Page 1 of Mastered by Them
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Troy
Francis’s words echo in the hallway. I don’t move, stunned.
To that end, our Edmund and the Aseyevs’ Danica will marry.
This isn’t real. It isn’t right. They can’t just say Dani and Edmund are getting married, and make it happen.
Except they can.
A stylized watercolor of Ed and Mariana’s wedding sits in a gilt frame across the hall. Doubtless Mariana had it placed across from Ed’s office for some petty reason. Maybe as a reminder of their constantly-broken vows. Joke’s on her, I guess, because he doesn’t give a shit.
Ed and Mariana’s marriage was arranged. Her family isn’t a crime family, but they are a powerful business institution in San Esteban. It isn’t that uncommon for powerful families to broker marriage deals with each other, to solidify their positions.
But usually, the people getting married have known about it for years. They were raised for it.
And this is Dani.
Her gray eyes are wide as she searches her grandfather’s face. She’s probably waiting for him to say something like just kidding, it’s only a joke. But he’s not going to say it. Instead, he’s giving her a regretful smile.
“I know this is unexpected, Danica.” He reaches for her. “But it’s the best for the family, and you want what’s best for us, don’t you?”
“No. No.” She whirls away, her peach-colored dress lifting with the force of her movements.
Before any of us can stop her, she pushes past Edmund and me and runs down the hall.
“She’ll come around,” Sergey says with a shrug. “She only needs some time to adjust.”
Ed and Francis nod.
“What the fuck?” Edmund faces them. “This was?—”
“This was our decision and you’ll stand by it.” Ed’s face is hard.
I don’t want to listen to their bullshit. Edmund can handle himself. But Dani—Dani’s alone.
I rush away, knowing Edmund will understand. At the front of the house, I pass Arky in the entryway. He sits next to the door Dani left open. He barks after Dani, but he doesn’t chase her. Good dog.
I reach the door, heart pounding with emotion, and catch sight of Dani standing in the middle of the driveway. She’s doing something with her phone. Probably ordering a ride.
I run toward her. “Dani, hey.”
She looks up, startled. Then she jams her phone into her bag and takes off, running awkwardly in her heels.
“Dani, dammit. Wait!”
Her head whips around as she looks over her shoulder, but she doesn’t slow. It doesn’t matter. I easily catch up and get in front of her, blocking her path.
“Go away, Troy.” She glares, but her words are wobbly with emotion.
“Let’s talk about this.”
“What is there to talk about?” She rubs her eyes with the back of her hand. “I was ambushed in there. Was I the only one who didn’t know about this? Is everyone just laughing at how I came here to be bartered in some twisted mafia marriage contract?”
Fuck, it kills me how sad she looks.
“No.” I ball my hands into fists so I don’t grab her like I want to do. “Edmund and I had no idea. I promise.”
