“Eve.” He comes around his desk and takesmy hand.
“It can’t happen,” I whisper. Fucking around is one thing, but to be his wife? I can’t give him anything. “No…”
“You deserve this.”
I rip my hands from his and my chest tightens. “You told him no, right?”
He lowers his eyes to the floor, and my heart races.
“You told him no, right?” I demand when he doesn’t answer the first time.
“Everett—”
“No,” I shout, stepping back. “You can’t be serious.” This is more than what we’ve been doing.
“You deserve this,” he whispers.
“Kashton doesn’t,” I grind out. “They will hurt him. Fuck, Bill, you’re a goddamn Lord, for fuck’s sake. You know what they will do to him. To his family.” His brothers and their wives are all he has left. When they can’t get to him through me, they’ll go after the ones close to him.
I see it all the time when I sit in the cathedral and watch the confessionals. He’s a Spade brother, so they will make an example out of him. “This can’t be happening,” I mumble.
“Hey.” He reaches down for me, but I pull away, not wanting to be touched right now. I’m so mad at both of them. Kashton for not telling me he went to Bill, and Bill for doing whatever the fuck he did to give Kashton what he wants.
What about what I want?You want to belong to someone.You don’t get more owned than being a Lady.
“You will get the life you dream of.” Bill speaks through my rambling thoughts.
I give a rough laugh. “You’ve got jokes.”
He places his hands on my shoulders, and I stiffen at the contact. “Trust me.”
“That’s rich.” A Lord asking someone to trust him?
He sighs. “Your mom always wanted a little girl.” Tears sting my eyes at the mention of my mother. This world took her from me before I ever got to meet her. “And she would be so proud of you.”
“No. She wouldn’t,” I whisper as a lump lodges in my throat. “I’m no one to be proud of.”
He gives me a kind smile. “You’ve survived so much, Eve. I just wish I could have stepped in sooner. Protected you like a father should have protected his daughter.”
I pull back and his arms drop to his sides. Turning, I go to leave, knowing this won’t go anywhere. He’s made up his mind to help Kashton. The door to his office opens and in steps the Lord I want nothing to do with right now.
“Eve.” His green eyes meet my watery ones.
“Adam,” I say and shoulder past him, wanting to get the fuck out of here. I’m pissed and emotional. Never a good mix. “Your sister is a bitch,” I can’t help but add when I shove the door open and storm out.
I’m almost at the elevator when my arm is grabbed and I’m spun around. “Don’t touch me,” I snap.
Adam raises his hands and steps back, giving me some space. I’m on edge. What Kashton has done…the mention of my mother…the Lords don’t believe in fairy tales, so why is Bill trying to sell me one?
Adam shoves his hands into the front pockets of his dress slacks. “How’s she doing?”
“Ask your brothers.”
He sighs heavily. “I can’t do that.” Shaking his head, Adam adds, “I’m not sure they’d tell me the truth anyway.”
“She’s married to Saint but seems hung up on Haidyn. She’s also pregnant, so Charlotte won’t stand up to her. But if I had to bet on a hand-to-hand fight, my money would be on Charlotte.”
“She’s been through a lot.”
