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M y cheeks brightened as I listened to Carson’s and Emma’s banter over who was the best at the video game they played.

“I am more than willing to step in and ruin both of your scores.”

Emma jumped on the sofa, tickling my belly. “You will be a good big sister and teach us all you know.”

Carson’s gray eyes lit up. He hopped on the sofa. They double teamed me. I couldn’t stop laughing. Spending time with them kept my thoughts off my ordeal.

“Chelsea, you have company,” Nina yelled from the atrium.

“Hey guys.” Tate opened his arms as he stepped into the family room.

“Tate.” Carson and Emma bounced into his arms.

My happy state was short lived.

“Hey, Chelse.”

“Tate, I thought you’d be hanging with the guys.” My fake grin was in place .

“I told them I had to spend time with my girlfriend.” He sank into the sofa beside me.

The kids sat on the floor, staring at the seventy-five-inch screen TV. They argued over what they’d build next on the game. I laughed. My family was my comfort zone.

Mason’s arm slipped over my shoulder. “I heard a rumor about Veronica yesterday. You have any idea who could have started that rumor?”

I stared at the TV arms folded. “Nope.”

His nose nuzzled my hair behind my ear. “I have needs, Chelsea.”

My blood coursed through my veins. I wanted to sock him in his mouth. Asshole.

“You’ve managed all this time with Marisa,” I whispered.

“Yeah, but I’d like to test drive something different.”

Ugh! I bit my lip.

“After we’re married, it’s just me and you, baby.”

“Marriage,” Dad growled from behind.

We sat up straight, peering over our shoulders. My heart raced. Of course, I knew Tate was the man I wanted to marry, but not now. We discussed our future briefly. Our goal was to focus on our passions and worry about marriage down the line .

“Mr. Culver, sorry you had to hear about Chelsea and I tying the knot casually. I assure you I planned to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage the correct way.”

Dad’s gray eyes narrowed. “Don’t you think you two are a little young to discuss marriage?”

Dad sat in the chair beside us.

“No. She was the only girl I ever had any intention of being with for the rest of my life. Why wait? She’s the love of my life.” His eyes darted over at me. “I’ve loved, Chelsea since we were kids.”

The reminder was very clear. ‘She’ll never be yours.’ He planned to keep his word. My dad’s nosiness may have just escalated my marriage to Mason.

“Tate, you are excited to have her in your life all the time?”

Mason squeezed my hand as he stared at my dad.

“You have no idea, sir. I won’t waiver from my decision to marry your daughter.”

Dad’s eyes narrowed between us.

“Chelsea, is this what you want?”

Swallowing was next to impossible. I felt like cotton balls were lodged in my throat. I nodded. “Yes, Dad. I love Tate. ”

Not sure if my shaky voice was so convincing. Chelsea, hold on. You can do this. Maybe escalating the process would give you access to Tate sooner than later.

I snaked my arm around Mason’s. “He’s the love of my life. I can’t wait to become his wife.”

Keep the tears at bay, Chelsea. Instead, think of revenge. My face brightened.

Dad stood and Mason followed. “I’ll have a talk with my wife and your parents.” He extended his hand.

“You have my blessing. We’ll see if we have everyone else’s.”

Mason grinned from ear-to-ear. “Thank you, Mr. Culver.”

“You’re welcome.” He smiled.

Dad vacated the room.

Mason settled in beside me, pulling me into his arms. “Don’t cock block me again unless you plan on giving me some of that sweet little pussy you gave to my brother so eagerly.”

A chill shot up my spine. If I could have kneed him in the balls again, I would have.

“Come on, let’s go to the theater room and watch a movie.”

He grabbed my hand and led the way. How did he know where the theater room was? Had he broken into my house without our knowledge? The fucker must have .

Mason sat in the recliner and pulled me against his chest. The tiny hairs rose on the back of my neck. Oh, my God. He watched me and Tate. Was anything we’d done private?

SITTING ON A DESK IN the boiler room, I slipped a scrunchie around my hair. The smell of rusty pipes filled the air.

Matt then Rocco came into view.

“Well, if it isn’t our favorite teen witch,” Matt snickered.

“Funny.”

Rocco placed his laptop on the desk beside me. “I logged into the system and sent a message to your History teacher informing Mrs. Kipper you had an appointment with the school nurse.”

“That’s great. Gives us time to talk. We have to work fast guys. Mason upped our time table to get married.”

“How?” Matt’s brow creased as he loosened his navy tie.

“My dad overheard Mason mention marriage to me.” I smirked. “Dad, gave us his blessing.”

“We better work quick.” Rocco tapped away on his keyboard.

“I tracked the last time Douglas Forrester was in the states. Wouldn’t you know it was the week of Mason’s accident. I wonder who was buried in Mason’s grave. ”

Matt hovered beside Rocco, glaring at the screen. “Doesn’t matter. Probably some poor kid who was already dead.”

“What else did you uncover?” Matt asked.

“Douglas hired a team of doctors who he brought from the UK. They were on his payroll for two years.”

My eyes widened. “Wow, so that’s how he nursed Mason back to health. Why can’t their father run the company?”

Matt tapped his index finger against his temple. “There has to be something higher at stake. Why else would it matter which heir ran the empire? There’s another piece to the puzzle. We just haven’t uncovered it yet.”

