Page 4 of Their Property
“Uh, miss?”
“Yes?” I cocked my head at the man next to me.
“You might want to brush your hair out before the Sevier dignitaries see you.”
As tempting as it was to try my luck and ignore him, he had a point. Pushing buttons and seeing what I could get away with was a game I played with my father, not strangers. First impressions were important, and Ididwant to prove myself a capable, adult woman.
After handling most of my tangles with the small brush I carried in my purse, we drove into Sevier’s most populated city, currently called Perrysville. A gleaming white structure stood tall in the distance, and my hands clenched into fists. It was a stark reminder of the tower where Malcolm kept me prisoned.
“Is that the capitol building?” I asked Gonzalez.
“Yes, Miss Vance. We’ll be there shortly.”
The road curved around, offering a wider view of the building. I breathed a little easier seeing that it wasn’t only the lone tower I saw at first glance. It had several towers, the entire building resembling a stark white cathedral.
“It looks kind of like…a church.”
“It was a Catholic church before the Collapse,” said the soldier next to me. “Back when this was the state of Utah.”
“I see.”
The building seemed to expand as we approached, growing taller and wider until it blocked out the sun. By the time the SUV parked in front, the front tower loomed over us like a sheer white cliff face forged by nature.
The lieutenant got out of the driver’s seat and came around to open my door. “We’ll stay with you until we have confirmation that your bodyguards have arrived.”
“Thank you.” I took his offered hand as I stepped out, the fluttering in my stomach expanding up to my chest and throat. This was really happening. Soon I’d be left alone in a new territory, without my father hovering.
My soldier escorts came to either side of me as we walked up the steps to the entrance. Three suited men waited for us in front of tall, intricately carved wooden doors.
“Welcome to Sevier, Miss Vance,” said the oldest man. He was tall and thin with just a few wisps of white hair clinging to his scalp. “I’m Governor Kurtis Perry. It’s an honor to have you as an ambassador in my territory.”
“Thank you, Governor.” I gave him my best charming smile. “I’m excited to work together so that both of our territories can flourish.”
The older man tilted his head and huffed out a soft laugh, as if I’d made a joke. He recovered quickly and turned to his companions to make introductions. “This is Richard Willis, my Chief of Staff and closest adviser.”
“It’s a pleasure, Miss Vance.” A middle-aged man with glasses extended his hand and gripped mine in a fast handshake before releasing me. “Your father and I have worked together for many years. Please give him my best.”
“Of course, sir.” I struggled to hold back my amusement at both of his names.Dick Willis.“The pleasure is mine as well.”
Governor Perry and I turned to his other companion and my heart sank. I tried not to let my disappointment color my face, but it took a hell of an effort. This cabinet member was young and handsome. Well-groomed with a charming, bright smile and a keenness in his eyes that made me want to shrink away.
I should have seen this coming. Dad probably knew about it all along too. Since my past kidnapping torpedoed any relationship with Blakeworth, Dad and Governor Perry wanted to set up a match in Sevier.
Fuck, that was probably theonlyreason Dad had allowed me to go. For all I knew, it was the only reason Perry accepted my ambassadorship. Why else would he laugh at the notion ofworking together?
In a post-Collapse society, territory and power was everything. It was the only way to ensure your survival. And just like the kings and queens of centuries past, the best way to secure power for future generations was through marriage arrangements.
Before Malcolm, I would have been thrilled at the idea of marrying a handsome man set to inherit a territory. Now? I wanted to scream my head off at these old fucking men who only wanted to use me.
“This is my nephew, Nathan, Treasury Secretary of Sevier.” Governor Perry, oblivious to my inner rage, gave the younger man a not-so-subtle push in my direction.
“I’ve been eager to meet you, Miss Vance.” Nathan held out his palm and when I made contact for a handshake, he turned my hand over and bent to kiss the back of my palm instead.
“It’s…a pleasure.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.
He looked up slowly from my hand, smirking as he straightened again. “The pleasure is entirely mine. I’m excited to see what we can do together.”
I pulled my hand from his grasp, making a show of demurely lacing my fingers in front of me even though my grip was like iron. “As am I.”
