Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Scout
“No. That can’t be right—” I clench the phone in my hand.
“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do here. The account was created by your parents, and you’ve since been removed. It sounds like they’re the ones you need to be calling right now.”
Believe me. I’ve tried.
I drag my hand down my face in frustration, trying to compose myself.
I know it’s not her fault my parents are being so difficult, but I’d hoped she’d be a little more helpful.
“Are you sure? Can you please check one more time?” I plead, not caring how pathetic I sound.
After everything that transpired yesterday, I’m feeling a whole new level of desperation.
The customer service lady lets out an exhausted sigh. “No. I’ve already told you, there’s legally nothing I can do here. I do hope your luck turns around, Miss Sinclair.”
My face falls as I scratch through the last item on my attempt to fix it list and accept my defeat. “Okay. Sorry about keeping you so long. Thank you for your help. Have a good?—”
The line goes dead, and the dial tone hums in my ear before I can even finish my sentence.
Well, isn’t that just fantastic. I was hoping the bank could help, by finding some kind of loophole, since the account is in my name. But instead, all I’ve learned is that my parents are even more dangerous than I realized.
Apparently, they’re the primary account holders on all my accounts. Which means I’m officially more screwed than I thought.
My fist clenches around my phone as it buzzes with a fresh wave of incoming texts.
Dad
I can’t believe I’m hearing this. You left the town meeting last night riding on the back of Luka Kingsley’s motorcycle?
Are you purposely trying to fuck up your life, Scout? Because you’re doing a damn good job of it.
I didn’t exactly have many options for a place to stay, considering you shut me out of all my credit cards…
Dad
Oh, so that’s what this is about? You’re trying to teach me a lesson?
No, Dad. I’m just saying, I didn’t exactly have many options. Would you rather I have spent the night on the park bench?
Dad
Don’t spin this on me. We both know that you’re the reason you’re in this mess.
Mom
All those years I spent trying to teach you to be a lady have gone right down the drain. Do you have any idea what people are saying about you?
Dad
You need to get your ass back here this instant before things go any further and Jimmy changes his mind.
What are you even talking about? I told you; Jimmy and I are done. It’s over! I don’t care what he thinks of me.
Dad
Well, I do. So stop acting like a spoiled brat and bring your ass home and fix this before it’s too late. Unless you want me to take matters into my own hands.
What does that mean?
Dad
It means that you can either marry him willingly…or unwillingly…Either way, the result will be the same.
You can’t do that…
Dad
Can’t I? You have until tomorrow afternoon. Don’t test me, Scout. I’m tired of your shit.
I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I have no money.
No place to go—I can’t expect Luka to let me stay here forever, and besides, being around him doesn’t exactly elicit warm fuzzy feelings.
I can’t go back to school, and any chances of transferring are out of the question.
And now he’s giving me until tomorrow to come back home… and what, agree to marry Jimmy?
How is this happening right now?
I bite my trembling lip as a fresh wave of tears fall down my face. I’ve never felt more hopeless—and knowing my parents hold all the power is almost more than I can take.
Is my father really capable of doing what he says? And if he’s telling the truth, then what’s the point of fighting? Am I just making it harder for myself?
It’s absolutely terrifying knowing there’s nothing I can do to stop them. Up until yesterday, I thought I was the one in control of my life. But now it’s clear that I’m no more than a chess piece, and it’s my father who’s calling the shots.
I bury my face in the pillow and let out a blood-curdling scream, feeling my last bit of hope fly right out the window. My eyes are scratchy and swollen from crying all morning, and I can’t imagine how pathetic I must look.
Thank God, Luka’s not here to see my breakdown.
“Miss Scout… I can’t help but notice that you seem a little…upset. Is there something I can do to provide you with a little comfort? Perhaps a bubble bath or a cup of tea?”
The sound of the AI’s voice sobers me, and I sit up, trying to regain composure. How the hell could I forget about Luka’s talking house?
Goddammit. Can’t a girl have a mental breakdown in peace without having to worry about the house robot spying on her?
I use the hem of my shirt to wipe my tears and snot. “You know…maybe a cup of tea wouldn’t hurt.”
“Coming right up. I’ll have it ready for you in the kitchen momentarily.”
