Page 129 of Brutal Kingdom

“And why would he do that?” He asks but his face says, not this shit, again.

“Because he’s working with Johnathan Lance. Maybe even Uncle Alex. Dad, we can’t move on with this contract.”

“Logan, I know you’re upset about this, and as a reporter, you’re trained to look for a bigger story. But this is the story. Someone’s greed overruled basic human decency. Ruttledge and Lance had nothing to do with it.”

“Dad, I’m telling you I overheard Johnathan on the phone talking to Donald Ruttledge about some kind of deal they made, and Aiden’s name came up.”

That was almost a month ago. I had plans to follow up on it and got sidetracked. Now I’m kicking myself for not telling my dad about it. “We need to-”

“Son.” He says, cutting me off. “I’m sorry, but we can’t put this announcement off any longer.”

“What are you talking about? I still have time.”

“No, you don’t!” His eyes flash in a way I haven’t seen directed at me in years. “This continued act of rebellion, trying to find a way to get out of this marriage, is over. I know Isabelle isn’t who you would have chosen for yourself, but you weren’t choosing anyone.”

With a stubborn lift of my chin, I ground out the words, “I chose.”

“That young lady is not an option. And even if she wanted you, it can’t happen. We’ve already finished the negotiations for the marriage contract.”

If she wanted me? She does. Just as much as I want her. “I don’t have to sign the final draft.”

“Youwill.This isn’t about your dislike or personal feelings. This is business now. Your duty, above all else, is to your family and McKay Media.”

“Dad, can’t you see we’re being manipulated into this position. This whole thing has Ruttledge’s name on it. It’s what he does to this whole town. Think about it. How many years has he tried to get us to go into business with him? Rent a property. Buy land. He’s got his hands in everyone’s dealings. Somehow, he’s involved in this. We need to look into it.”

“You think I don’t know that he’s the one who put it into your uncle’s head to make a run for the company? I know that. Alex is too shortsighted to have come up with the idea himself. But I also know the only way to stop whatever Ruttledge wants to do if your uncle is in charge is to make this alliance with one of the last remaining families in town that’snotin his pocket.”

This is really it. There’s no way for me to get out of it. I can’t believe the man I admire is standing here telling me that he cares so little about me and my feelings, that he’s going to make me go through with this.

Where’s the fight? The rage? The vanquishing of our enemies? All those things he taught me about business and exploiting everything and anything to stay in control? A throat clears behind me and I turn to see our lawyer standing in the doorway with a briefcase in his hand.

“Is that the contract?” I ask, my voice wooden.

“No. It’s McKay Media business I need to take care of.” Dad motions for the lawyer to come into his office and sets his gaze back on me. “There’s a press conference scheduled for the end of the week. Youwillget up on that podium beside me and help me convince the world it was Bella Lance in that video. You will do it because it’s what’s expected of McKay Media’s future leader. Am I making myself clear?”

“Crystal.”

I turn for the door. “And Logan?”

“Yeah, dad?”

“You’ve already said your last goodbyes to the Felding girl.”

I listen to Logan’s message for the third time.

“Jordy. No matter what you see or hear. This time, you have to trust me. I love you. This is real, baby. Remember that. “

He left that message two weeks ago, right before we took off for Thanksgiving break. I haven’t seen or heard from him since. Today, he walks past me as if I’m not even here, with Bella clinging to his arm like a loving fiancé. He said he’d take care of the video of us and I came back tothis.Everyone at school believes their love is real. Logan’s no longer taking my calls and can’t even look at me. I’m starting to believe it too.

I guess I was only ever supposed to be the other woman. I feel like such a fool. After everything we’ve been through, you’d think I’d at least deserve a proper fucking send off. Some real closure to whatever we were to each other. I mean, he fuckingproposed. What a joke that turned out to be.

I’m madder at myself than I am at him. I said I wasn’t going to let my heart get involved again. But it was never truly uninvolved to begin with. This time the break hurts worse than before. I guess because this is truly the end. There’s no coming back from him marrying another woman.

My eyes follow them across the quad. He and I are over, but my dear cousin and I still have some unfinished business. She can have the man I love. I’ll heal from that. But my inheritance, she’ll never see a dime of it.

“Uh, oh.” Kassidy says beside me.

“What’s wrong Kass?” I told her everything. Starting with how I wound up at this school and ending with my latest sex tape. I cried on her shoulder and punched her wall. Letting it all out in one big emotional purge. When I was done, I told her I’m leaving here when school is over. She thinks I should and is looking into applying for NYU too.

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