The Determining (10 page)

“This incident has come at an ideal time for Grey Technology’s new product launch. The company plans to unveil their chip software update at New York’s Technologies Expo this summer. The software is rumored to be a security upgrade that would prevent—” Charlie turned off the television.

Closing her eyes, she submitted to the crippling exhaustion that had been building since “the incident.” Despite all attempts to rest, her racing thoughts wouldn’t slow down long enough to let sleep come. Her mind traveled back, reviewing the previous night’s events. Foremost, Nemo’s plan with the gunman. Why had he needed a distraction? And what about the woman who’d scanned her chip?

“Miss Grey?” Charlie’s eyes snapped open. Constance stood in the doorway. “Mr. Campbell is here to see you.”

“You can show him in.” She stifled a yawn. “And would you bring some coffee?”

Constance disappeared with a nod. A moment later, Drew took her place in the doorway. He looked as tired as she felt. His thick glasses couldn’t hide the dark circles under his eyes or the serious look on his face.

“Hey there, beautiful,” he said.

Charlie rolled her eyes, patting the space next to her on the couch. He walked over and settled in, wrapping his arm around her waist.

“Enough of your lies. I look like I’ve been run over and we both know it. The only way I could look worse is if I’d actually been shot last night.” She almost laughed, but a shadow passed over his face, closing her throat.

“What were you thinking, walking up on the stage like that?” He pulled her closer, as if afraid she might disappear.

“He was looking for me in the crowd. It was better to give him what he wanted than to force his hand.”

“He had a gun, Charlotte!”

“I’d rather he shoot me than an innocent person. He might have shot you.”

Drew sighed in frustration, running a hand through his hair. Charlie could tell he wanted to say something. He kissed her forehead before pulling her into his lap, circling his arms around her.

“Don’t ever do that. You are far more important than I will ever be.”

She nestled her head into the crook of his neck. “Just because I’m a Councilman’s daughter doesn’t mean I’m important.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He spoke softly, his hand rubbing her back.

“Then what did you mean?” She could sense the argument coming.

“You know,” he hedged.

She sat up and his hand stopped rubbing her back. “No, say it.”

Drew was quiet for a minute, reluctant to speak. “Your Determining has put you in a position to do great things. I know you don’t want to end up like your father, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use this situation to do something amazing.”

Charlie slid off of Drew’s lap, settling herself on the opposite end of the couch. “Why can’t you let this go? Why is it so important that I accept this willingly?”

He fidgeted. “You’re going to get mad.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared. “I’m already mad.”

She could see Drew gathering his resolve. He looked her dead in the eyes. “I believe in the system. You know it’s what saved me from a life in the slums, gave me a chance to be better. I can provide for my family now.”

“I’m glad you can provide, but that’s never been my future.” She gestured around the room. “I have everything I need, but I still feel empty. I don’t want to accept another thing that I know will leave me unfulfilled.”

The door opened and Constance walked in with coffee. Charlie let Drew take her hand in his. He traced the outline of her fingers gingerly with his thumb as they watched Constance.

She set the tray down and addressed Charlie. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No. Thank you.”

Constance inclined her head and left, closing the door behind her. They sat there in silence. Charlie’s thoughts drifted to her future. Could she really just follow her Determining without question, as Drew asked? She didn’t think so, but she forced herself to consider the possibility anyway. She saw herself sitting behind a desk, conducting meetings, approving new projects, and making a fortune for no other reason than she was a Grey. It would be a secure life, but she’d always feel something missing.

She looked at this future from every angle, searching for some redemption in it and finding none.

Drew spoke, breaking into her thoughts. “What do you want?”

The question caught her off guard. “What?”

He turned, caressing her face. “If working for your father won’t fulfill you, what will?”

There it was, the question even she didn’t know the answer to. Her body tensed, as it always did when she tried to puzzle this very thing out. “It sounds stupid, but I don’t know.” She sighed in frustration. “All I know is I want to have the opportunity to find out on my own. To try different things. Fail at them, even.” The defeat and anxiety she felt must have read in her eyes because Drew didn’t press the issue, just pulled her into his embrace.

