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Swallowing a sob, I buried the thoughts that brought nothing but pain. Going to the fridge, I started collecting more stuff to make a second smoothie for Dad.
When the second batch of smoothie got ready, I placed the glass on a tray and made my way toward Dad’s room.
My mind nudged me, knowing whatever Callum had to say wouldn’t be good for either Dad or me. Knowing there was no way to resist his commands, I decided to steel myself.
Reaching the room, I found Callum seated on a chair by Dad’s bed. He looked relaxed and in an unusually good mood as he tapped his foot to an imaginary beat.
“Hey, Dad,” I said, moving toward him.
Dad’s face crumpled into a frown but I was familiar with this expression by now. He was trying to smile at me.
Taking the glass, I helped him hold it by wrapping his fingers around it securely. He could no longer chew food, so to eliminate the risk of him choking on bigger chunks, we fed him smoothies like this.
Callum cleared his throat pointedly. He didn’t like me paying attention to anyone else but him.
Straightening up, I faced him. “What did you want to tell us?”
“You’re getting married next week.” Callum’s face split into a wide grin like he was announcing his sudden decision to send me on a vacation free from him.
“Next week?” I asked slowly, wondering what new madness he was up to now. Was he trying to trick me somehow? He couldn’t even bear for another man to look at me.
Dad made angry noises. “N...n...no,” he chanted.
“Dad, calm down,” I said, worried his pent-up frustration would send his blood pressure spiking. Turning toward Callum, I asked, “You already have someone in mind?”
“Yes,” he said with a hearty wink. “It’s Freddy Stone. You know him, right? He went to school with you.”
Freddy Stone had been extremely popular at school because of his close friendship with Lola Rostek, captain of the cheerleading team. He was also blatantly and proudly gay.
Callum’s dark eyes, so dissimilar to my emerald green, gleamed with cruel amusement.
“That’s right, Luce. Freddy’s agreed to marry you.”
“I don’t understand,” I said slowly, knowing there was no way in hell Freddy would get married to a girl. “Freddy’s...gay.”
Callum chuckled. “I know! He’s the perfect guy for you.”
The confused look on my face seemed to amuse him greatly. Taking deep breaths, he explained. “Freddy’s grandpa is a conservative old fart and refuses to leave his legacy to his only grandson. All because he’s gay. He’s given Freddy an ultimatum. Get married or get kicked out of his will. Guess what Freddy chose.”
“But why me?”
Callum’s expression darkened. “It’s the perfect façade for us, Luce. You’ll be married to him but it’ll be me who becomes your true husband. I gave you enough time to grow up. You’re past twenty now. It’s time I gave you a child so we can have an heir to our empire too. Want to know the best part though? Our sons and daughters will inherit the Stone legacy too. Our children will be the most powerful heirs in Ashville.”
Fear and disgust shot through me as I listened to Callum. Cold dread filled my heart as my head whipped toward my dad as an involuntary reaction to my brother’s craziness.
“D...d...don’t!” Dad muttered hoarsely, his body shuddering as he tried to channel his rage at Callum. “N...n...n...no!”
“No one’s asking your permission, Dad,” Callum said coldly. “I’m letting you know out of courtesy. You and Mom thought you could keep me away from my sister.” He scoffed. “I don’t play to your tune anymore. So, just keep shut and fucking breathe!”
“Don’t talk to him like that!” I shouted.
Callum’s gaze zeroed in on me. The rage swirling in his eyes told me he wouldn’t let my rudeness go unpunished.
Stomping toward me, he grabbed me by the shoulder and shoved me toward the door. He kept pushing me vehemently until we were both out in the corridor.
A massive shove sent me crashing against a wall.
Before I could recover from the impact, Callum was on me, pushing his hard body against my soft curves.
