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nineteen

Me

Pink cheeks, I sent you a pretty dress. Have it on for me

Imma take lots of pictures of us tonight. Post them for everyone on the gram

PiC

No.

Me

You’re so cute when you think I’ll listen

PiC

You can’t see me right now. How would you know?

Me

When I close my eyes, you’re all I see

PiC

Me

Also, the cameras I put in your room.

PiC

Are you fucking serious?

Me

PiC

Tell me you didn’t put cameras in my room, Ryan.

Me

I did not put cameras in your room.

There.

PiC

Ryan!

I can’t find any… Are you messing with me???

Me

I definitely will later.

Want the mess on your face or tits?

PiC

Neither.

I’m not going anywhere with you, stalker.

Me

You will, or I’m telling your dad.

PiC

You wouldn’t.

Me

Try me, pink cheeks. See who he listens to more: his precious innocent pup, or his favorite student and son-in-law?

PiC

RYAN YOU ARE NOT HIS SON-IN-LAW STOP IT

Me

Not yet…

See you at six.

Laughing all the way to Gnarled Pine Hollow, I cover my bases and call Max. “Hey, I got a problem.”

“What’s up?” he asks.

“Your daughter is refusing to go out with me, I think.”

The laugh that rumbles over the speaker broadens my smile.

“Oh, son. She’s just like her mother. Just gotta throw her over your shoulder and take her.

That’s what I had to do. But I’ll do you a solid.

I’ll see that she’s dressed and at the door when you come by.

Can’t promise she’ll get in the car with you, though.

Also, can’t promise she won’t break your wrist or nose if you try anything. ”

“Well, she can carry her Glock if that makes you feel better. But I’ll protect her with my life.”

There’s a pause long enough I glance at the phone to see if it’s still connected, when he finally says, “I know you will.”

When we hang up, the new smile that never seems to leave my face flashes in the divider’s reflection between the back of the limo and the driver.

To celebrate, I crack open a bottle of champagne and leave it on the ice, ready for her.

But I wonder if she’s going to force me to wrestle her into the car.

My dick gets a semi just thinking about it.

When we pull up to the manor’s three-tiered fountain, my eyes are dazzled, seeing my girl in a strapless purple and black gown that adorns her tight figure.

Crafted intricate onyx roses in the skirt meld into a midnight-toned corset that cups her breasts, while a set of sapphires sparkles against her neck.

I think part of my heart arrests just taking in how fucking beautiful she is. That’s when I know…

There stands my appointed, my future wife.

The leather creaks as I jump out and hold the door for her before the chauffeur can.

My open palm shakes slightly, making me feel like a little boy again, hoping she won’t reject my offer.

Her hazel eyes glance at my face for a moment, then at my hand.

As she leans in, the soft scent of vanilla and caramel wraps around me—warm, sweet, too comforting for how much it hurts to not have her completely.

With a deep breath, she takes hold of me and climbs inside the limousine as I help her by lifting her dress and tucking the bottom half around her.

Am I nervous about her kicking me in the balls? A little.

Or about what will happen tonight? Not really.

About what may happen after tonight? Yeah…

I toss an arm over the back of our seat as she settles into my side and asks, “Where are we going? These are pretty fancy clothes you sent me. And the jewelry. I could have purchased my own.”

My eyes dance with amusement. The merger between Freidenberg’s ancient family money and Cardell’s newfound wealth is going to be more than Warrick Jewels and Burberry Company could even imagine. She and I are about to become multi-billionaires.

“I know you could. But I like to spoil my girl.”

“I’m not yours, Cardell.”

Whipping my face to her, I narrow my eyes. “Never say those words again, or you’ll be in for a world of punishment.” Sticking two fingers in my tuxedo breast pocket, I dig out what I need, then turn in the seat toward her. She shrinks back against the door with nowhere to go. “Hold still.”

Under the delicate organza folded over her breasts, I carefully attach the metal, securing it with a clasp before fixing the fabric to hide it.

She looks down and fusses with it, then gasps when she realizes what it is. “Are you serious?”

“Deadly.”

“Ryan…this is a Theta pin. Your fraternity pin.”

“Consider yourself pinned.”

“What about Elina?”

“I told you. She’s with Chase Warrick now. Things change. Businesses get bought, money exchanges hands, and here we are. You’re pinned now. Except, I would be careful about showing that off tonight. Just…keep it quiet until later.”

Her eyes flick between mine, as if she doesn’t believe me. “Of course! Sure. I’ll be your dirty little secret. Besides, how do I know you won’t just toss me aside like your last fiancé?”

Flames of irritation light up my back. “Because of what I’m about to do for you.

For us .” Reaching across the divide, I pick her up as she slashes at my arms with her black-painted fingernails.

When I set her on my lap and latch my lips to her neck, she reluctantly melts against me.

“I told you. I’m loyal to my girl. And you’re mine. ”

As we approach the civic center alight with glowing orbs dancing slowly in the chilly October breeze, I grip her tighter and plead with her while pressing my forehead to her back. “Please, Pen. I need you. Be my partner-in-crime tonight.”

