Page 64 of Corrupt Me

Crap, I still need to record his voice and redirect his calls to help us find Felix. Maybe I should have waited.

“I can work with that.”

Nothing seems to deter this guy.

“Any plans for spring break?” he asks.

“I’ll spend it at the Family estate.”

“Can I come visit as a friend?”

I won’t be there. Despite criticizing the idea of a vacation, it now seems like a good plan. I need a break from this whole Felix mess.

There haven’t been more attacks. Maybe Caleb’s death disrupted Felix’s plans, but I doubt he just gave up.

“I’ll let you know.”

Satisfied, he accompanies me home, chatting away as I secretly record his voice. At the door, he leans in for a kiss, but I offer my cheek, lingering longer than I’d like. I turn and rush inside.

The house is quiet as I program Eric’s voice into the mirroring app.

I am about to head to the swimming pool when my phone rings. I almost drop it when I see who it is—my mother.

I am inclined to let it go to voicemail, but I am curious about what she wants now.

“Mother?”

“What took you so long?”

I am not dignifying her question with an answer. I am so over this pretend bullshit.

After she inhales deeply as if it’s a damn chore to talk to me, she says, “Your father and I talked. We came up with an idea to benefit all of us.”

“And that would be?”

“You’re going to marry someone who could lead the company while you entertain your little project.”

“My little project will make sure no one gets close to us,” I say through gritted teeth, my patience wavering.

“Whatever. It’s Cassandra who is not equipped for her role,” she huffs, her displeasure clear.

“And who would lead the Family better?”

“It’s irrelevant now. Everything is her fault anyway. We’ll tell you more about your future husband when we find time to meet for dinner.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Don’t use that tone with me.”

“Mother, let’s not waste time. I’m not planning on getting married anytime soon.”

Her screech of indignation nearly deafens me. “Listen, you brat. I could have lost everything because of you. The least you could do is this one favor.”

“A favor? Marrying someone of your choosing sounds like more than a favor to me.” I’m proud of myself for holding my ground. Sometimes I could barely open my mouth in their presence, terrified of saying something wrong. It didn’t matter, though. Nothing ever seemed to make them like me.

“Arranged marriages have kept the Family strong. Just because those pricks you call friends abandoned that tradition doesn’t mean your father and I will do the same.”

It’s astounding that she thinks I’ll accept being married off. I’m sure there must be more, so I don’t refuse right away. I need to find out what they’re up to. After a lifetime of ignoring my presence, needing my help breeds distrust.

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