I hate my father’s office, it’s cold, and miserable, just like him. Yet what’s worse is he knows I hate it, it’s why every time we have something to discuss, he always makes me meet him here. It’s a power move, one that allows him to think he is in control, but the truth is, his games don’t matter to me. They never did, I let him rule with his iron fist, and went along with whatever bullshit he demanded because I knew I would soon be free. I was happy to keep doing that, but then he involved my sister.
There was no way on this earth I was going to stand by and allow him to force her into marrying some piece of shit just because he was friends with his father. Thankfully it was easier to dig up some dirt on her intended and flush his reputation down the toilet, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough. It’s the only reason I am here, because I know what I have to do next.
It’s another twenty minutes before he finally deigns to show up, citing overrun meetings as his excuse. Yet I don’t miss the lipstick on his collar, rolling my eyes at his sloppiness. I honestly don’t know how he ever got elected as Mayor. As he rounds his desk, he loosens his already astray tie, and searches through some papers on his desk until he finds what he is looking for.
“You cost me a lot of money by ruining the Thorne deal,” he snaps, leaning over and placing a stack of sheets in front of me. I don’t even let my eyes drop, keeping my focus on him as I wait for him to continue. He doesn’t have concrete proof that it was me who foiled his plans, but he knows I did it, and it’s that knowledge that has me smirking. “Not that it matters now, I know you’ll do your duty.” He leans over again and taps on the list in front of me. I still don’t look at it.
“I will do what’s required,” I start, measuring my words slowly. “But you will keep up your end of the deal and leave Madeline alone. You won’t insert yourself in her relationship, you won’t mess with her tuition or place at FU, and you won’t disrupt her life in any way. Do you understand?” I hold his stare, not letting the smile that crosses his mouth affect me. I’m not the little boy he used to be able to scare away with just the boom of his voice. I’m a man now, and I will do what I need to in order to protect my sister.
“You should consider following my footsteps into politics, son, you’d make quite the show.” I don’t take his false praise for anything other than what it is, and his smile drops when he realizes his words no longer have an effect on me. “You have my word that I will not interfere with your sister’s life in any way, the Darkmore boy is an acceptable enough choice given his trajectory. As long as you do your duty, I will stay away from them.”
I am already on my feet and grabbing the list from his desk before he has even uttered his last word. “Consider it done.”
Now I really do try and make it outside before I let my eyes drop to the list, I do, but I’ve never been good at delayed gratification, and with my future at stake, my restraint breaks. I’m not surprised to find the usual hoard of socialites, and businessmen’s daughters, but as my eyes scan to the bottom of the page, I almost stumble at the last name on there, coming to a complete stop.
No, that can’t be right, it must be a typo, a misprint, but as I read her name once, twice, three times, I have to force myself to face my father again.
“Hallie’s name is on here?” My words come out as more of a question than I’d like, and my father lifts his eyes from his computer to me, but he remains silent waiting for more. “Hallie Rose Sanders, as in Maddie’s best friend.”
My father shrugs. “Yes, and? She comes from a good, wealthy family, her father runs a respectful, successful business, and Hallie is a nice, good girl.” He returns his focus back to his screen as he adds in a mumble, “Lord knows you’ve done worse.”
I know his words are dismissing me, and too shocked to say anything else, I turn on my heel and storm my way out of there, not stopping until I am behind the wheel of my car. Only then do I let my eyes drop to the list again, ignoring every other name on there and dropping down to hers.
Hallie Rose Sanders, my sister’s best friend, and the girl who has gotten under my skin since she was nine and I was ten. I wonder what she would make of her name being on such a list, the thought is laughable. She would be the worst choice I could ever make. But then again, what if she wasn’t?
No, wait, this is perfect. Hallie knows all about what was going on with Maddie being forced into an engagement, and she knows I’m the one who ultimately saved her. If I just explained the situation, then surely she would agree to helping me just long enough to see Maddie and I graduate and get out from under our father’s thumb.
Yes, this is perfect. Why tie myself to a real wife when I can tie myself to a fake one?
It’s time to ask my sister’s best friend for a favor.
