Page 124 of Bite Me

There’s a rustling on the other side, and to my surprise, the door creaks open.

Clyde appears, dressed in his usual suit, with no concern to speak of in his features. It’s not the look of someone who has murdered his grandson, so that’s a plus.

“Yes, how may I help you?” He’s got a bowl of walnuts in his hand.

I make my way inside despite not being invited and stand next to the fireplace.

“I want to know where Dacre is. He left, and I can’t get a hold of him.”

“I assure you, my grandson is in fine health.”

He slinks around to the edge of his desk, his brows lifting in surprise when I don’t settle. Oh, he’s good at this.

“Sir, respectfully, can you prove it? This is important . . . I have to know. I’m really worried about him.”

The wrinkles around his eyes multiply as he scans me. He must understand I’m not going to take “no” for an answer because he finally nods, pulling out his phone from his pocket and leaving his walnuts on the desk.

“We had a meeting, and he had to take a few days off to attend business at another one of our estates. I’ve been informed he made it to the estate, and he’s signing some important documents while with his fiancée’s family.”

My heart drops, possibly shatters. Keep it together, Em. He’s probably lying.

“His fiancée?”

“Yes. We’re very excited for the upcoming nuptials and have started to plan the wedding. He was in good spirits when I left him. Here. We have cameras at all our estates. Would you like to see him?”

I look away into the fireplace. He’s lying. Dacre wouldn’t do that.

“Here. Take a look for yourself.”

Only, obviously, I was wrong because on his phone, Dacre sits in an office much like this one, and next to him is that woman from the dinner. The fiancée.

I try to find a flaw with the video and look for any sign of fabrication, but that’s him conversing with her, and in that conversation, there’s laughter and that dimpled smile I love.

Dacre . . . lied. He’s going through with the arrangement. My heart aches, and I cross my arms over my chest to alleviate the growing emptiness. This can’t be true, can it?

“I’m sorry, is there a reason you’re worried about him?”

“No, sir . . . I . . . That . . . is all I need to know.”

I miss the anger as quickly as it leaves because a sob builds in my throat, and I swallow it. What does this mean? Was he playing me? Did he know about my family being targeted and not say anything? Was he lying this entire time?

I have so many questions. So many doubts circle in my head, and I don’t know which to hold on to. Could this still be a lie? Am I just thinking that to cope with the weight in my chest because Dacre’s betrayal would gut me?

Something in Clyde’s eyes softens when he takes his phone back. “Anything else? You look like you’ve had a rough night.”

The true reason for my walking into this office resurfaces. Clyde Everhart is the only person I know with enough power to help me.

“Recently, Luther and his father tricked my sister into signing papers for the Donor Program. The dean tells me there’s nothing we can do, but I . . . I know that’s not true, because you can do something about it. You’re the chairman, aren’t you?”

“I’m afraid—”

“I’m not taking no for an answer here, sir. I know you can help her. What do I need to do to ensure she’s out and her contract is void? Today. She’s already been through a lot, and she feels very strongly about not being in the Donor Program. I’ll do anything to keep her out.”

My sister has no choice, but I do. If joining the gala ensures peace for my family, then it’s something I’ll do. If Dacre weren’t in the picture, I would have considered it a long time ago.

“When you refused my invitation to the gala, I secured a few alternate candidates, but . . . your presence would cause quite a stir. Contracts are not easily broken in the Donor Program, but I could call in a favor.”

“I’d need your word. A contract. Something, because people keep targeting my family, and I need to do something to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”