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“One more thing,” my grandfather says, flipping to a final sheet. “This is a commitment of marriage. If one of you backs out, or doesn’t show up for the wedding, the other person automatically gets control of C&P.” I gasp at that and my eyes widen.
They can’t be serious. Not only are they forcing us to do this quicker than we would have liked, but they have also created a fail-safe. I know my father never meant for this to happen. He just wanted to make sure we were together to run the company. I re-read the letter, and not once did it mention a timeline, or a clause about not going through with the wedding.
This is all the doing of the men in front of me. Tears prick my eyes and I try not to cry. I glance at Cal once more and he gives me a sad smile. He knows as much as I do that this is really going to happen, and we don’t have a choice.
I think back to what Marshall told me about them being responsible for the deaths of our parents, and I’m starting to believe him more and more.
I sign the paper, then turn and leave. That lady rushes in again, almost knocking into me. She seems frantic and I freeze, turning around.
“Grandfather, where is Marshall?” I watch as his eyes flash with anger and he gives me a frown.
“Oh dear, it’s tragic really. Marshall was shot leaving his condo a few nights ago. He’s currently in a coma, but the doctors say it’s not good.” I gasp and place a hand on my chest.
This isn’t because of me, is it? Because of what he told me?
“The help comes and goes, honey. Don’t let Marshall’s misfortune ruin the rest of your evening. Go enjoy the party,” he suggests, but I know it’s an order. Cal comes and grabs my hand, pulling me out into the hall. A tear falls and he looks at me questioningly, but I can’t tell him. I really need to talk to Ki.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
We enter the ballroom once more and Cal leaves me to go to the bar. I could really use a drink too, but I don’t want to cause people to talk. My nerves are shaken, and I wish I could just dip out and go home. I need to think. I need to start figuring out what I’m going to do.
There is something about the way Cal’s dad looked at me when I signed the commitment that unsettles me. Heels click behind me and it pulls me from my inner freak out. I can do this. I fix my mask and turn, expecting to entertain some stranger, only to find Hana and Brad.
“Oh, thank god you’re here,” I gush and she pulls me into a hug. Brad kisses my cheek, then steps back. “Wow, Hana, that dress looks amazing on you,” I tell her seriously as she gently runs her hands over the blood-red satin. Her hair is pinned to the side and she looks like a supermodel from the 1920s. Brad can’t keep his eyes off her, and I give myself a little pat on the back for hooking them up.
“This party is insane,” Brad comments as he tries one of the appetizers. “Who would have thought you and Cal Reynolds would be getting married? I never even knew you liked him,” he grunts. I look at Hana with an eyebrow raised and she giggles. I grab a glass of champagne and take a sip.
No one here is supposed to know this is an arranged agreement. Everyone just thinks two childhood sweethearts reconnected and fell in love.
“I’ve been saying from the beginning that their animosity toward each other was foreplay, and they just needed to hate fuck,” Hana blurts out, and I almost choke on my champagne. I grab a napkin and clean my chin.
“What the hell, Hana? You can’t just say that,” I scold, looking around, meeting amused amber eyes and she starts to laugh.
“She’s right, you know,” Rooke says, surprising me. I snort and shake my head.
“You guys have it all wrong. The last thing we need to do is fuck. Plus, he wouldn’t be able to handle me.” I wink at Rooke and his nostrils flare. He gives me a once-over and smiles.
“You might be surprised.” I raise my brow at him to continue, but he looks off in Cal’s direction. I slide closer and lean up to whisper in his ear.
“Tell me, Rooke, have you guys ever shared a girl before?” He chokes on air and starts to cough. I gently rub his back and feel a warm body come up behind me.
“What are you doing, Patience?” Cal grumbles in my ear and I smile. Hana gives me a wink and I laugh. Taking a step back from Rooke, I turn to my future pain in the ass.
“Me, I’m not doing anything…yet.” His nostrils flare and I give him a beaming grin, then fix his tie and walk away. I see some of my family waiting for my attention.
Cal mutters something behind me, but I’m too far away to hear him.
* * *
“Hey, can we talk?”Kian comes up to Cal and me as we chat with my Uncle Murry. I hand Cal my empty glass and nod. Cal grabs my wrist gently but gives me a look of warning. I know he’s nervous about the infidelity clause. I placate him with a quick kiss on the cheek, say my goodbyes, then follow Ki to the same room I just left.
“I saw you and Cal disappear in here for a half hour. Is everything okay?” he asks me and I shake my head, letting my eyes fill with tears once more. I’m on the verge of a meltdown, but I know I can’t show any weakness here. If anyone were to witness it, besides Ki, it could be detrimental.
“I think I might be in danger,” I whisper, then look around for hidden cameras. Fuck, now I’m becoming paranoid. This is just great. I wipe my eyes, making sure not to mess up my makeup, and give Ki a smile. “Let’s chat about it tomorrow, okay?” He nods and I give him a quick kiss on the cheek. He smiles and glances around the room as if he’s nervous too.
“I think we should run away,” he blurts out and I freeze.
Kian
