Page 16 of Twisted Contract

A shift happens in me, and I’ve had enough of this timid behavior. I open the door and stare down my father and my jackass fiancé. “What? I can’t believe you did that.” They both spin toward me with wide eyes.

“It’s not what you think,” my father exclaims, trying to look past me.

“So, you’re telling me that you had nothing to do with the shooting?” I challenge, glaring at him while standing against the door so they can’t escape.

“Well,” he drags out the word.

“Answer me,” I bark out, anger dripping from my words. “Answer me now, damn it.”

“It’s complicated.”

“It’s not complicated,Dad.” As the air fills with tension, I consider another idea. “How did you know that they were gonna be there? I never told anyone about it, and I especially wouldn’t talk about my work with you.”

“Well, I got a look at your schedule,” he confesses.

I shake my head. “You mean you hacked my computer. I can’t believe you would do something that crazy. I could have been killed.” The tears I’d been holding back earlier are back again. There are a lot of things I believed he was capable of, but this was a whole new level of betrayal.

“But you weren’t.”

“Yes, thanks to the man you tried to kill.” I jab my finger in his chest, trying to fight back tears. Connor was right. He’d been set up and I was a part of it, even if it wasn’t the way he thought. I’m a pawn in a bigger scheme to get to their family.

“And you. What was the point of asking me to marry you if he was planning to kill me?”

“We weren’t planning to kill you.”

“The guy was an excellent marksman. The asshole got you shot by getting in the way and since he failed, he paid the price. Connor MacNamara wasn’t supposed to see the shot coming and should be dead. Instead of being shot, you could have gone about your day with a messy outfit.” Is he really being this cavalier about it?

I shake my head, flabbergasted, incensed, and completely heartbroken. “I can’t believe this.”

“Please believe that I don’t want you dead, my sweet girl, and neither does Nick. I need my legacy to continue on. Your babies will be my grandchildren and the hope of my future, so the sooner you two tie the knot, the better.”

“Excuse me, but this room isn’t for use,” someone says, knocking on the door. Nick walks to the door.

“Forgive us, we needed a private family moment.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Mirren, Governor Saunders.”

“We’re coming right now. Are you feeling better, sweet girl?”

“Yes.” I step out ahead of them and say, “Please show me to the ladies’ room.”

“We’ll meet you in the ballroom.”

“Of course. I only need a moment to freshen up.” She shows me the way to the ladies’ room, which is crowded with many other women who have gathered. I take myself to a stall for some privacy. Breathing deeply, I brush strands of loose hair out of my face. What should I do? I can’t leave with my father or Nick, but I can’t give them a reason to think I’m going to run either. I open the bathroom stall door and exit to the sink in front of me. That’s when I spot Nora.

“Oh, excuse me.”

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“Yes, I’m fine.” This isn’t how I thought my first real meeting with Nora would go. I’m a pathetic mess and she’s the prime example of elegance and control.

She presses her hand on forearm and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Are you sure? I’m sorry about Connor’s behavior. After everything that’s happened this past year, the men don’t have a lot of grace to give people, and I’m afraid that you made it a bit messy for him.”

“I’m sorry. Things are crazy for me right now.”

“Let me know if you need anything.”

“I…thanks.” I was going to say that I can’t use my phone, but I’m not sure if my father has access to it. She steps out of the bathroom, and I mentally prepare myself as I wash my hands.

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