Page 12 of Vicious Heir

“We spoke for some time.”

She nods once. There’s no doubt in my mind she knowsexactlywhat happened in that office simply by reading my body language. I feel small and totally exposed in front of her.

“What did you learn?”

“Adriano’s a clever man. He’s powerful and respected. Most people?—”

“Do not list clichés, girl,” she snaps, some of her prim facade breaking. “Whatof usedid you find?”

I wilt slightly. For a moment, I consider telling her about the recordings. A computer full of blackmail is exactly something Helena Willing-Morris could use.

“Nothing specific,” I say.

She wrinkles her nose. “Of course not. Why did I ever think you could handle this?” She lifts her teacup and takes an ostentatious sip. The sucking sound makes me sick. “You know the stakes. If I had my way, your brother would be the one marrying into the Marino Famiglia. But since he’s busy running the fund and already married to that worthless Lippincott bitch, you’re all I have. Which is why I’m not feelingoptimistic.”

I stare at her, struggling to stay composed. “I understand, Grandmother.”

“I’m sure you think you do, but you’ve always been a dim bulb at best. You’re pretty, I’ll grant that. I’ve always said it. But you have the personality of wheat bread and the brain of a slug. Lord knows how you’re related to me.” She takes another nasty sip.

“I’ll do my best, Grandmother.”

“Even when I insult you, all you can do is yip and yap like a trained dog.” She sighs and puts down her drink. I’m seething inwardly, but I’ve gotten very good at keeping all emotion from my face in front of this woman. Any hint of what I’m feeling and she’ll use it like a rope to hang me. She pretends like she wants me to have spine, but I learned a long time ago it’s much, much worse to speak out.

“Yes, Grandmother.”

“Good girl.” She twitches her nose. “Here is what you will do moving forward. Your wedding to the Marino man will happen in six weeks. You will prepare yourself. Lose some weight. Undergo a vigorous exercise regime. I hope you learned something of what the man likes physically. You will mold yourself to that. And then, after you’ve married him, you will put all your energies into physically seducing him. You will get pregnant. You will carry his children. You will make yourself useful to him; if only as a breeding bitch, then so be it, but you will ensure this marriageworks. Do you understand me?”

There’s a strange edge of desperation to her. I’ve never seen it before, and it instantly sends a jolt of anxiety down my spine.

What could possibly have Grandmother this worked up?

I struggle to stay calm. The idea of Adrianobreeding meisn’t exactly bad. The process would be nice, actually.

But doing it for this woman? For her goals? For this awful family?

I hate myself more and more with every breath I take.

“Yes, Grandmother. I understand.”

“Repeat what I said.”

“I’ll lose weight, exercise, and get pregnant as quickly as possible. I’ll make myself useful to him.”

“Good.” She nods once. “You’ve been nothing but a failure and a disappointment so far, Lucille. I hope at least you can’t fuck up a simple biological process likehaving children. But knowing you, you’ll find a way.” She turns back to the ledger. “You’re dismissed.”

I push back my chair and stand. My spine remains rigid as I leave her sight.

It’s not until I have most of the house between us that I finally break down.

Kennedy finds me crying in one of the hallways. My best friend wraps her arms around me and hugs me tight. I feel like I might vomit.

“God, I hate her,” Kennedy whispers, stroking my hair. “I’m so sorry, Lucy. I’m so, so sorry.”

The worst part is, Grandmother somehow tainted the memory of the night before. What was a spontaneous and frankly extremely hot moment now feels cheap and terrible. It feels like I did all that just to please that terrible old woman. Except that’s not how it was.

And when I do get pregnant? When I have a family with Adriano?

It’ll all be wrong because it’ll seem like it’s for her.

---