Page 129 of Bite Me

“You’re saying . . . that my grandfather did this?”

“I think your grandfather is a bad man, and I’m trying to figure out how much you know.”

“Your father was trouble.” Those words take the breath from my lungs again.

“You didn’t know that’s what he and Luther’s family have been doing for years?”

“No, Darien gave me a tip about not signing contracts, but he made it seem like it was Emma. I was sure she was the target. She . . . still is. My grandfather can think leagues ahead. He must’ve known Luther was going to target Evangeline and used that to leverage Emma. I didn’t even think about it, because I . . .”

I was so focused on Emma.

“I didn’t know, or I would have told you. I love Emma. I want to fix this.”

“Good.” His shoulders fall from his ears. “Then you’re going to help me.”

Chapter Fifty

Emma

This wasn’t in the contract.

I welcome the bile as it sits in my throat, but it never amounts to anything. Is it too much to ask for a surprise stomach bug? That might be the only thing that could get me out of this, but even then, I’m sure they’d find a way to pin some curls in my hair and give me a potion and a pat on the back. A beautiful white gown rests in my hands as I stand in front of the floor length mirror.

A wedding dress. The veil is hanging over the silver inlay at the edges of the mirror, covering half of it.

“Excuse me, is there any way I can use my phone, or . . . talk to Mr. Everhart?” I ask one of the staff, but they’re busy helping me get ready for tonight.

“I’m sorry, hon. He’s indisposed for the gala. Is there something I can help you with?”

She’s young, my age even, but has a calming aura about her. Her face lit up when I complimented her freckles.

“It’s . . . the dress. See, I knew this was an arranged marriage thing, but no one said anything about wearing a wedding dress.”

“Oh, it was added this year. It’s all for show, really.”

I’m in over my head. I hate that I have no one to tell and, currently, no one to apologize to. Why do I do this? Why do I bulldoze ahead without thinking?

There’s no excuse for this kind of recklessness because there is no one to catch me if I fail. I was so sure of my choice until I saw that notebook. Did I create a contract with a killer?

That changes things.

“Can I . . . ask you a favor?”

“Sure. Whatever you need.”

“Can I have my phone to take a picture? I’d love to show my dad.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. All your belongings have already been brought to the venue.”

I nod. Of course they have. I hid the notebook in my purse, though, so there was no chance of them taking that.

“Wait. Dacre Everhart . . . He’s at one of the estates. I forgot the name of it. Is there any way I could maybe phone him and ask him to bring it to me? We’re great friends in the culinary club together.”

“Let me see what I can do!”

I have to tell Dacre what I saw in the notebook, even if he’s choosing a different path. He needs to know who his father was, and especially who his grandfather is.

Potentially a killer. Maybe that will change something for him, too.