My uncle’s voice drones on, snapping me out of my head. “In order to do this, you need to immerse yourself in your surroundings. Get involved in everything on campus and socialize. Get to know as many students as possible. It is why the Sloth heir is often referred to as the party heir or the people heir.”
I am beginning to understand why Julia is not home that often and why I see her with different groups around campus. She’s already gained a reputation for attending sorority and frat parties. But she’s not liked. People let her in because of who she is as the only daughter of the owner of the world’s largest media corporation.
“Doors are opened for Julia because of her name,” James says as if he has a hotline to my thoughts. “We cannot change your name at this juncture without drawing attention. The Shaw name will not open the same doors, but I don’t believe you need it. You have a sparkling personality that naturally draws people to you, and you are well-connected. Your boyfriend is a jock, and that will open doors. You’re a sociable host, and people already gravitate to your parties, so this shouldn’t be too big of a transition for you.” He drains his coffee and stands. “You will go out with Julia tonight to a party. She will require you to attend other functions with her. When you aren’t working with her, you must attend other events and mingle.”
He closes the button on his suit jacket. “Get to know everyone. Ingratiate yourself into their world and profile them. Anyone who is weak must be documented so we can investigate them and their families. You will be expected to submit your first monthly report at the end of November. Talk to your mother if you run into any issues. She is familiar with the process.”
There goes all my free time.
This is such bullshit.
I walk him to the door, delighted to see the back of him.
“One final thing,” he says, turning around in the doorway. “Quit fucking Jason Stewart. He is engaged, and it’s unseemly for one cousin to be screwing another cousin’s fiancé. It makes us look weak in front of the other houses. A marriage contract is being sought for you,” he adds, and all the blood drains from my face. “We will find someone suitable for you to marry.” He eyeballs me with a dark look. “Jason Stewart is not for you. You need to let him go. This is the last time I will warn you.”
ChapterForty-Three
Ashley
I’m pacing the kitchen, panicking over my uncle’s words. I have lost control over every aspect of my life. James expects me to devote all my time to my studies and socializing on campus. He wants me to spy on fellow students and submit their names so he can wipe them out in some future mass pandemic. And now he thinks he can force me into marrying some asshole at a time of their choosing, pop out a few kids to continue this disgusting society, and I won’t rebel?
The more I mull it over, the more I realize Chad has no place in my future. How could he? They will never permit it. And it’s selfish of Jase and I to want to hold onto him.
We should cut him loose before he ends up dead.
Stabbing pains pierce me through the heart, like a thousand tiny daggers puncturing the soft organ, as that thought lands in my mind.
I love Chad, and I want to be with him, but I just don’t see how.
Fuck it. I need to get pregnant and fast. It’s the only way to possibly hold on to some control.
Even though I took a pregnancy test this morning, I go up to my bathroom and do another one.
A lone tear rolls down my face when the test comes back negative. How ironic I spent years on birth control to prevent pregnancy, experiencing a couple of scares before I got an IUD implanted, and now Iwantto have a baby, and I can’t get knocked up. I know it’s only been a couple of weeks, but I stupidly Googled it and discovered most young couples don’t get pregnant for four to six months after IUD removal.
We don’t have that long to wait!
The doorbell chimes again, and I pull myself together and hurry down the stairs.
“What now?” I murmur to myself when I see who is standing on my doorstep. Planting a fake smile on my face, I open the door and greet Jase’s dad. “Mr. Stewart. How lovely to see you. Do come in.” I go full-blown Stepford wife.
“Would you like a coffee?” I ask when we enter the kitchen.
“This is only a short visit, so no thank you.”
“Okay.” I spin around, leaning against the sink as I wait for him to speak. Jase and Bree’s dad is a very handsome man for his age, and I see definite physical traits in both his sons. But that’s where the resemblance ends. Where Jase is expressive and warm, and Baz has shown he is charismatic and capable of compassion, their father is cold and lacking emotion. It’s like looking at a robot. Someone who goes through the motions without any empathy or feeling.
“I know you are trying to upskill in combat and self-defense.”
Masking my surprise, I nod. I so wasn’t expecting that to come out of his mouth. At least now I know it was Eric Stewart who put a kibosh to my original plan.
“I have arranged sessions for you at this gym.” He hands me a card that says Fox Fitness on the back. On the front is a contact email and phone number for a Vincent Fox. “It’s owned by a master attached to the Pride and Wrath family. He’s an old, trusted friend. Vincent is an excellent trainer, and he will look after you.”
“Thank you.” I pocket the card and fold my arms. “Why are you doing this? Surely, it’s my uncle’s responsibility to train me?”
“Your uncle doesn’t believe women need to train. I don’t agree, which is why both my daughters are proficient in combat, weaponry, and self-defense.”
“That still doesn’t answer my question.”
