Page 22 of Pretty Little Threats

Dad promised. He’s always been a man of his word. Maybe he doesn’t remember? But how could he not? It’s not some insignificant thing. This is my life he’s playing with.

My focus drifts around the conference room as a numbness coats my veins, ears ringing. Dare shifts and my gaze flies to meet his.Did he know? Did he come here to watch my downfall?Forehead wrinkled, lips turned down, Darestudies my reaction, his own confusion clearly evident. I don’t think he knew my dad’s plan. Dare’s eyes cut to my dad, who is still talking about my future as if I’m not even in the room.

“Rosalynn, what do you think about this?” Dare asks.

My stomach churning, I bite the inside of my cheek. How is he the only one who notices me? In a roomful of people who watched me grow up, Dare is the sole person who understands my discomfort.

Dad pauses, scowling at him. “Rosalynn?—”

“Can answer for herself.” Dare gives me a pointed look. “Do you want to marry Eric?”

Dare is trying to cause trouble—I know that—but this might be my only chance to stand up for myself. Dad will be mad, but I can’t let this marriage happen. I can’t let him steamroll me into this decision. He had plenty of chances earlier to discuss this with me, and he chose not to. This secret is such a violation of the sacred Miller trust he always preaches about.

Wetting my dry lips, I shake my head. “No.” The word silences the buzz of excitement. The board members shift in their seats as Dad slowly turns to look at me.

“What did you say?” he asks softly, too softly.

“No,” I say, voice shaky, but I stand my ground.

Features tightening, lightning flashing in his hazel eyes, the pads of his fingers dig into my shoulder so hard, I bite my cheek to keep from whimpering. “Rosalynn,” he begins, meaning to coax me.

I shake my head. “I don’t want to marry Eric.”

The quiet that settles between us is strained and tense. My instincts warn me that I’ve pushed him too far. I should sit down and do as I’m told, but I can’t. Not when he’s breaking his word.

All we have is our trust, Rosalynn. I’ll never lie to you, and you’ll never lie to me. That’s how Millers are.

He holds my stare, eyes narrowing. “Clear the room,” he barks.

I recoil at the sharp crack of his voice. Board members scurry to gather their things, fleeing the awkwardness, running for cover, escaping inevitable war. Dare is the last to leave, unfurling from his seat like a slumbering cat, stretching and studying the two of us. The downturn of his lips surprises me. I thought he’d be delighted to witness such a catastrophe.

“Princess,” Dare murmurs on his way to the door.

Dad huffs. “Go home, beast.”

Fingers curling around the threshold, shoulders tight, Dare pauses at the door, a predatory stillness coiling around him. I expect him to turn, to say something back, but as quickly as he paused, Dare recovers and leaves.

Even though I hate him, I can’t help feeling like he’s abandoning me to my fate.

Why would he care what happens to me?

He doesn’t.

That’s the truth of it. In this, I’m alone.

“You will marry Eric,” Dad says.

I wrench out of his hold, ignoring the pain radiating from where he gripped my shoulders. “Dad.” My voice is calm, despite the way my heart trembles. “You promised it would never come to this.”

His expression turns hard. “JD Miller & Co needs this. Eric is a slippery snake, but with you, the future CEO, as his wife, he won’t go against us. He wants the power, and he’s offering us what we need to take Darian down and?—”

“He’s offering a fantasy, Dad. There’s no way you’ll getenough shares to take over Darian’s company. It’s a dumb idea.”

Dad rears back like I slapped him. “What’s gotten into you? You used to be focused. You know the sacrifices I’ve made to get us here.”

“I do,” I say, putting my hand on my chest. “Dad, please.” My voice cracks.

His lip curls. Begging is beneath us, but I don’t see another choice.

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