Page 32 of Secret Dynasty

There was no other choice.

And what would happen to Tod if there was an investigation? Would he get in trouble for trying to cover it up? Would it ruin his life? Would it ruin Iris’s? I hated him for protecting me at the cost of my freedom, but could I sacrifice all of them to prevent this marriage?

I would become Kerrigan Byrd, but I wouldn’t allow Spencer to dictate every decision in my life. He couldn’t move me into his house without asking. He couldn’t order me around like he owned me. I would marry Spencer, because I had to, but I would not be his puppet.

Chapter Eighteen

Boxes were stacked inside Spencer’s flat when I arrived. Outside the windows, night crept over the city, vanquishing the remaining daylight. I stared at the half-packed apartment. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one moving. Of course, I had expected him to live at Sparrow Court, especially after his grandfather’s death. But part of me was surprised that he was giving up his flat. A stack of boxes came walking down the hall, stacked so high I couldn’t see who was carrying them. I skirted out of the way just as Holden squatted to put them near the door.

“Hi,” I said feeling a bit shy.

He glanced up, momentarily stunned. “I didn’t know you were here.”

“I just got here.” I dropped my keys on the counter and looked around. “So Spencer is moving into the house.”

“Apparently, our bachelor pad days are over,” Holden told me bitterly.

“Wait, you’re moving, too?”

“He sold the flat. Spencer feels there is more than enough room at Sparrow Court for all of us.”

My mouth fell open, numbness spreading over my body as I realized what he was saying.

“Don’t worry, dirty girl.” His voice was sharp. “It’s a big house. I’ll stay out of the way.”

Before today, I never thought it would come to this. I’d believed I would prove I wasn’t Kerrigan. I believed I could walk away from this life. I’d barely begun to process that this was my world, like it or not, or that I had no choice but to marry Spencer. But with each second, my cage constricted a little more.

“Why would he want…”

“You’re not the only one he wants to keep an eye on. He can’t have any of us screwing up his reputation within his party,” Holden explained.

I shook my head. This wasn’t happening. I’d accepted my fate, but I couldn’t allow Holden to suffer, too. “You don’t have to do this. You can leave.”

“We all have strings,” Holden said, “and he’s holding all of them.”

“I’m going to marry him.”

“Were you having second thoughts?” Holden took a step toward me, and I fought the urge to close the gap between us.

“I can convince him it’s a bad idea,” I whispered.

“How are you going to do that?”

I had no idea, but there had to be a way. “I’ll do whatever I have to do.”

“I can’t let you give any more of yourself away.” Holden tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“What about what I want?” My face tilted up, daring him to deny me.

Holden’s eyes searched mine, before widening. “Kerrigan?”

“If the DNA tests are to be believed,” I said softly.

“What do you believe?” His voice caught on the words, snagging on something that sounded painfully like hope.

“I don’t really have a choice. Facts are facts.”

“You’re not understanding me. Who—”