Page 60 of Poison Vows

It’s clear that Vaughn knows what happened to me last night. How he knows, I don’t bother asking.

But for some reason, I feel humiliated.

It’s not that I wanted to protect what happened by keeping it hidden, it’s just… someone I don’t really know now knows the most horrible thing that has happened to me.

What am I supposed to do with that?

“I was looking for you everywhere when I found out,” Vaughn continues. “I’m so s?—”

“Please don’t,” I cut him off before he can continue. An awkward silence falls between us, but I’m touched by the genuine concern in his eyes.

He looks like he’s at a loss for words, so I say the only thing I can say now without bursting into flames emotionally.

“Please don’t apologize for something that wasn’t your fault. I was the one who was careless?—”

“Don’t say that!” he immediately cuts in.

I look up, shocked again. “What?”

“You’re smart, Ivy. You know better than to try and justify that vicious crime by nitpicking your actions,” he seethes angrily. “And just so we’re clear, you did nothing wrong! Needing to blow off some steam and have a good time should never be used as a penalty against anyone who faces that crap.”

As Vaughn’s gentle but firm words soak into me, Emmett’s apology from earlier filters in my head. Maybe it’s my imagination but I could’ve sworn he was livid with himself over what happened to me.

But my survival was all thanks to him. Is Emmett really the villain in my story, or am I?

Am I too trusting?

Jesus, I need help. Immediately!

“Well, it’ll take a while before I can shake it off, so if you don’t mind…” I trail off when I spot Senator Hughes and a tall, slightly handsome man come out of Senator Hughes’s office.

They look chummy, with huge smiles on their faces.

“That’s my father,” Vaughn suddenly says, and I glance at him.

“Is your father friends with Senator Hughes?”

Vaughn falls silent, then looks behind him to the two men who spot us at the same time.

“There she is!” Senator Hughes exclaims excitedly. “Ivy, sweetheart, come meet Mr. Easton!”

Dread and something else I can’t quite identify trickle down my spine when my gaze clashes with Vaughn’s father’s gaze.

“This is your daughter, Hughes? She’s stunning!” Vaughn’s father says, looking me up and down. “I’m sure she’s acceptable to my son.”

Acceptable? What in the name…?

“Of course!” Senator Hughes says happily. “They make a great pair, don’t they?”

“They sure do!” Vaughn’s father says, and they chuckle in that rich, entitled way prideful pricks do when they think they have the world in their hands.

“Ivy, why don’t you two get to know each other a bit while Mr. Easton and I finish our chat?”

It’s not a question or a suggestion. Senator Hughes is basically pushing me to Vaughn, once again confirming my theory from before.

I want to refuse him in front of his guest, but Vaughn stops me.

“What are you doing?” I demand as the two men walk away.

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