I make my way to the bathroom and splash my face with cold water. It does little to hide the fact that I’ve been crying all morning, but at this point, I don’t really have the energy to care about that.
I get dressed for the day and make my way into the kitchen, where I find two cups of steaming hot tea sitting on the counter.
“I didn’t know if you took honey in your tea or not, so I made one of each,” L.O.K.I. says.
“That’s very considerate of you, L.O.K.I.” I reach for the one with honey and take a small sip.
“Your preferences have been noted. Enjoy your warm beverage, Miss Scout. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.”
“So… L.O.K.I. Uh… Exactly how much of that did you see this morning?”
“If it’s your emotional breakdown that you are referring to…then probably 90 percent,” he answers flatly. “I’m programmed to give guests their privacy but also to respond to emergencies. Your crying seemed quite upsetting, so I sent a recording to Mr. Luka for his records.”
“You…you sent a video to Lu?—”
My words break off at the sound of the door slamming against the wall, followed by Luka’s heavy footsteps as he stomps inside.
“What the fuck happened? Where is she?” I hear his voice disappear down the hall like he’s checking the guest room, before he stomps back toward the kitchen.
I blow out a sigh, feeling embarrassment heat my cheeks.
When Luka finally makes it to the kitchen and spots me, he stops in his tracks. His breathing is strained, and his fists are clenched at his side. If I didn’t know any better, I’d almost think he sounded worried about me.
I see his eyes widen before he rushes to me. “What the fuck is going on, Scout? Are you okay?” He lifts my chin to meet his eyes, and my stomach erupts into nervous flutters.
“Yeah. I’m fine,” I lie, “Sorry about that. I was just feeling a little stressed… I didn’t realize I was under surveillance.”
His eyes roam over my face, no doubt noticing my swollen eyes and splotchy skin from crying. He opens his mouth to speak, but the string of incoming texts blowing up on my phone catches his attention.
Shit, I didn’t realize I left it face up.
His eyes widen as he reads the new message, and I grab my phone to hide the screen.
“What the fuck is he talking about? Are they threatening you?”
“Nothing. It’s just my parents freaking out about me leaving on your motorcycle. They’ll get over it,” I lie.
He reaches for my phone, but I jerk it away and shove it in my pocket before he can grab it.
“Scout, give me the phone,” he warns, his voice low and threatening.
“No. It’s none of your business.”
“I don’t give a fuck if you think it’s my business or not. If that message is anything close to what it looks like, then I need to know. Now give me the phone.”
I try to push him away, but he overpowers me with ease, grabbing both of my wrists in one hand and holding them over my head before reaching into my pocket and pulling it out.
He points the screen toward my face to unlock the phone, and his jaw hardens as he reads the string of texts.
“He’s threatening to forge the paperwork on the marriage certificate himself if you don’t come home by tomorrow. And your piece of shit ex is fine with it…” He flips the phone and shows me the newest text message, this time it’s from Jimmy.
Jimmy
Scout, I just got off the phone with your dad…
I hope you’ll do the right thing. I’d hate for our marriage to start off on the rocks, just because you let your emotions get the best of you.
You know this was always how it was supposed to be. I don’t really need you to like me, but it certainly will help make better pictures…
I just wanted you to know, I’m signing either way.
Luka’s eyes search mine, and for a moment, I can’t breathe,
“So am I supposed to congratulate you now or what?” He drops my hands and takes a step back, breaking the tension between us.
There’s a simmering in his eyes. “What are you going to do?”
I shake my head, my throat tight as a fresh wave of tears rises to the surface. “I’m not sure there’s anything I can do…”
“So that’s it? You’re just going to let him bulldoze you into a fucking marriage? You’re not even going to try to fight back?”
“What’s the point? I know he’s capable… He’s clearly proven that already. Why do you care, anyway? At least it’d get me out of your hair…”
Luka shakes his head, looking disappointed as he backs away. “So fucking pathetic. You know, there was a time when I actually thought you’d grow a fucking backbone and stand up for yourself. But I guess I didn’t know you at all, did I?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I call after him as he rushes to the door.
He shrugs on his leather coat. “Whatever. I don’t have time for this shit.” And then he’s gone.