No, she’s just remembered. The last few months have just been an illusion—the illusion of choice.
I thought I had a choice, but in reality, my life was already predetermined by my position in the family. I can never have normal. I can never be normal.
She accepts the darkness within me, or the only way we’ll be considered together is that we share a house.
Chapter 24 - Penny
I can’t tell Asher why I am spending a couple of days at her place, but she’s excited that I am. I pack a bag for two weeks at least, and as I do, I feel a sadness weighing heavy on my heart. This is my home now. It feels like my home, but is that all a lie?
I want to believe Kervyn loves me, but I don’t know. He just mercilessly ordered the death of his family members. What’s to say he won’t do that to me, too, one day?
What if he ordered someone to kill our son?
No. A part of me knows he wouldn’t hurt our child. But do I want to be a part of this world? This world where people are casually murdered simply for not following instructions. I don’t know the rules of this game. I don’t know the ways of this society, and I’m expected to be a queen within this family of families.
I wish there were a sneak peek or preview into what will be expected of me so I can make a decision.
The illusion of choice.
I don’t get to make that much of a decision because regardless of what I choose, whether I love Kervyn or not, I have to marry him. There is no going back from that now at all.
The detectives. I could tell the detectives.
A part of me knows I never would betray Kervyn like that, and strangely enough, it’s not because I fear him but rather because I feel protective of him.
That has to count for something, right?
Asher welcomes me with open arms even though it means we have two guards in the house with us at all times. She’s used to Leon, though, so it doesn’t make that much of a difference, and they mostly stick to the front room or the kitchen.
I spend my days with Asher hashing out more details about the wedding, trying to keep my mind off of Kervyn.
“I can’t take it anymore,” Asher says.
I look up from my magazine and raise an eyebrow. “Take what?”
“You! You’re not telling me why you’re fighting with Kervyn. You guys were so in love at the baby shower and so excited for the announcement, and then you rock up here out of the blue after he insists I have to come there every time to visit you…” she huffs.
I have to think quickly. “Well,” I say, “I needed to get out of the house for a bit. It was getting a bit like cabin fever. And this was the only place he’d let me stay.”
Asher frowns at me but shakes her head. “Look, I’m not going to lie. Since we became friends with the Milov family, things have been looking up for me. Luka does me favors that have boosted my career. I get into exclusive clubs. I’m meeting all the right people. It has a lot of benefits.” She flips the page of her magazine. “I’m just saying that it can’t be all that bad.”
“I don’t think it is all that bad,” I say calmly. “I just think there is a lot about them we don’t know, and we should get to know them more.”
“You’re marrying him in six months. You’re having his baby in two and a half. What more do you need to get to know?” She shakes her head. “You’re crazy. That man is drop-dead gorgeous and worships the ground you walk on. You’re like the luckiest person alive.”
“Hey!” Luka calls from the front door. “It’s me.”
“This isn’t over,” Asher murmurs. “We’re in here,” she calls.
Luka comes in. “I believe we’re having lunch downtown before we find some more party favors?” He looks at me. “How are you feeling, mama?”
I blush. “I’m fine, thanks. You can tell Kervyn I’m fine.”
Luka smiles. “Later, maybe. If he’s good. Come on, ladies. Let’s get going before the day gets going without us.”
I get up and get my purse, following them out of the house with Leon and Freddie following behind us.
Currie drops us off downtown, and I turn to Luka. “I’m in the mood for something spicy. Any good restaurants that’ll cater to that?”
“There’s a nice little sandwich shop around the corner. Gourmet sandwiches, mind you. They should have some spicy meatballs.” Luka grins and I nod. “Spicy meatballs sound good.”
Asher groans. “Luka is obsessed with this sandwich shop, seriously.”
Luka leads us down the road. He pauses when his phone rings. “Ladies, stand right here. I have to take this. I won’t be long.”
He walks further ahead and answers his phone.
“I hate the whole secretive thing,” Asher comments. “I mean, that is one thing I hate. That we can’t really discuss, you know, what they do in private.”
I nod, but I don’t answer. The one rule is not to discuss family business.
I turn around and see Rita walking toward us, my old manager. She meets my gaze and then stops. “Penny?”
“Oh man,” I mutter to Asher. “It’s Rita”
“Penny! You just up and left after the whole promotion thing. I knew you wanted it, but I didn’t realize it would cost us such a good employee. You should come back. We can rebuild and restock, and maybe we can get you that promotion after all.”
She beams at me and then at Asher. “I mean, we’re a bit tight right now, so you’d have to take a pay cut.”
