AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Caden was talking and I was thinking about Clara again. I shook my head slightly as we strode down a set of stairs and entered the range. An entire class of young men in their late teens were lined up along the opposite wall, waiting.
I ducked into the changing room and pulled on my fatigues and a t-shirt. In the safe, I selected my favorite pistol and an extra magazine.
Caden leaned in the doorway, arms crossed.
“Trystan had a private conversation with me,” he said.
I paused, turning slowly. Thinking through my words carefully.
“About Dakota?”
Caden’s head dipped. “Yale is pissed over it, he won’t speak to Trystan, which I get. It’s his little sister, he’s been her male guardian for eight years.”
“I know he doesn’t want me arranging that marriage,” I sighed. “But I need to make sure I keep a tight grip on the Wyoming base. Having Dakota there as his wife would strengthen ties and make me feel much more comfortable.”
“I get it,” Caden said. “Arranging marriages isn’t your favorite thing.”
“It feels so fucking dirty.”
“It’s just business.”
“Business with the bodies of our women,” I said, hating the words coming from my mouth.
“You’ve never once pushed anyone into a marriage they didn’t fully consent to,” Caden said, his voice low.
An ache moved through me as I remembered the hesitation on Clara’s face this morning. Years ago, she’d seemed perfectly happy to agree to me arranging her marriage, she’d even asked for it. Now I was wondering if her feelings had changed.
I wasn’t stupid. I saw her chew that spot in her mouth.
“I heard you were setting Clara up with Osian Cardiff,” Caden said. His heavy eyes raked over me, unreadable as always.
I ran my hand over my face, slicking back my hair. Stalling as I tried to understand why I felt so strange about the prospect of Clara’s marriage. I’d known this was coming the whole time.
“You okay?” Caden said quietly.
I nodded once, blinking. Snapping myself out of my reverie. “Yes, I’m fine. The Cardiffs will be powerful allies and the business deal Rhys is offering is a fucking good one. It’s basically my net worth and it’ll pay for the base in Wyoming.”
“Shit,” Caden drawled. “Better make sure he nails her down then.”
I slid the magazine into the gun and strode past him.
“I intend to.”
CHAPTER FIVE
CLARA
In the empty house, I worked on unpacking my suitcase from school. It felt strange, after four years of constant studying, to throw out all my old notes and scribbles. I carried the textbooks upstairs to the enormous library and stacked them on the table. I didn’t dare shelve them and mess up Merrick’s carefully coded system of organization.
When I got back to my room, Candice had texted me.
Want to come over when I’m done with dinner?
For a second, I was tempted to invite her tonight, but I knew I’d be stepping all over Merrick’s plans.
Can’t. Sorry, Merrick is taking me out to meet the guy he picked out for me.
Wait…what?