She settled into the safety of Drew’s arms, resting her once scarred cheek on his chest. He pressed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. She closed her eyes, listening to the steady beat of his heart and the whoosh of air as he breathed. These sounds created a comforting background noise that allowed her thoughts to wander away from her future.

She focused on Nemo, replaying the last few weeks and searching her mind for a clue that would tell her what he was doing. Her mind sifted through the memories, looking for something that might shed light on the situation. A flash of Cornelia at the coffee shop, her eyes betraying a moment of cold anger, popped into her mind. Following closely behind, the memory of Cornelia’s anxious face at the party right before she encountered Nemo.

Charlie couldn’t prove that Cornelia knew about Nemo, not without asking her outright, which wasn’t an option. She didn’t know if Cornelia possessed the information she wanted. Even if she knew something, Charlie doubted she would share the truth. Her thoughts ran through everyone she’d seen at the party, trying to find something, anything.

“Tell me about last night.” Drew’s whispered request startled her.

“What do you want to know?”

“The man who bought your dance. Who was he?”

The question didn’t surprise her. Growing up in the slums conditioned Drew to value and protect what was his. Charlie didn’t like thinking of herself as his possession, but she understood the mindset.

“His name is Thayer McLean. His father is the Councilman from Texas.”

“You knew him, before last night?”

“I’ve seen him before, but we never met formally.”

“Then why did he bid on the dance?” She didn’t miss his resentment.

Charlie didn’t know what to say. The memory of Thayer’s cryptic response to that very question came flooding into her mind.
I never mix business with pleasure.
The words sent tingles rushing down her spine.

“I don’t know.” She was thankful that her voice didn’t give away the confusion coursing through her. Thayer was an enigma.

“I watched you dancing with him. You seemed very comfortable for two people who’d just met,” Drew accused.

“We were dancing, that’s it.” Sitting up, Charlie looked him in the eye. “Don’t do this, Drew. I love you, and one dance with a stranger won’t change that.” She fought to keep the annoyance out of her voice.

Drew ran his hands through his hair, knocking his glasses askew as he did. “I don’t doubt that you love me. I doubt that I’m good enough to deserve your love. And my doubt is only compounded by the fact that your parents don’t approve of us.”

“They don’t have to approve. I want to be with you, that’s all that matters.” She reached out, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.

He gave her a halfhearted smile, squeezing her hand in return. “That won’t always be the only factor in play. We have our Compatibility to consider.”

Charlie took a moment to gather her courage before asking the question that burned on the edge of her tongue. “Do you want to get tested?”

He sucked in a breath, his hand in hers tensing. “If we want to continue this relationship, I think that we need to start considering it.”

Charlie didn’t want to discuss this anymore. She shifted uncomfortably. “We haven’t had a chance to talk about University. Are you excited for our first semester?”

Drew seemed grateful for the new topic. He nodded. “I can’t believe we’re both going to KU. I feel like, for the moment, our lives are headed in that same direction.”

The sound of the door being thrown open startled Charlie and Drew. She whirled around. Richard stood in the doorway, looking furious.

“Mr. Campbell, I need to speak with my daughter.”

Charlie glared at Richard then turned to face Drew. “Can you wait for me in the library?”

Drew nodded and stood. He skirted past Richard, making his escape.

When she was sure Drew was out of earshot, she spoke. “What do you want?”

“Why is that boy in my house?” Richard scowled, not moving from his place near the door.

“Drew is my boyfriend. He came over to make sure I was okay after what happened last night, which is more than you’ve done. I haven’t even seen you since I was held at gunpoint.”

“I don’t owe you any explanations.”

His coarse reply didn’t surprise her. “No, but I thought that my own father would be concerned.”

“A situation you placed yourself in willingly.” Richard dismissed her comment with a flick of his hand.

She gaped at him. “The gunman wanted me. It came down to giving in or letting others get hurt in my place. I didn’t have an option.”

