Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 72756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I'm not hungry.” I'm used to disinterest and being ignored, but ever since Preacher dropped me off near the police station closest to our house, Dad's been treating me like I'm diseased.
He bares his teeth in a cruel smile. “I don't care. You will be there and you will be polite and charming.”
I'm so glad Preacher was smart enough to take me somewhere with witnesses, because I saw the look in Dad’s eyes. If there weren't people watching, I'm sure I'd be sporting more than the usual sore wrist. I made him look like a fool in public. It was only the implication that I'd gone through an ordeal and he needed to play a caring father that kept him from slapping me full in the face.
Our story is that between losing my beloved step-mother and being assaulted by Crash, I had a bit of a breakdown. It's not really a lie, I guess, it's just not the whole truth.
The truth is that losing Vivian and seeing Crash again has turned my life upside down. I've been on auto-pilot for the past few years, doing what I'm told and avoiding looking too closely at all the warning signs for my future. I can't keep on like this, watching Dad show one face to the public and another to his family and pretending it will all work out if I just give it enough time.
Time is running out.
“Fine.” I will never forgive him for sending me to a private clinic to verify my value like a prize cow. Never. And he knows it, but he doesn't care. My only regret about my one night of freedom is that I didn't go completely wild and actually have sex. “Can I have my phone back now?”
He laughs. “I'll leave that up to your future husband to decide. For the moment, it's safer with me, don't you think? Considering your fragile state?” There isn't an ounce of concern in his voice, only control. “Go get ready. The photographer will be here soon.”
It burns to nod and leave his office, but I don't know what else to do. The walls around my life were built brick by brick and now I can't see over the top. I threw away my best chance to get away because I didn't want to believe it was this bad.
Titania is waiting for me in my bedroom. “Hey, Summer. How are you doing? Sit down and I'll start working on your hair.”
I like Titania. I've known her for years, and she's always been nice to me, but she's Dad's employee and I don't know if I can trust her to help me. Still, I'm not overflowing with options. Our eyes meet in the mirror over my dressing table. “I’m okay.”
Her eyes crinkle a tiny bit in a subtle wince. She takes my hair and starts brushing it smooth. “I can't tell you how sorry I am for all this,” she whispers. “Your father is a hard man sometimes, but I'm sure he only wants what's best for you.”
I don't say anything, but my thin-lipped smile probably does it for me.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Can you get me out of here?” I ask ruefully.
“Don't be silly. You have everything, and Grayson is… He's a very attractive man.” Her hand comes to rest on my shoulder and gives me a gentle squeeze. “I'm sure he'll be good to you, Summer.”
I shake my head. “No, he won't. With Dad, I think part of him at least believes in what he's doing, but Grayson? He's a monster.”
The more I open up, the harder it is to keep my worries inside, and once it starts coming out, what's the point of hiding anymore? She'll either report everything to Dad or she won't. I'm not even trusted to be able to do my own makeup or pick out the right outfits. I used to think that was kind of fun, but now I see that it was one more way to strip me of independence.
“Summer! I'm sure your father wouldn't allow anyone dangerous to marry into the family.”
“Oh, I'm sure he's safe as long as I do what he tells me.” I pull my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around them. “Dad thinks he's smarter and better than everyone else, but he's wrong. He's making a mistake.”
She hesitates, then sets the brush aside and wraps her arms around my shoulders. “I wish I could help you.”
“If I give you a phone number, could you make a call for me? You wouldn't have to do anything else. I promise. Just make one call. I'll do all the talking.”
“I can't. Your father is making everyone check them in with security.”
That wasn't a no. I jump on the opportunity. “What if you called for me?”