Page 88 of Wicked Knight
“We seriously don’t have the money?” Dad is supposed to be a billionaire.
“No. Keaton has essentially ruined me. The only thing I could think of to get the rest of the money is marrying into a family who will be able to pay the investment. Your marriage also unlocks your inheritance from your grandfather, and I get a portion as your executor. ”
I stare back at him, my mind numb, my heart not beating.
It all makes sense now—everything that’s happened.
The pieces of the puzzle have aligned to create the full picture of our disaster. This was why Dad wanted me to marry Levi.
And it also explains why investors have been pulling out. They knew the company was in trouble and now under investigation.
“What’s going to happen now?” My voice trembles like someone is shaking every syllable.
“The Knights have washed their hands of me. They won’t get involved with government-related investigations. It goes against The Oath. The only thing Aleksander was willing to do to help me is dissolve the contract.”
“So, I’d be free to marry?” I fill in.
He steps forward, his eyes flat and listless. “Yes. Now that it’s dissolved, I’ve arranged for you to marry Ryan Konstantin. The wedding will be in one month.”
My body goes solid. As if my bones have been replaced with steel. Things were bad when I was supposed to marry Levi and faced saying goodbye to my career, but Ryan Konstantin is a psychopath.
He’s a senior at Raventhorn, and his family make the Lannisters inGame of Throneslook like a bunch of saints.
“Dad, no.”
“I’m sorry, Mackenzie.”
“Isn’t there another way?”
“I’ve been trying to find a way for the last nine months. If it exists, it’s not available to me. You have to understand that for me to mess with your career the way I did earlier in the year means I was desperate. Things are worse now than they were back then.” He pauses for a deep breath. “The Konstantins were the only people I could get to help me. The situation is above me now. We’re at the stage where we’ll lose everything and risk being in danger if we don’t do this. I can’t find that money on my own. I’ve already exhausted all my avenues.”
“Dad…I can’t marry someone else. Dmitri…”
He walks up to me and touches my cheek. “I’m sorry. Now you know what’s going on, you can make a choice.”
A choice?
What choice do I have when my family stand to lose everything and risk being in danger?
This is all in my hands.
I dip my head, realizing I’m going to have to say goodbye to Dmitri again.
When I do, there will be no next time for us.
Chapter Nineteen
Dmitri
The trees in the woodlands taunt me with their foreboding height and thickness. The chill in the air gives off that ominous vibe I hate.
It's like a sign that something is about to happen. Something more beyond my control.
I'm on my way to meet Mackenzie. She left me a note to meet her in the woods outside of Raventhorn.
This whole section is usually off limits to the students because it's private property; it makes it a good idea for a meeting spot.
I made sure I wasn't followed, and I've got the guys on standby looking out to give me a heads-up if they see any of my father’s henchmen.