Page 46 of Lovely Deceit

Alaric’s lips turn into a sneer. “Why?”

“Because I told him I wouldn’t marry his son. And I cursed at him.”

His jaw feathers. “He wants you to marry Keegan?”

I nod, letting out a breath. At least this is easy territory to pass. “Yes. Since Dee’s not here to do it.”

“Why?”

I’d intentionally left my answer vague, but Alaric isn’t letting anything go. “Because my father owed him a favor.”

Alaric shakes his head. “So he’s cashing it in to align your families again?”

“Yes.”

“You can’t marry him.”

“No shit.”

“Do you love Oliver?” he asks out of the blue.

“What is this, a gossip game? Go to hell, Alaric.”

“Do you love Oliver?”

“Yes, I fucking love Oliver,” I growl.

My heart is beating faster and faster. I hate this fucking game. I don’t want him to know everything about me. The only way to stop him from asking questions is if I ask them first.

“Why didn’t you come find me with Leo?”

He sighs. “Because I didn’t have the heart to bring you back.”

“Why?”

“Because you don’t belong in the Knights.” I scowl. “Not like that. Because I’m worried for you.”

“Worried how?” I ask, drilling into him.

“I’m worried they’ll hurt you,” he grinds out.

I survey the room, half expecting a Knight to show up out of nowhere to dispel what he just said.

“I told you, they can’t hear us.”

“Forgive me if I don’t believe you.”

“You can’t?” he challenges, glancing down at his chest. “If I lie, you’ll know it.”

I swallow. “What if you’re wrong?”

“I’m not,” he says confidently. “It’s tradition. They do not go back on tradition.”

He licks his lips. “I’m about to ask you a big question. Just answer it, okay?”

My stomach twists as I wait for him to voice it. I already know I’ll hate it.

“Why are you at Carnegie?”

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