Page 83 of Brutal Kingdom

“I wish we could just graduate early and be done with all this.” Bella says drawing my attention back to her.

“What’s the rush? Take it from me. Once we hit the workforce, fun time is over.”

“Working is for people who don’t have any other options.”

“Work is for people who need to make a living.”

“Yes, but that’s not us. We can sit home, delegating tasks and still make money.”

Turning to her, I say, “Then we can call this future engagement plan off right now. I’m not interested in marrying someone who wants to be a socialite-housewife.”

She looks shocked. Like literally dumbfounded. “You expect me to work?”

“Yes. I expect you to put the degree your father paid for to good use.”

“I can do that from anywhere, and the wives have a distinct purpose in our world.”

How can my dad seriously think this is the right woman for me? “I’m looking to build something, and if you’re not onboard with that…”

“Relax, Logan. I fully intend to be visible in the day to day running of our empire. But being able to navigate social customs and expectations is an important part of doing that. I know how much you hate those things, so it’ll be on me to make appearances and acquaintances. Host events. You know, all the things a Kingsley Hollow wife is supposed to do.”

She raises her glass to her lips, taking a dainty sip. “Though I suppose the only reason you don’t like formal events is because you never had the right person on your arm. With me, that won’t be a problem.”

I’ve gone to events with dad, mom, the rugrat’s moms, and a handful of women. For me, the inauthenticity of the guests’ behavior is the problem. With Tabitha and Simon around, the parties are tolerable. Bella would drag me straight into the middle of societal hell. I know her. Her first act of business would be to identify the weakest link and have them cast out of their group as she slowly takes control, just like she did with school. Because I see now, that’s what school is to her. A test run for real life.

Jordanna’s hovering in the back of the group of reporters huddled around my dad. Her camera raised. The person she’s with is on the other side of the room talking to the mayor. If she’s not with him, that means there’s something she’s hoping to hear or ask my dad. In the back of a group of reporters is a crappy position to be in if you’re trying to get recognized to ask a question, but I’ve seen her work, and she prefers catching people alone. Whatever she wants to know has nothing to do with this event. It’ll be her trying to find information about the founding families. Her family. I chuckle, imaging the bombs she’s planning to lob at the elite. Good luck, Kingsley Hollow. You’re gonna need it.

“See, you’re smiling already.” Bella says as if I’ve been paying attention to her droning on about the charity function she’s swiped an invite to. I could give a shit that they’ve noticed her poise and ability to command a room. It’s more like she’ll steal control and blackmail you into compliance.

I look down to where Bella has her hand on my arm, at the same time, I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Jordy’s watching me. She’s not the only one. My father and a few other people in the room are as well. I can’t shove Bella off without them seeing. Placing my hand on hers, I squeeze. Through the fakest, most endearing smile I can muster, I say, “We have to pretend to like each other, but the touching is overkill.”

“We have to touch to sell this.”

“Look around Bella. There are tons of arranged marriages in this room, and none of them are touching.”

“But-”

“You wanna fit in so badly, follow their lead.” I move away, causing her arm to slip. I was gonna go find Tabitha, but change my mind and head to the bar. I’ll need something stronger than champagne to get me through this afternoon.

* * *

“Dad? Dad?” I step into the foyer calling out for my father. He texted me to come home as soon as class was over. I broke the speed limit getting here.

“In here.”

I rush into the study. “I got your message. What’s the big emergency?”

“There’s an issue with the venue we picked for the correspondent’s dinner.”

He asked me to come home for this? Party planning? I blink twice, and will my thundering heart to slow down before responding. “Okay.” I draw out the word, hoping there’s more to it than this.

“I’m told it’s too late to find another one, and I was wondering what you thought about the beach house?”

Grabbing a seat, I say, “For the correspondent’s dinner? That’s a pretty far drive for one night.”

“I agree. But we don’t have many other options. The beach house is still set up from the end of summer gala. It wouldn’t be too hard to get the caterers we had.”

The end of summer party? He means that fiasco where he told me he planned to tie me to Bella. Yeah, I’m not sure what the food tasted like. I was too pissed and disgusted to eat.

---