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One

LeeAnn

“This is absolute bullshit,” I whine as Lottie twists my hair back from my face.

“We both know that if you want to go to the hospital residency in Texas so we can finally live close again, then you have to do what he says,” she sighs.

“You’re right,” I close my eyes as she continues doing my hair, “I just can’t figure it out. He always knows everything. No matter what I do to try to keep him out of my life, my father knows fucking everything. Yet he remains clueless about what his own people are doing.”

“LeeLee, we both know that your Papa only wants what's best for you. He only does what’s best.” Lottie smiles wide to herself because for her and her father, that is true.

Mine, on the other hand, not so damn much.

“Lottie, we both know that what my father is doing isn’t for any other reason than it’s a benefit to him and his organization. Shit, that is the only reason he’s ever okayed me to go to school. He is going to lose his mind when he finds out that instead of Emergency Medicine; I’m going into Pediatrics.”

Lottie gasps behind me. “You’re going against his command. LeeAnn, that always gets you into so much trouble. I mean, look at what he made you do for whatever it was last year. You went against him, and you had to put your residency off for a year. Why can’t you just do what he asks of you?”

I stare at the woman in the mirror, taking her in. From afar she passes as the perfect princess and daughter, but look closely and truly take her in, and you find that it’s nothing more than a broken shell of a woman. It’s only been four weeks sense I had my world ripped away from me. Now here I sit, makeup perfect, hair perfect, the most magnificent dress money can buy, and all I feel inside is hollow. Lottie prattles on about her hope of finding the love of her life tonight. I nod and agree in the right place so she doesn’t know that I’m completely lost in my head.

“Earth to LeeAnn, did you even hear what I was saying to you?” Lottie laughs as she pokes my shoulder.

“Fuck, sorry Lottie. I was lost in my head.” I let out a hollow chuckle.

“If you don’t clean that mouth up, your dad is going to be pissed,” Lottie grumbles.

Rolling my eyes, I lean forward, propping my elbows on the counter in front of me and sigh. “We both know I do not care what he wants or likes. All that matters to me is him letting me go to school in the spring so I can get out from under his fucking control.”

“LeeLee, please,” Lottie begs from behind me. “Can we just enjoy a great night of fun, dancing, cute men, and even sneaking a few drinks?”

Standing, I turn to my best friend—hell, my only friend—as she is the only person my father approves of having around. Though lately, I’ve been wondering if she isn’t one of the many people feeding that monster information about what I’ve been up to. Laying my hands on her shoulders, I give her the best smile I can right now.

“I promise to do my best to make sure you have the most magical night,” I force as much sincerity into my voice as I can.

Lottie’s face lights up in a bright smile as she bounces out of the bathroom and into my room humming under her breath. Slowly I follow her, working to rein in the emotions that are always just under the surface, begging for a reason to be let free. I lean on the doorframe, watching as Lottie twirls and spins around the room with a soft smile on her lips. To see us side by side, the outside world would believe both our lives appear to be perfect, but only if they knew the horrors that hide behind the walls of this house.

A soft knock on the door stops Lottie’s dancing, and she looks at me with wide eyes, “It’s time to party.”

Plastering on the smile that I’ve learned to wear to keep everyone from truly knowing what’s going on in my mind, I head for the door. Pulling open the door, my fake smile falls away and a genuine one takes its place for the man standing in front of me. Miles Torres has been my lead guard, mentor, the closest thing to a real father I’ve ever had, and at this point in my life the only person I trust. He was my mother’s guard before she passed, and he has been mine since that day. If it wasn’t for the fact that my father would lose all access to my mother’s trust and influence, he would have fired this man a long time ago. If there is one person that Denver Cole can’t stand more than me, it’s Miles.

I fall into his arms, taking comfort in being held against his large frame. “Where have you been?”

“Had something to take care of and it took me a little longer than I thought it would.” He smooths a hand over the top of my head. “It’s good to see you on your feet.”

Pulling away from him to keep the tears from winning this battle, I plaster on my brightest smile. “At this fucking point, nothing can keep me down.”

“Don’t mess up her hair and face.”

“Mouth.”

Miles and Lottie speak at the same time. I give the man in front of me a mock glare before turning to Lottie so she can see that all her hard work is perfectly fine and intact. Her eyes scan me before giving me a satisfied smile and nod. Turing back to Miles, I’m shocked to see the man that’s always been tough as nails standing there with emotions in his eyes.

Pointing at him, I say, “No. Whatever is going on in your head, stop it.”

Miles chuckles, “I was just surprised at how much you look like your mother.”

“No! Nope, we are not going to go there.” I shake my head.

He holds his hands up in surrender. “Understood. Your father is ready for you to make your entrance. Everyone is finally here.”