AllFreeNovel
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One summer.
It’s fast and we seem to throw caution to the wind with one another, but I’m overly cautious with everything, and he helps me feel free. That’s how I know. This is right and what’s meant to be.
It’s the first day of school and traffic was wild trying to get in. Lucas and I had to park around the back in the staff parking. It’s the farthest area from where either of us work, but he joked it was the perfect place to “practice working on the next baby.”
He laughed while I glowered at him.
Charity gave me birth control pills already, so I’m not worried about that. As eager as he is, Lucas is supportive of me finishing out my last few months of college. I have to prepare myself for launching a business, so a baby will have to wait.
That’s not even considering the fact I mean I won’t have another before I’m married. I already haven’t fully kept my promise to myself, but it’s the tiniest insecurity I have left and I am desperate to hold myself to that. It’s important that I finish school and have my business before our family grows more.
Everyone has their best outfits on and their hair is perfect. Their backpacks, shoes, and everything else all look shiny and new. I dressed down a little since John won’t be in the office as much. Just a white sundress with a denim jacket. Lucas kissed my legs when he saw me in my wedge heels.
He said I looked beautiful in a white dress. It may have been a joke, but I’m still waiting for him to propose. If the other night wasn’t the perfect spot and setup, I can’t imagine what he has planned when he asks. Or what he will plan, rather.
Lucas and I weave through the crowds and get into the office. It’s busy and there are students and parents asking the front staff for whatever they need.
With a kiss to my cheek, he whispers he loves me and heads out the door for his day.
The first two hours zoom by with phone calls for me, but it dies down after the initial buzz of the morning. John makes his rounds through the different departments and is off showing some political-something person around the school. They’re going to have some sort of event or something in the next few months and John is supporting them.
I have no clue. John was the one to arrange it on his schedule, not me.
The clacking of heels and John’s voice draw my attention to the door when he walks in. A few men follow behind him in suits. My phone rings and I move to answer when John motions to me.
“I will be right back. Please make yourself comfortable. This is my assistant, Allie, who will help with coordinating.”
The smooth voice, like a snake, sends an uncomfortable shiver through me. “Ah, Allison Greenfield, nice to meet you in person.”
My smile drops and stomach sinks when I see his face. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored suit with his hair slicked back and a shiny watch on his wrist that looks like it cost more than my car. Hell, I’m sure his entire ensemble is more than what I’ll make before Christmas.
“H-hello.” His wide grin frightens me and I don’t even know the man. I just know of him.
He reaches forward to shake my hand. “Mark Vandenburg. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Chapter49
Allie
Mark Vandenburg shakes my dead fish for a hand, and the warm butterfly feelings from the past few days are gone. Dead. They’re all dead.
His disapproving eyes travel down my dress and to my feet before his blue-green eyes hold mine captive again.
“I hear you’re with Lucas now. Pretty sudden after the split with my daughter.” He clicks his tongue disapprovingly, as though he’s done nothing wrong in his life ever. “Especially after yourpublic displaythe other night.”
Oh. My. God.
There’s a pit forming in my stomach where the butterflies died and when Mark arches a brow, I stammer my way through a response. “Well, things just happened the way they did. It sounds like Katrina had other interests toward the end.”
If sugar daddies, or whatever they are, count. Men who were paying for pictures of her or something, I’m not sure. Frankly, I was shocked but also not considering some stories Lucas has shared with me.
He pulls a grimace and releases my hand. He has to be a magician or dark lord of some sort—I just know it. He’s never spoken to me, but I’m afraid and cowering right now. I’ve done nothing wrong. It’s just his presence turning me into a scared child standing in front of a tiger. Fear trickles down my spine and suddenly I’m a little girl afraid of getting in trouble.
Yet he’s the one Lucas swears is covering up my accident. He should be afraid of me right now.
Mark licks his bottom lip with an intimidating, dry chuckle. “Gentlemen, would you mind excusing us for a moment?”
The group of suits behind him all leave without a word. That’s what they do, right? His assistants or whatever they are. His posse? Gang? His mafioso lackeys?
