always gets her in so much trouble with Mom and Dad. “There’s nothing you can do? Why are you proposing to that girl tonight and marrying her when you’re in love with Blaire?
I grit my teeth and clench my fists. “You know why. Don’t act like you don’t.”
She points back toward the party. “Don’t do something stupid for those people in there.”
“Grandmother, Grandfather, Mom, and Dad have to die eventually. I just have to wait it out.”
“Jesus!” She snorts and shakes her head. “That’s a really healthy way to look at things. Let’s just count down the days until they kick the bucket, and I can finally be with someone I actually give a shit about.”
“That’s not fair. I care about Jessica.”
“How can you possibly know that? You barely know her.”
I shove my hands back through my hair, squeeze my eyes shut, and let my head fall back. “She’s a sweet girl, Athena. She’s fitting into our party and doing an amazing job already. She’s exactly what this family and I need right now.”
“Wow. You’re more messed up than I thought. Here I had hoped that what happened with Artie may have taught you something.”
I drop my hands and turned to face her. “I don’t want to abandon the family to go live on the beach, Athena. That may be exactly what Artie wants, but you know I always wanted this company. Don’t hate me for wanting to have it.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. There is another way—Blaire.”
Just her name is enough to tighten the vise around my chest. “I wish it were that simple, but it just…isn’t. She doesn’t fit into this world.”
One of Athena’s eyebrows wings up. “She doesn’t?”
“She isn’t a Warren!”
“That’s a good thing, Archie. You of all people should know that.” She releases a deep sigh and closes the distance between us, glancing back over her shoulder to make sure no one can hear us. “I understand wanting to protect her from the bullshit that comes with our family, but there’s another option.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
“Make her one and teach her how to do it. Teach her how to be exactly what you need, not what Grandfather, or Grandmother, or Mother or Father want for you.”
“After the conversation I just had with her, it’s too late for that, Athena.” I turn to walk away from her before she can argue with me further. I’ll get my jacket from her later after I have a few dozen more drinks.
I can’t discuss this anymore. Not with Athena. Not with Blaire. Not with anyone. This is a losing battle over a moot point. I’ll marry Jessica one week from today and make her a Warren. It’s the only way.
BLAIRE
It takes a good ten minutes for me to shift from my spot in the middle of the hallway, surrounded by the broken glass at my feet. The conversation with Archie has left me numb and unable to move, practically unable to breathe.
I’m going to have to find a new job. Build a new life somewhere far away from Warren Enterprises and Archimedes Warren. But first, I suck in a deep breath and force my feet to carry me back toward the party. I have to make it through tonight, and I have to finish the wedding plans to ensure Archie’s marriage ceremony goes off without a hitch.
Because I’m his assistant, after all, and the man needs to be married. He made himself very clear on that.
“Blaire, darling?” The soft, older feminine voice startles me as I reach the entry back into the party, and I turn to face Ruby Warren.
The matriarch of the family has always brought mixed reviews from those who have met her and heard stories, but during our few interactions when she’s come into the offices, she’s always been very pleasant with me.
I force a smile I don’t feel and nod toward her. “Hello, Mrs. Warren.”
She slips her arm through mine, the beads of her Swarovski-encrusted dress rubbing against my sensitive, bare skin. “Let’s have a chat.”
“A chat?”
The older woman doesn’t answer me, just leads me toward the staircase up to the US Presidents exhibit.
I glance over my shoulder at the closed sign. “Are we supposed to be going up here?”
She waves her free hand dismissively. “You really think anyone will stop me?”
A slight giggle escapes my lips despite feeling devastated. “You’re right.”
No one would stop a Warren. Especially on this night, during their big party.
We reach the top of the stairwell, and she slowly leads me into the