Page 44 of Pretty Little Threats

There’s no guarantee that my dad won’t marry me off to the next man he wants to use, and I’d feel obligated to go along, because I love him and he’s the only family I have left.

The front door snicks shut. If I marry Dare, it eliminates the possibility of being used to someone else’s advantage and may still give my dad exactly what he wants—better information to take Dare down.

Speaking of the devil. He appears in the kitchen, eyebrows raised as he takes in the mess I’ve made. The man has no right making a simple pair of dark-wash jeans and a blue Henley look so good. His eyes lift to meet mine. “Find what you were looking for?”

“No, but I will.”

His gaze flashes with exasperation. The irritation slips behind a hard mask, and Dare stares at me, eyes no longer glimmering with amusement.

“There’s the beast,” I murmur.

He storms toward me, and I spin in the bar chair,refusing to have my back to him. I pick up a strawberry and take a bite, carefully studying his approach, noting the loose way he carries his body, like he doesn’t have a care in the world. Dare places his palms on either side of me on the counter, trapping me in place. This seems to be a favorite move of his.

I ignore the flutter of excitement in my belly. “Did you have a good day, honey?”

“Rose,” he breathes my name. “Stay out of my stuff.”

My smile deepening, I stare up at him, propping my elbows on the counter as he looms over me. The hard lines on his brow are so deep, they have to hurt. Before I can think better of it, I reach up and smooth my thumb over his forehead.

“What’s the saying?” I ask, drawing my hand down to grip his chin exactly how he held mine last night. “What’s yours is mine.”

A deep, rumbling growl fills the space between us, making me wonder if he isn’t part beast after all.

And because I like to piss him off, I lean up and brush my lips over his. “Husband.”

I quickly pull away, but Dare’s hand wraps around my throat and holds me in place, our mouths centimeters apart.

“Careful, princess.”

“More idle threats?” I glare at him and he scowls.

“It’s like you were made to drive me mad.”

“It must be fate, then.” I brush my nose over his. “Because I hate you,” I whisper. “Now, let me go.”

His fingers flex on my throat—almost like he’s contemplating choking me—but then he releases me and takes two steps back, chest heaving, eyes searching my face in that vicious way of his. The way he studies me, like he’strying to figure out my breaking points, unsettles me. I don’t like him trying to figure me out or believing he understands any part of me. I don’t want to think of him as anything other than a monster. Trouble is, I’ve already started.

My heart is slamming against my rib cage, but I keep my expression flat, devoid of emotion.

Dare narrows his eyes. “I bought you a dress. The wedding is at six.”

A line forms above my nose. “What?”

“The. Wedding. Is. At. Six.”

Annoyance pricks along my skin. If only I had the strength of mind to kill another man... But as much as I despise Dare, I can’t say he deserves the same fate as Eric.

“I’m. Not. Stupid.” I push off the stool and march over to him. “We can’t get married tonight.”

“Why?”

“Because...” I search for a valid reason. I need more time to mentally prepare. I need to tell my dad, but that’s probably why Dare is in a rush.

The only person in the world who might care enough to step in and stop this is my father.Even then, there’s no guarantee he’d stop Dare. He promised you’d never be forced into a marriage. Who’s to say he won’t also break his promise to always protect you from the monsters?

The thought steals the air from my lungs. I’ve never thought about my dad like this. He’s always been my person. My hero. I was his little girl, but now I feel as though I’m nothing but another one of his corporate tools.

My throat tightens.

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