Fraud

Ivy

Pulling up to the gate of my parents’ house, I flash a smile at the security guard, my fingers gripping the wheel as he hits a button to let me drive through.

My eyes stay locked to the iron gate that slides open, a smooth voice rolling through the car speakers from a man with a tongue dipped in silver.

“I’m surprised to see you actually went straight there. And here I thought you’d try to ditch the car and run again.”

Laughing at the thought, I pull along the winding driveway, past the manicured lawns and colorful flower gardens. This place is nowhere near as peaceful as the land that surrounds Gabriel’s house.

“What makes you think I’m not ditching the car here? Just gives me a few more hours to run while you think I’m behaving.”

“I’ll chase you.”

“Good luck catching me.”

Gabriel laughs. “I think I’ve already proven how adept I am at ru

He has. But still, I won’t admit it.

“I’ll just stay in public. That way I can scream when you catch up.”

More soft laughter, the sound dark and heated. “It’ll be hard to scream with my cock in your mouth, but if you enjoy lying to yourself, I’ll allow it.”

I shiver at the promise. “Fine. I’m not ru

“That’s a shame. Hunting you down was always so much fun.”

Turning a corner, my parents’ mansion appears at the end of the driveway, the three-story windows reflecting the blue skies above my head.

“I’m pulling up to the house now. I’m sure once I tell my dad that I’ve seen the errors of my ways and decided to marry the most a

There’s humor in Gabe’s voice. “Express delivery is always preferable. Especially when we have so much to discuss.”

I roll my eyes. “You’re at work. We can’t discuss anything there now that Ta

“You’re ba

“Will do.”

Gabriel hangs up as I pull up to park behind another car in front, a breath leaking out of my lungs filled with the dread I feel.

The last thing I want to do is upset my dad, and I also don’t want to find out that he’s been just as horrible as Gabriel’s father. But after learning he’d practically married me off when I was a kid, after discovering how he was once tied the Inferno families, I don’t know what to expect when I walk in there today to talk.

I open my door and silently wish that Gabriel was with me. We decided last night that it would be better if I was alone, that my father would be more likely to admit the truth if Gabe wasn’t standing in the room.

Sunlight glints off the engagement ring on my finger as I shut the car door. I laugh thinking that only Gabriel would buy an actual two-carat diamond to use as a prop to abduct me back in Miami. The man never cuts corners and is willing to go all out if it means he gets what he wants.

I’m approaching the front door when it’s pulled open. Glancing up, I expect to see Harrison in his pressed butler uniform. Instead, I lock eyes with my old driver.

“Scott?”

His gaze cuts to mine, something unsaid rolling behind it. He doesn’t acknowledge me as he runs past, but I spin and grab his arm to stop him.

“I thought you quit. Why are you here?”

His head is shaved close, a military style cut that makes sense for him considering he’s ex-military.

“Just grabbing my last paycheck,” he answers, easily pulling his arm from my grasp.

Except, that’s fu

When Scott reaches his car and is climbing in to the driver’s seat, a familiar voice says my name.

“Miss Callahan. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

I turn to Harrison and smile. “I hope my father is home. He’s not expecting me.”

Kind brown eyes glimmer down at me, his gaze dropping to my hand. “You have a habit of being unexpected.”

It’s obvious Harrison’s already excited to witness whatever chaos I leave in my wake this time. But then, I’ve always been his favorite entertainment.

He opens the door wider to let me through. “Your father is in his office.”

“What’s his mood today? Green zone or red?”

“Let’s go with yellow. He was happy to see you’d broken off your engagement to Mr. Dane, however I’m sure his happiness won’t last.”

Harrison pointedly glances at the ring and smiles.

Turning to him, I poke a finger against his chest. “You take far too much joy in me being a fuck-up.”

“It keeps things entertaining.”

Sighing, I turn to the stairs and mumble, “Might as well get this over with.”

My skirt flutters around my legs as I run up the stairs to the second floor. Marching towards Dad’s office, my heels are a steady click against the marble floors, my heart dropping into my stomach when his double doors come into view.

I press my ear to the door to see if he’s on the phone. Hearing nothing, I knock and wait for his deep voice.

“Come in.”

Slowly turning the knob, I expect the hinges to creak in the usual haunted house way, but they’re silent. My father glances up as soon as I peek my head inside, the smile I flash him not returned.

I’ve always loved my father’s office. Despite being large, it’s the perfect reading nook that carries the scent of old books.

Dark oak bookshelves line every wall except for where the floor to ceiling window looks out over the gardens, and another wall with a gas-burning fireplace that is always lit.

Dad’s large desk takes up most of the space, situated in the center of the room with two comfortable wingback chairs facing it.

Unfortunately, the relaxing vibe is lost when my father’s dark stare locks to mine, his mouth already tight with disapproval.

He leans back in his chair and assesses me like an attorney about to cross-examine a key witness.

“Have a seat, Ivy.”

Holding my hand against my skirt, I do my best to hide the ring. This conversation will be easier if I don’t start with the news that I’m marrying Gabriel. Then again, it’s the perfect opening to ask why the fuck I was promised to him when I was nine.

We’re not seventeenth century royalty. The days of marrying off your daughter as a bid to blend power and money is long past, and I’m not too happy to hear my father had even considered such a thing.

Dad runs a hand through his dark hair, his stare pi

“I saw that you made the news again. I found it telling that my own daughter couldn’t at least call to give me the warning. Especially considering this is the second time it’s happened.”

Folding my hands in my lap, I keep the ring covered and borrow the same excuse Gabriel used with his father.

“I’ve been busy. A girl has to find a job when she’s suddenly cut off from her bank accounts and kicked out of her home.”

Okay, so maybe I added to the excuse, but it’s warranted. Dad must have believed I’d come crawling back on my belly, begging for him to take care of me again.

It’s too bad for him it won’t happen.

He ignores the comment. “Why are you here?”

To lie my ass off...

Settling in my seat, I give him my best smile. “To let you know I found a roommate. Thankfully, she’s letting me stay with her for free until I can find a job.”