“What do you mean?”

I slip out of the car and, without the hesitation I was expecting, she takes my offered hand, then I tuck hers against my bicep as we walk across the red carpet toward the entrance, lined with local photographers. Leaning down, I whisper, “For this event, you’re only sixteen years old.”

“What? Why?” Her eyes grow large as she gazes up at me.

“And you’re my sister.”

We enter an ornate hall filled with extravagantly decorated tables in golds and creams. Vases of white roses shoot up to the gilded ceiling from the center of each round table.

A six-piece orchestra and parquet dance floor stand in the middle of the room.

Rotund politicians and their wives loiter, shaking hands and lying through fake smiles as I escort my dazzling date toward the man of the hour.

His gleaming bald head shines like a homing beacon, even after he wipes it carefully with an embroidered handkerchief.

Hell must be catching up to him early. Polished and bored, his stately wife stands next to him, scanning the crowd.

She’s probably a good twenty years younger than he is, but still twenty older than me.

With the most predatory eyes I’ve seen in a good while, it doesn’t take her two seconds to spot me coming.

“Who do we have here? Mr. Ryan Cardell? Is that you?” Kier Frances says as we skirt past the folks circled around him, attempting to make nefarious political favors. His soft palm extends, and I take it, give it a rough shake, then tuck Pippi back into my side protectively.

“Yes, sir. I was sent with my father’s apologies. He and my mother had a prior engagement, a family matter they couldn’t escape. They were terribly sorry they couldn’t be here tonight for you, but I brought my sister instead.”

With a slight shove, I push Pippi forward into the ring of ogling old men. Kier’s dark eyes slowly sweep down her frame.

“This isn’t Olivia . I know her…”

“No, sir. This is my youngest sister, Alice. She’s sixteen. Still in high school.”

Not even looking at me, he takes Pippi’s hand and lifts it to kiss. “Charming.”

My heartbeat erupts against my rib cage, wondering if Penelope Freidenberg will do what I asked. Without hesitation, she giggles like a kid, and says, “Thank you! I just started Calculus, and it’s hard.”

Part of me holds back a laugh, hoping she doesn’t oversell it, but I refrain when Nicole Frances’s blue eyes trail down to my crotch, trying to see what I’ve got beneath my trousers. “I’m sorry, darling. I’m quite thirsty. Mr. Cardell, would you mind taking me for a drink?”

With a sly grin, I nod. “Absolutely. Alice? I’ll be back in a moment.”

“That’s fine. I’m having a good time with Mr. Frances!” Even her voice sounds ridiculously high pitched, and I love it. Making fun of the old man right in front of him without him even knowing. Fuck, she’s my kind of girl.

A few of his colleagues collapse the circle around her as she seems to entertain them with a made-up story, but Nicole’s fingernails dig into my arm and lead me toward the bar. “You’re old enough to drink. Right, Mr. Cardell?”

Giving her a seductive eyebrow raise, I lean into her silvery bob and whisper, “Do you want me to be?”

“Are you flirting with me?”

“Definitely.”

“Then why are we wasting time with drinks?”

Her cheeks falter with their grin, as if she’s worried she overstepped, but I move us deeper into the crowd and pass her off to the chief of police.

Chief Thornton smiles like he’s just been given a gift, and she looks at me with confusion.

I lean in, brush my lips against her forehead, and whisper, “Meet me in the coat closet in five.”

Several local police officers stand around us in a circle, laughing at my interruption, but I announce, “Chief Thornton, please watch Senator Frances’s wife for a moment while I grab her a drink.”

Before I walk away, I give her a slight wink.

Pippi seems to have moved onto the dance floor with Senator Frances and is talking a mile a minute. He chuckles in return, but his eyes are captured by her full rack of tits.

In a few minutes, I’ve got two drinks and set them on the counter near the coatroom in the back.

Just as I worry I’m about to be stood up, the lady walks in, swaying her hips.

This woman isn’t innocent , but she’s not my target either.

She’s the problem the board wants erased, so the senator can marry my sister.

I’ll pretend. I’ll play along. I’ll fake obedience.

Because, this body? It’s sacrificial proof. A bloodstained offering to earn the right to hold my P.I.C.’s hand.

“Let’s see what’s in those pants, shall we?” she asks, and I gather her up in my arms.

“A huge surprise for you.”

Syringe gripped tight, I plunge it into her carotid. She bucks against my hold, claws at my hands, gasping. Her eyes grow wide with horror, but then her muscles seize as her mouth opens in a croak.

Those large, light-colored eyes never leave my face, even as she dies. Her body crumples to the floor like a marionette whose strings have been cut.

One body for Pen.

Two…to keep my sister, my entire family alive.

I empty the rest of the syringe into a drink, then step over her corpse, wiping sweat from my brow with the back of my suit sleeve.

“Actually, it was just a little prick.”