Page 25 of Ice-Cold Obsession

“You’re not people’s favorite anymore. You need to fix that.”

“I’m working on it.”

“Not fast enough. You need something that will make people forget what happened and make them like you again. Get a girlfriend.”

I blink. “What?”

“A girlfriend. Someone likeable. Someone people will root for.”

“You want me to fake a relationship?”

“I want you to be in a relationship. Real or not... I don’t care, as long as everyone else believes it.”

“Who?” I ask because I know he already has someone in mind.

“Scarlett.”

My chest constricts. “Scarlett?”

“Yes.”

“Why her? She’s new. No one even knows her yet. She’s not popular.”

“That’s exactly why. She’s sweet and interesting, and people are already curious about her. The two of you will make acutecouple.”

I shake my head, even though he can’t see me. “I don’t think—”

“This isn’t a suggestion, Gabriel. It’s an order.”

I swallow. “And if I fail?”

“If you fail, one of your parents will have an accident in prison. There have been too many of your fuckups lately, and I’m not interested in hearing your pathetic excuses.”

The air leaves my lungs. “But—”

“No arguing. Do you understand?”

I close my eyes. “Yes, sir.”

“Get out.”

The door unlocks with a click, and one of the guards opens it. As I climb out, my legs are unsteady, and the door slams shut behind me.

The SUV drives away. Pulling out my phone, I stare at the screen without really seeing it. My mind spins.

He wants me to date Scarlett.

I’ve been thinking about her since the party, and since she slammed me against the wall and pressed her hand to my throat. I’ve imagined kissing her and having her attention focused on me instead of whatever game she’s playing.

But not like this. Not as a girlfriend and not as part of some plan to fix my image.

And I’m not sure about her. She’s mysterious and guarded, and I don’t know what she’s really after or if I can trust her.

But I don’t have a choice.

If I don’t do this, one of my parents will pay the price.

Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I head toward the campus as my mind works through how I’m going to make it happen.