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“Yes, yes. It’s perfect.” Dad takes his cigar out of his mouth and shakes the ash onto the floor.
“That’s not all,” I say in a low voice.
My pulse quickens as their eyes settle back on me. I stand from the wooden stairs, and their eyes follow my rising figure.
“Now, don’t get mad because I thought long and hard before I accepted, and it’s the best thing to—”
“What the hell do you mean you accepted?” Dad closes his newspaper with one hand. “What did you accept, Erin?”
Mom says nothing, but her eyes don’t leave my face. Her gaze is so intense that I squirm under it.
“He made the offer to me. Tristan wants me to be his fiancée for a month.”
“What?!” Dad jumps out of his seat, coughing for the first time since I arrived. “What on earth do you mean you accepted to be his fiancée? Do you want to sleep with your sister’s husband? Over my goddamn dead body. It will be a cold day—”
“Sit down, Jacob,” Mom says as she reaches to touch his arm.
Dad looks down at her, but she doesn’t return his gaze. Her eyes are on me. Dad mutters but settles back into his seat. He takes a long drag of his cigar as he slaps his thighs repeatedly with the newspaper.
“You must do whatever it takes to stay close to him, Erin. That’s the job.” Mom’s tone was flat, and her hand didn’t leave Dad’s arm. “Even if it means whoring yourself to him.”
“Now, wait a minute. We can’t—”
“Enough, Jacob. I’m speaking.” Mom’s voice isn’t raised, but there’s anger bubbling just below the surface.
Dad quietens, and I stare at Mom. Her words are expected, but my heart suddenly aches. I know she will understand and see it from a logical perspective, but it still hurts to be whored.
“The terms are a million dollars, no intimacy, and no feelings. Only public display of affections for the camera, so I think I’m safe—”
“I don’t need to hear more.” Mom waves a hand as if to wave me off. “You do whatever it takes and more. This man dishonored your sister and stole her from us. It’s up to you—us—to make him pay. Do you understand?” Her eyes are steely.
I nod slowly. I meet Dad’s eyes, and I can tell he’s unhappy about how the situation’s turning out, but he’s never been one to question Mom’s decisions.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I hurry to check it. It’s a text from Tristan.
Where are you? Meet me at home in a few minutes—I’m almost at The Fishers to drop off Ruby. There’s a work function, and I need you there. It’s time for your debut.
My eyes widen, and I sneak a quick look at the gate to see if I can spot his car on the dusty horizon, but he’s nowhere in sight. Shit. My heart races in rising panic. Tristan can’t meet me here. He can’t know I’m related to the Fishers.
“Mom—”
“I told you. You should have called.” Mom's lips are smacked with a wicked smile.
“Wait, you knew?” My mouth drops open.
“That Tristan was bringing Ruby over here? Yes. I’d have told you not to come if you had called, but you’ve always been a disobedient brat.”
I glance over at Dad. He has his newspaper open, ignoring our conversation. My phone vibrates again.
“If I were you, I’d get out of here now.” Mom picked up her book.
I open the new text:
Are you already on your way to my place? Hurry. You need a new dress, and time isn’t on our side.
The sound of an approaching car draws my attention, and I see Tristan’s car in the distance. Cold air hits my face as I run to my car, get in, and start it with a shaky hand. It’s too late to pass the gate—Tristan would see me.
“Park behind the house and wait till he leaves before you do,” Dad shouts from the porch.
