Page 60 of The Billionaires' Gamble

He opens his mouth, but in typical fashion, my mother cuts him off.

“Don’s here to officiate your wedding.”

Officiate my wedding? My chin jerks back as if she punched me.

“What?” Tyler barks, losing a little bit of control of his temper. At least one of us gets to yell at her.

I wish it were me.

Once again, I rein in my anger. Fudgecakes, I’m going to need an antacid soon. “I can’t marry Tyler. I’ve told you that.”

“You can and you will.”

Deep breath.I rub my fingers in between my eyes and then lock eyes with my mother again. Tyler’s right. She’s lost touch with reality.

Stepping forward, I hold out a hand toward the doors she just came through. “Let’s go outside and talk.”

She doesn’t budge, but she also doesn’t stop me. “Oh, Katherine, there’s nothing to talk about.”

“Yes, Mother, there is. And I doubt you want an audience.” I glance pointedly at Don.

She sighs and offers a tight smile. “If you’ll excuse us.”

At least I can depend on her rigid upbringing. I step out onto the deck and wave her through. The men close the heavy sliding door immediately.

The air is a little cool and humid. A breeze catches my hair and sends it flying. Hers doesn’t move, and I wonder how much product she’s woven into the strands.

She nods to the two men flanking the door, and they move to the back of the deck.

A tiny tendril of relief wraps around me. I can’t get ahead of myself, and I really need to tread carefully here. As much as I might feel like the adult in this situation, I have zero doubts she’s paying these people handsomely to do whatever she says. And while I doubt she could physically harm me, she’s never been one to get dirt beneath her nails, she’d order it done in a heartbeat.

Clasping her hands in front of herself, she turns her attention to me.

“What were you thinking, Mother?” It’s the safest question I can think of when what I really want is to scream, ‘You had me kidnapped!’ That’s not going to go over well right now.

She gives a little shrug, but it’s hardly perceptible beneath her shoulder pads. “We’re killing multiple birds with one stone. You need a husband and?—”

I can’t help it. I laugh. “You never listen.”

Her poise fails her for a moment, but then she rolls her eyes. “Don’t be silly, of course I do.”

“You really don’t,” I murmur and lace my fingers together because at this point, I honestly don’t trust myself to not lash out. The vengeful part of me that loves taking out my aggression on the punching bag is getting, well, punchy.

“Time is running out, Katherine.”

My jaw drops, but I quickly snap it shut, a terrible thought whispering through my mind. I can’t stop myself from giving voice to it. “Have you forgotten when my birthday is?”

“Don’t be absurd.” She throws her hands up and turns away.

I glance past her at the ocean, then take a quick look around. We’re definitely several miles out. I don’t see anything, not even another boat. Not that I was holding out hope of flagging down a passerby.

“I can’t think of any other reason for you to be in such a rush.” I move to one of the padded stools bolted to the floor in front of the bar. Whoever owns this place really spared no expense. There are exquisite touches everywhere I look. Too bad I’m not here to enjoy the infinity pool or the dozen lounge chairs. I can almost see my guys here, though, frolicking, showing off, teasing me to climax.

Perching gingerly, ready to bolt but trying to look at ease, I shake off the wistfulness. Instead, I quickly try to calculate how many decks there are and just how far away the helipad is. They’re often on the front of yachts. And I’m guessing at least one deck up.

She turns on me, her brows pinched, lips turned down, eyes wide. “Of course you can’t.”

“Of course I can’t!” I agree, voice rising. “You dropped this on me and act like I’m out of line. I have no idea what’s going on with you.”