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‘Until we get rid of them once and for all,’ I whispered. Logan closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them again and giving me a small nod.
‘You have your deal. She’ll marry Cameron. Now get this back on my brother,’ Logan said while shoving the finger-box back at Griff. ‘And get out of my house before I change my mind.’
Griff nodded while gathering up the box. ‘Harold thought you may agree. I’ve to let you know the wedding is a week tomorrow.’
‘You can’t arrange a wedding in a week,’ I stammered, expecting to have had more time with my brothers before having to leave.
‘He’s already got special dispensation from the registry office. You won’t need to plan anything, just show up. An invitation will follow.’ Griff gave me a tight smile as he tucked the box back into his jacket.
‘I want Mac back before the wedding.’
‘That will not happen. See him as a wedding gift, of sorts.’ Griff nodded once more at the room before turning to excuse himself.
I slumped into Dad’s empty chair as the surrounding men filtered out, following my brothers from the room.
When I was alone entirely, I gave way to the tears.
I had never had a serious boyfriend, and I knew I was likely to end up marrying for connections rather than love, but the thought of being with a man I hated tore a hole through my chest.
There was no choice but to bring about the ruin of the Thompson family as quickly, and hopefully as painfully, as possible.
CHAPTER FOUR
CAMERON
Visions of the floor opening up and swallowing me whole engulfed my brain as people flitted to and from around me. All of them were asking inane things about colours, cake flavours, decor and other bullshit.
I tensed every muscle in my torso as a wave of rage built up in my chest. Slowly, I breathed it out, imagining the anger leaving me and being replaced by calm.
‘Relax please.’ The small man with the measuring tape tapped my stiff shoulders.
I did as told, knowing the man hadn’t chosen to be there any more than I had. I didn’t want a tux, and I was sure he hadn’t wanted to have to create and fit one in a manner of days. Though Father would pay a fine sum for him to do it. Refusal would have likely ended with him having a couple of broken bones. So I stayed my anger and packed it back down inside, as I did all too often.
‘You look like someone’s thrown up in your cereal,’ my sister, Katie, said. She propped herself on the edge of the Chesterfield sofa and picked up one of the champagne filled glasses that someone had left. As though my suit fitting was a celebration.
It was not.
My father hadn’t even let me into his plan before the agreement with the McGowans had been made. It was bad enough that he wanted to marry her, but expecting me to do it?
I gave my sister a level stare, but as usual, it had no effect on her. If there was one person in the world who didn’t fear me, it was Katie.
‘Come on Cam, it won’t be so bad. I’ve always wanted a sister.’ She tipped the glass upwards and drained it before reaching for another with a grin.
‘She will never be your sister. I don’t know what Father is planning, but the whole thing is a sham. She’s not going to be a part of the family.’
‘She could be. Would it be so bad having someone else on our side?’ I dismissed the tailor with a flick of my head as Katie spoke.
‘Our side is not her side. She’s on a whole other planet.’
‘She hates Father too.’ Katie toyed with the stem of her champagne flute.
‘Shush,’ I said, glancing to the far side of the room where vendors of various sorts still pored over flowers and other unnecessary nonsense. ‘We respect him. We don’t hate him.’
‘I hate him. What’s he going to do? Break my arm again? I’m not six anymore.’
‘Being an adult won’t stop him. I’ve seen what he will do to grown men while he smiles like a hyena.’ I suppressed the internal shudder. I’d done enough unsavoury things since reaching my majority, but I didn’t delight in inflicting pain the way Father did. I only ever did what was necessary.
‘Either way, we should give her a chance. Imagine if Father had forced me to marry a McGowan?’
