Page 132 of Wait For It

Ten minutes.

“We’ll discuss this later back at the house. For now, let’s go over what you’re going to say out there,” Tristan continued, sliding several papers across the desk. “Here’s your speech, along with which reporters you’re to take questions from. The answers to what they’re going to ask are on the back page.”

I skimmed over the pages, almost impressed by the elaborate lie he’d concocted. There was even a doctor’s report attached, detailing my internal injuries, as well as a non-existent semen sample that had been taken for further testing.

Clearly, Tristan planned on handling this problem in the same manner he’d dealt with my mama and Ashlynn, by creating a story so airtight no one would dare question or spend much time looking into it. He was willing to condemn a man for no more than having the audacity to love me, a crime in his mind.

“And if I refuse to read this?” I challenged, goading him into an emotional game of chicken. The answer had come to me as I stood on the dock last night.

I’d seen myself as a pawn. In reality, I was the one with all the bargaining power. Tristan had told me as much when he admitted he couldn’t do it alone. And unless he wanted to lose Brad’s money, he couldn’t kill me either.

“You’ve grown defiant, little dove.” His voice held a mixture of pride and anger as he leaned forward to rest his arms on the desk. “I’d advise against making such a hasty decision. Do you happen to know where the baseball player is right now?”

“Do you?” I asked, immediately second-guessing my decision to call his bluff.

Tristan went silent for a moment, his blue eyes taunting me. “Killian’s holed up in his condo, waiting to be arrested again. Although, I imagine if you’re not going to go through with the press conference, that might change. He might feel safe enough to let his guard down and leave.”

He lifted his hands as if to say,what can you do? I turned away, resisting the smile tugging at my lips. Killian was nowhere near his condo, but my father didn’t know that. It was just another in a long line of empty threats meant to keep me obedient.

“Did you decide?” I studied my broken fingernails, noting the dried blood on the ones that had been torn down to the quick. I’d give myself this, I hadn’t gone down without a fight.

“What?”

I looked up, pinning him with my stare. “The night Brad attacked me, you said there were a lot of ways for someone to die and make it look like an accident. I was just wondering, have you decided yet?”

Tristan chuckled at my morbid question. “Why do you ask?”

My gaze drifted back to the clock on the wall.

Five minutes.

We were running out of time.

“No reason.” I shrugged. “Just curious.”

“As long as you do your part, it won’t come to that,” he warned, rising to his feet.

“You mean, as long as I lie. We both know Killian didn’t rape me—”

“Shut up, Ariana.” His face darkened as he rounded the desk, the vein in his forehead pulsing. He came to a stop in front of my chair, forcing me to look up. “You’re going to stand in front of the press and do as you’re told. Refuse me again, and I’ll kill him myself. Understood?”

I nodded and released a sharp breath, suddenly feeling a little claustrophobic. It wouldn’t have mattered if Killian was in a different country altogether, there was something in the way Tristan spoke that made me believe he’d do exactly what he said.

Tears blurred my eyes. I quickly brushed them away with the back of my hand before speaking. “I’ll do it.”

“Good,” Tristan responded with a look of resolute calmness as he reached down to stroke my damp cheek.

“This is for our future, little dove. You’re my baby girl, and it’s my job to take care of you. Now, prove your loyalty to me out there, and Brad won’t be allowed in the house unsupervised until the wedding.

“In the meantime, he’ll be forced to work on proving himself worthy of you. I’ll make it abundantly clear I won’t agree to marriage until I’m convinced he can give you the life you deserve—I’m talking trips around the world to places you’ve only dreamed about. Let me keep you safe.”

The words I’d longed to hear since I was a child barreled past my ribs and lodged in my heart, slicing it to ribbons. He was handing me everything I’d ever wanted, freedom and a life without atonement.

All that stood in my way was Killian.

Mama had warned me to run years ago, but I’d stayed like an obedient dog, convinced I could earn my independence. Even now, I found myself devouring his platitudes like any starved and abused animal would, wanting to believe this time would be different.

“Love is sacrifice, little dove,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “And yours will be rewarded.”

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