Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“No,” I say and get to my feet. I’m trembling with fear and anger, but I’m not angry with Grandfather—this is exactly the sort of thing I’d expect of him—but angry with myself. Because I’m considering it. This is exactly the olive branch that could draw me back into the fold and all I’d have to do is betray Ford. “I’m not going to marry Ford just to try to destroy him.”
“Katherine, you will listen to me and you will do what’s best for your family.”
I grimace and step back, flinching away like he’s going to hit me. Grandfather’s never raised a hand to me in his life, but his words and his tone can be just as bad. I’m trembling like a little girl afraid to get punished. I haven’t seen Grandfather like this in a long time.
“I can’t,” I say quietly.
“You can and you will. Unless you want me to cut you and your mother out of the family completely, you will do this for me.”
I shake my head and move to the door. “Don’t make me.”
He sighs like he’s talking to an unruly child. “You chose this, Katherine. I don’t want you to marry that vile Arc boy, but if you insist then what can I do to stop you? At least this way you can be useful again. I’ve tried so hard to bring you into the family and make you a part of us and this is what you do to me. But I love you and I will forgive you, if you’re willing to give me what I want. You can do this, Katherine. You can and you will.”
I stop at the doorway. My head’s spinning. Spy on Ford? Tell Grandfather about the Arc family? Maybe he’s right and I could pull it off. Ford wants me to move in with him soon. Once I’m there, I’ll have access to his stuff—his files and computers and phones and whatever else—and I’ll be able to find information that Grandfather might want to use against their family. But if I do that, what would it make me?
I have to be strong. Years and years of conditioning is screaming at me to do whatever Grandfather says, but this is wrong. I didn’t expect Grandfather to make this offer, but it doesn’t change a thing. I’m marrying Ford for my reasons and for nothing else. I won’t let Grandfather bully me. I won’t let him bribe me. I’m my own person now.
At least that’s what I’m telling myself even as all my willpower begins to crumble.
“Think about it,” he says as I pull open the door and hurry out of there without speaking. “Don’t forget who you are, Katherine! You’re a Stockton!”
That echoes through my mind as I retreat into my room and lock the door.
You’re a Stockton.
I wonder if that’s true.
Chapter 12
Kat
“Welcome to your new home, future wife.” Ford gestures as the elevator dings and the doors slide open to a beautiful apartment near the top of a residential tower in a great neighborhood in downtown Dallas.
It’s everything I’ve always dreamed of: modern, spacious, clean. Hardwood floors, updated kitchen, incredible views of the city. It must’ve cost Ford a small fortune.
“Is this yours?” I ask as I move through the entryway and into the kitchen and living area.
“I bought it this week. I didn’t think you’d want to come live in the Arc family mansion and I figured I wouldn’t be welcome in the Stockton house. So here we are, neutral ground. Do you like it?”
I slowly nod as I turn circles and look all around. “I love it.” Everything is perfect and new and shining—except it’s nearly empty. “There’s not much stuff though.”
“No, you’ll have to furnish it.”
“And decorate.” I chew on my lip, already considering, thinking of styles and stores and boutiques I can hunt through, and excitement bubbles through my body. “Nobody’s ever asked me to decorate before.”
“You’ll be fine. I bet you have a dozen Pinterest boards ready and waiting. By the way, I like the colors black, white, and gray.”
I laugh and give him a look. “No big shock there.”
He drifts over to the windows. “I want you to feel at home here. We’re going to share this place for a while… for a long while. We’re going to live together here. You might as well make it your own.”
“You don’t have any input on that?”
“I’ll have an office upstairs.” He gives me a look when my eyebrows shoot up. “Yes, there are two floors. Yes, it was very expensive.”
“Great. You can decorate your office in black and white skulls or whatever you’re into… and I’ll do the rest of the place.”
“Except for the bedroom. We’ll do that together. Speaking of which, let’s finish the tour. Come with me.” He drifts down a back hall and up a staircase. I follow him at a distance with a knot in my gut.