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“I—” I stop, unsure of what I want to say in response. My thoughts jumble between knowing Randi isn’t the type of person to manipulate someone for her own gain and wanting to believe Celia. I shake my head to clear the conflicting thoughts, but the several glasses of champagne are making my judgments and emotions unclear on where I stand. One thing is clear: Trey’s safety is as important as my own. “What can I do?”

An almost smile lifts her sullen face. “I knew I could count on you, Jessica. Your love for him is clear.” Celia gives a reassuring squeeze to the fingers still wrapped around her elbow. “I need you to show him that it's simple attraction, not love, with that Randi woman. Make him see that you're the right choice for him, to come back to his family, his destiny. Bring my son back to me and his father. Please.” The glowing overhead lights shimmer off Celia’s damp dark lashes.

“How canIaccomplish that?” Even with the champagne coursing through my system, I’m aware what she’s asking is a near impossible feat. Trey has run from this life for years. He lives for his role with the secret service. Only recently did he begrudgingly accept to come back into the spotlight—all for Randi. How can I convince him that he not only doesn’t love her but needs to come back into the political fold for himself, not her?

“My son is a good man, one who is driven to protect no matter the odds. This is where you need to draw his focus. Pull it away from protecting that woman to protectingyou.”

“I don't understand.” My head swirls.How many glasses have I had?

Her honey brown eyes narrow in frustration. “If he's busy worrying about you, protecting you from some unknown threat, he'll forget all about this Randi woman. Use his weakness for our benefit.”

I sway slightly as the implication of her words slams home. “You want me to create a threat against myself so he'll feel the need to protect me? How will that convince him to love me and not her?”

Celia’s tone turns menacing. “If you're unconvinced you'll be able to pull off what needs to be done, I can always arrange for the threat to be real.”

“And if I don’t? If I can’t convince him?”

“Then I’ll make sure all your secrets are shared, and all the work you’ve put in to be someone in this town will be wasted. Your personal life, career, family, everything turned against you.”

I swallow against the champagne that's fighting to surge back up my throat.

“Now,” she says, giving my hand a condescending pat, “earlier I overheard my son make plans to meet up with that woman later this evening. Your first role as his fiancée is to make sure he’s unable to keep that commitment.”

I nod, still unable speak.

“I know you love him, as do I. This is for his benefit. We're just having to get creative on how to save him from himself. This is the life for him. This is his destiny.”

“And me?” Does she consider me as a part of that destiny?

“You'll have what you've always wanted. Him. If we play this right, this time next year, you'll be happily married, and Randi Sawyer will just be a distant ugly memory.”

Taking a slow sip from my glass, I process Celia's words.

Married.

Happy.

Mine.

All those words are exactly what I want out of my future. Now’s my chance to make it happen.

“I’ll do it.” Celia smiles, and we click the edges of our flutes together. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I’ll grab Trey a bourbon from the bar. He’s been drinking beer all night, and if I can convince him to mix, there’s no way he’ll be able to see Randi tonight. That man’s never been able to mix a day in his life.”

Her smile widens, and if I’m not mistaken, a pulse of pride shines through her bright gaze.

“You’ll make an excellent daughter-in-law, Jessica.”

But for some reason, the praise falls flat. With a forced smile, I shift my way back through the crowd and head for the open bar, one thought swirling through my mind with each step.

What the hell have I sealed my future to?

1

Randi

Iwaited.

Waited until the sun's first morning rays warmed the fading dark sky. Waited in the wicker rocker on the back porch, watching the pool’s sparkling water, anxious to see the man I love and finally say those words out loud.