“She is,” Lee replied.
“What’s happening right now?” she asked.
“Arabella, you are now engaged to Lee.”
“It’s a pleasure to be your fiancé, Arabella,” Lee said. “I’m sure we’re going to get on just fine.”
Yeah.
Arabella swallowed heavily, trying not to throw up. Why hadn’t she thought about this possibility?
Just because her father was now the acting governor, didn’t suddenly make him a better person. And he didn’t seem to fear that she’d tell anyone the truth about him.
Probably because he held Pop-Pop over her head.
She had to leave as soon as possible. Because there was no way she was marrying Lee.
Not. Happening.
“Arabella? Kiss your fiancé,” Hank ordered.
What?
No, no, no.
Lee smiled at her and it wasn’t a pretty smile. Her stomach turned. Moving forward, he grasped the back of her head and pressed his lips to hers.
As far as kisses went it was pretty tame, she guessed.
Didn’t make it any less revolting.
She shuddered, trying to draw back but he tightened his hold on her neck. “Taming you is going to be so much fun.”
Four months later. . .
Austin, Texas
Arabella opened the door,peering out at the two officers standing there.
Why would police officers be here at five in the morning? At least she was dressed—she’d planned on going for a run.
She’d barely slept last night because she had a date tonight with Lee. Things with him were not going well.
Their dates were becoming more frequent and her father told her that they were getting ready to announce their engagement.
She couldn’t do it.
But she had a plan in place. She was going to leave soon. Pop-Pop knew the plan and was all for it. He wanted to stay at the nursing home. She’d been paying ahead with her father’s money, just a small bit at a time to build a credit. And then what happened once that ran out . . . well, she’d worry about that then.
“Hello?”
“Hello, are you Arabella Bridges?” the older officer asked, looking sympathetic.
“Yes, that’s me. Is something wrong?”
“Can we come in? We have some bad news.”
“Sure. Come in.” Once they were all seated in the living room she leaned forward. “What is it? What’s happened?”