“A few casualties are acceptable collateral. Keep that in mind for the future.”

Charlie laughed in disbelief. “And you wonder why I don’t want to be like you.” She stood up, walking toward the door. “Excuse me, Drew is waiting.”

Richard moved to block her exit. “I haven’t finished with you.”

“Well, I’m finished with you.”

Richard reared back like he would strike her. Charlie looked him in the eye, refusing to allow the fear gnawing at her show. Her gaze dispelled some of his anger. Rather than hit her, he grabbed her face, turning it so the cheek he’d injured faced him. He used his other hand to trace the line of it down her cheekbone toward her mouth. “I can easily give you one to match on the other cheek.”

Charlie’s breath came out in quick gasps. “I’m not afraid of you.”

He squeezed her face and she let out a little cry. “You should be. I hold your life in my hands. I believe that earns me a level of respect.” His eyes darkened and a sick smile curled his lips. It didn’t matter that he was her father; he would ruin her if she crossed him. In that moment, the fear stabbing her chest turned to pure terror.

Just when she thought her jaw would break, Richard released her. She stumbled back, hand holding her tender face. “What did you want to say?” Pain pulsed, making her voice waver.

“I’ve entered into negotiations with Councilman Novack and his son. We’re planning the merging of our companies through your marriage to Mason.” His stare challenged her to argue.

“We might not be Compatible.” Charlie grasped at straws.

He smirked. “I’ll make sure you’re Compatible.”

The world seemed to slow down as all the pieces clicked into place. Why hadn’t she seen it before? If Richard rigged her Determining, of course he’d do the same with her and Mason’s Compatibility test. There seemed to be no way out of the marriage.

“I guess I don’t have a choice, then.” She laced her tone with all the bitterness and rage she felt.
There has to be a way around this. Think!

Richard crossed his arms, looking pleased with himself.

“Are we getting tested?”

“As a formality, yes. The lawyers are going through the contract now. If both sides agree to the terms we’ll have you tested as soon as next month.”

“And if the terms aren’t agreed on?”

“They will be.”

Her heart sank. A month. That was all she had left of her life.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure your mother has enough time to plan the perfect wedding.” The taunt stung.

With nothing left to say, Charlie headed to the door, but Richard spoke before she could escape.

“Enjoy your freedom while you still have it. I hear Mason likes to keep his women … compliant.”

Charlie flew out of the room and up the stairs. She slammed the library door behind her, startling Drew.

He jumped up from an armchair and hurried over to her. “What happened?”

“He’s forcing me to marry Mason Novack.” Speaking the words aloud caused them to sink in. Frustrated tears stung the back of her eyes.

“He can’t do that. What about compatibility?” Panic contorted Drew’s face.

She scoffed. “Don’t you get it by now? The chip and all the rules that come with it don’t matter to my father. This is how I ended up on a fast track to becoming the CEO of Grey Technology when I failed every business course I ever took.”

“How can he get around the rules?” Drew’s brows furrowed behind his glasses.

“Drew, my father’s company wrote the program that controls the chip.” She started pacing. “He obviously made sure the program included a backdoor.”

His mouth dropped open in astonishment. “He can’t do that. The law says—”

“Who wrote the laws?”

“The Council.” She gave him a pointed look. “Oh.”

Charlie crossed the room, dropping down onto a window seat. “There’s nothing I can do. I could be engaged to Mason within a week.” Tears pooled at the corners of her eyes. She blinked them back, refusing to let them fall.

Drew sat down next to her, taking her hand in his. “We can figure this out. There has to be some kind of loophole we can exploit.”

She shook her head. “I’ve been going over it in my head since before the party, when my mother started talking about the marriage. I can’t think of any way around this.” Heavy silence settled over them.

“You could marry me instead.” Drew’s voice shook with nerves.

Her head snapped toward him. He stared out the window, ignoring her gaze. “Are you serious?”

“Well, you can’t marry Mason if you’re already married to me.” He still wouldn’t look at her.