Page 170 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“Soon. There’s no benefit in delaying the wedding.” The dark gleam in Julian’s eyes returned. “I can’t wait to start my life with this fiery woman. I’d like to have our first child as soon as possible.”

“Of course. Stability must be established quickly, along with the shackle around my ankle.” Sarcasm was thick in my tone. I patted the top of his hand. “Isn’t that right, shnookums?”

He grinned. “Your father was accurate in his description. You are special.”

I wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult, but I would bet on the latter.

“This alliance benefits everyone,” Julian said.

“Does it?”

The temperature in the room shifted, and I felt more than one set of eyes on me. Maybe I had gone too far and insulted them. I certainly wasn’t thrilled about joining their family or marrying their son.

Julian’s smile thinned.

“You’ll come to appreciate your position.”

“I know precisely what position I am in.”

I was leverage. Capital. Insurance. A piece used to garner favors and establish connections. A bridge to larger plans.

“I didn’t say understand your position…I said appreciate it,” he fired back.

Julian leaned closer.

“Kaylani, you seem focused on the small picture, yet I took you for a visionary. You’ll have influence, resources, and power. More than you can even imagine.”

“I already had those things and didn’t care for them.”

Julian shook his head.

“It’s a shame to see you so closed off to what we can accomplish together.”

He looked away, and the conversation moved on, but the tension didn’t fade. My father returned and ignored me, choosing to discuss mergers and acquisitions with Arturo. They disgusted me. There was so much more to life than money and power.

Money. Money. Money.

Julian spoke freely as the wine flowed. Arrogance loosened his tongue, and I learned a few interesting pieces of information that I tucked away for later. Apparently, the Harringtons had enemies. So, maybe the small army patrolling the grounds wasn’t solely here to block my escape attempts. What did my father have to gain by getting into bed with a family in hot water?

When dessert arrived, Arturo rose.

“A strong union strengthens both empires.”

A toast. Glasses lifted.

I raised mine last.

“To strength,” Father added.

That one word revealed everything I needed to know about what truly mattered to him. Not me, not my mother, or brothers. He claimed to love his family and that everything he did was for us, but it was all a lie. A pretty deception wrapped and topped with a shimmering bow designed to distract us from the truth.

Thankfully, dinner ended soon after.

Julian stood and extended his hand.

“I’ll walk you to your suite.”

“Sven can manage,” I replied flatly.