The Penalty Box - Teagan Kade Page 0,47

are hanging around my ankles?”

“I’ll always love your balls, my dear—now and forever.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

LINNEA

Who needs medieval torture when you’ve got macroeconomics?

I come out of class ready for my brain to burst. It’s stuffed with more information than it knows how to handle. On top of everything that’s been happening it’s high time for R&R.

“Linnea.”

Instinctively, I pull my books to my chest and search to find the source of the voice.

I don’t have to look far.

It’s Harry, emerging from the trees.

Jesus. I thought my father was over these cheap tricks.

I look to see where his goons are hiding.

Harry puts his hands up. “I came alone. You have my word on that.”

“If you’re hanging around with my father, I can’t imagine your word means much at all.”

Harry approaches me slowly, lowering his hands. Crestfall is used to money, but the air of affluence Harry gives off is on another level. I wouldn’t be surprised if he shits gold bricks.

“You have your father all wrong, you know,” he continues. “He only wants what’s best for you.”

We’re in a public space. There are more than enough people around to provide me with a certain sense of security. “My father wants what’s best for my father. It has always been that way.”

Harry’s lips press upwards. He nods to himself. “All right. To be honest, I’m not eager to marry either.”

“No!” I exclaim, making the sarcasm clear.

“Don’t get me wrong, you’re attractive enough in a—” he hunts for the words “—utilitarian way.”

“Utilitarian? Well, aren’t you Romeo incarnate?”

He ignores that, holding up a finger for emphasis. “But…we need to do this for our fathers and their businesses. It’s important.”

“You cannot be serious. I mean, you sat by idly while my father kidnapped me off the street. Honestly, do you really think I’m going for this bullshit you’re rolling out?”

He’s persistent if nothing else. “You have to look at the bigger picture, Linnea. This extends beyond you and me, beyond our fathers. This is about protecting jobs and employees, everyone involved. Together, our companies could be strong, safeguarded against almost anything the market might throw up, but separate, at war… That’s going to cost people. It might cost lives.”

He actually smiles at himself for coming up with this, like the teacher’s pet who’s just been called up to the blackboard. “That’s your play, is it?”

“It is.”

“Think about it. Think past yourself, Linnea.”

That does it. I step up to this silver-spooned, gold-plated piece of corporate trash and stab a finger into his chest. “No. You can pass that onto my father.”

He slides his hands into his pockets. “If you’d just listen to—”

I’ve been waiting for the final blow.

I hold up my hand, turn it so he can see the wedding ring. “Take a long, hard look, Harry. I’m already married.”

The moment the shock hits him is priceless. “But—”

And so his little Ted Talk is finished. He’s lost for words. “That’s right,” I tell him, confidence building. “I’m married to Nolan King and anything my father wants, whether it be marriage, his daughter back, or maybe to float in French champagne, I will play no part in it. Am I being clear here?”

Harry just bites his tongue. “Hm,” he replies, stalking off and no doubt seething from the news.

Good.

Great, I think.

Carrie approaches me. “Who’s the suit? Is he single?”

I watch him storm off quite pleased with myself. “He’s single all right, but I’d stay away if I was you.”

“I don’t mind if he ties me up and takes me to his red room. A couple of billion in the bank wouldn’t hurt either. Momma needs a new handbag.”

I have to laugh. “Momma needs to keep clear of guys who only care about one thing.”

“Sex?”

“No, idiot, power,” I reply, looking to where Harry is disappearing into the crowd of students emerging from the IT building.

Carrie follows my gaze. “No, seriously, who was that dude?”

I start walking, Carrie falling into step beside me. “Son of my one of my father’s competitors. They want a merger, and a marriage, apparently.”

She looks to my ring, “But you’re…” She rolls her eyes. “Ohhh, now I get it.”

I give her a look of sympathy. “And here I was wondering why they made you repeat second grade.”

She elbows me. “Watch it, bitch.”

I elbow her back. “Save the trash talk for the boards, Luísa Harris.”

“I consider myself more of a Sue Bird, actually.”

“Just without the four Olympic golds.”

Which earns me another elbow. “Watch it, hotshot. You haven’t signed on to a team yet. A little slip ’n’ trip