Page 45 of Brutal Kingdom

“I’m pissed that in my hopes of stopping a war at school, I ended up bound to you in some fucked up engagement and I didn’t get a vote.”

“That’s why we’re here now. To give you a vote. There’s no reason we can’t both get what we want out of this.”

“And what is it that you want, Isabelle?”

“What every woman wants. Security, love, and respect.”

“Great. The problem is, we don’t love or respect each other.”

“We can start. Tonight, with you saying something respectful.”

I give her a look that says fuck that.

“Logan, school just started. This can be the best year we’ve ever had. With me at the helm and you truly by my side. We’re an unbeatable team. That can transition into the rest of our lives. This is a good merger between our families. You need to embrace it.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I can turn you into a pariah just as fast as I can anyone else. VDU is my school, and with or without you, this is going to be my town. All those little plans you’ve been putting into motion since you were in high school will be over.” She snaps her finger. “Just like that.”

“It’s funny that you think you can just undo years of hard work.”

“Oh, I can affect so much more than that. I know your father needs this wedding to happen or his perfect little kingdom comes crashing down.” Her eyes glint with glee when she sees my discomfort. “That’s right. I know everything. Unlike most idiots, I asked why this arrangement was so important. You know how Aiden loves to talk. He had a lot to say earlier when Olivia had her hands wrapped around his cock.”

“So that’s the important assignment you had to complete?”

“That’s right. Now put on that famous McKay smile and start acting like you’re falling in love with me.”

“That’s not a requirement for our marriage.”

“That’s true, but I rather like the idea of people thinking I’ve accomplished something nobody else has.”

“And what’s that, making me fall in love?” I swirl my drink in my glass before taking a gulp. “Someone else already lied her way to that.”

“Yes, but not even your ex-slut got you to the altar. No girl has ever worn your ring, and I will. Without ever having fucked you. That is what I call a mother fucking hat trick.”

Our cook tells dad dinner’s ready, and Bella goes back to her parents. So that’s her play. I dissect her words as I fix myself another drink. The ring, the prestige. Bragging rights of saying she locked down the man Upstart Magazine is already dubbing one of New York’s most eligible bachelors. A cub reporter was following me around the beach house two years ago, and again last year when Aiden got engaged, I swore to them I’d never get married. I guess it’s that boast that’s got me in the predicament I now find myself in. Uncle Alex dragged it out and is using it against dad. I own up to saying it and meant it every time, but I knew eventually I’d have to marry. I just figured I’d be in my Clooney years before I did.

If this were any other woman, I’d be able to slow the speed of this marriage train, but Bella, for all intents and purposes, is in control and will be pushing for a quick marriage as opposed to a long engagement. Her credibility depends on it.

NINETEEN

JORDANNA

Tabitha’s ahead of me in line, at the cafe. It’s been three weeks, and it still feels weird that this place is so empty. I sort of miss the excited buzz and droning whispers of the customers when the BPs are around. I know she can see me through the mirror that’s behind the counter. Her face contorts the way Summer’s does, when she’s trying to figure out if it’s a good time to bother me when I’m painting.

“If you have something to get off your chest, at least let me get my coffee, then you can follow me to my table and say it.”

She does just that, following behind me. I slide into my seat, not bothering to offer her the one across from me. She can cuss me out from a standing position and then get the hell out of my face. I take a sip of my coffee and exhale. “Let’s get on with it.”

“What you did was really shitty.”

“Yup.”

“Pretending to be my friend and using the things we talked about against me.” She looks away before looking back at me again. “I don’t let a lot of people get close to me and I let you in. Finding out you were a backstabbing bitch hurt me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You deserve… what?”

---