Page 319 of Double or Nothing

“Tonight suggested otherwise.”

“Tonight was my fault, not his.”

For once, nobody interrupts me.

I look directly at my father.

“I’ll do what you want. I’ll go along with the plan.”

Christopher straightens in his chair.

Mum’s face turns pale as she looks at me.

“What does that mean?” she asks.

“I’ll stop resenting the wedding and cursing behind the scenes. I’ll go along with whatever you want, and I won’t argue. I won’t complain. I’ll live up to my expectations as a Parker daughter and make sure I make everyone proud of the Otley alliance.”

The words taste like shit in my mouth.

“I’ll wear the ivory dress. Adore the pastel flowers. Welcome hundreds of people I don’t even know. You can choose the bridesmaids, the music, the food, the cake, whatever you want. I’ll smile in every photograph. Job done.”

“Alice,” Mum whispers.

“I’ll be good. Promise.”

My voice breaks on the word.

“I’ll do whatever I’m told. Just don’t hurt them. Either of them. They don’t deserve it.”

Dad’s expression remains unreadable.

“Them?”

“Bryce and Jack.”

Christopher’s jaw tightens.

“Jack has nothing to do with this family,” he says. “Not either family.”

“He does to me.”

Dad’s posture changes. He shifts in his seat, like a king about to declare war.

“I knew it all along. You’ve been involved with him.”

Tears roll down my cheeks.

“I haven’t just been involved with him. I… I love him.” I keep my eyes on Dad. “Leave Jack alone, don’t fire Bryce, and I’ll do what you want.”

“You’re in no position to demand terms, Alice! Becoming infatuated with a lowlife casino conman.”

“I’m not demanding anything. I’m promising to do what you want.”

Dad pours himself a glass of water. It’s a good sign, that he’s mulling things over.

“You’re promising to behave?” he asks.

The condescension should make me furious. It does.