Page 67 of Pretty Little Threats

Dad shakes his head. “I can’t trust you.”

“You can.” I reach for him, but he bats my hand away, fingers flexing on my other arm. “Please, Dad. I promise I’m going to find what we need.” The tremble in my voice is shameful, and the ripple of disgust across Dad’s face confirms that I’m making things worse.

When he releases me, I fight the urge to rub the bruises. So many in such a short span of time, yet none from the man standing outside the door. How’s that for irony? Dad searches my face, probably looking for some proof of what I’m telling him. I don’t look away and keep my expression open, showing him how much I mean what I’m telling him.

The marriage can be useful. We can still take Dare down.

“You have a month to prove yourself, or I’ll disinherit you.”

The words crash into me and I sway on my feet. “Dad, you wouldn’t?—”

“I will,” he cuts me off, face hardening. “I’m not letting you destroy my life’s work.”

Covering my mouth with my hand to keep from arguing, I glance away, blinking back the pain of being so easily discarded, as if I mean nothing at all. The money isn’t what hurts. I have plenty and my own sources of income. It’s theway Dad would cut me out. I don’t want to lose the only parent I have left. Dad’s all I ever had. He’s my rock. He saved me from the nightmares that used to haunt me. If he disinherits me, all I have is Cassia. My best friend is amazing, but I want my family.

The timeline he’s given sets me up for failure. “It’ll take more than a month for Dare to let his guard down.”

“Two, then.”

I shake my head. “Four, at least. Give me four months. If I don’t find anything, then you can do what needs to be done.”

It won’t come to him disinheriting me. I won’t let it. I’ll prove he can trust me.

Dad steps back and nods. “Fine. Four months, but if I so much as suspect you’re lying to me, you’re done, Rosalynn. I won’t let you destroy my legacy.”

“I won’t,” I swear.

Dad doesn’t believe me.

But that’s okay. I’m going to make good on my promise.

twenty-one

DARE

It’simpossible to make out any of their conversation. Joseph’s suite must be soundproof. I contemplate going inside right as the door opens.

Joseph holds it for his daughter, whose head is hanging, hair covering her face. My eyes narrow, and I look at him. He winks at me and slams the door, almost hitting Rose with it again.

Rose sniffs once, then straightens and storms toward the elevator.

I trail after her, glancing back at Joseph’s office and wondering what he said to make Rose cry. There’s something fragile about the way she holds herself, like he’s taken the wind out of her sails. My hands fist at my sides.

The elevator is waiting for us when we arrive, and Rose strides in, crossing her arms and facing away from me.

“Ignoring me again?” I ask.

She exhales and shakes her head in annoyance, still refusing to look at me.

Suspicion crawls up my spine. There’s something distinctly different about her right now.

I try a different tactic. “What, not the reception you were expecting?”

Again, she doesn’t turn toward me. No furious scowl sent my way. My gut begins to churn, warning me that I won’t like whatever happened between her and Joseph.

“Rose.”

“What?”

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