Chapter Four

Emma's POV

In my last life, the first time Derek grabbed me by the throat, it was right after I asked him where he'd been with some other woman.

Chloe catches me looking and yanks her collar back up.

I set down my glass and ask, right in front of every core family member in the room:

"Chloe, what's that on your neck?"

Chloe's hand flies up to cover her neck.

The table goes quiet for two seconds. Mother spots the bruising under her fingers, and the smile freezes on her face.

"It's an allergy." Chloe jumps in first. "The doctor said pregnancy makes your skin more sensitive."

"An allergy leaves finger marks?"

She glares at me, then forces a smile. "You're so worried about me, maybe worry about yourself first. So what if you've got a career? You live like a man every day, and there's not even a light on for you when you get home."

She strokes her stomach, settling back into her sense of superiority.

"At least I've got a husband and a baby coming. What do you have? Nothing but yourself."

Nathan's face pushes into my head out of nowhere.

His hand resting on the wheel while he drives. The way his mouth barely lifted when I caught Chloe in her lie. That private dinner where it was just the two of us.

Mother suddenly laughs. "Emma, you're blushing. Is there someone you like?"

"No."

I get up from the table and head down the hallway toward the terrace. Cold air hits me the second I grab the railing, and footsteps follow behind me.

"Emma."

Derek stands by the glass door, wearing that smile I know too well.

"Let's talk about the two families working together."

"Take it to the conference room."

"Some things aren't meant for other people to hear."

He walks straight into Father's study. I follow him in.

If Derek's about to make a move against the Whitfield family, I need to know what he's after.

The door closes behind me.

"You pulled the dock right out from under me. Nice work." Derek leans against the desk. "But you know Whitfield can't hold onto it without our backing."

"And what's your backing worth?"

"This isn't about money." He steps closer. "Chloe's pregnant. Some things need to stay quiet. The two families still need someone to keep the relationship going."

"Talk to your lawyer."

"Don't play dumb."

His hand reaches for my face.

I lean away. "Touch me again and I'll break your hand."

Derek smiles.

"Your sister already agreed to this. Play along with me, and the Sullivan family keeps backing the alliance. You wouldn't even need the title."

The basement from my last life slams back into view.

The iron door. The cold water. The endless stack of transfer papers I had to sign. Derek's foot pinning my fingers down, telling me to learn my place.

His hand reaches for me again, going straight for my waist this time.

I grab his wrist and twist it outward.

The pop of the joint dislocating is a satisfying sound.

Derek screams and doubles over. I drive my knee into his stomach, then slam my elbow into the back of his neck. He hits the floor, still trying to grab at my ankle.

I plant my foot on his chest and start throwing punches.

"This one's for the basement."

"This one's for those papers."

Blood from his nose splatters across my sleeve.

"Stop... stop it..." He finally starts begging.

The door bursts open.

Father, Mother, and Chloe rush into the study. Chloe sees Derek on the ground and screams, running straight for him.

"Are you out of your mind? He's your brother-in-law!"

"He tried to force himself on me."

"Who's going to believe that?" Chloe glares up at me. "Everyone's just going to see you beat him half to death. Have you always hated seeing me happy?"

Mother steps in front of Derek. "Emma, calm down. We can't let this wreck the alliance between the two families."

"So what's the plan?"

Chloe and Mother trade a look.

That's when it hits me. This wasn't spur of the moment. They've already talked this through.

Chloe takes a deep breath and puts on her victim face. "Since Derek's into you, I guess I can step back. I'm pregnant now, I could use the help anyway. You be with him, and the alliance stays intact."

"You want me to be your husband's mistress?"

"Don't make it sound so ugly. I'm saving your reputation here. I'm saving the Whitfield family too."

Mother chimes in, quiet. "You're a woman at the end of the day. You need to settle down somewhere. At least you already know what Derek's like."

I turn to Father. "You think the same thing?"

He looks away and lights up a cigar.

Silence. That's his answer.

Last life, they sold me off in marriage. This life, even after I pulled the family up to the top, they'd still throw me on the table for the right deal.

Derek pushes himself up off the floor, his bloody mouth twisting into a grin.

"You heard them. Without the Sullivan family, you're nothing."

Footsteps pound down the hallway. Derek's bodyguards block the doorway, clearly set up in advance.

I could pull my gun right now, but Father, Mother, and Chloe are all standing in the line of fire. If I open fire, I might not walk out of here alive.

I take out my phone.

Chloe's face goes white. "Get it away from her!"

The bodyguards charge at me. The second the call connects, a low male voice comes through on the other end.

"Emma?"

I watch Derek closing in, watch my own family standing right there, not one of them making a move to stop him.

"I need help."