Page 52 of It Takes a Thief
“We don’t have a future,” I state flatly, crossing my arms.
“Like hell we don’t,” he snaps, keeping his voice low, so no one hears him. “You’re mine, Merritt, and the sooner you get that through your pretty little head, the easier this will all go.”
“No, Jeffrey, I’m not yours.” I’ve never seen this side of him, and I don’t like it.
A muscle jerks in his cheek and he scowls at me.
“What’s going on?”
My parents come strolling around the corner and the furious look on Jeffrey’s face instantly disappears. Before I canrespond, he smoothly says, “I just invited your daughter for a walk outside.”
“And I said no,” I retort archly.
“Merritt!” my mother gasps.
I pull in a deep breath and face my parents, determined to hold my ground for the first time in my life. And, to hell with manners and propriety. “I know you want me to marry Jeffrey—that I even suggested it at one point—but I don’t love him. And I’m sorry if that’s not in Arcadia’s best interest. It’s in mine, and I need to stay true to myself first and foremost.”
My parents exchange a look.
“You married because you loved each other,” I remind them. “How could you ask me to do anything different?”
“Peach, we would never force you into marrying anyone,” my dad says.
“No, of course not,” my mom agrees. “We like Jeffrey and thought you did, too.”
I shake my head. “I’m in love with someone else,” I admit.
“Don’t you dare say his name,” Jeffrey hisses angrily, his face turning a deep crimson.
Rolling my shoulders back, I lift my chin higher and channel my inner royalty. “I love Linc,” I announce, “and I don’t care if you don’t think he’s suitable to be Prince Consort. Because I know he’s the best man I’ve ever met. He treats me with kindness and respect, and he’d never intentionally hurt me. He’s a protector…and the man I choose.”
Even if he doesn’t choose me.
“You slept with him,” Jeffrey spits.
“That’s none of your business,” I snap.
His nostrils flare then he turns to my parents. “Well? Are you going to address this belligerence and put your daughter back in line? Or shall I?”
My mouth drops. “How dare you?”
If Linc were here right now, I know without a doubt he’d be at my side, defending me.
“It’s time for you to go, Jeffrey,” my dad says, voice firm and brooking no argument. I send him a grateful smile. “You heard our daughter. She’s not interested.”
My heart swells with gratitude because I know they aren’t going to make me do anything I don’t want. And that includes marrying this overbearing, pompous asshole.
We all look at Jeffrey, and I send him my haughtiest royal look. “Goodbye, Jeffrey,” I say coolly. “I wish you the best.”
“You’re going to regret this,” he says darkly. “All of you!”
After turning a mottled shade of reddish-purple, Jeffrey angrily storms out. My shoulders slump and a relief I haven’t felt in years fills me.
“Thank you,” I whisper, and my parents gather me in their arms for a big hug.
“Hell, Peach, we thought you liked Jeffrey, and it was Arcadia and your responsibilities you were running away from,” my dad says.
“We just want you to be happy, honey,” my mom adds.
