Page 108 of The Darkest King

I wave the Rock of Gibraltar at him and grin. “Exhibit A.”

He frowns, and my smile dims.

“Papa, I know you don’t like him—”

“I don’t trust him,” Joe says firmly. “There are many reasons why a man would want to marry you. He may be rich, but money is not the only thing a man might be after.”

I stare at him silently as they deliver our mains.

Little does he know, it was me who asked Connor to marry me, but my father’s words have planted a seed of doubt.

What would Connor want?

“Just think about it, Mia. If you believe he is the man you want to spend your life with, then I will accept it. And then we must discuss the venue. You will marry at home. It was your mother’s wish. And I know it is yours.”

I sigh.

I’m sure momma would be ashamed of me if she knew what I was doing, and as I take my third large gulp of my wine—there goes my plan to only drink half—I know I have to do as my father asks.

With choice comes consequences.

Perhaps by July, Connor will fall in love with me, and this will all be a funny story we never tell another soul. A crazy romantic story about how we met and fell in love.

Or I’ll be nursing a broken heart, while he cashes my one-point-five-million-dollar check and waves me farewell.

I take another sip.

What am I doing?

27

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CONNOR

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