Page 130 of Hunters and Prey

He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

Connor made it so hard sometimes.

“Listen, Cailyn,” he said, looking down at her hand in his. “I know this arrangement isn’t what you had in mind for your life, but in time, you will find happiness with me. We can have a good life together; one where you don’t have to worry about anything. I will love and protect you always.”

Love?

The word frightened her when it fell from Connor’s lips.

Her heart could never be anyone’s but Asher’s.

Cailyn turned to the flames, taking her hand back and tucking it under her leg. She watched them flicker and rise against the logs of the fireplace.

“Was that some sort of lazy proposal?”

She bit her lip, fighting tears. She never imagined she’d end up in an arranged marriage like the women from the classic novels she read.

“It was,” he said.

Oh God.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. There wasn’t a box. The ring didn’t need it. It was huge. The diamonds captured the light from the fire, shining brightly as she gawked at it.

It was stunning.

Cailyn tensed.

“Listen, love, you can accept this ring when you are ready.”

“Thank you,” she said, relieved to be let off the hook.

“I want to make you happy. I don’t want to disrupt your world, however, so you’ll continue with school. I believe an education is important. But, I really don’t want you working at the bookstore anymore. It doesn’t look good for my girl to work in such a shabby little place. You don’t have to work.”

“I can’t work?”

He’d already assumed that she’d accepted his proposal.

Connor gave her hand a squeeze, his eyes hard. “No. You will not work. You will go to school, and come home.”

“I don’t understand why it matters.”

The look on his face made her regret speaking at all. His grip on her hand tightened slightly.

“Any more questions?”

The tone is his voice made her shiver. She shook her head. “No,” she said, her voice wavering. “I was just curious.”

“Good.” Connor smiled. “Curiosity is okay.” He patted her hand. “But in moderation.”

Cailyn nodded, appalled by his change in tone. “Yes. Okay.”

“Good,” he said. “Now, where were we? Oh, right. I will take you to Scotland over winter break. How does that sound?”

Cailyn raised her brows. He really did mean to make a life with her.

“You’ll take me to Scotland?”

“That’s right.”

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