The Hart Game

Chapter Forty-Four

CASSIE

Don't show weakness.

    "Look at you! You are looking more like your mother every single day."

Smile. Don't react.

    I've heard it a million times tonight. It makes me want to blow up this entire city. Put an end to everything that's been put in place.

    My claim.

    The arrangement of my marriage.

    The planning of my entire life in this family. Whether I sit on the throne or not.

    "Excuse me,"

    I stiffen. No, no, no, no, no. This can't be happening! How did I miss him being this close? I've been very aware of where he's been and avoiding him like the plague.

    "I hope I'm not interrupting. I've just come to ask the birthday girl for a dance." Robert says being the picture of elegance and poise. Even though I haven't known him for long, I know he wasn't requesting it. I've heard that tone my whole life from my father.

    He's demanding.

    I can't avoid the inevitable.

    The others I've been talking to, small investors, fold into themselves. Trying to make themselves as small as they can, bowing their heads. Giving him respect. Robert has the same energy as my father. I guess that's what happens when you grow up a part of the Pellegrino family.

    I've been looking at my hands, not daring to look at him, but I can see him in my peripheral. But I can't see his face. I can't for fear of seeing Luke. He may share eyes with Luke's older brother Kyle. But Luke is all his father.

    I don't hear what answer the people I was talking to give, but next thing I see is a hand.

    Robert's hand.

    I can't breathe. I don't want to take it, but I know I have to. Hesitantly, I take it.

    He leads me to the middle of the dance floor. I could feel the eyes of every single person in this room on the both of us. No doubt they know about my relationship with Luke.

My relationship? Do I even have a relationship with him anymore?

    I know the whole family wants Luke and I to be married. I heard the talks of an arranged marriage.

    I won't force him to do that.

    I might not have any choice in what I do in this family, but he certainly does.

    Luke is off limits.

    As far as I'm concerned, they will never speak his name. I will not allow his beauty to touch this life.

His hands will remain clean of being a Pellegrino. No matter who his father is. I will make sure of it.

    He will not take a life.

    He will not need to.

    "Do you know where Luke is?"