Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“She’s right,” Adler says.
General Leyland’s head snaps around. “Are you fucking joking?”
“We invited you here to discuss this problem. Instead, you’re acting like a child. Yes, Conlan slept with your daughter. Yes, she was photographed with him leaving his house. We’re aware of the facts. Are you willing to work with us to make sure this doesn’t harm your campaign, or are you going to keep insulting my brother? Because if you choose the latter, we will close ranks, and we will make sure you regret it.”
Conlan sits up straighter. “And just to be clear, General, not a single person in this room gives a shit if you disappear into the annals of history.”
General Leyland’s jaw works. I feel numb and dizzy, like my head’s going to break off my shoulders. He shoves himself to his feet and stands shaking with rage. I can tell he’s about to say something very bad, something that will change everything for good, and it’ll be my fault. If I hadn’t spoken out of turn to defend Conlan like that, they might’ve been able to salvage this.
Which is why I open my stupid mouth once again.
“He’s going to marry me,” I say.
Again, they all stare. This time, Conlan looks bemused, and Adler’s shaking his head.
“What in the fuck is that supposed to mean?” General Leyland snaps.
“That’s how we’ll muddy the waters,” I say, talking fast. “I’ll be Conlan’s wife. We’ll make it so that we got married a month ago, I don’t know how, I’m sure they can figure it out. Then I’ll tell whoever will listen that the whole thing is a misunderstanding, Conlan just let your daughter sleep on our couch because she drank too much at a party, actually he was being helpful, all that stuff. It’ll sow enough doubt that the story will pass.”
My heart’s racing. I don’t want to do any of that, but it’s all out there now, floating in the room. Conlan’s face is impassive and I can’t tell what he’s thinking, while Adler’s leaning back in his chair, staring at me with a thoughtful frown.
General Leyland takes a slow breath.
“That’s… actually not a bad idea,” he says.
My shoulders slump. “Really?”
“At least it has the potential to work.” He cocks his head. “You’ve got some balls on you, girl. I’ve met strong, successful men that would never speak up the way you just did. I don’t like you, but I can respect it.”
“Thanks?” I look at Conlan in a panic.
“We’ll take care of this, General Leyland.” He gets to his feet. “Isabel’s idea is just one we’re kicking around. Whatever we land on, we’ll make sure it works.”
General Leyland’s face turns sour again. “I hope so. For all your sakes.” He walks to the door, pausing only to nod at me. “There’s a stack of files on the floor. That’s everything I have on the people involved in this pseudo-scandal. Do with it what you will. I don’t care what you two do to make my problem go away. All I need is this issue gone.”
The general leaves, and I feel like all the breath in my chest gets sucked out through a straw.
Conlan turns to me. His face narrows into anger. He comes toward me and I shrink back, away from the harsh intensity of his expression.
“Did I just hear you propose to me?” he asks, voice soft enough that I have to lean closer. “Because it sounds like you just proposed to me.”
“I didn’t, I just—”
“Leave her alone,” Adler says. “We need to talk more. Isabel, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Conlan gives me one last shake of his head before he returns to the chairs. The brothers lean closer, talking in hushed voices, and I linger for only another second before I run away, heading back to my room.
Chapter 10
Isabel
I sink back into the hot bath and wonder how hard it would be to drown myself.
This is an enormous mess. If I had kept my mouth shut back there in the office, none of this would be happening.
Except I told the general about that stupid marriage plan—and he seemed to like it.
I just dug my own grave.
Worst of all was Conlan’s face. He was pissed off and I don’t know why. An hour ago, he was trying to convince me to go along with this plan, and when I bring it up as a real possibility, suddenly he’s mad? I don’t understand that man one bit. It’s so frustrating.
I never should’ve spoken up and I don’t even know why I care.
None of this is my problem. I’m only here because Conlan dragged me along—the whole trip was his idea. If I had my way, I’d still be back in LA enjoying a couple days off from my overbearing boss.
Instead I’m here in this hotel, soaking in a tub because I hate myself and my stupid mouth, and I don’t know what’s going to happen.