Father kidnapped me to keep me away from Kaiden and Atticus, because if I give birth and I don’t marry my baby daddy, then my shares in Manning Motors automatically transfer back to him. Which is what he’s always wanted.
So, my baby is safe.
For now.
Thinking of our child raises everything else to the surface, and I tilt my head up, closing my eyes and letting the water flow down my face as my mind wanders back to that night.
I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection.
That I didn’t figure out Camden Marshall was actually Kaiden Anderson. My brother’s best friend when we were kids. Son of my mom’s best friend. Someone I enjoyed playing with. Until my mother’s affair with his father ended her friendship with Emma Anderson and ultimately ended up costing both women their lives.
All the revelations from that night weigh heavy on my mind, and I sag against the wall, exhausted and tired—both mentally and physically drained. I finish washing my hair and my body, and I stagger out of the stall, tucking a towel around myself and switching off the water.
A shriek escapes my mouth when I return to the bedroom to discover my father standing by my bed with a strange man wearing white scrubs. All the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.
“You shouldn’t be up.” My father casts a quick glance over me. “Get back in bed.”
I flip him the bird. “Fuck. You.”
He moves like lightning, and my head jerks to the side as he slaps me across the face. “I thought I’d beaten that insubordination out of you, but you share the same stubborn streak as your mother.” He grips my chin painfully, and water drips down my back from my wet hair. “And the same lousy taste in men,” he adds, shoving me, none too gently, at the strange man.
The man helps me to bed, pulling the covers up under my arms and smiling. He’s in his twenties, I guess, with pale skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. I narrow my eyes, instantly wary. “I’m Wyatt. I’m a psych nurse assigned to look after you.”
Thatsogives me a warm and cozy feeling. Not.
“I guess you’re the one I have to thank for my drugged-up state.” I glare at him, putting the full extent of my hatred behind it. He may not have given the order—I’m guessing that honor goes to Daddy Dearest—but he sure as shit acted on it.
His smile fades. “It was in your best interests, Miss Manning.”
“Spare me the bullshit,” I hiss.
“I need a few minutes alone with my daughter,” my father says, and bile travels up my throat as I spot him clenching and unclenching his fists at his side. I turn panicked eyes on Wyatt, beseeching him not to leave even if I don’t like or trust him either. I don’t want to be left in here with my father on my own. I don’t trust him not to hurt me.
“Sir.” Wyatt nods reverently, ignoring my obvious terrified expression, before quietly slipping out of the room.
Pushing my fear aside, I pull myself upright, lifting my chin and planting a look of false bravado on my face as my father stalks toward me, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Why do you have to be so difficult? Why can’t you be more like your brother?”
Thoughts of Drew do little to reassure me.
Atticus Anderson outed him to my father, confirming he’d played a part in breaking into his safe and stealing his confidential paperwork, including the real will which states that shares in Manning Motors will transfer to me and my twin after we both turn eighteen. Unless I’m married, and then my shares go to my husband. It’s why my father has been so keen on marrying me off to one of the elite. “Where is Drew?” I ask.
“Drew is at home, where he rightfully belongs. Unlike you, he knows the meaning of loyalty.”
I hide my surprise, wondering what Drew has said to extract himself from the hole he was in.
“Why am I here? Where am I? And whatisthis place?”
“You are here because I cannot trust you to do the right thing.” He grips my chin hard again. “Atticus Anderson will not get his hands on you. He thinks he has it all worked out, but that pathetic drunk always underestimates his enemy.”
A malicious grin slips over his mouth, and I want to ram my fist into his face until he bleeds. He digs his nails into my skin, and I grind my teeth hard. “As do you, stupid girl.” He sneers, and panic bubbles up my throat. “Kaiden Anderson will not lay a finger on you again, and you will pay for your disloyalty.”
He lets me go, standing, but I hold on to my breath, waiting for the pièce de résistance. “You will remain here, focusing on your studies, ensuring you graduate early, by the time of your eighteenth birthday. Then, and only then, will I permit you to return home, on the day of your wedding. Youwillmarry Charles Barron the Third and hewillsign over your shares to me. You will be a dutiful wife and do nothing to disrespect him or any of the elite. At a time of my choosing, you will give him an heir.”
He’s fucking delusional.
I would rather die than live that life.
And it hasn’t escaped my notice that he hasn’t mentioned my baby in his plans.Has Charlie agreed to raise my child as his own, or how does my pregnancy fit into his plans?Acute fear holds a vise grip on my heart as I consider all the horrible things he could do to my unborn child. “I won’t do it.” I fold my arms across my chest. “You can’t force me.”
