I heard Agnus talk about how Dad has been recruiting some of the aristocratic members. If they manage to convince one of them, all the other ones would follow. Those noble folks are loyal to each other.

“I found a possible strong ally within the voting committee,” Dad says.

“Really?” My face lights up. “Who is he?”

“Earl Edric Astor.”

“Oh. Ronan’s father. I’m happy for you, Dad.”

His expression isn’t the least bit joyful, though. “There’s a catch.”

“A catch?”

“Earl Astor only agreed to form an alliance if we become in-laws. My daughter to his son.”

The information hits me like a hurricane with all the lightning and thunder.

“Do you mean… I have to marry Ronan?”

The idea doesn’t even sit straight before my brain completely revolts against it. Ronan is my friend and I really like his goofiness, but that’s it.

That’s all.

He’s not the one I dream about. He’s not the one I’ve been yearning for, feeling all empty and miserable.

“Ronan wouldn’t agree to that,” I whisper. He’s a player and loves his freedom more than anything in the world.

Dad remains cool and calm. I don’t know how he does it. “Earl Astor said Ronan will agree to anything he asks of him.”

Oh, God.

I’m going to be sick.

“And…” I meet Dad’s gaze. “What did you tell him?”

“I said I’ll talk to you.” Dad takes my hand in his, strong, warm, and safe. “I’ll never force you to do anything, you know that, right, princess?”

Oh. Thank God.

I want to help Dad, but I’ll never agree to an arranged marriage. I want to marry someone I love. Someone who flips my world upside down by just being there.

Someone like Aiden.

Wait… no. Where did that idea come from? I don’t want to marry Aiden… right? It’s too early to even think about marrying Aiden.

Stay the fuck down, heart. Don’t even think about celebrating that thought.

“Think about it,” Dad says. “I’ll go with whatever you decide.”

I’m tempted to tell him ‘no’ straight away, but the look in his eyes stops me. It’s not pleading, but it’s close to… desperation.

Dad needs this alliance.

It hurts me to think about killing all his hopes at once. I need a lot more courage than I have right now.

After agreeing to think about it, I retreat to my room.

I throw my backpack on the chair and flop onto the bed. I hit play on my iPod and Another Place by Bastille fills the air.

What’s the best way to refuse Dad’s offer without being a complete bitch? Either way, he’ll lose Earl Astor and might even be categorised as an enemy by the upper-class community.

Dad spent a lot of energy on this come back. Hell, he returned from the dead. I can’t just destroy his efforts.

Ugh.

This is so confusing.

I need a cup of hot chocolate to calm down. Oh, and my meds. Aunt will call me in a few and give me a lecture if she finds out I didn’t take them.

My heart palpitations have turned up in intensity these last couple of days. I’ll have to cave in and visit Dr Albert.

Please don’t have the doctor suggest a surgery. The thought of another one terrifies the bejesus out of me

My phone vibrates on my way to the kitchen.

My heart beats loudly at the thought that it might be Aiden. What would he say if he found out? Actually, I know what he’ll say.

He’ll ask me to refuse and if I can’t, he’ll do it for me.

Aiden doesn’t care about Dad’s well-being or how much losing Earl Astor’s support would devastate him.

Aiden is shameless about what he wants and isn’t above flipping the world the middle finger.

My stomach sinks when the caller ID doesn’t turn out to be Aiden.

Speak of the devil.

I swipe the screen. “Hey, Ronan.”

“Hey, fiancé.” His playful tone releases some of the dread perched on my chest.

“This isn’t the time to joke around.”

“Who says I’m joking? Father just said I’m getting married to you. I hit the jackpot! Think about the number of threesomes we’ll have, Ellie. Even Kimmy will be game to join if you’re my wife. Le paradis est juste ici.”

I narrow my eyes as if he can see me. “Why do you sound so happy?”

“Because I am! I’ve been imagining the look on King’s face when he finds out you’re my fiancé.” He hums. “You think I’ll be able to catch his expression on camera before he chops my head off with an axe?”

I smile despite myself. “Probably not.”

“I’ll ask Knight or Nash to film it, then. I’m leaving a legacy behind. Oh, and a fortune. You’ll be one of those lethally rich widows who dresses in black and has three black cats.”

I laugh, stopping near the corner. “You’re such a twat.”

“See? Marrying me won’t be so bad. We’ll have so much fun.”

“Be serious, Ronan.” I sigh. “Why don’t you tell your father you don’t want to get married?”

“I can’t tell my father anything. His word is law in this household.”

“So you’ll agree?”

“Already done. I’m an earl’s only child and heir, Ellie. It’s written in my birth certificate that I’ll have an arranged marriage. I’m lucky it’s with you and not with some snob that will suck the life out of my bones. You know how fucking scary that is?”

I pause, thinking about his point of view. I never thought Ronan would have these types of worries. He’s always so playful and carefree, no one sees the weight he carries on his shoulders.

“But I —”

“I know.” He cuts me off. “King, that lucky bastard, came first. Fucker. However, I’m not allowed to refuse the engagement from my side. You have to be the one to stab your sword straight to my virgin heart.”

“You’re such a dork.” I laugh.

“And you have such an awful taste in men,” Ronan mocks with an edge of drama. “Now if you excuse me, I’m going to nurse my broken heart with some weed and a girl — or two.”

I hung up with a smile.

The smile falls when I realise that Ronan’s completely out and I have to be the one who ends this. I groan. Is there no other way aside from hurting Dad?

“Are you going to agree?”

I jump at Teal’s quiet voice. I didn’t even notice she was there.

“You know about it?” I ask.

“Agnus mentioned it.” She studies her black nails, not meeting my gaze. “Thirteen already agreed to marry you.”

Since that practice football game, Teal often calls the horsemen by their jersey’s numbers.

“I thought you were with Eleven?”

“I am… sort of,” I say. “I won’t marry Ronan. I just have to find the appropriate way to tell Dad.”

Teal meets my gaze, but she remains silent. “Dad needs that alliance with the Astor family. Earl Astor has the best title amongst the voting committee and if he pledges to Dad, everyone else will follow his lead.”