I slammed my fist on the desk. “Matt, but we will. We have to. The second Marisa returns to town, I want to know.”

“Will do, Chelsea.”

“If you two are done, I’ll show you guys what else I found.”

“By all means, Rocco we’re paying attention.”

“Ok.” He pointed at the screen.

“I dug up a picture of the Forrester London compound.” He pointed at the blue print .

“There are two unlabeled rooms on each wing of the house. One could have been used as a hospital room. The other room could be where Tate is being held.”

“Do you think Douglas knows Mason is holding Tate?”

“Matt, I think anything is possible when it comes to him. Tate’s grandfather knew he was coming to visit him. And Mason returned instead. The fact that he would use his grandsons for his personal gain, shows he only cares about his shitty legacy.”

“Chelsea, I think it’s time for you to set a date.” Rocco peeked at me.

I swallowed hard.

“Yeah, Doll, I think a Christmas wedding is in order.”

He was right. Didn’t make sense to delay the inevitable. The sooner I set a date, the sooner I could find Tate.

Saturday afternoon, Mason and his buddies sat in the bleachers two rows up from my friends.

Connie and Megan waved. Trevor and Rocco gave me a thumbs up. Dad and the twins sat down front, waving. At the sound of the whistle, we took off along the grassy terrain. Tate’s bloody face flashed in my head. The last few nights I envisioned him tied to a chair in the room Rocco found. I wished I could fly to London and find Tate on my own. I knew there was no chance. I had to play my cards right.

Five miles later, the point at which we started was in view. Myself and my teammate Sara waved to the cheering crowd as we reached the end.

Mason appeared to be fitting into Tate’s life. Matt joked with him as they approached, I was sure to keep Mason from suspecting our plan to blow up his fucking world.

“Congratulations, Chelsea.” Mason wrapped his arms around me. The nip of the cold air whipped through my heaving body. My body heat had kept me warm until that moment. I was reminded that I was in a chilling situation.

“Thanks.” He released me and the twins moved in squeezing my legs.

“Chelsea, you won.” I smoothed my hand over Emma’s hair and grinned.

“Dad, said since you won, he’ll take us to your favorite restaurant.” Carson smiled.

“Hungry, huh, buddy?”

“Yeah.”

Dad fell beside me. “Great job out there, sweetheart.” He kissed my cheek. “I recorded the start and finish of the race for mom. She’s in surgery.”

“Thanks, Dad. ”

Dad greeted our friends. Everyone stood around congratulating me.

“Tate, I bet your relieved you only have to worry about playing one sport instead of two.”

“Yup, only basketball until the spring, then I’ll have Lacrosse to worry about too.” Mason smiled.

The bastard knew my boyfriend’s life inside and out.

“Would you like to join us for lunch, Tate?”

My heart raced. Please say no. His blue eyes met mine, and a smile tipped the end of his lips. “No thanks. Chelsea and I are hanging out tonight. Y’all enjoy family time.” His southern accent, I didn’t know he still had, shined through.

Mason leaned down kissing my lips. “See you later, Chelse.” He winked before walking off with the guys.

Even though they were twins, Tate and Mason were different. Mason was twisted and evil. Tate could be evil too. I learned that first hand. But to infiltrate someone’s life making it your own, and forcing their girlfriend into marriage, I’d say was pretty sick. I felt like I was cheating on Tate. What else could I do other than play the part of the elated girlfriend? Rather than what I was; repulsed and counting the days until the charades was over.

I said my goodbyes to my friends.

“Chelsea, are you all right? Is everything ok with you and Tate?”

Tears stung the backs of my eyes and I swallowed hard. “Yeah, couldn’t be better. I’ll meet y’all in the car after my shower.” I never met my father’s gaze. If I did, I may have broken into a million pieces.

∞

Connie and Megan tore through my closet searching for the perfect dress for Matt’s party.

I leaned against the door frame. “Guys, you are aware we don’t have to dress up. Knowing Matt, the atmosphere will be chill.”

“You are Tate Forrester’s girlfriend. You have to look like it. You can’t show up everywhere in jeans and a long sleeve blouse.”

“He doesn’t mind.”

Connie’s head snapped in my direction. “Wear your crown proud bitch. Now you are wearing the cutest dress tonight.”

I threw my hands in the air. “Fine.”

If I was truly dressing up for Tate, I wouldn’t have complained. But because I knew the person who would benefit made my skin crawl, he’d purposely keep his hands plastered all over my body. The night at Stephens hit my memory bank. Tate and I were all over each other. I felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on me.

Pretending to be the perfect girlfriend to a sociopath every day was draining. Earlier, I soaked in a hot bath, remembering how Tate ignited my body with a simple touch. Not to mention, when we made love, I wished he was there holding me in his arms reassuring me we’d share our life together. Now our future hung in the balance. My boyfriend had been missing for over a week. I darted into the bathroom and hurled my guts out. Luckily, the girls didn’t know I slipped away. My old wounds tickled. Begged to be slit with a razor. Months ago, I would have given in to the urge. This situation would’ve definitely afforded my body two new cut marks.

I brushed my teeth, staring in the oversized mirror. No more.

I wouldn’t cut myself every time I was dealt a bad hand. Making Mason pay for kidnapping my boyfriend and ruining my life was my priority.

“Hang on, Tate,” I whispered.