Page 3 of Mastered by Them
I don’t know why Granddad did this. I don’t know what Edmund thinks of the whole thing. I don’t know when, exactly, they think this marriage is going to happen.
But I know one thing with absolute certainty: I am not marrying that pretty prick of a prince.
Edmund
I didn’t expect her to answer my call, but I hoped she would.
No answer.
You feel too goddamn much.
Not this time. I refuse to feel anything at all.
I pace back and forth in my bedroom. Troy is probably doing the same in his room down the hall. We didn’t talk on the way back to our apartment. There’s nothing to say. If he’s mad, if he’s happy, if he’s sad—none of that shows. My father could never accuse Troy of feeling too much.
I know Troy does have feelings. He’s just better at hiding them.
Unlike me. Unlike Danica. Fucking hell, every thought in her head was broadcast on her beautiful face. Shock, anger, hatred. I wouldn’t expect her to be thrilled with the idea of an arranged marriage. What is this, the 1800s? But her absolute and obvious loathing for me was a blow.
I throw my phone across the bed, disgusted with myself.
I don’t want to repeat my parents’ marriage. A series of grievances, annoyances, affairs. The thought of Danica fucking anyone other than me or Troy incites a burning, boiling rage in my gut. She’s mine. I tried to stay away from her, but it’s fucking impossible.
Now we’re engaged.
It isn’t the worst thing in the world. If I can allow myself to feel something, anything, I can feel affection for her. She’s sexy and smart and, beneath her tough girl exterior, she’s incredibly kind and thoughtful. I’ll marry Danica, do what’s expected of me as my father’s son. And I’ll do it easily.
My phone buzzes with a text and I scramble over the bed to reach it.
Disappointment fills me when I see my grandfather’s name as the sender.
Your engagement party will be on Sunday.
Six days away.
I don’t want to repeat my parents’ marriage, no. No way. She’ll marry me and it’ll be the two of us against the world. We’ll be a powerful couple. Strong. Capable.
I have six days to make her fall in love with me.
2
Danica
I woke up an hour ago, but I haven’t gotten out of bed. All I can think about is Granddad’s voice when he told me he knows I want to help the family. Of fucking course I want to help the family.
But that doesn’t mean I need to marry Edmund Layton, the criminally hot criminal.
“Danica!” Rita’s voice echoes down the hall. “You have a delivery and you aren’t allowed to give it away this time.”
It’s probably from Edmund. I pull my pillow over my head. “I don’t want it.”
She knocks on my door. “Get your ass out here and open this package so I can be jealous. Danicaaaaaa…”
If I don’t go, she’ll keep harassing me. I swear I’ve rubbed off on Rita since she moved in a few months ago. I used to resent the hell out of her for taking what I’d hoped would be Leah’s room, but it all worked out in the end. And now I have to respect Rita’s stubborn streak—mornings like this, she puts me to shame.
I climb out of bed, grumbling.
“I can hear you, you know.” She sounds like she pressed her face against the door.
