Page 69 of Ruthless Prince

“No. You knew the terms when you signed the contract with myfather.”

I couldn’t see Logan, because the camera was somewhere on his torso, but I knew he was the one who’d just spoken. I’d recognize his voice anywhere. The way it dripped with condescension made me want to punch him in theface.

My dad held his palms up. “I know that, but you’re the one who gets her in the end, so I thought I’d appeal to you. I know you used to be fond ofher.”

“That’sirrelevant.”

“Please, Logan. I just need a little more time with her. I’m not ready to let her goyet.”

“You’ve had twenty-one years with her, Stephen. That’s enough. I’m taking hertonight.”

“She’s my daughter.” My father’s eyes were shining with tears now. “You can’t just takeher.”

“I can, and I will. You agreed tothis.”

“I’m begging you. One moreweek.”

“Sorry. I can’t dothat.”

“Please…” My father fell to hisknees.

The camera angle changed as Logan cocked his head to one side. “If Willow means so much to you, why did you sell her in the firstplace?”

“I wasn’t well back then. I… I had problems, and I was desperate. I wasn’t thinkingstraight.”

“That’s unfortunate, but it’s too late to break the terms of the deal now. Even if it wasn’t, can you imagine what it would do to your family if the truth came out now? Can you imagine what would happen to your wife’scareer?”

Dad rubbed his eyes and shook his head. “I thought you might be different,” he muttered. “But you’re just like your father. Not a shred of decency or compassion in you. You’re going to ruin my littlegirl.”

The camera moved closer to my father as Logan reached out and grabbed the front of his shirt, yanking him forward. “You need to remember—you’re the one who sold your own daughter to pay off your debt. Not to mention all the other terrible fucking things you’ve done. You’re the one without a shred of decency orcompassion.”

Dad’s face twisted with anguish. “I know it was wrong, but I never thought this would actually happen. I thought you would change yourmind.”

The recording ended there. I stared at the blank screen, lips parted and heartracing.

“Do you believe me now?” Loganasked.

I turned my head and stared up at him. His blue eyes were mesmerizing, but there was no warmth in their depths. No soul. I was looking at a man without a single drop of compassion inhim.

“It’s real?” I whispered. “This is reallyhappening?”

My mind was flooding with panic, the kind that manifested in violent shivers and neck-drenchingsweat.

Logan nodded curtly. “Yes.”

“Why would he do this to me?” Hot tears slipped down my cheeks as my father’s haunting words echoed in my mind. I shook my head. “No.No.I can’t believe it. Please tell me this is some sort of horribly-elaborate Order prank to test me in some way.Please!”

“It’s not an Order prank.” Logan tilted his head to the side. “The society brokered the deal between our families, though, so they are involved. Yet another reason they won’t help you rightnow.”

My eyes widened. “They know about thiscontract?”

“The high council members and the leader are aware,yes.”

I bit my bottom lip and tried my best to stop my hands from trembling. “What sort of debt could my father possibly have to yourfamily?”

“Are you sure you’re ready to hear it?” Logan asked. “It’s a lot toprocess.”

I sniffed back more tears. “Just tellme.”