Page 103 of Brutal Kingdom

“And I’m in the city to see Tony. He invited me to see his work and studio. Kassidy didn’t want to come to this thing alone, so…”

“Tony? Tony Parker? You’re in touch with him?”

“He was disappointed when I couldn’t take the internship he offered me and has been kind enough to let me work with him when I can at the studio he’s opening in Ridgeland Crest.”

Is that what she was doing there? “That’s strange. Nothing I’ve read about Tony says he’s thelet you work for him when you cantype.”

“Maybe he’s just been waiting for the right talent to come along.”

Backing her into the office, I ask, “Are you that talent?”

“No. ButI ammotivated to learn as much as I can.”

I close the door behind us, then spin her, pushing her against it, gliding my hand up her leg. “And what are you learning during these sessions?” Capturing her lobe between my teeth, I tug. “Is he helping you or helpinghimself to you? Because I know about his reputation.”

She lifts her chin. “What difference does it make? He’s single, and so am I.”

After everything we’ve been through, she can’t possibly believe that. She’s struggling to hide the truth from me, but I see it. She’s skating a fine line between truth and principle. So am I. But that’s where we both went wrong. Not prioritizing us and our relationship over all the petty bullshit in our lives. I’m willing to push past what she did, but only if we’re completely honest with each other from here on out. That means I have to go first.

“There’s something you should know. We’re not just here for the awards ceremony.”

“Oh, really?”

“My dad wanted visibility on me, and Bella.”

Her face contorts when I mention her name. “What kind of visibility?”

I swallow thickly. I have to get this out in the open. “When the families in Kingsley Hollow make arrangements, there are certain expectations.”

“Logan, what are you trying to say? What type of arrangement?”

“My dad has. He’s made an agreement with Bella’s dad. An alliance. So we have to be seen in public together, as a couple.”

She pushes my hand away from her leg. “Are you trying to tell me that you’re pretending not to hate Bella, so her dad will do business with yours?”

Explaining this is harder than I thought it’d be. “Not quite. There’s a codicil in the company bylaws concerning who’s running McKay Media. My grandfather had certain expectations and created these stipulations. My uncle is using the codicil as grounds to wrest control away from my dad.”

She reaches up, cupping my face. “Logan, I can see whatever it is you’re trying to say is important, and it’s upsetting you, but you’re still not making any sense. Just tell me, what’s bothering you.”

She’s trying to be supportive and understanding. The look in her eyes says she’ll help me fix whatever the problem is if she can, but she can’t fix this.

“My uncle thinks I’m too unreliable and irresponsible. He’s using my dating history as grounds to make a play for control of the company. He’s been telling the board of directors that Aiden’s engagement to Claire means he’s ready to take over, even though I’m next in line as the first-born son, of a first-born son.”

She chuckles. “Your uncle is trying to steal McKay Media from your dad, because you’re a playboy?”

“Yes.”

“That’s old news. Why is it suddenly a problem? You know what. Nevermind. Just tell me, what does any of that have to do with Bella and the Lances?”

“To keep the board on our side, and to stall the vote my uncle wants, I have to pretend like I’m ready for a real relationship. That I’m ready to settle down with someone from an elite family.”

She steps away, realization dawning. “You. And Bella. You’re pretending to date, so your board thinks you’re stable enough to run the company. ”

“It’s a little more than that. There’s a preliminary contract that’s been drafted. It’s a marriage contract.”

Her face falls. “You’re marrying her?”

“No. Baby, I’m not. But for now I need the board to think I am. Or that I’m at least willing to.”

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