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That arrived only ten minutes ago.
I text her back. Tell him nothing. Are you okay??
I’m fine. He hung around for a little bit then left. I guess you confronted Ansell.
I chew on my lip. Sorry, Baby. I didn’t know they’d come bother you.
Don’t worry about it, girl. I can handle a guy like Baptist, she sends back, plus several winking and heart emojis.
I smile to myself. I’m home with my dad right now. I don’t know what I’m doing back here but I couldn’t face the city, you know?
Do what you gotta go. I’m on your team.
I toss my phone aside and stretch before I get up and get dressed. As I pull on clothes and start thinking about heading downstairs, I hear a car door slam nearby down in the driveway.
I freeze. My father’s house is in Mt. Airy, set back away from the street, with lots of space between us and the neighbors. If there’s a car nearby, it’s likely parked right out front.
I creep to the window. I’m in the corner room facing the front of the house. I peer down and nearly scream with terror.
Down in the driveway is a black SUV with tinted windows. Magnus and William stand near the front bumper talking quietly to each other, and it looks like they’re arguing. Magnus grabs William by the back of the neck and shakes him, whispering something harsh in his son’s ear. William slumps and nods, his entire body language screaming submission and fear. Magnus finally releases him, and the pair turn to the house.
They’re here for me.
I don’t have time to think. I grab my phone and my bag and look around wildly.
Last night, I was willing to give my father and the Crawfords a chance to fix this. I was ready to do whatever Dad told me to do if it meant moving on with my life. Ansell betrayed me, Pride has a new manager by now, and it’s like the entire world is out to get me. The Crawford trolls are ruining my reputation online and I basically have no friends left, except for Blair at work and Baby, but they can’t help me right now.
I’m lost and alone and the prospect of facing Magnus and William is too terrible and daunting.
If Dad had asked me about this first, I might’ve pushed it off, but eventually I would’ve given in. Instead, he’s doing what he always does and he’s ambushing me with the Crawfords. He’s forcing me to do what he wants instead of giving me the choice, and that’s what freaks me out the most.
He doesn’t care if I want to listen or not. He only cares that I obey.
It’s like I’m waking up from a nightmare.
This was extremely stupid. I never should’ve come back here. I’m mortified and angry and confused, and right now I need to focus on getting the hell out of here. I hoped I’d have time to talk things over with my father before being thrown right into the hell of seeing Magnus and William, but clearly, I was wrong. I gave my father much too much credit, and now it’s time to run.
I slip into the hallway. I hear voices downstairs. My father greeting them, exchanging pleasantries. I can’t make out details, but it doesn’t matter. I sneak down the hall to the back staircase. This house was built a long time ago, back when servants were still a thing, and I take the narrow passage down toward the kitchen, being careful to step over the squeaky landing and to pause at the very bottom, listening intently.
“…be down shortly,” my father’s saying. “She called me up last night. I’m guessing something happened between her and Ansell Drake.”
“That Drake man is a piece of work,” Magnus says. “Can you imagine, Geoffrey? Your daughter with a monster like Drake?”
“Over my dead body.” Dad sounds genuinely angry, and I wonder if he cares because I’m his daughter or because Drake isn’t well-bred enough for his taste.
“That could probably be arranged by him and his thugs,” Magnus says and all three men laugh.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Ansell sent those emails and had me followed to begin with,” William says, sounding angry. “Drake really is a piece of work.”
“He’s cold, but he’s not stupid. No, Drake had nothing to do with all this, except for putting his nose in something he shouldn’t have. His assistant, though… Baptist dislikes me for very personal reasons.”
William laughs loudly. “Father ruined his little family business and stole it out from under them. It really was a masterful move.”
“Thank you, son.” Magnus chuckles and the conversation moves on to how they’re going to convince me to get back into my engagement with William. I feel like I might be sick as I turn from the door that leads into the dining room and step deeper into the kitchen.
