Page 7 of The Price of a Promise

I knew that name—I knew I knew it, in the same way that lesser-cultured people knew the nameRockefellerwithout being entirely sure why.“What for?”

“I don’t know.Potential business collaborations, now that Eli and I are graduating soon…”

Eli.The lightbulb went on, but it illuminated a picture I didn’t want to fucking look at.“You and Eli, huh?”I knew she and the white-collar bastard went to Stanford together.I’d run into him at a charity function once, one of the few events in their world that Cora’s father had allowed her to bring me to.Maybe “allowed” wasn’t the right word.I’d slipped in, and I’d been shadow banned ever since.Eli had been a disgusting, smarmy mess—slicked hair, condescension crinkling at his eyes, a sort of bored distaste punctuating his every murmur and movement—even in his mid-twenties.

I remembered this shit because it was so fucking common in the elite circles.My brothers and I even had a bingo card for the most ostentatious signs we were dealing with rich assholes and their ilk.Using the word “ilk” was, ironically, on the bingo card.

“We’re in the same program…”

“I know.”I squeezed the ring box, a million different questions sprouting to life inside me.The conflicting pressures created a dangerous environment beneath my rib cage.“So the wedding thing—your dad wants you to marry him?”

“I…think so.”

A long silence stretched between us, and I felt sick.Of course her dad wanted her to marry Eli.It didn’t surprise me.On the list of potential fiancés, anyone with a 401(k) was automatically in line before me.But at the front of the line was anyone who looked, talked, and acted like Eli.Jackpot for coming with family money.

No, what landed like a surprise punch to the balls was the fact that her father was weaving the Rossberg business into Cora’s future.This was an opportunity—whatever it was.And I had a sinking suspicion that whatever they wanted to talk about, it would feature a gilded future and lots of cash.

Cora might have a hard time sayingno.

“So when are you going to tell him the only man you’re gonna marry is me?”

She laughed, but it sounded sad.“Well, I guess a good time would be once someone pops the question…”

I ground my teeth, staring at the ring box in my hand.Did she know?Could shefeelme holding this engagement ring?I tried to keep the amusement out of my voice, lest anything give me away.“Seriously, Cora.When is he going to accept that we’re together?”

“I don’t know.Once you get your MBA?After your first million?You know, you could fast track it and just go work for him.”

A bitter laugh tumbled out of me, one that I couldn’t control.“Cora, I love you, but—”

“But what?”The acid edge in her voice told me we were entering new territory here.We never talked about me working for Allan, because it was an idea that could not exist in the real world.Much like dinosaurs would never reincarnate wearing Chuck Taylor shoes and playing the White Stripes, I would never spend a single moment of my life as Allan’s subordinate bitch.

“There are other options,” I hurried to add.I didn’t want to saybut I don’t love you that much, because it wasn’t true.When it came down to it, I’d do anything to make Cora mine.No matter how much I postured, I knew that spending time as Allan’s subordinate bitch was a possibility, but only if it was the last option.

I’d simply make sure that outcome never arrived.

When she stayed silent longer than I liked, I added, “My brothers and I are starting our business.Like we’ve been planning for years.Trace already has a lead on some potential clients, and if we can get ten clients right out of the gate, I’ll make sure that ten turns into twenty.Twenty into fifty.Fifty into one hundred.And pretty soon your dad will be knocking onmydoor to manage his money.”

“I know.I believe in your business.But you know there are other routes that won’t…take so long.”

I felt my hackles rise.I was used to the entire fucking world doubting me, but not my Cora.“Take so long, huh?”

“Starting a new business takes time.It takes capital.”

“No fucking shit.”

“Don’t snap at me like that, Axel.I’m just being realistic.You’re the one who asked me what it would take.Well, I told you.”

I squeezed the ring box again, the anxiety churning alongside the frustration.“I didn’t mean to be like that.Hepisses me off—not you.”

She laughed so softly it sounded like a sigh.“I know, babe.And I believe in your business.I support it.But you can do other things before you become a millionaire.”

I popped open the black velvet box, looking at the brilliant diamonds floating over the gold band.Maybe she was right.Maybe the only way to get this ring on her finger was to suck it up and become Allan’s subordinate bitch.

She navigated the conversation to safer topics: schoolwork, funny stories from the day, memories from the last time I’d made her come.We talked until her next class started, and then I was left staring at Elon Musk, clutching the velvet ring box harder than if I expected Allan to come in here and rip it from my hands.

“Guys.”I pushed the door to my bedroom, beelining for my brothers.“You got a minute?”The conversation with Cora rattled through me, like the warning shake of a warlock’s skull-topped walking stick.This needed to be addressed.If it wasn’t, secret poison might take root and I’d decay from the inside out.

“What’s up?”Trace looked up from his book; Damian pushed his laptop aside wordlessly, the strongest signal he knew how to give that he was listening.

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