Page 41 of Keeper

“Now, I have some appreciation for the fact that your father is the chief, but... even he understands that accidents happen,” he continues, cutting me off and adopting the kind of air of superiority that only someone like Ephraim Creed can pull off. “You don’t want there to be any accidents, do you? For you, or the gardener you’re both trying so desperately to protect?”

My heart races wildly as I scramble for an answer. I didn’t know he knew. No one did. So that’s why he brought me here, then. Me, specifically, instead of someone else borne of solid stock who could’ve made his son a fine match. He needed the type of woman who could make a man betray his heart. He needed a trained whore, a perfect little pawn, and he knows now that I’m failing. “I’ll do better,” I promise. “I’ve almost got him. I’ll do better.”

“Yes, and that starts tonight. You speak of the rumors that will spread if your belly grows before your wedding, but I’m more concerned with the rumors spreading now. They know you don’t love him, Miss Harbough. They know he doesn’t love you. I suggest you do a better job of convincing them — convincingme —otherwise.”

I choke on the “Yes, Sir” that comes out.

“Good. Now hold my arm and escort me to my wife’s birthday party. Guests are already arriving and I want to see her face when she realizes I set this all up.”

My hand is clammy as I grip his bicep and try not to trip on my heels. My dark hair falls in loose waves, cascading down over a glittery silver dress that makes me feel almost ethereal. I was excited for tonight, I was. My Keepers are coming. The stunning and dangerous Daddy will be here too, with all of her girls that I miss so much.

And Draven, too. Despite the phone he gave me blowing up over the last two weeks, I still haven’t given him an answer. I was looking forward to what he’d do to me for making him wait, but now I can’t see past the end of the toasts. I won’t be able to leave Alexander’s side to talk to anyone, much less the bastard I’ve been craving.

I have to sell this. My life depends on it.

And so, it seems, does Morella’s.

While I hold no love for the girl myself, I’m not a monster. If it’s in my power to protect her in this, I will. Despite everything, despite the fact that she’s ready to throw me away, I’ll protect her. My humanity is the one thing I will never let a man, especially one like Ephraim, take away from me.

So as the doors to the ballroom on the third floor open, I plaster on a smile and wave as politely and sincerely as I can to those who greet us. I spot Alex at a table near the other end of the room and excuse myself from Ephraim. He looks every bit the stoic, responsible son with his fitted suit and slicked hair, so I take the opportunity to fuck his night up the second I get there.

“He knows about Morella,” I sing-song into his ear as I reach up to hug him. “If you don’t act like I’m your future wife tonight, she’s dead. Do you love her enough to fake it for one evening?”

His face is pale as he leans back and takes my hand, nodding once. “Sit with me. We’ll talk after, but for now, yes. Let’s pretend.”

The next two hours are full of Verna’s blabbering, fake crying, and exclamations of surprise. Nowthatis pretend. There’s no way she didn’t know this was being planned in her own house, by her own staff, on her birthday when there were seemingly no other plans. If she didn’t, she’s stupid. And Verna Creed is anything but stupid.

I do my part to laugh at Alex’s dry jokes, lean in close to him, and act like a smitten little teenager right up until I see Draven walk in. He’s obnoxiously late, as always, but holy hell does he look good. I’m so used to seeing him in black jeans even when the rest of the family is dressed to the nines that seeing him like this — dark dress pants, black dress shirt unbuttoned a quarter of the way down and an open black suit jacket — makes my fucking thighs clench.

When his blue eyes meet mine, I forget Alex is there at all. Especially when he offers me a smile.

“Jesus,” Alex whispers under his breath. “I just saw your legs clench together at the sight of him.”

“That should make you feel better,” I hiss. “Since he’s the one who has to save all of us.”

“I’m sure it’s such a sacrifice for him.” He huffs under his breath. “This is a fucking mess. All of this relies on that flirty little shit. Doesn’t that worry you? Look at him. He showed up drunk.”

I swear, I have the strangest urge to slam Alex’s head into his gold-lined dinner plate, but I plaster on another smile instead. “Better than the guy who refuses to even try. He’s willing to risk himself and live his life knowing he can’t raise his own kids just to protect you, and you’re looking down at him? Seriously?”

“I guess he hasn’t let you down yet, but just be warned. He’ll fuck this up somehow.”

Draven strolls over to our table before I can respond, his relaxed gait proving Alex’s point on the fact that he isn’t sober, but when he speaks to us both clearly I decide not to worry about it. I have enough on my plate anyway.

“Hey, big brother. Your wife looks downright edible in this goddamn dress. How the fuck do you keep your hands off of her?”

“It’s hard,” he laughs through semi-gritted teeth. “But if you think she looks beautiful tonight, just wait a few months. She’ll be stunning the day she marries me.”

The smugness in his voice makes me want to hit him, but Dray snorts a laugh at him and turns to face me. “The Creed name will suit you well.”

He reaches out to take my hand, placing a kiss upon it without breaking eye contact. It sends a ripple of heat through me slowly, steadily, until my cheeks are tinted pink and I realize I’m squeezing his hand. I don’t want him to let go. “Stay,” I whisper. “Please.”

“He fucking can’t. Not unless you can stop looking at him the way you should be looking at me. Father’s watching.”

Alex is right. I can’t do this, not here.

I draw back quickly and stand up, throwing my napkin down to play it off like Dray said something insulting. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

Making a show of stomping off, I don’t relax until I’m out in the hallway. The air is cooler here, fresher, but I’m not the only one out here.

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