Page 61 of Secret Dynasty

“Isn’t it bad luck to see you before the wedding?” he asked, studying me from head-to-toe. He said nothing about my dress. Despite this being his first glimpse of me, the moment held all the romance of a business transaction.

This was it. I knew what I had to do. I didn’t think about the repercussions or what I wanted after this was over. This had to happen first. It was time for my real life to begin.

I lifted my chin and looked him dead in the eye. “I’m not marrying you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Kerrigan.” Despite his dismissive tone, his eyes flashed as he spoke.

“I’m not marrying you,” I repeated. “I’ve already told Iris, and she’s telling everyone else. The wedding is off.”

I slid the ring he’d given me off my finger. A weight lifted as soon as I took it off. It was a sign. But when I held it out to him, he refused to accept it. I waited as patiently as I could before placing the ring next to one of his beloved plants. Spencer glanced at it before turning on me.

“Let me be clear, we are getting married today,” he roared.

“No, we aren’t,” I said in a slow, measured voice. It was easier to stay calm as he got more upset. His anger only assured me that I was making the right decision. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“But you decided to humiliate me, instead. Is that it?” He grabbed me by the wrist and yanked me to his chest. Spencer’s arms bracketed my body, refusing to release me.

“Let me go.” I tried to pull free, but his grip tightened.

“You belong to me. You signed the contract,” he seethed, ignoring my protests. Fury showed in his eyes as he held me captive.

I fought the urge to shrink under his brutal gaze, but I held my ground. “The contract means nothing until we’re married. It’s just a piece of paper.”

“Well, let’s see about that.” He dragged me toward the house. I fought him twisting in his grip. But the harder I struggled, the more force he exerted. “Have you forgotten what I can do to your family?” he growled. “You need me. It’s too late to change your mind.”

“I’m in love with your brother,” I blurted out. I’d never admitted it to him. Until now, I’d dodged his suspicions and soothed his paranoia. But neither of us could hide from the truth any longer.

Spencer’s stopped, but he didn’t let me go. “You can’t be.”

“Pretty sure, I am,” I told him. “For years.”

“Years that you don’t remember,” he said, his face lighting with savage delight as he saw my shock. “You thought I didn’t know? Tell me, who are you today: poor Kate or spoiled Kerrigan?”

“You bastard,” I said, smacking my palm into his chest. “You knew the whole time?”

“Of course, I knew,” he snapped. “Why did you think I delayed the engagement?”

“It was a lie,” I said, seeing him for the first time. “All of it.”

“Not all of it,” he murmured. “I enjoyed fucking you.”

My stomach heaved. I’d given this man so much. I’d let him inside. I’d lost my virginity to him. And the whole time he had been lying, building his dynasty on secrets and manipulations at the cost of my soul.

“I hate you.”

“I’m not terribly fond of you at the moment,” he admitted, squeezing my arm. “But you will fulfill the terms of our arrangement.”

“Never.”

“Why are you fighting this? I told you you could have him.” Veins appeared in the side of his neck, and I wondered if he was actually restraining himself. The thought was terrifying. How much worse could this get? “The poor little rich bitch wants everything, doesn’t she?”

“Not you,” I said, squirming in his embrace. His fingers sank into my skin, bruising at, and I cried out. “Stop it! You’re hurting me.”

“You think this hurts? Walk out that door and see what I can do to you,” he said with a dangerous edge. “By the time I’m through, you will be penniless, imprisoned, and ruined. You’ll regret the day you met me.”

“Too late for that. I already do.” I shoved him with my free arm, but he was too strong. He released me just to raise his hand to strike.

Chapter Thirty-Four