Page 44 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

Julian watched my face closely.

“You must be joking,” I finally said, not pulling the ring from the satin lining.

“Not quite the response I was hoping for.” His tone stayed smooth. “Look, Kaylani, I’ll be frank. I think we could do great things together. And I think you’re intelligent enough to understand what this means.”

It was a monstrosity, something a dozen other girls might’ve fought over.

“You’ll get what you want.” His voice made my skin crawl. “We both will.”

“And if I say no?” I looked up, leaving the box open.

I couldn’t get a clear read on his eyes, and that made the entire situation more unsettling.

“Then you’ll still be you. Strong. Stubborn. Brilliant. But without the freedom you’ll have with me.”

“And what does my father say about this? Does he even know?”

Julian’s smile thinned just slightly. “Your father knows. I made my intentions clear before I met you. I just became far more fascinated once I’d seen the famous princess in person. If you say no, I’m sure your father will be disappointed.”

Disappointed.

Not angry. Not violent.

Disappointed.

As if disappointment wasn’t just another form of control.

Julian stood and buttoned his jacket as if it were a prop. He was enjoying this moment far too much.

“Keep it.” He nodded to the ring. “Think about it.”

“You trust me to hang on to it?” My fingers tightened on the velvet. “I could sell it and buy myself a jet.”

He chuckled. “That is one way to get the freedom you desire. Although short-sighted and short-lived. Besides, you haven’t said yes yet. But you will.”

Then, as if we had already discussed and agreed to the arrangement, he added, “I’ll have a car pick you up at seven-thirty. The ballet is a red-carpet affair. You’ll wear red. It suits you.”

“I didn’t agree to that either.” I was tempted to throw the ring at his head.

His gaze locked onto mine. For the first time, the mask slipped just enough for me to see the snake hiding under his skin. A man who didn’t ask.

“You’ll come,” he said softly.

Then he looked past me to Goran. His smile turned polite and deliberate. It was the same look I had seen my father give those he considered beneath him, and it cut deeper than any insult.

“You won’t need to bring your employee. I have plenty of protection. But until then…take good care of her.”

He sauntered out of the room as if he had already won.

I sat there, unmoving, my heart lodged in my throat. The ring box remained open on the table, taunting me.

I didn’t look at Goran right away. I couldn’t. If I did, I would crack. Or scream. Or do something reckless enough that I really would need to hock the ring for bail money.

My fingers slowly closed the box.

Snap.

The sound was far louder than it should have been in the quiet room.