Secret Deal

LAUREN

Married in two weeks? Was that really happening?

~No way. I’m not getting hitched in two weeks!~

I rolled my eyes and walked past him to my dad, who was lying on the bed. I was ready to tell him that Mason wasn’t my future husband. In fact, there wasn’t any man in the picture.

But before I could say anything, my dad started crying.

“Oh, sweetheart, you can’t imagine how happy this makes me,” he said, wiping his tears. “I was afraid I’d never see my beautiful girl walk down the aisle. Oh, Lauren, I’m so thrilled.”

Something tugged at my heart, and I knew exactly what it was.

Dad turned to Mason, his face glowing with joy. “Mason, you’re a lucky man. You’ll take good care of her, won’t you, son?”

~Son?~

Mason nodded. “Absolutely, sir. I’ll treat her just as she deserves.”

~Just as I deserve? What’s he implying?~ Dad didn’t catch the double meaning, but Mason’s words made him happier than I’d ever seen him.

“Come here, sweetheart.” He opened his arms wide, and I stepped into his comforting, warm hug. “God, I’m so happy, Lauren.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn’t bring myself to burst his bubble.

I wanted to tell him it wasn’t happening, that the wedding wasn’t what he was picturing. It wasn’t a love match, and it wasn’t going to last. I wished I could tell him all of this.

Who in their right mind would agree to a contract marriage?

“Okay, Dad.” I pulled away, forcing a smile.

“I need to talk to Mr. Campbell outside for a bit. Will you be okay?”

Dad raised an eyebrow.

“She calls me that when she’s mad at me,” Mr. Campbell said from behind me. “You know how women can be.”

I clenched my fist at my side. I was itching to punch him.

Dad chuckled. “Just like her mother.” He grinned at me. “Don’t be too hard on him, darling.”

I managed a fake smile and nodded.

“Don’t worry, Dad, he’ll come back in one piece,” I said, my gaze fixed on Mr. Campbell.

He was watching me closely, one eyebrow raised, a knowing glint in his eyes.

Without a second thought, he followed me out of the room. I didn’t want anyone watching us, so I led him into an empty room.

Mr. Campbell walked over to the window, his strong hands clasped behind his back, his legs slightly apart. He stared outside.

The silence grew heavier, and so did my unease.

“What the hell are you doing?”

Finally, he turned to face me, his expression unreadable.

“I looked into your situation. Your father has cancer. According to the report I got, he’s been here for a while, suffering.”

“That’s not what I asked!”

“I’m afraid it is. I talked to some of my doctors, and they think your father might have a chance.”

A glimmer of hope echoed in my ears. “What?” I whispered, shocked.

“You heard me. With the best doctors on his team, your father could survive.”

“Oh my god.” I covered my mouth with my hand.

“Don’t get too excited yet.” His words made me catch my breath. “He’ll need twenty million pounds for his treatment. That’s where I come in. If you marry me, I’ll cover your father’s medical expenses, and you’ll get a bonus too.”

~What?~

“N-no,” I stuttered.

He raised an eyebrow. “You’d rather let your father die? Is that it, Ms. Hart? You want to live with that regret?”

I swallowed hard, closing my eyes before opening them again. “There are other ways…”

“Really? Like what? Are you going to beg for a loan?” he asked, amused. “Who’s going to pity you?”

“I’ll work,” I said, trying to sound brave.

His eyebrows shot up. “Oh? And for how long? Five years? Ten? Forever? Will your father’s cancer wait for you?”

“Stop it.”

“No, I want to understand, Ms. Hart. How are you going to come up with that kind of money?”

“I’m not marrying you.”

He sighed heavily.

“It’s blackmail.”

“Call it what you want”—he shrugged—“we’re getting married either way.”

“There has to be another way. I’ll work around the clock for you if I have to. Anything but marriage.”

“There’s no room for negotiation, Ms. Hart,” he said finally.

“You have a choice. You’d better make up your mind before it’s too late. I could have any woman I want, but I don’t want just any woman. I want you, Lauren.”

~I want you.~

His words were simple, but they ignited something dangerous in me.

I took a deep breath, instantly regretting it as his intoxicating scent filled my lungs.

I collected my scattered emotions and quietly left the room to go back to my dad. I needed to see him before making any decisions.

He didn’t stop me.

I pushed the door open and walked in.

“Hey, Dad.”

He put down the magazine he was reading and looked at me. “Is he still in one piece?”

I smiled and took his hands, sitting in the chair next to his bed.

“Why are you so worried about him? You just met him.”

“I know, darling, but I feel like I’ve known him for years. You didn’t tell me you were dating or that he proposed.”

I didn’t know what to say.

He looked at me, his eyes soft. “You’re content, aren’t you, sweetheart?”

“I am, Daddy. But I’d be even more so if I could see you healthy and strong again.”

His smile was tinged with a sadness I couldn’t ignore. “I’ve had a good run.” His hand found my cheek, and I covered it with my own. “I’ve been a good son, a good husband…”

His face lit up with a proud grin. “And a damn good father to an amazing daughter. I’ve lived a good fifty years, Lauren. If I were to go now, I’d go a happy man.”

“Dad…”

“I rest easy knowing Mason will be there for you when I’m not.”

If only he knew that was the last thing Mason would ever do. The man despised me.

“What if there’s another way?” I ventured.

His brow furrowed in confusion. “Another way? What are you talking about?” he asked.

“What if I told you there’s a chance you could live, Dad? Mason thinks there might be a way.”

His face was a whirlwind of emotions—surprise, disbelief, joy, and even a glimmer of hope. I saw it in his eyes.

A smile broke through his tears, and I pulled him into my arms.

We cried together, tears of joy for the hope we’d found. But my tears were also for the life I was about to begin with Mason Campbell, for the secret I’d kept from my father.

I was going to marry Mason Campbell.

I knew that when a year had passed, I wouldn’t be able to keep the truth from him any longer. He might forgive me, he might not, but everything I’d done was to ensure his survival.

No matter the cost.

Even if it meant selling my soul to the most fearsome man in the world.