expression that’s somewhere between worry and compassion.
“Aubrey,” she says, using my name like my father, but with a touch of urgency.
My father’s hand appears as he reaches in for her.
Valerie glances quickly at my father’s hand then looks back to me.
“Make time for me tonight, before the announcement,” she says quietly then places her hand in my father’s and slips gracefully out the door.
I get less than a minute to wonder why she would ask that of me before my door opens and my father reaches back in. It takes every ounce of willpower I have inside me to put my hand in his and follow his tug.
Lights flash as soon as I gain my feet and instinctively I pull my lips up into a smile for the cameras. Slipping my mask of false happiness firmly in place as we follow the red carpet and make our way to entrance of the gala.
Once inside, I go through the motions, stuck by my father’s side as he makes his greetings. With no other option, I’m forced to play the role of his pretty doll. Meant to stay by his side to be seen and not heard.
After a while all the faces and names start to blend together, but no matter how much time passes I can’t relax. The hotel has gone all out, providing all the glitz and glamour you’d expect from such an upscale event, but the sparkling chandeliers, flowing champagne, and endless gourmet hors d'oeuvres are wasted on me.
I’d rather be anywhere else but here… Hell, I’d even take being locked in my room again if it meant I could avoid Tristan and what’s about to happen.
As if just thinking his name has conjured him, Tristan appears in front of me with a small group of his friends.
“Ah, there you are, Tristan.” My father grins. “I was wondering when you’d stop by and take Aubrey off my hands.”
Tristan chuckles and looks me up and down as if he’s inspecting me. Inspecting me like I’m something he wants to buy.
But that’s exactly what he’s done, isn’t it? He’s bought me from my father.
My skin starts to crawl before he even touches me. Moving to my side, his hand latches onto my elbow and he pulls me to him.
“I was a little delayed,” he says, staring down at me, “but I’m here now.”
Meeting his eyes, I feel all the hate I have for him rising to the surface, ready to boil over. Hating his touch, hating his skin against my skin, I jerk my elbow, no longer caring about appearances or what people will think.
He must have anticipated the move though. I almost free myself but his fingers sink down at the last second, digging through skin to find bone.
“You look stunning tonight, Aubrey,” he says over my little gasp then his face lights up, eyes gleaming with pleasure. “I feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
Spencer, the same jerk that was with Tristan when he came to the gym, starts to snicker.
Tristan shoots him a dark look and his grip on my elbow loosens just enough for me to pull myself free.
Tristan jerks his attention back to me, but I step back, out of his reach, before he can grab me again without truly looking like an asshole.
“Excuse me, I need the powder room,” I grit out between my teeth and turn on my heel, walking off before anyone can stop me.
With tears of anger burning in my eyes, I push through the crowd, my feet carrying me to the door.
