Page 22 of Mostly Shattered

Or that I have no plans to get pregnant. Ever. Why would I bring a baby into my world?

He doesn’t bother to needlessly explain that an arranged marriage in this family doesn’t necessarily require my consent. If I’m not careful, I’ll find myself magically petrified and dragged down the aisle.

I look at my hands in my lap. My gaze moves to the small cut Costin had licked earlier, and I turn my arm to hide it from my view. Goosebumps rise over my flesh, and I visibly shiver. I don’t want that vampire in my thoughts.

“I should tell you something…” I take a deep breath. I think Mortimer is worried about past residual from the amulet’s magic. The premonitions he’s having are from the erased timeline. All this worry is probably for nothing.

I feel a chill work over my back and stiffen as the smell of Conrad’s spirit wafts past. I glance around to find him standing near thekitchen. The light comes through his transparent body. No one else turns to look.

Conrad shakes his head once and draws a line across his neck with his thumb in warning. Black ooze begins to bleed out of his eyes, dripping down his face. It’s become one of his favorite go-to threats: talk and die.

“Yes?” Astrid prompts.

I force my gaze away from Conrad, refusing to finish the sentence.

“She’s dating Constantine,” Mortimer answers for me, even though that is not what I was going to say.

“No, I—” I start to protest.

My father chuckles. I can’t tell if he thinks it’s impossible or just ridiculous. He gives a slight lift of his glass before taking a drink.

Astrid arches a brow. “A vampire? You can’t be serious, Tamara.”

“I’m not,” I say. “It’s not. We’re?—”

“No denials. Your secret is out,” Mortimer answers. I wonder what happened to his plan not to say anything. “I have explained to Tamara that a relationship with Constantine cannot happen.”

“We do not want the European vampires visiting,” Astrid agrees. “Savage lot. And that Elizabeth…”

Astrid takes a drink.

“Do we know where the threat to our family comes from?” Davis asks. “Any clues?”

“It’s magical, so I suspect the Blackwoods or the Freemonts. Not that I can prove either case.” Mortimer takes a deep breath. “I also strongly feel Tamara should marry into one of those two families. Both are powerful and either alliance will be advantageous for us. Either the alliance will stop a takeover, or the alliance will make the other party think twice about trying a takeover.”

“Both have shown interest in Tamara,” Astrid agrees.

Jasper Blackwood or Chester Freemont. The former is my cheating ex that I want absolutely nothing to do with. The latter and I had a series of botched dates arranged by my parents. He actually talked about how many mistresses his father kept like it was a benchmark he needed to surpass.

I won’t voice my thoughts on a husband taking mistresses to my parents. There is no kind way to point that out to Astrid when it reflects her life.

I don’t want her life.

I don’t wantthislife.

Please, universe, make my life normal.

I don’t think the universe hears me. Or cares.

“Freemont,” Astrid sounds like she’s coming to a decision. “They’re more respectable.”

“Blackwoods have better connections,” my father counters.

“Better for what? Shipping routes?” Astrid shakes her head. “Freemonts have that property in France.”

“True.” Davis nods at his wife’s logic. “And there was that unfortunate issue with their shipping container. That could put this issue to bed once and for all.”

“The Freemonts’ magic is powerful, stronger than most. This could be the only way to secure the family’s future. The Devine name will be torn apart if we don’t act now. Of that, I am sure,” Mortimer says.

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