Page 23

Stepping out onto the back deck, I marvel at the changing leaves.

Oaks and maples older than the house stand tall above us in yellows, reds, and oranges.

The sun is white, so bright it glistens in wavy patterns over the dark blue water as it crawls upon the shore.

The smell of autumn, damp grass, cool air, and firewood makes me feel at ease.

As I raise a hand, my father spots me, and my heart warms at the broad smile that crosses his face. It’s like he’s excited to see me.

Despite the tension between us, I do love him.

He waves me down and cups his hands over his mouth. “Come with me!”

I head to my old room, grab a warm wool coat and some gloves, then make my way down the stone stairs to our dock. As soon as my boots hit the wood, my father grabs me in a hug, then shoves me toward our small fishing boat. “Your mom left me here today. Glad you came by.”

It’s well known my dad can’t be away from my mom for a moment, but as I snort a laugh, my thoughts immediately turn to the woman who won’t leave my mind… Would I be the same with Pippi Freidenberg?

“Where’s Levi?” I ask as I settle in to steer us to the middle of the lake. He usually fishes with his best friend, if mom isn’t around.

“He and Elle went to their son’s swim meet at NU today.”

“Ah.”

Once we near the prime spot for bass, I shut off the engine, pull on my gloves, and stuff my hands in my pockets while Dad gets out his fishing rod. It’s peaceful for a long time as he casts, the gentle breeze bringing with it some of the last of summer’s warmth.

But as the minutes pass, I’m wondering if the silence is more about my dad not saying something than enjoying the quiet.

Interrupting it, I try my hand at confessing something real to him. My expectations are low, however, knowing he’ll probably steer me in another direction. I swallow hard. “So, I got my Culling invitation. To Elina.”

“That’s great,” he says, gaze cast over the water as if he didn’t hear me.

“But I, uh… There’s someone else.”

A heavy sigh makes me stop talking. “Oh?” It’s like he’s not curious about me telling him more.

I can’t take it, though. I have to try something. One last plea escapes as I stare at the boat floor between my feet. “Dad? I want out of it.”

His blue eyes slowly slip over to me, and they are filled with heated emotion.

“I have to show you something.” The way he says it makes my skin crawl.

Like I’m going to hate whatever it is. He pulls out his phone, loads a video, then gives it to me.

“Someone sent this to me. I’m not sure if it’s a threat or a warning. ”

The footage shows my sister, Olivia, shopping in a clothing store downtown.

An older guy I sort of recognize from the news sidles up to her and starts a conversation.

Olivia, always pleasant, polite, and polished, talks with him in depth and the two shake hands at the end.

But the older man holds hers for a while after she pulls back.

“Is that…Senator Frances?” I ask, not removing my eyes from the screen. The video ends with Olivia walking away, but Senator Frances watches her leave, tilting his head as if getting a better view of her ass. The entire film makes my blood boil.

I return the phone to my father. “Yes,” he says, taking a deep breath and glancing at the seat between us. He clears his throat and continues. “Olivia is to be appointed to him.”

My brow furrows. “But…isn’t he already married ?”

Jaw clenched, he studies the horizon. I know that look, the one right before he’s determined to annihilate someone. When he turns his icy gaze back on me, he gives me a deadpan expression. Like I should figure out what’s going on. I’m not Aiden, so I’m a bit confused.

“There’s no such thing as divorce in society, so what exactly is happening here?” I ask.

“Kier Frances set his sights on my first-born daughter. He’s married currently , yes, but word is, he wants that to change in order to have Olivia on her knees for him in the Cathedral of Seven Moons. Maybe as a punishment for me not supporting his bid for re-election, I don’t know.”

With fierce eyes, he lowers his voice. “Ryan, this man will spread your sister around to all his colleagues in government. Like she’s a high-class prostitute.” Tears glaze his eyes. “And she’d do it. She would obey, you know this.”

It’s always been my sister’s dream to become governor, senator, or, ultimately, president.

She’s structured every step of her entire life.

Planned to be pure and perfect. She buys into each order handed down to her, hoping to achieve her ultimate goal.

If a senator told her to blow old men…she’d do it.

“We can’t let that happen.” I say it like it’s simple.

“Son. It isn’t coming from me. I have no way to stop this.

I’ve been stalling as long as I could, but I’m being forced to sacrifice my children’s futures, denying them the happiness of choice.

The only way I could put it off for the moment was to guarantee my oldest would fall in line.

I have my orders, and you have yours. We have to follow them. If not, none of us will have a future.”

The air gets sucked out of the atmosphere, and the world turns extremely cold.

As if it’s the last thing my dad wants to say, he lifts his weary face to mine.

“Ryan, if you don’t become CEO of Cardell Enterprises and step up to marry Elina Burberry, Olivia will be appointed to Senator Kier Frances. ”