Page 65 of Poison Vows

I scoff. “Does my heart have anything to do with settling the civil war within your family?”

“I won’t lie, at first, I didn’t think it mattered.” He easily stops me with a hand to my arm. “What I said in the car the night we met, I was half prying but half serious. At first, I was just testing the waters, trying to see how I can manipulate you into choosing me.”

“And now?” I ask nervously.

“Now, I realize that I couldn’t stop thinking about you since that night. I realized that you’re the first person I’ve ever felt the need to want to know, understand, and even please.”

Is this dude serious right now?

“Why?” I demand. “Including today, we’ve only met three times.”

“Which is why I negotiated for more time from Grandfather today by making him an offer he can’t refuse.”

And just like that, everything clicks into place.

“You did all that just to try and win me over?” I ask, completely shocked.

“Actually, I did all that so we can get to know each other better. My cousin has an advantage already in that he has years’ worth of memories with you, while my sole memory is bathed in the warm glow of the night I met you and how stunning you looked last night, as you do in this moment. I can’t help being selfish and want to fight for more.”

Holy God. Is this man for real?

“I… I don’t know what to say,” I mutter, feeling a thousand and one emotions that I can’t identify even if a gun was pressed against my temple.

Suspicion being chief among them.

“You don’t have to say anything. I didn’t think I’d run into you today. In fact, I was going to go to my cousin’s building and demand to see you at the risk of losing my life.”

For a moment, I’m moved.

I know what he’s hoping for… the same thing I spent years hoping to get from some boy who turned out to be a monster.

But as I stare at the paved stones below, I can’t help but feel the ache in my chest and the stifling anger trapped there.

“So I’m supposed to believe you fell in love with me in just a few days?” I confront him, going for the jugular.

Vaughn chuckles, his ears turning red.

“Wow, I didn’t think you’d be cutthroat about it.”

“You thought I was naïve and easy to fool.”

“Not at all,” he rushes to placate me. “I just… I’ve never felt this way before. You don’t strike me as the type of girl who does things for a casual reason. You look like you live your life with your heart leading the way. How can you get in a marriage without being loved back?”

Being loved back?

Does he know?

“Listen Vaughn…” I start, but to my surprise he holds up and steps back.

“No, if you’re going to reject me from a mile away, then I reject your rejection,” he says seriously, making me chuckle.

“Is that how it works?”

“You heard the explanation of my Family. We don’t do normal.”

“Apparently so,” I say, with a slight smile. “But seriously, Vaughn… no offense, but I just need some time to gather myself and on that, I should thank you for pushing back the deadline.”

“And…” he prompts.

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