Page 14 of The Tower

“He approached me,” I say. “I was just getting some air.”

“Stay away from him. He’s more dangerous than you can imagine.” He stops, then looks me in the eye, and for the first time in my life I think he might actually be seeing me. “Promise you’ll stay away from that man.”

“I—Of course.” I’m confused by my father’s reaction, but not about his assessment of Grimm. “I have no interest in talking to him again.”

I meet my father’s eyes, certain he sees the truth in mine.

Except …

I look away, not to let my father see the tiny flutter of doubt … and the more violent twinge of desire.

Before I can analyze my traitorous emotions, we reach the small stage at the front of the room, and a wave of nausea washes over me when I see Desmond standing a few yards away. My father’s grip on my arm tightens as we move to join him, my legs reluctantly carrying me alongside my father.

No, no. Please no.

Desmond turns and strides toward us, meeting us halfway with a wolfish grin that makes my stomach twist.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” The voice of the gala’s director booms through the speakers. “If I could have your attention …”

Desmond reaches us, and I stand rigidly between him and my father. Grimm can’t be right—he can’t. But even as I try to convince myself of that, I know that some sort of trap is closing around me. And I haven’t a clue how to escape.

When the director invites my father to the stage, Desmond moves closer, his hand pressing against the small of my back with the casual certainty of an owner.

“After my wife’s tragic death,” my father says with practiced emotion, “my daughter Sasha became my reason for living. Tonight, I’m proud to announce not only Reed Cosmetics’ continued support for this worthy cause, but also a new chapter in our family’s story.”

My heart hammers against my ribs, and Desmond’s hand moves from the small of my back to my upper arm, his fingers tightening enough to leave a bruise.

“You’re my crown jewel,” Desmond whispers. “I know I’ll enjoy you very, very much.”

“No,” I whisper. “Please, no.”

But Desmond only smiles as Father continues. “I’m delighted to share that Reed Cosmetics will be entering a new partnership with Bane Marketing, strengthening both our companies for the future.”

I turn, searching the crowd to find Grimm’s smug face, but my father’s next words make me forget Grimm entirely. “And on a more personal note,” he continues, “I’m even more pleased to announce the engagement of my daughter to Desmond Bane.”

The room erupts in applause, and I want to kick myself for not racing away when I’d had the chance. Desmond’s arm circles my waist, drawing me closer to his side. Cameras flash. I force my lips into a smile even though I want to scream that I never agreed to this. That I’m nothing more than a marionette and Desmond and Father are pulling my strings.

But the words don’t come.

All I can do is stand straight and numb at Desmond’s side, playing my role just the way I have my entire life.

My father beams at us from the podium, the picture of paternal pride. To anyone watching, this is a beautiful moment. But I feel the bars of my cage contracting, squeezing tighter until I can barely breathe.

Desmond leans down, his lips brushing my ear. “Mine, Sasha,” he says, his voice sickeningly smooth. “You’ll be coming home with me tonight. I don’t intend to wait for our wedding night to get between those luscious thighs.”

Bile rises in my throat as he leads me onto the stage to stand beside my father. This can’t be happening. This can’t be real.

But it is, and when he slips a massive diamond ring onto my finger, reality finally crashes over me. My father has sold me to a monster. I’m not his daughter, just something to be traded.

Through the haze of flashing cameras and congratulations, I see Grimm. Our eyes lock across the room. Unlike everyone else, he isn’t smiling. His expression is dark. Intense. And though I don’t know why, it gives me strength.

In that horrible moment, I make my decision.

I will not be the prize in my father’s game. I will not marry Desmond Bane. I will escape my cage tonight or die trying.

I just need to figure out how.

The evening passes in a blur of congratulations as Desmond and I make the rounds. “You look a bit pale,” he says during a rare moment when we’re relatively alone.