Promising You by Allie Everhart

Author:Allie Everhart [Everhart, Allie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Romance, New Adult
Publisher: Waltham Publishing, LLC
Published: 2014-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

16

I slowly slide the paper and the envelope back across the table. “They killed her. The plane crash wasn’t an accident.”

He puts the paper back in the envelope. “This was a warning for Garret. He tried to fight them. He tried to walk out of the meeting. And then they gave him what I just showed you.”

It’s starting to make sense now. Garret telling me to leave. Telling me it’s over. Pearce sending me home. Arlin telling me to get away from Garret. They all know that this organization, whatever it is, would kill me if I stood in the way of their plans for Garret. And by threatening to kill me, they’ll get Garret to do whatever they tell him to do.

“I never wanted my son to be part of this,” Pearce says. “I wanted him to have what I couldn’t. A normal life. One in which he could make his own decisions. I don’t want him repeating the life I’ve had. After Garret’s mother died, I didn’t have the energy to fight them anymore. So I did what they said. I followed orders. I married the woman they told me to marry. I did things I didn’t want to do. Things that were wrong and—” He clears his throat. “Anyway, it’s too late for me.”

I want to ask him what things this group made him do, but I know he won’t tell me so I ask about Katherine instead. “So they made you marry Katherine?”

He nods. “Her father is a member. They prefer us to marry women whose fathers are members. If that doesn’t work out, they find you a woman who is used to a life of wealth and privilege. Those women tend to marry for money and are less likely to care or notice what their husbands are doing on the side. Typically they never know about the organization or by the time they do, they’re so immersed in the lifestyle they’ll keep the secret to make sure the money doesn’t go away.”

“Did Garret’s mother know?”

“No. Back then I held out hope that I could someday get out of it, so I never told her.”

“But Katherine knows about it?”

“Yes, because her father is a member. Our marriage was arranged, and for years I tried to make it work. And after we had Lilly, Katherine and I grew closer, but it didn’t last. Our marriage has always been a struggle and they refuse to let me divorce her. This will be Garret’s life now. His wife will be chosen for him and he won’t like the choice.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell Garret about this? He knew about the organization so why didn’t you tell him he had to a member?”

“Because I was hoping he wouldn’t have to be.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Our younger members, myself included, don’t like the rule that says you’re born into this group. They’d rather hand select members based on certain criteria. Find people who actually want to be part of this rather than having to force people into it and coerce them into keeping quiet.

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