Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,2

he's busy worrying about you, protecting you from some unknown threat, he'll forget all about this Randi woman. Use his weakness for our benefit.”

I sway slightly as the implication of her words slams home. “You want me to create a threat against myself so he'll feel the need to protect me? How will that convince him to love me and not her?”

Celia’s tone turns menacing. “If you're unconvinced you'll be able to pull off what needs to be done, I can always arrange for the threat to be real.”

“And if I don’t? If I can’t convince him?”

“Then I’ll make sure all your secrets are shared, and all the work you’ve put in to be someone in this town will be wasted. Your personal life, career, family, everything turned against you.”

I swallow against the champagne that's fighting to surge back up my throat.

“Now,” she says, giving my hand a condescending pat, “earlier I overheard my son make plans to meet up with that woman later this evening. Your first role as his fiancée is to make sure he’s unable to keep that commitment.”

I nod, still unable speak.

“I know you love him, as do I. This is for his benefit. We're just having to get creative on how to save him from himself. This is the life for him. This is his destiny.”

“And me?” Does she consider me as a part of that destiny?

“You'll have what you've always wanted. Him. If we play this right, this time next year, you'll be happily married, and Randi Sawyer will just be a distant ugly memory.”

Taking a slow sip from my glass, I process Celia's words.

Married.

Happy.

Mine.

All those words are exactly what I want out of my future. Now’s my chance to make it happen.

“I’ll do it.” Celia smiles, and we click the edges of our flutes together. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I’ll grab Trey a bourbon from the bar. He’s been drinking beer all night, and if I can convince him to mix, there’s no way he’ll be able to see Randi tonight. That man’s never been able to mix a day in his life.”

Her smile widens, and if I’m not mistaken, a pulse of pride shines through her bright gaze.

“You’ll make an excellent daughter-in-law, Jessica.”

But for some reason, the praise falls flat. With a forced smile, I shift my way back through the crowd and head for the open bar, one thought swirling through my mind with each step.

What the hell have I sealed my future to?

1

Randi

I waited.

Waited until the sun's first morning rays warmed the fading dark sky. Waited in the wicker rocker on the back porch, watching the pool’s sparkling water, anxious to see the man I love and finally say those words out loud.

But he never came over like he promised.

With each minute that ticked by, disappointment constricted my heart, making it ache like never before.

As I slip off the pair of black yoga pants and crawl into bed, I attempt to convince myself everything is okay. It's one night, one promise.

At the ridiculous fake engagement party/celebration for defeating Kyle’s bill to strip low-income Americans of their voting rights, I didn’t expect the influx of emotions that bombarded me when confronted with Jessica on his arm. It was then—actually, maybe even before today, but I wasn’t willing to admit it—that I realized I love him. Granted, this is me we’re talking about, so it might not be normal love, but I'm not normal, so I guess its par for the course. With my childhood, I don't know if I'm even capable of wholehearted love, but I do love Trey in my own unique way.

But here I am going to bed alone with those three words still on the tip of my tongue, unable to speak them out loud to the man I feel them for.

Because he didn’t come.

Leaning over, I stretch to flip off the bedside lamp, dousing the room in darkness, the morning sun’s bright rays kept hidden by the thick blackout curtains. The sheets rustle as I wiggle to get comfortable while tugging the comforter up to my chin.

I’ve just closed my eyes, ready to get an hour or so of sleep before I start my day, when a bright light flashes, causing my lids to slide open once again. Not moving from my warm spot in the sheets, I scrutinize the glowing phone screen, debating if I should check it or not.

Part of me knows I can’t handle any more disappointment tonight if it’s not Trey with